Superfast 'Gaea' supercomputer helps scientists model the Earth’s climate Superfast 'Gaea' supercomputer helps scientists model the Earth’s climate NOAA scientists are using a newly upgraded powerful high performance computer to improve our understanding of the Earth’s climate system. Read more
California Sea Grant study examines year-old NOAA West Coast catch shares program California Sea Grant study examines year-old NOAA West Coast catch shares program A new NOAA Sea Grant project will examine the ongoing effects of a new catch-shares policy in helping the fleet become both ecologically and economically viable. Read more
New NOAA-supported West Coast studies to look at models for sustaining America's fishing industry New NOAA-supported West Coast studies to look at models for sustaining America's fishing industry The “locavore” movement helps America’s farmers. Could it also help our fishing industry? Two new NOAA Sea Grant studies will look at how new business models, based on the success of community supported agriculture, could benefit fishing communities in Washington, Oregon, and California. Read more
Amount of coldest Antarctic water near ocean floor decreasing for decades Amount of coldest Antarctic water near ocean floor decreasing for decades Scientists have found a large reduction in the amount of the coldest deep ocean water, called Antarctic Bottom Water, all around the Southern Ocean using data collected from 1980 to 2011. Read more
Ask NOAA experts about Great Lakes ice cover in a Tweet Chat on Wednesday, March 14 Ask NOAA experts about Great Lakes ice cover in a Tweet Chat on Wednesday, March 14 On Wednesday, March 14, two NOAA scientists will take questions over Twitter about ice cover on the Great Lakes over the past few months and on the long-term trends. Read more
Decades of research on Great Lakes ice cover reveal trends Decades of research on Great Lakes ice cover reveal trends NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab has monitored ice cover on the lakes for decades. Its measurements have documented wide variations from winter to winter and made possible discoveries about climate links to variation in ice cover. Read more
Atmospheric Rivers: What are they and how does NOAA study them? 11Jan2023 Read more You may have heard of atmospheric rivers in the news lately due to the intense rainfall and flooding along the U.S. West Coast. These naturally occurring air currents can bring both severe disruption and great benefit through the heavy rain and mountain snows that contribute to regional water supply. NOAA studies atmospheric rivers to improve forecasting capabilities as well as to improve our understanding of atmospheric river impacts on communities and the physical environment. Read more
One facility makes a big contribution to Salt Lake’s winter brown cloud 25Jan2023 Read more The 2.4 million people who live along Utah’s Wasatch Front experience some of the most severe winter particulate matter air pollution in the nation. Now, analysis of measurements taken during NOAA research flights in 2017 indicates that emissions from a single source, a magnesium refinery, may be responsible for a significant fraction of the fine particles that form the dense winter brown clouds that hang over Salt Lake City. Read more
When volcanoes roar: protecting the public and tracking long-term climate impacts 5Jan2023 Read more 2022 was a busy year for volcanic eruptions with Hawaii's Mauna Loa and Kilaeau erupting simultaneously, along with Mount Semeru, Indonesia and the Hunga undersea volcano in Tonga. While the United States Geological Survey is the primary agency that monitors volcanic activity in the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) oversees safety systems for tsunamis and other volcano-related threats, as well as studies the impact of volcanic gasses on our global climate. Read more
Towering wildfire clouds have big impacts on the stratosphere 23Feb2023 Read more Smoke from wildfire-generated thunderstorms has greater impacts on the stratosphre, lasts longer and acts differently than scientists previously thought, a new research paper in the journal Science concludes. Read more
Low ice on the Great Lakes this winter 17Feb2023 Read more Ice coverage has reached a record low in the Great Lakes for this time of year. Read more