Historic firestorm illustrates some of the ways NOAA responds when disaster strikes Historic firestorm illustrates some of the ways NOAA responds when disaster strikes On December 30, 2021, a combination of long-term drought and hurricane-force winds set the stage for what would become the most destructive fire in Colorado history in terms of property loss. Read more
Study: Natural hazards compound Covid-19 impacts disproportionately on businesses run by minorities, women and vets Study: Natural hazards compound Covid-19 impacts disproportionately on businesses run by minorities, women and vets Editor’s note: This story was adapted from the news release issued by NIST By many measures, 2020 — a year dominated by an emerging pandemic and overrun with natural disasters — was bad for business. A multitude of variables affected the ability of businesses to adapt, but according to new research, socio-economic vulnerabilities intensified impacts on small businesses. A study by researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) revealed that businesses run by minorities, women and veterans, were dealt a much worse hand by the pandemic than other businesses. What’s more, the team saw that these businesses reported harsher downturns from COVID-19 alone than even other small businesses that were struck by natural disasters on top of COVID-19. Read more
Super Bowl brings fans, parties, and forecasters Super Bowl brings fans, parties, and forecasters When Super Bowl LVI kicks off at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on February 13, a nearby command center operated by emergency managers will include NOAA experts. Read more
Expedition reveals deep insights into the Arctic of tomorrow Expedition reveals deep insights into the Arctic of tomorrow Two years ago, hundreds of international scientists set off on the one-year MOSAiC expedition, collecting unprecedented environmental datasets over a full annual cycle in the Central Arctic Ocean. Now, the team's findings are starting to be published. Read more
Sediments a likely culprit in spread of deadly disease on Florida coral reefs, study finds Sediments a likely culprit in spread of deadly disease on Florida coral reefs, study finds A new study found that seafloor sediments have the potential to transmit a deadly pathogen to local corals and hypothesizes that sediments have played a role in the persistence of a devastating coral disease outbreak throughout Florida and the Caribbean. Read more
Eruption provides rare opportunity to study volcanic gas and ash injected into the stratosphere Eruption provides rare opportunity to study volcanic gas and ash injected into the stratosphere Scientists are traveling to La Reunion to intercept the plume from the Tonga volcano eruption. Read more
Study: Reducing human-caused air pollution in North America & Europe brings surprise result: more hurricanes 11May2022 Read more A new NOAA study published today in the journal Science Advances about four decades of tropical cyclones reveals the surprising result that reducing particulate air pollution in Europe and North America has contributed to an increase in the number of tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic basin and a decrease in the number of these storms in the Southern Hemisphere. The study also found that the growth of particulate pollution in Asia has contributed to fewer tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific basin. Read more
NOAA report highlights 2021 climate, weather, ocean research 28Mar2022 Read more The newly released 2021 NOAA Science Report includes more than 60 stories that represent a selection of NOAA’s 2021 research and development accomplishments across the range of NOAA’s mission. Read more
Study previews how climate change may alter rain-making atmospheric rivers by 2100 24Mar2022 Read more A new NOAA modeling study suggests climate change is likely to disrupt Pacific atmospheric rivers, which are important sources of snow and rain for west coast states. Read more
NOAA’s observations help EPA track emissions of a family of greenhouse gases 22Apr2022 Read more NOAA atmospheric measurements are helping to support a national inventory of emissions from an important family of greenhouse gases. Read more
Background ozone burdens Las Vegas’ air quality in spring 23Feb2022 Read more High background levels of ozone pollution make it hard for Las Vegas and other southwestern cities to meet US air quality standards in spring, two NOAA studies find. But local pollution sources drive summer's high ozone days. Read more