Are tropical cyclones moving at a more leisurely pace? Are tropical cyclones moving at a more leisurely pace? NOAA researchers join lively debate A recent NOAA-led study found the speed of movement of tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, has been slowing in recent decades, with more storms lumbering slowly over land and potentially causing more flooding. However, new research published in Nature by another NOAA scientist casts some doubt that tropical cyclones are slowing and that there’s a link to climate change. Read more
Surprisingly large carbon uptake by North American biosphere during El Niños Surprisingly large carbon uptake by North American biosphere during El Niños New finding addresses a major uncertainty in climate models The results of a new NOAA study snowing a strong response by the North American biosphere to El Ninos highlight the importance of improving understanding of regional carbon-climate relationships, which represent a major uncertainty in future climate projections. Read more
Carbon dioxide levels hit record peak in May Carbon dioxide levels hit record peak in May Monthly average surpassed 414 parts per million at Mauna Loa observatory Carbon dioxide levels reached the highest seasonal peak recorded in 61 years of observations at NOAA's Mauna Loa observatory. This the seventh consecutive year of steep global increases in concentrations of this important greenhouse gas pollutant. Read more
Climate change to make events like 2017 Northern Plains flash drought more likely Climate change to make events like 2017 Northern Plains flash drought more likely Short, sharp drought surprised scientists, caused $2.6 billion in losses The 2017 Northern Plains drought hit hard and without warning, desiccating pastures, rangelands and wheat, sparking massive wildfires, and causing widespread livestock sell-offs across the Dakotas, northeastern Montana and the Canadian Prairies. While it wasn't the region's worst drought, it caused $2.6 billion in losses. A new study shows droughts like this are 20% more likely due to climate change. Read more
XPrize announces winners in contest to advance ocean science and discovery XPrize announces winners in contest to advance ocean science and discovery NOAA Bonus Prize goes to team of junior high students and Florida team Editor’s note: This story was adapted from the XPrize news release issued on May 31, 2019. XPRIZE, the global leader in designing and operating incentive competitions to solve humanity’s grand challenges, announced winners on May 31, in the $7M Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE and the $1 million NOAA Bonus prize as part of the global competition to advance ocean technologies for rapid, unmanned and high-resolution ocean exploration and discovery. Read more
NOAA names Colorado State University to host cooperative institute for atmospheric research NOAA names Colorado State University to host cooperative institute for atmospheric research The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration today announced it has selected Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, to host NOAA’s cooperative institute focused on developing new satellite products and models designed to improve weather and climate prediction. Read more
A Message from Craig McLean: Hurricane Dorian and Exceptional Service 10Sep2019 Read more NOAA Research Assistant Administrator Craig McLean's message to colleagues, dated Monday, September 9th, regarding Hurricane Dorian and its wide-ranging impacts Read more
New NOAA app brings earth and space animations to your phone 2Aug2019 Read more NOAA's SOS Explorer Mobile, an app for personal mobile devices, tells earth science stories by playing visually stunning movies on a virtual globe. Read more
Airborne research shows East Coast cities emitting twice as much methane as estimated 22Jul2019 Read more A new NOAA and University of Michigan study using an instrumented airplane has found unexpectedly large emissions over five major cities along the East Coast - twice the total amount of methane and almost 10 times the amount estimated from natural gas. Read more
NOAA is developing underwater robots to map, measure toxicity of Great Lakes algal blooms 14Aug2019 Read more Two underwater robots will be gliding throughout the western Lake Erie basin this week, as NOAA and its partners at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) test technology to autonomously monitor and measure the toxicity of harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes. Read more
NOAA seeks public input on future priorities for research and development 12Jul2019 Read more NOAA is asking the general public and our stakeholders for comments on a new draft plan that outlines agency priorities for research and development from 2020 to 2026. Read more