New study: Pace of climate zone shifts quickens as climate warms New study: Pace of climate zone shifts quickens as climate warms As our planet is warming, not only have Earth’s climate zones begun to shift – the pace of change is expected to accelerate, according to a new study led by the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado. Read more
Arctic nearly free of summer sea ice during first half of 21st century Arctic nearly free of summer sea ice during first half of 21st century For scientists studying summer sea ice in the Arctic, it’s not a question of “if” there will be nearly ice-free summers, but “when.” A new study says it could be before 2050. Read more
NOAA-led report: 2012 Central Great Plains 'flash drought' a result of natural variations in weather NOAA-led report: 2012 Central Great Plains 'flash drought' a result of natural variations in weather A new report by the NOAA Drought Task Force finds natural variations in weather patterns caused the 2012 Great Plains drought and rules out global ocean conditions, as well as human-induced climate change, as major culprits. Read more
New study gives first independent confirmation of global land warming New study gives first independent confirmation of global land warming A new observational study that did not use temperature recordings from land stations has confirmed global land warming. Read more
Thin, low Arctic clouds played an important role in the massive 2012 Greenland ice melt Thin, low Arctic clouds played an important role in the massive 2012 Greenland ice melt New study shows clouds will be important in region’s future Clouds over the central Greenland Ice Sheet last July were “just right” for driving surface temperatures there above the melting point. Read more
Introducing a new resource to help our nation's 'working waterfronts' flourish Introducing a new resource to help our nation's 'working waterfronts' flourish Experts in several NOAA Sea Grant programs helped develop the new Sustainable Working Waterfront Toolkit. Read more
NOAA exploring impact of COVID-19 response on the environment 6May2020 Read more NOAA has launched a wide-ranging research effort to investigate the impact of reduced vehicle traffic, air travel, shipping, manufacturing and other activities on Earth’s atmosphere and oceans due to the response to COVID-19. Read more
Dangerous humid heat extremes occurring decades before expected 8May2020 Read more Climate models project that combinations of heat and humidity could reach deadly thresholds for anyone spending several hours outdoors by the end of the 21st century. However, new NOAA-supported research says these extremes are already happening — decades before anticipated — due to global warming to date. Read more
NOAA teams with United Nations to create locust-tracking application 7May2020 Read more NOAA’s powerful air quality model used to track pollution from wildfires, volcanoes and industrial accidents is now being used to help warn communities across Africa and Asia of what have been called the worst locust swarms in a quarter century. Read more
NOAA researchers model risk of Asian carp invasion in Lake Huron 30Apr2020 Read more New research by NOAA and partners finds that two species of invasive Asian carp -- the bighead carp and silver carp, collectively known as bigheaded carps -- could be capable of establishing populations in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron and affecting the health of ecologically and economically important fish species such as yellow perch. Read more