This Earth Day, explore how NOAA science informs environmental policy This Earth Day, explore how NOAA science informs environmental policy April 22nd is Earth Day, and here at NOAA, we know a few things about the Earth. Read more
New global forecasts of marine heatwaves foretell ecological and economic impacts New global forecasts of marine heatwaves foretell ecological and economic impacts Researchers have developed global forecasts that can provide up to a year's advance notice of marine heatwaves, sudden and pronounced increases in ocean temperatures that can dramatically affect ocean ecosystems. Read more
NOAA-led cruise expands sensors for climate prediction NOAA-led cruise expands sensors for climate prediction PIRATA buoys provide critical data that are used to develop and improve predictive models of the Atlantic climate system, as well as used for ocean and weather prediction. Read more
Increase in atmospheric methane set another record during 2021 Increase in atmospheric methane set another record during 2021 For the second year in a row, NOAA scientists observed a record annual increase in atmospheric levels of methane, a powerful, heat-trapping greenhouse gas that’s the second biggest contributor to human-caused global warming after carbon dioxide. Read more
NOAA report highlights 2021 climate, weather, ocean research NOAA report highlights 2021 climate, weather, ocean research 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 Study previews how climate change may alter rain-making atmospheric rivers by 2100 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
Path to recovery of ozone layer passes a significant milestone 24Aug2022 Read more An annual analysis of air samples collected at remote sites around the globe that is tracking a continued decline in the atmospheric concentration of ozone-depleting substances shows the threat to the ozone layer receding below a significant milestone in 2022, NOAA scientists have announced. Read more
NOAA and Saildrone launch seven hurricane-tracking surface drones 3Aug2022 Read more In partnership with NOAA, Saildrone Inc. is deploying seven ocean drones to collect data from hurricanes during the 2022 hurricane season with the goal of improving hurricane forecasting. For the first year, two saildrones will track hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Read more
Thirty years of progress in hurricane forecasting since Hurricane Andrew 22Aug2022 Read more Hurricane Andrew made landfall on August 24, 1992, near Homestead, Florida, becoming one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in U.S. history. It had an extremely low central pressure of 922 millibars and maximum sustained wind speeds estimated at 165 miles per hour. The storm rapidly intensified less than 36 hours before landfall, leaving most residents less than a day to secure their homes and heed evacuation orders. When NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) staff found themselves with a major hurricane on their doorstep, hurricane researchers urgently began working to aid forecasters at NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC). Hurricane Andrew affected their families, and even destroyed one scientist’s home. Once the hurricane passed, our scientists went right back to work, using what they had learned and seen firsthand to improve our understanding of tropical cyclones. In the 30 years since Andrew, NOAA scientists, forecasters and partners have revolutionized hurricane forecasting to save lives and property. Read more
NOAA celebrates new Arctic observatory near Utqiaġvik 5Aug2022 Read more More than 50 years after NOAA commissioned the first Arctic atmospheric observatory in a temporary building at the northernmost point of the United States, NOAA leadership celebrated a new, expanded observatory and research facility worthy of the significance of its work. Read more
Study validates accuracy of NOAA’s smoke forecasting model during the Camp Fire 5Jul2022 Read more A research team led by scientists from the University of California Berkeley and NOAA found that HRRR-Smoke accurately predicted the intensification of smoke pollution from the Camp Fire. Read more