NOAA invests $5.9M in small businesses to advance innovative technologies NOAA invests $5.9M in small businesses to advance innovative technologies The NOAA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program awarded approximately $5.9 million in Phase II SBIR grants to 12 small businesses. This seed funding will support research and development of innovative technologies in the NOAA mission space. The winning proposals represent projects across multiple research topic areas, which include Blue Economy, ‘Omics, Artificial Intelligence, Uncrewed Systems, and Citizen Science & STEM Education. Read more
NOAA celebrates new Arctic observatory near Utqiaġvik NOAA celebrates new Arctic observatory near Utqiaġvik 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
NOAA and Saildrone launch seven hurricane-tracking surface drones NOAA and Saildrone launch seven hurricane-tracking surface drones Part of an array of marine and air uncrewed tools NOAA is using to improve forecast models 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
Eruption highlights NOAA technological innovation Eruption highlights NOAA technological innovation When a volcano in the South Pacific Ocean erupted in January 2022, NOAA researchers were well-equipped to study the multi-hazard event by sky and by sea. Key technologies and strategic partnerships made it possible for NOAA to issue warnings that saved lives around the world, while also collecting scientific data that will improve forecasting models and disaster response for future events. Read more
Guam Sea Grant becomes an Institutional Sea Grant Program Guam Sea Grant becomes an Institutional Sea Grant Program NOAA and Sea Grant are pleased to announce that Guam Sea Grant has achieved status as a Sea Grant Institutional Program, a designation of growth from the program’s previous Coherent Area Program status. The designation comes on the unanimous recommendation of the National Sea Grant Advisory Board and NOAA senior leadership. Read more
Atlantic Ocean nations join pact to cooperate on marine science Atlantic Ocean nations join pact to cooperate on marine science The United States joined with leaders of six nations and the European Union today in Washington, D.C., to sign the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) Declaration, in which the nations pledge to cooperate on ocean research for the environmental health and sustainable development of the Atlantic Ocean. 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
Global atmospheric carbon dioxide levels continue to rise 14Nov2022 Read more Global carbon dioxide emissions in 2022 remain at record levels and natural carbon sinks are being impacted by climate change, according to a report published last week by the Global Carbon Project. 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
NOAA Research's top accomplishments from 2022 20Dec2022 Read more Major hurricanes, intense wildfires, increasing concentrations of greenhouse gasses, deep sea discoveries, and more made 2022 an eventful year for NOAA Research. As we enter the final days of the year, we’re taking a look back at some of our biggest accomplishments from the last 12 months. 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