Ozone hole modest despite conditions ripe for depletion Ozone hole modest despite conditions ripe for depletion Global efforts to reduce atmospheric chlorine are paying off Weather conditions were ripe for a big ozone hole this year. But declining levels of ozone-depleting chemicals kept it to near-average size. Read more
NOAA funding research effort to develop global aerosol map NOAA funding research effort to develop global aerosol map A better map of dust in the wind will improve aerosol forecasts The University of Colorado has been awarded funding for development of an improved global map of smoke, dust and other aerosol particles. Read more
Study: Pollution from personal care products comparable to tailpipe emissions in Boulder Study: Pollution from personal care products comparable to tailpipe emissions in Boulder A a new NOAA study shows that during the morning rush hour in Boulder, Colorado, the trail of chemical vapors emitted by personal care products that commuters use on their skin and hair are comparable in magnitude to the emissions of major components of vehicle exhaust. Read more
New research offers potential to predict atmospheric river activity up to 5 weeks ahead New research offers potential to predict atmospheric river activity up to 5 weeks ahead Those long, intense plumes of moisture in the sky known as atmospheric rivers are a vital water source to communities along the U.S. West Coast. In their absence, desiccating droughts can develop. But in their presence, they can cause extreme rain and floods that can disrupt travel, cause landslides, and trigger infrastructure failures. Read more
Consumer, industrial products now a major urban air pollution source Consumer, industrial products now a major urban air pollution source New study finds big impact from paints, pesticides, perfumes as vehicle emissions drop Chemical products like household cleaners, pesticides, paints and perfumes that contain compounds refined from petroleum now rival motor vehicle emissions as the top source of urban air pollution, according to a surprising NOAA-led study Read more
Mining weather data from Civil War-era Navy logbooks Mining weather data from Civil War-era Navy logbooks Old weather data helps scientists understand our changing climate A new grant will let a University of Washington-based project add a new fleet to its quest to learn more about past climate from the records of long-gone mariners. The UW is among the winners of the 2017 “Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives” awards, announced earlier this month by the Washington, D.C.-based Council on Library and Information Resources. Kevin Wood, a research scientist with the Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean, a research center operated by NOAA and UW, will lead the project. Read more
Carbon dioxide peaks near 420 parts per million at Mauna Loa observatory 7Jun2021 Read more In May, NOAA's measurements at the Mauna Loa observatory averaged 419.13 parts per million. Scientists at Scripps calculated a monthly average of 418.92 ppm. It's the highest level since accurate measurements began 63 years ago. Read more
NOAA index tracks how greenhouse gas pollution amplified global warming in 2020 24May2021 Read more The annual analysis of samples collected by NOAA’s Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network provides an updated measure of the excess heat trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gas pollution. Read more
Meet 5 NOAA buoys that help scientists understand our weather, climate and ocean health 2Jun2021 Read more Keeping track of ocean health is critical for understanding climate change, weather patterns, and the health of important fisheries. But how do NOAA and partner scientists gather data on such a vast environment? Read more
NOAA, Boeing team up to test greenhouse gas-measuring technology 3Jun2021 Read more Scientists with NOAA's Global Monitoring Laboratory will evaluate the optimal placement of greenhouse-gas sampling inlets on a Boeing 737 flying testbed owned by Alaska Air during Boeing's 2021 ecoDemonstrator technology development program. Read more
NOAA initiatives among the first round of Ocean Decade endorsed actions 11Jun2021 Read more NOAA scientists and priorities are well reflected in several of the first Ocean Decade actions endorsed and announced this week by the United Nations Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC). Documents to download NOAA Blue Carbon Inventory Project.4.21.21(.pdf, 1.09 MB) - 119 download(s) Read more