The IPCC Climate Change 2022 Impacts Report: Why it matters The IPCC Climate Change 2022 Impacts Report: Why it matters At the end of February, some 270 top scientists from 67 countries, including two NOAA scientists, are releasing a large-scale report, which will describe how climate change is already affecting the world’s human and natural systems. Read more
Background ozone burdens Las Vegas’ air quality in spring Background ozone burdens Las Vegas’ air quality in spring High background levels of ozone pollution make it hard for Las Vegas and other southwestern cities to meet US air quality standards in spring, two NOAA studies find. But local pollution sources drive summer's high ozone days. Read more
Emily Menashes joins NOAA Research leadership as new DAA for Programs and Administration Emily Menashes joins NOAA Research leadership as new DAA for Programs and Administration Emily, who most recently served as NOAA National Ocean Service’s Chief of Staff and, for the last year, has worked on-detail at the White House Council on Environment and Quality, succeeds Ko Barrett, who is now serving as NOAA’s Senior Advisor for Climate. She will begin her role on Monday, February 28th. Read more
Historic firestorm illustrates some of the ways NOAA responds when disaster strikes Historic firestorm illustrates some of the ways NOAA responds when disaster strikes On December 30, 2021, a combination of long-term drought and hurricane-force winds set the stage for what would become the most destructive fire in Colorado history in terms of property loss. Read more
Study: Natural hazards compound Covid-19 impacts disproportionately on businesses run by minorities, women and vets Study: Natural hazards compound Covid-19 impacts disproportionately on businesses run by minorities, women and vets Editor’s note: This story was adapted from the news release issued by NIST By many measures, 2020 — a year dominated by an emerging pandemic and overrun with natural disasters — was bad for business. A multitude of variables affected the ability of businesses to adapt, but according to new research, socio-economic vulnerabilities intensified impacts on small businesses. A study by researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) revealed that businesses run by minorities, women and veterans, were dealt a much worse hand by the pandemic than other businesses. What’s more, the team saw that these businesses reported harsher downturns from COVID-19 alone than even other small businesses that were struck by natural disasters on top of COVID-19. Read more
Super Bowl brings fans, parties, and forecasters Super Bowl brings fans, parties, and forecasters When Super Bowl LVI kicks off at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on February 13, a nearby command center operated by emergency managers will include NOAA experts. Read more
Greenhouse gas pollution trapped 49% more heat in 2021 than in 1990, NOAA finds 23May2022 Read more The Annual Greenhouse Gas Index serves as a measure of global society's progress - or lack of progress - in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Read more
Projected increase in space travel may damage ozone layer 21Jun2022 Read more Scientists from NOAA and The Aerospace Corp. modeled the climate response of the stratosphere to increased future emissions of black carbon from rockets burning kerosene fuel. 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
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
Research: Global warming contributed to decline in tropical cyclones in the 20th century 27Jun2022 Read more The annual number of tropical cyclones forming globally has decreased by approximately 13% during the 20th century, and scientists say the main cause is a rise in global warming, according to a new study in Nature Climate Change by a group of international scientists including NOAA scientists. Read more