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
NOAA research is gradually closing the sub-seasonal prediction gap NOAA research is gradually closing the sub-seasonal prediction gap New NOAA forecast product guides temperature and precipitation outlooks 3-4 weeks ahead Predicting the weather a few days in advance is a complex undertaking. But what about the weather 3 to 4 weeks from now? 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
Unique collaboration works to extend sea ice prediction from days to decades Unique collaboration works to extend sea ice prediction from days to decades For more than two decades, Elizabeth Hunke has worked at the Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory to design, create and improve a model used to predict sea ice extent, thickness and movement in both the Arctic and Antarctica. From the beginning, Hunke understood that collaboration was the key to improving this model. At a time when sea ice prediction is needed more than ever, NOAA, the Navy and other agencies are working together to extend sea ice prediction from days to decades. Read more
Snapping shrimp may ring 'dinner bell' for gray whales off the Oregon coast Snapping shrimp may ring 'dinner bell' for gray whales off the Oregon coast Editor's note: The following story is adapted from a news article released by the American Geophysical Union on February 13, 2018. PORTLAND — Scientists have for the first time captured the sounds of snapping shrimp off the Oregon coast and think the loud crackling from the snapping of their claws may serve as a dinner bell for eastern Pacific gray whales, according to new research by NOAA and Oregon State University presented here today. Read more
NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown sets sail to boost ocean data for weather prediction NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown sets sail to boost ocean data for weather prediction NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown steamed out of Charleston, South Carolina, on February 15, 2018, for a multi-stage trip around the world to improve ocean data that informs US and global weather prediction. Read more
Searching for the seeds of Arctic clouds 23Aug2018 Read more Editor's note: This is the sixth in a series Dispatches from the Arctic on the August science cruise by NOAA and partner scientists aboard the Coast Guard icebreaker Healy. Today's post is from Dr. Jessie Cremean of NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratory. Read more
NOAA organizes first agency-wide event to advance its modeling enterprise 27Aug2018 Read more NOAA constantly strives to improve its models of our changing environment in order to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers, and other decision makers with reliable information they can act on. But improving models takes time, money, and labor—tight budget constraints make this a challenging feat. Documents to download General Modeling Meeting and Fair Flyer(.pdf, 1.33 MB) - 606 download(s) Read more
NOAA and partners test unmanned vehicle to detect harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie 23Aug2018 Read more Scientists from NOAA, the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute will launch and test an unmanned underwater vehicle equipped with technology capable of collecting and processing water samples that can be used to track harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie. Read more
Hurricane hunter lands at NOAA's Boulder labs 17Oct2018 Read more The former Chief of Operations at the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland, Florida, pilot and NOAA Corps CAPT Catherine A. Martin is now the Executive Director of NOAA Boulder Laboratories. Read more
Looking for life in Arctic mud 24Aug2018 Read more Editor's note: This is the seventh in a series Dispatches from the Arctic on the August science cruise by NOAA and partner scientists aboard the Coast Guard icebreaker Healy. Today's post is from Janet Hsiao, NOAA John Knauss Sea Grant fellow, and Meredith LaValley of the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee. Read more