A Baylor researcher helps uncover the likely truth behind a 185-year-old mystery involving a train, a solar storm, and disrupted telegraph equipment. The study, published in Space Weather, reveals that the delay was not the first recorded technological disruption caused by space weather, but rather an early warning from the sun.
A new global atmospheric model has achieved unprecedented high resolution, narrowing grid spacing to 220 meters, and eliminating instances of popcornlike rain. This allows for more accurate predictions of extreme local weather from a global model, advancing next-generation climate prediction and weather forecasting.
A two-year field study found that soils amended with heat-treated poultry pellets and composted poultry litter supported longer survival of Escherichia coli compared to untreated soils. Weather conditions, such as humidity and wind speed, also played a significant role in bacterial survival.
Researchers found that incorporating Antarctic radar observations into weather forecasting systems improves forecasts of atmospheric circulation and atmospheric rivers over the Southern Hemisphere. The study used continuous wind observations from the PANSY radar to demonstrate the value of high-frequency measurements for weather foreca...
A new study projects that children born in 2025 will live through more than three additional years of extreme fire weather compared to those born in 1950, mainly due to climate change. Limiting warming to 1.5°C could reduce lifetime exposure by more than a year, giving them a chance at a full and healthier life.
An international research team has solved a 178-year-old mystery surrounding a train delay in Exeter, England, caused by a massive solar flare and coronal mass ejection in 1859. The team found that the incident most likely took place on October 18, 1848, rather than 1841, providing new insights into the earliest examples of space weath...
Researchers at Lancaster University have re-examined the 178-year-old mystery of a train delay in Exeter, dating back to 1841, and found it actually occurred in 1848 due to geomagnetic disturbance from the sun. The study shows that space weather has been disrupting technology for almost as long as electrical technologies have existed.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin developed a powerful method to track weather patterns on distant worlds, revealing two dominant processes shaping atmospheric changes. The study used PCA to analyze data from NASA's JWST, identifying minute changes in brightness as the object rotated.
Edward Oughton's project aims to develop an AI-enabled framework for predicting space weather risks and their socio-economic consequences. The project will generate calibrated forecasts and propagate uncertainties to assess the impact of space weather on satellite operations and society.
A study investigated the effects of space exposure on intraocular lenses and surgical equipment, finding that most lenses showed no notable damage after a six-month orbital journey. The research aims to develop better packaging, shielding, and material selection strategies for space missions, as the cost of sending equipment to space i...
Researchers used AI models to produce 50 different forecasts of the storm that pushed back the Allies' invasion of Normandy in June 1944. The model incorrectly predicted calm conditions on D-Day, contrary to Captain James Stagg's analysis, which had warned of poor conditions and a higher risk of dangerous winds.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have demonstrated that incorporating satellite measurements of water vapor isotopes into weather models improves forecasts of atmospheric conditions. This addition leads to more accurate weather forecasts, particularly for heavy rainfall predictions.
Cold and rain have the strongest short-term effects on bus use, while free fares and shelters can change the equation. Researchers analyzed hourly bus ridership across the Denver metropolitan area, finding that cold weather discourages bus use, but not as much for wildfire smoke or ozone warnings.
Research shows that pressure measurements from smartphones can enhance hailstorm forecasts, outperforming traditional weather stations in some cases. The study aims to integrate smartphone data into forecast models for better early warnings and local-scale hazard capture.
A new Yale-led study reveals that extreme weather events are limiting where bird species can exist and affecting biodiversity estimates for over 500 North American bird species. The research found that accounting for variable and extreme weather conditions is crucial for understanding the distribution of biodiversity and its change.
Researchers warn of the scale of radiation risks to passengers, crew and onboard systems during extreme space weather events. The study proposes a new atmospheric radiation scale to help support more informed decision-making in aviation.
Arctic cyclone clusters significantly impact sea ice cover, causing it to break up and reducing its extent. The storms also drive ice floes northwards, leading to a thinner and less resilient ice sheet.
The 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly brought together over 3,000 participants to exchange the latest results in space research and strengthen international scientific collaboration. Key highlights included a Space Agency Leaders Roundtable, Humanity's Cross-Disciplinary Exploration panel, and the first-ever Dark and Quiet Skies event.
A $1 million gift from Roger Krone establishes the University's first space systems endowment and laboratory, enhancing real-world learning experiences for students. The commitment will fund scholarships, research, and experiential learning opportunities in space systems engineering.
A Southwest Research Institute-led study demonstrates PUNCH's potential to improve space weather forecasts by tracking fast coronal mass ejections and predicting their arrival times. The mission's high-fidelity data enables accurate forecasting, with retro-forecasts predicting arrival times within a 30-minute window.
Researchers created a planning framework that assesses long-term investment strategies for improved resilience in the power grid. The framework maps weather events to grid impacts and quantifies cost-benefit trade-offs of possible solutions.
A geomagnetic storm highlighted weaknesses in UK infrastructure, with scientists calling for better monitoring and forecasting to protect critical systems. The May 2024 storm caused relatively minor disruption but was a one-in-13-year event, highlighting the need for improved preparedness.
A new UK-built instrument, MAGIC, will measure the Sun's magnetic field much farther upstream than current real-time space weather monitors. This mission aims to extend advance warning of severe solar storms from tens of minutes to several hours.
Scientists predict Solar Cycle 26's strength by analyzing sunspots at a newly-identified 'switch-off' point. This method gives a longer lead time than current methods, allowing for potential improvements in understanding the solar dynamo and predicting space weather.
Researchers suggest that extreme space weather may have far worse effects on Earth's technology than previously thought. The study, published in Nature, found a direct relationship between solar wind strength and electric currents in the upper atmosphere, indicating no upper limit to Earth's response.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have applied black-box optimization algorithms to model rainfall minimization through weather control. They demonstrated that Bayesian optimization can effectively design weather interventions, even under a limited budget of expensive weather simulations, by optimizing only a small number of trials.
A 15-year study found that extreme weather events, particularly sudden spring frosts and wildfires, have a significant impact on White Stork survival. Juvenile storks are most vulnerable to these conditions, with only 33% of fire-related incidents resulting in rehabilitation.
Scientists found clear and systematic drifts in global models' forecasts of Rossby wave breaking, which can weaken high-impact weather patterns. The jet stream's wind shear is a key factor in these errors, and biases in jet structure can echo through the forecast chain.
Research from the University of East Anglia found that even modest changes in weather can impact mental health service demand, with increases during hot weather and low sunshine. Fluctuations in temperature and sunlight exposure were linked to shifts in unscheduled healthcare use, with rainfall appearing to have little consistent effect.
The ECMWF's global forecasting system now incorporates new cloud radar data from the ESA-JAXA EarthCARE space mission, enhancing weather forecasting accuracy. This move is expected to improve predictions for extreme weather events like typhoons and heavy rainfall.
Researchers propose 'nudges' could alter hurricane tracks, weaken freezes and reduce extreme rainfall through carefully-timed cloud seeding operations. The approach aims to complement conventional disaster management and encourage more favorable outcomes from potentially devastating weather events.
A breakthrough study reveals that powerful solar storms can lead to sharp changes in North American weather patterns, including declines in precipitation. The more intense the storm, the more dramatic the shift in weather.
Alain Berinstain leads the consortium uniting eight universities to accelerate space-related research, innovation, and workforce development. Researchers focus on practical technologies and using space for Earth's benefit, including studies of human health in space.
Researchers have digitized nearly two million weather observations from Canada's colonial history, offering new insights into the country's changing climate. The dataset includes temperature, precipitation, wind, and detailed descriptions of extreme events, revealing a highly variable climate near the end of the Little Ice Age.
Researchers propose a framework for on-demand atmospheric observations using lightweight, low-cost profiling systems to improve short-term forecasting and climate resilience. Community-operated systems could fill critical gaps in existing forecasting systems, particularly in remote regions.
Researchers found that climate variability in the North Atlantic-European region and tropical Indo-Pacific regions interact to intensify Japanese winters. This interaction amplifies jet stream disturbances, resulting in colder and more severe conditions.
A Boston University researcher has designed a space-based system called StormWall to better protect against space weather. The system would fire chemical elements into the edge of Earth's magnetic field, temporarily fortifying defenses and deflecting potentially damaging storms.
Researchers identified two weather patterns associated with an increased risk of headaches in the Northeast US. The study found that approaching cold fronts and high-pressure systems, such as the Bermuda High, can trigger new-onset headaches in people with episodic migraines.
A new AI-powered translation program developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) translates weather forecasts into multiple languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Samoan, and French. The program aims to provide life-saving information to over 68 million US residents who do not speak English at home.
Scientists have found that the Sun's internal 'biorhythm' has undergone significant changes over the past 40 years, with solar magnetic activity becoming more tightly confined near the surface. This discovery suggests the Sun may be entering a new phase of activity that could impact space weather.
Professor Hannah Cloke's appointment as Regius Professor of Meteorology and Climate highlights the importance of human imagination in understanding and mitigating extreme weather. Her research has already helped communities prepare for floods and extreme weather, and she aims to empower people to take charge of their own futures.
Researchers at FSU have discovered a way to forecast winter weather patterns up to six months in advance by analyzing the stratospheric polar vortex. This new approach uses climate patterns like El Niño-Southern Oscillation to predict the vortex's behavior, allowing for more accurate forecasts of extreme weather events.
A new AI model, ESFM, has been developed to predict extreme weather events with high accuracy. It learns from complex interactions between atmosphere, land, and water, and integrates multi-source data to analyze trends and relationships within the Earth's weather system.
Researchers developed a new framework to analyze historical weather data and found a significant reduction in solar radiation in central Japan during the summer of 1836, leading to higher rice prices. The study provides a more detailed understanding of how climate fluctuations impacted society.
A new study by Lund University researchers identifies knowledge gaps and proposes tools to analyze the risks of extreme weather on birds. Birds are vulnerable due to their diurnal nature and lack of burrowing capabilities, making them more susceptible to heatwaves.
Assistant Professor Gianmarco Mengaldo has been appointed to the Joint Advisory Group on Artificial Intelligence at the World Meteorological Organization. He will guide how AI is integrated into global meteorological and hydrological systems, improving forecasting capabilities and early warning systems.
Scientists have found that space debris loses altitude more quickly when the Sun is more active. This observation can help plan sustainable space operations and reduce the risk of collisions with satellites. The study used data from historic space junk objects launched in the 1960s to make this prediction.
Researchers use Swarm satellites and ground-based observations to distinguish between space weather effects and natural hazard signatures. This project aims to improve infrastructure protection, early warning systems, and space weather predictions.
Researchers from UNIGE and KIT found that traditional numerical models remain more reliable for predicting extreme phenomena than AI-based forecasts. The study highlights the limitations of AI weather models in extrapolating beyond their training domain, making them less effective for record-breaking events.
A UCLA-led study reveals that airborne desert dust traps about twice as much heat as previously estimated, leading to improved climate and weather models. This increase in precision will help forecasters predict regional temperature shifts, rainfall patterns, and atmospheric motions.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a resilient renewable energy system capable of meeting electricity demand during extreme weather conditions in hot desert regions. The system combines concentrated solar power, photovoltaic panels, wind turbines with battery and thermal storage, reducing CO2 emissions by 330,000 tonnes annually.
Researchers found that more accurate weather forecasts can significantly reduce heat-related deaths. The study suggests that technological advancements in forecasting can offset projected increases in heat-related fatalities due to climate change. In fact, the economic value of saving lives through improved forecasting is substantial a...
The book chronicles two centuries of weather stories and observations, including Britain's longest continuous daily weather records. It highlights the diversity of British weather, from scorching summers to devastating floods, and shares insights into climate change.
A Southwest Research Institute-led study finds protons and heavy ions react differently to solar magnetic reconnection events, revealing a more complex magnetic engine. This new data contradicts current models, showing protons generate waves that scatter them more efficiently.
MicroEnsemble wins AI Weather Quest, demonstrating improved sub-seasonal weather forecasting accuracy. The team uses AI technologies to post-process state-of-the-art forecasts, achieving consistent performance across various weather variables.
New study evaluates two prominent AI global weather models, finding they excel at forecasting storm tracks but struggle to reproduce realistic wind patterns and storm intensity. The researchers emphasize the need for bias corrections and interpretation to improve AI forecasting accuracy.
New research published in Weather assesses the energy consumption of AI models and finds that they consume considerable energy during training, but offset this by rapid forecasting ability. AI data-driven models are estimated to consume at least 21 times less energy than traditional models over one-year usage.
Researchers developed Zephyrus, an AI agent capable of analyzing and answering questions in natural language about weather and climate data. The agent can handle language-based queries, translating them into code and generating plain language answers.
Rice University has been selected to lead the US Space Force Strategic Technology Institute 4 (SSTI) with a $8.1 million cooperative agreement. The Center for Advanced Space Sensing Technologies (CASST) will focus on developing advanced remote sensing and sensemaking technologies from space. The research team will integrate existing te...
A new Singapore-based project reanalyzes 35 years of weather records for Southeast Asia, aiming to improve weather forecasting and regional climate resilience. The project will train artificial intelligence to make more precise predictions, benefiting governments, aviation, and maritime sectors.