Michael E. Mann received the 2014 Pongo Environmental Award for his groundbreaking research on global warming and strong advocacy for climate protection. The award recognizes his work in providing crucial global temperature data and a compelling case for global warming, as well as his leadership as a climate warrior.
Researchers found Madison's urban heat island effect peaks in summer, with downtown averaging 7 degrees warmer at night and 3 degrees warmer during the day compared to rural areas. The study also highlights the impact of snow cover and vegetation on temperature differences between urban and rural areas.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that air pollution, specifically aerosols, increases river flows in the northern hemisphere. The research reveals a significant impact of solar dimming on enhanced river flows over regions in heavily industrialised areas.
The Great Barrier Reef is an effective wave absorber, driving currents that transport nutrients and larvae. Wave reduction also has implications for shoreline stability. The reef's porosity varies by location, influencing wave height reduction.
A new statistical model complements hurricane forecasting by showing the size of storms, not just wind speed. This metric allows forecasters to better assess the risk of hurricanes that make landfall.
A new study by University of Vermont scientists predicts increased precipitation and temperature in the Lake Champlain region, leading to more extreme weather events and potential flooding. The forecast suggests a rise in average temperatures by mid-century, with some ski resorts experiencing a 50% decline in annual snowfall.
The new Competence Center for High Performance Computing in the Natural Sciences will facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations and provide improved HPC services. The center will focus on research and application optimization, with a strong emphasis on Big Data and hardware accelerators.
A new study finds that India's ground-level ozone pollution damages millions of tons of major crops, including wheat and rice, each year, with losses estimated at over $1 billion. The damage is enough to feed tens of millions of people living in poverty, highlighting the need for policy changes to address ozone pollution.
A recent study reveals that human activity is a significant contributor to glacier mass loss, with a notable increase in recent decades. The research suggests that only about one quarter of global glacier mass loss between 1851 and 2010 was due to anthropogenic causes, but this fraction rose to two-thirds during the last two decades.
Researchers found a slight increase in lower back pain risk with higher wind speed but it was not clinically significant. This contradicts previous studies that linked cold or humid weather to increased symptoms.
A new study reveals that urbanization reduces convection efficiency by 58 percent in wetter climates, leading to a significant rise in daytime temperatures. This finding challenges the long-held belief that vegetation loss is the primary cause of the urban heat island effect.
Researchers found that aircraft can contribute less to global warming by flying routes that avoid forming distinctive condensation trails, or contrails. By doing so, they emit more carbon dioxide but may have a smaller overall climate impact due to the cooling effect of contrails.
A team of OU students created Storm Evader, an iPad app teaching elementary and middle school students about weather patterns by navigating a plane during severe weather events. The app encourages problem-solving and research-based decision-making, appealing to both kids and adults.
Researchers found a significant increase in lightning rates across Europe after high-speed solar wind streams arrived, suggesting particles from space trigger lightning bolts. The study provides potential benefits for long-range weather forecasts by tracking these solar wind streams.
A new research by Florida State University scientists provides a detailed look at global land surface warming trends over the last 100 years. The study reveals that not all areas have warmed at the same rate, with some experiencing cooling and others remaining unchanged.
A Northwestern University study reveals a 20% decrease in ozone levels when fuel prices drive residents to switch from ethanol to gasoline in flexible-fuel vehicles. The study uses big data and consumer surveys to analyze the impact of human behavior on air quality in São Paulo.
Researchers will study amounts and types of aerosols influencing cloud formation in the Amazonia region. The three-year project aims to understand how the Amazon rainforest influences storm formation and internal water cycling.
Researchers at Penn State have redefined the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), finding that its true signal was likely in a cooling phase in recent decades. This shift may have offset some of the anthropogenic warming, resulting in a temporary slowdown in global warming.
Tropical Cyclone Ita developed near the Solomon Islands and strengthened into a tropical storm on April 5. NASA satellite imagery revealed strong convection and thunderstorms surrounding its center of circulation near Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Cyclone Gillian has re-formed just south of Java, Indonesia, with improved central convection and symmetric shape. The cyclone is expected to intensify to hurricane-force over the Southern Indian Ocean.
NASA's TRMM satellite spotted towering thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Gillian, indicating some power still present. The storm is expected to move west across the Timor Sea away from Northern Territory.
Tropical Cyclone Gillian has returned to a remnant low status after passing north of Australia's Top End. The system is surrounded by dry air, sapping its ability to generate thunderstorms.
TRMM satellite data shows heavy rainfall rates and powerful thunderstorms in the northeast Gulf of Carpentaria, indicating a potential rebirth of Tropical Cyclone Gillian. The system is expected to intensify over the next 24-36 hours, posing gusty winds and heavy rainfall to coastal communities.
Tropical Cyclone Gillian weakened to a remnant low pressure area after landfall in Queensland, but satellite data indicates it may be intensifying. A compact storm system is forming, with thunderstorms developing along the southern quadrant, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center has upgraded its chances of re-forming.
Tropical Cyclone Gillian made landfall on the western Cape York Peninsula of Queensland, Australia, weakening and has now meandered back over water. The remnants were located near Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria, with estimated maximum sustained surface winds between 15 to 20 knots.
Tropical Cyclone Gillian made its first landfall in the northwestern coast of the York Peninsula, while Tropical Cyclone Hadi lingered off the eastern coast. Gillian is expected to re-emerge in the Gulf of Carpentaria and make a second landfall near the Northern Territory/Queensland border.
Two tropical low pressure systems, System 96P and System 98P, are developing in the Coral Sea and northern Gulf of Carpentaria, respectively. These storms have strengthened, with sustained winds reported on Willis Island, and are expected to make landfall near Queensland's eastern coast.
Researchers at Penn State used a real-time convection-permitting hurricane analysis and forecasting system to accurately predict Hurricane Sandy's path, intensity, and rainfall. The system compared favorably to operational global models, showcasing its potential for improving storm prediction.
Tropical Storm Edna has developed in the South Pacific Ocean east of Queensland, while System 94P/Fletcher continues to have a medium chance for development. NASA's Aqua satellite captured both storms in one infrared image, showing convection and thunderstorm development beginning to erode System 94P's center over land.
Tropical Cyclone Fletcher has brought heavy rain to coastal areas in western Queensland and the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology expects further rainfall over the next couple of days, with maximum sustained winds estimated at 30 knots/34.5 mph.
TRMM satellite data revealed moderate to heavy rainfall rates of over 31 mm/h as Tropical Storm Dylan approached the Australian coast. The storm made landfall on January 30 and was quickly weakening as it moved inland.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured visible and infrared imagery of Tropical Cyclone Dylan as it began landfalling in Queensland, Australia. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 55 knots and was expected to dissipate within one day.
Tropical Cyclone 11P is a newly developed storm moving toward a landfall in Queensland, Australia, with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots. The JTWC expects the cyclone to strengthen before making landfall around January 31.
System 99P is showing signs of organization, with high cloud tops and potential for heavy rainfall. NASA predicts it will become a tropical depression over the next day as it tracks towards Willis Island in Australia.
NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites continue to monitor the movement of System 94S, a stubborn tropical low pressure area affecting Western Australia. The system is expected to bring heavy rainfall, including flash flooding, to parts of the region.
NASA's Terra satellite tracked System 94S, a tropical low, moving inland from the Northern Territory into Western Australia. The system brought heavy rainfall to the region, exceeding 50mm at Sturt Creek in the Interior Region.
System 94S continues to track over Western Australia and the Northern Territory, with NASA's Aqua satellite detecting powerful thunderstorms northwest of the low-pressure center. Heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for the region, with some storms potentially producing heavy rain rates.
System 94S continues to develop over the Northern Territory of Australia, with strong central convection and spiral bands of thunderstorms pushed west by moderate to strong vertical wind shear. The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the affected areas.
NASA's TRMM satellite measured heavy rainfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour in the northeastern Van Dieman Gulf and northwestern Arnhem Region. The system is affecting parts of Northern Territory with damaging winds and heavy rainfall warnings issued.
A new Tropical Depression is forming near Australia's Kimberly coast, with System 98S expected to develop into Cyclone 05S on Saturday. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds are forecast for coastal areas, including gusts up to 100 km/h and heavy rain from Port Hedland to Mardie and Karratha.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured Tropical Cyclone Bruce's developing eye in a visible image, showing a consolidating low-level circulation center and improved thunderstorm banding. The cyclone strengthened to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 57.5 mph, expected to intensify over the next couple of days.
Researchers have discovered huge active plumes containing water vapour being released from the surface of Europa, a liquid ocean lies beneath its icy crust. The plumes, comparable to earth geysers in size, will aid further investigations of the moon and potentially make life discoveries
Tropical Storm Alessia reclaimed her title after being tracked by NASA's TRMM satellite on November 27. Heavy rainfall was observed around the storm's center, with rain rates reaching up to 50 mm/hour.
The remnants of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alessia have been spotted in the Northern Territory, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing infrared data revealing strong thunderstorms and potential heavy rains. The low-pressure system is expected to move slowly south before turning west towards the Timor Sea.
Tropical Cyclone Alessia made landfall in northern Australia as a weak storm, with NASA's TRMM satellite capturing mostly light rain and moderate rainfall. The cyclone dissipated quickly after crossing the Northern Territory coast, causing no damages or significant impacts.
Tropical Cyclone Alessia has formed in the Southern Indian Ocean and is expected to threaten Western Australia. The cyclone's maximum sustained winds are near 35 knots, and it is currently moving east-southeast towards Darwin.
Researchers used smartphone batteries to crowdsource weather information, estimating daily average temperatures for eight major cities with an accuracy of 1.5 degrees Celsius. This technique could lead to continuously updated weather predictions at a city block resolution, improving the accuracy and specificity of current weather forec...
A new study defines the aerosol climatology of Northern Australia's savanna, providing a crucial piece for climate modeling. The findings show that fine particles generated by burning have significant impacts on regional climate and air quality.
New research led by Michigan State University scientists predicts that climate change will continue to fuel larger and more extreme wildfires in the western United States, posing a significant challenge to fire and forest management.
Researchers at Brown University found evidence of orographic precipitation causing water-carved valleys on Mars, indicating ancient snowfall. The study's findings shed light on early Martian climate and atmosphere.
A new study by Oregon State University found that nighttime heat waves are on the rise in the Pacific Northwest, with five occurring between 2006-09 and another since this June. Elevated humidity traps heat at night, unlike daytime events influenced by downslope warming.
Research reveals a significant increase in nighttime heat waves in the Pacific Northwest, with quadrupled events between 1980 and 2013. The study suggests high humidity plays a key role in triggering these extreme temperature events, which can have devastating health effects.
A study by researchers found that forests in the northern hemisphere increase their water use efficiency as atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations rise, exceeding theoretical expectations. This adaptation helps plants conserve water despite increased photosynthesis, potentially shifting the global water and carbon cycle.
Scientists analyzed long-term data from seven sites in the US and found a substantial increase in water-use efficiency in temperate and boreal forests. This adaptation could enhance timber yields and improve water availability, but may also lead to reduced evapotranspiration and increased continental freshwater runoff.
Researchers at GEOMAR have developed a model to track the global distribution of sulfur particles following large eruptions, providing more accurate estimates of eruption strength and tracing previously undetermined volcanic activities. The study improves the interpretation of volcanic traces in ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica.
A new study from Michigan State University found that spatial training significantly improves addition and subtraction scores in children aged 6-8. The researchers also discovered a causal connection between spatial reasoning and math performance.
The Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System-Tropical Cyclone (COAMPS-TC) offers detailed intensity forecasts of tropical storms, improving accuracy for Navy and civilian officials. The new model will help predict a storm's strength from one to five days out, supporting fleet operations and disaster relief efforts.
Researchers used laser light pulses to study aerosol and cloud processes in atmospheric conditions. The results show that high-intensity laser pulses can increase the number of ice particles in cirrus clouds by up to a factor of 100 within seconds, intensifying their optical density and making them appear brighter.
Researchers discovered a 15-month wind pattern that explains El Niño's close ties to the annual cycle. This unusual atmospheric pattern triggers droughts and floods in various regions. The study suggests that improved climate models will improve El Niño forecasts.
A recent study found that urbanization significantly affects surface warming in eastern China, particularly in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region. The study revealed a remarkable summer warming rate of 0.132-0.250°C per decade, accounting for 36%-68% of regional warming. In contrast, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region experienced...