A series of low-pressure areas pummelled the Pacific Northwest from Nov. 29 to Dec. 9, 2015, bringing heavy rain and snow to western Washington and northwestern Oregon. The National Weather Service described the event as a classic atmospheric river event with subtropical moisture and upper-level disturbances affecting the region.
A University at Buffalo study uses Twitter data to enhance computer models guiding traffic during snowstorms and adverse weather. By analyzing over 360,000 tweets, researchers found that including such data improves the accuracy of models, particularly during peak tweeting hours and in densely populated areas.
STEREO-A has resumed its normal science operations, transmitting lower-resolution real-time data and high-definition images of the sun's surface and atmosphere with a two- to three-day delay. This allows scientists to better track solar events and make accurate models of interplanetary space weather.
Smaller geomagnetic storms cause fluctuations in wholesale electricity prices in equatorial regions due to the amplified effects of the electrojet. The research highlights the need for scientists to investigate the infrastructure and economic implications on countries near the equator.
A new technique allows for faster monitoring of magnetic field changes before solar flares, providing advance warning of potentially devastating space storms. The method, developed by Queen's University Belfast, enables scientists to examine the precursors responsible for destructive space weather.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have created the first ever weather map of a planet outside our solar system, revealing wind speeds of over 2km per second. The winds on exoplanet HD 189733b are 20 times faster than the fastest recorded on Earth.
The new Transregional Collaborative Research Center 'Waves to Weather' aims to improve forecast models by analyzing ensemble forecasts and studying predictability. Scientists will investigate the physical processes and interactions behind severe weather events, with the goal of developing new models and methods to extend forecast range.
Researchers at RIKEN Advanced Institute for Computational Science in Japan ran an enormous global weather simulation with 10,240 simulations of a model of the global atmosphere. They found that faraway observations can impact the eventual state of the weather forecast, which could lead to more accurate forecasts.
The James Webb Space Telescope's Integrated Science Instrument Module has begun its final cryogenic test at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The test, which will last several months, aims to ensure the instruments are ready for flight and can withstand the extreme temperatures they will encounter in space.
Researchers at the University of Reading and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts found that accounting for unusual winds miles up in the stratosphere can make long-range winter weather forecasts twice as accurate. This allows forecasters to predict extreme winter weather events up to four weeks before they occur, providi...
A six-year ASU experiment found that extreme weather events affect plant species differently, with grasses declining and shrubs flourishing under alternating wet and dry years. This shift could have serious consequences for humans relying on grasslands for food, particularly cattle ranchers.
The Desert Research Institute's new WINDS platform provides actionable insight for businesses, utilities, and municipalities impacted by extreme weather. With improved weather forecast data and sensor networks, the platform translates data into decision-making support frameworks.
Researchers found that patients with high risks of MI and bleeding were admitted for NSTE ACS on warmer, sunnier days with higher carbon monoxide and ozone air concentrations. Treatment with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was more successful when the weather was sunnier but colder and with lower concentrations of air pollutants.
A new study finds that smaller-scale space weather events are amplified near the equator, putting power grids at risk in previously considered safe regions. These disturbances can cause fluctuations in wholesale electricity pricing and damage unprotected power infrastructure.
Researchers from the University of New Hampshire's Space Science Center use MESSENGER spacecraft data to investigate interplanetary coronal mass ejections, improving space weather prediction capabilities. The study sheds light on the speed and deceleration of ICMEs after their launch from the sun.
Researchers at Strathclyde University won a prestigious award for their work on the Stardust project, exploring solutions to threats from asteroids and space debris. The €4.1m project, funded by the European Commission, aims to tackle the risks posed by asteroids and ensure a safe future for assets in orbit.
Researchers created a simulation of Pluto's space environment to estimate solar wind densities and understand how they affect the dwarf planet's atmosphere. The models, which take into account coronal mass ejections and other factors, suggest that Pluto may experience low solar wind densities for about a month before being compressed.
Scientists have discovered Kelvin-Helmholtz waves at the boundaries of near-Earth space, which are now found to be much more prevalent than previously thought. These waves are triggered by plumes of charged gas from Earth's plasmasphere and interact with the solar wind and magnetosphere.
A new study found that over 750 popular music songs reference weather, with a range of emotions conveyed through multiple weather types in some songs. Popular artists like Bob Dylan, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney have written or sung about weather-related topics.
The National Weather Service is launching new graphics to communicate forecast information more clearly, based on research by a team at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The new icons feature split images and color-coded boxes to convey the existence, timing, and potential severity of upcoming weather threats.
Two University of Oklahoma doctoral students have developed a technique to forecast the orientation behavior of birds as they migrate through the atmosphere at night using the nation's weather radar network. The approach has discovered broad-scale flight orientation of nocturnal migrant birds, offering a promising development for biolo...
NGC 6503, a 30,000-light-year-long galaxy, is located at the edge of the 150-million-light-year-wide Local Void. The Hubble Space Telescope image showcases its vibrant colors and swirling spiral arms.
A new model can measure the magnetic field configuration of a solar eruption significantly further ahead in time, potentially giving forecasters 24-hour advance warning to protect their systems. The model uses NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory data and has been tested on eight different CMEs with promising results.
DSCOVR will provide enhanced measurements of solar wind conditions to warn of potentially harmful solar activity, predicting geomagnetic storm magnitude on a regional basis. The satellite's unique vantage point at Lagrange point 1 allows for early warnings of large magnetic eruptions from the sun.
Researchers from Boston University, University of Michigan, and Chinese Academy of Sciences develop comprehensive solar wind models. The CISM, CSEM, and SIGMA groups create high-performance coupled models to simulate the complex behavior of solar winds and their impact on Earth's environment.
Research by University of Sheffield scientists links Arctic warming to extreme weather events in the UK and US, suggesting a connection between warmer Arctic temperatures and mid-latitude weather patterns. The study found increased variability in the jet stream and high pressure over Greenland, contributing to variable UK winters.
An international study analyzing over 74 million deaths in 384 locations across 13 countries found that cold weather was responsible for the majority of temperature-related deaths, with most caused by moderately cold temperatures. Deaths due to non-optimal temperatures accounted for around 7.71% of all deaths.
A team of UK scientists studied how changes in the stratosphere affect surface-level jet streams, storm tracks, and weather. The research highlights a series of global weather phenomena resulting from the 'coupling' between the stratosphere and troposphere, such as extreme temperatures over eastern North America.
NASA predicts more severe weather for the Midwest, including tornadoes, flash flooding, and strong winds. The storm system is expected to bring heavy rain and hail, with cold air masses indicating strong convective storms.
A new space-based system combines a super-wide field-of-view telescope with a high-efficiency laser to track and deorbit centimeter-sized space debris. The system, proposed by RIKEN scientists, could remove most of the debris within five years of operation.
Scientists have discovered a nearly-annual cycle of solar activity that can drive space weather events, including solar storms at Earth. This discovery could improve forecasts of space weather by understanding the interaction between magnetic field bands on the sun.
Physicist Ramon Lopez will use a combination of computer simulation models and real observations to understand the role of solar wind fluctuations in space weather. The research aims to enhance our understanding of the near-Earth space environment and provide critical information for managing satellite and communications technology.
Researchers at UC Irvine will investigate the behavioral impairments of rodents attributed to space radiation exposure, aiming to understand the underlying causes of these deficits. The study aims to inform efforts to minimize the effects of solar and galactic cosmic radiation on the central nervous system.
UTEP has secured a $5 million contract with NASA to explore space safety through collaborations with faculty and students. The partnership will focus on human space exploration and provide hands-on experiences for students.
The German Meteorological Service sponsors a new professorship to enhance numerical weather forecasting models. Researchers focus on the atmospheric boundary layer, a critical component in predicting extreme weather events like heavy rainfall and near-ground winds for wind farms and solar facilities.
Researchers from Berkeley Lab presented on severe weather events in a changing climate, novel technologies for exploring uncultivated microorganisms, and future of accelerators. They also discussed battery innovations and what to expect from the LHC's second run.
Researchers aim to gauge the effect of space and space travel on interest in STEM subjects among school children. A three-year project will involve gathering views from pupils, teachers, and space scientists to understand what inspires young people to participate in STEM.
The GOES-R satellite will provide enhanced hurricane track and intensity forecasts, increased severe weather warning lead time, and improved solar flare warnings. The new satellite will also offer more frequent images of weather patterns and severe storms, contributing to more accurate and reliable weather forecasts.
A Dartmouth-led NASA study has found that plasma waves in the Earth's radiation belts are responsible for scattering charged particles into the atmosphere. The researchers used a combination of satellite and balloon data to test the theory and obtained quantitative results, providing new insights into space weather's impact on our planet.
NASA's RapidScat instrument captured high winds in the Gulf of Mexico while Mississippi experienced tornadoes late on Dec. 23. An animation of NOAA's GOES-East satellite data showed the movement of severe weather systems from Canada to South America.
Two new mobile apps, SatCam and WxSat, utilize satellite data to capture observations and provide real-time weather information. SatCam enables users to submit cloud product quality assessments and receive satellite images, while WxSat displays and animates full-resolution satellite data for global weather forecasting.
Researchers aim to quantify global warming's influence on extreme climate and weather events, focusing on unprecedented events. Advanced statistical techniques and long-term climate observations are used to analyze the relationship between human influence and extreme event probabilities.
The University of Exeter has received a £1.1 million grant to fund pioneering research on seasonal weather forecasts across Europe. The team aims to advance current understanding of three key conditions influencing seasonal weather, including the North Atlantic upper-ocean heat content and Arctic sea-ice.
A mid-level solar flare, peaking at M6.1-class, was emitted by the sun on Dec. 4, 2014, potentially disturbing Earth's atmosphere. The Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the event, which is classified as a less intense flare compared to X-class flares.
The MATROSHKA experiment found that doses of cosmic radiation inside the International Space Station were lower than those recorded by astronauts' personal dosimeters. In open space, the overestimation was even higher, exceeding 200%.
The NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center uses satellite imagery to monitor weather patterns across the US. Heavy snow is expected in the central Appalachians and the Northeast, while the Western US can expect snow in the Northern Rocky Mountains.
Scientists analyzed gravitational effects of the Moon on thermosphere to predict satellite collisions. Incorporating these results in atmospheric models can refine accuracy and keep satellites separate from space junk.
A new study by McGill University and UCL finds that Mars experiences a transitional 'macroweather' regime between weather and climate. The sun plays a major role in determining macroweather on Mars, with temperature and wind fluctuations occurring over 1.8 Martian days.
NASA's Aqua satellite observed Super Typhoon Nuri strengthen into a Category 5 hurricane over two days, with its eye developing on November 3. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached 155 knots, causing significant damage and disruption in the region.
A series of articles published in New Space journal suggest that ordinary citizens can take short trips to the edge of space without significant health effects. The research also identifies potential challenges and risks associated with human commercial spaceflight.
Scientists have made groundbreaking discoveries about how space weather affects our planet, including the role of magnetic reconnection in accelerating solar wind particles. Researchers have also found significant differences in plasma density between the solar wind and magnetosphere, shedding light on this complex phenomenon.
A recent University of Delaware study has found that Adélie penguin chick weights are most closely linked to local weather conditions, including high winds and precipitation. The researchers discovered a significant impact on chick weight variations over time, with even small changes in weather causing notable differences in chick mass.
A large active region on the sun erupted with an X-class flare on October 27, 2014, its fourth since October 24. The flare was part of a week-long series of substantial flares beginning on October 19.
A new paper by University of New Hampshire scientists warns that cosmic rays pose a significant threat to future manned deep-space exploration. The study finds that extremely low densities and magnetic field strengths in the solar wind create hazardous radiation levels that limit allowable days for astronauts behind spacecraft shielding.
Scientists from the University of Sheffield found that British winters have become increasingly unstable, with contrasting conditions between mild and stormy to cold and snowy. The research suggests a significant rise in variation in weather patterns over the last century, particularly during December.
Researchers studied a unique solar storm that interacted with Earth's magnetic field, revealing the presence of a dense solar filament material. The event showed a complex interplay between the CME and the magnetosphere, resulting in reduced magnetic effects.
Researchers at the University of Montana have improved computer models for estimating temperature across mountainous landscapes by creating a new climate dataset. This dataset uses weather station data, atmospheric weather model data, and satellite-based observations to estimate daily temperatures from 1948 to 2012.
Researchers found that trapped atmospheric waves are becoming more frequent, leading to more extreme weather events, particularly during periods of prolonged warm air transport from the tropics to mid-latitudes.
Researchers successfully ran 10,240 parallel simulations of global weather using Japan's K computer, achieving a significant improvement in forecasting accuracy. The study found that faraway observations can have an immediate impact on weather forecasts, highlighting the need for advanced methods to utilize this data.
A study found that people search for climate information during extreme weather events, with Republicans seeking info during hot spells and Democrats during temperature changes. This suggests a connection between individual experiences of weather and their perceived threat of climate change.