Pollutant haze heats the Arctic
A new study reveals that particulate pollution from factories and cars can warm the Arctic by changing clouds into more effective blankets. The effect is most pronounced in winter when the air is dark and polluted.
Search results for “Meteorology”
853 results for "Meteorology"
NASA dis-assembles and re-assembles Tropical Storm Gert
Researchers used computer simulations to recreate Tropical Storm Gert's conditions, improving model accuracy and understanding of hurricane formation. The study revealed the importance of topography in Mexico's role in helping storms form.
NASA data combined to improve hurricane landfall forecasts
Researchers combined NASA's QuikSCAT satellite data with aircraft sensor data from tropical storms, improving the accuracy of hurricane forecasts. The new generation WRF computer model was able to reproduce the structure of rainfalls that caused flooding during landfall, providing valuable insights into tropical cyclones.
Office of Naval Research supports joint US-Taiwan COSMIC satellites
The US Office of Naval Research supports the joint US-Taiwan COSMIC satellite project, which will track hurricanes, monitor climate change, and accelerate space weather research. The constellation will provide real-time atmospheric data daily.
US-Taiwan constellation of satellites launched
The US has launched a constellation of six low-orbiting satellites called COSMIC to provide real-time atmospheric data over thousands of points on Earth. The system will measure the bending of radio signals from GPS to track hurricanes, typhoons and climate change.
New satellite system will use GPS signals to track hurricanes, climate change, and space weather
The COSMIC satellite network measures atmospheric data daily in real time over thousands of points on Earth using GPS signals. Temperature and water vapor profiles will help meteorologists forecast storms and study long-term climate change trends.
SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·DateApr 12, 2006
Better estimates for future extreme precipitation in Europe
Regional climate model simulations indicate a significant increase in extreme precipitation events in Alpine regions and northern European locations above 45 degrees latitude. In Scandinavia, unusually strong events once expected to occur every century will now occur at 20-40 year intervals.
People want to be seen helping the climate
Researchers found that well-informed players contributed the most to a public good, climate preservation. Players who received public recognition also donated more than those who made anonymous contributions.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2006
Flights reveal intriguing information about ice particles in clouds
High-resolution images of ice crystals provide detailed information about ice clouds, including particle size and shape, which influence the longevity of the cloud. The Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud Experiment, led by the ARM Program, combines aircraft and surface data to better understand cirrus structure in the tropics.
New models of weather pattern
Researchers at UC Davis are studying the Madden-Julian Oscillation to improve weather and climate forecasting. The phenomenon has subtle effects on US weather patterns, including links between intense rainfall and droughts.
Mountainous plateau creates ozone 'halo' around Tibet
Scientists found high levels of ozone at extreme altitudes in Tibet, forming a 'halo' that may put climbers at risk due to its medical effects. Ozone concentrations are higher than expected and could exacerbate hypoxia and respiratory issues.
Organised wind chaos on Jupiter
Jupiter's atmosphere is driven by heat from within the planet, creating organized wind chaos. The computer models explain why there are two classes of jet winds: strong and narrow near the equator, but weak and wide at higher latitudes due to the planet's curvature and rotation.
NRL scientists detect 'milky sea' phenomena
Researchers detected 'milky seas' in the northwest Indian Ocean using satellite data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. The glowing waters were found to last at least three nights and span an area roughly the size of Connecticut, with boundaries matching surface ship reports.
SourceNaval Research Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2005
Climate change more rapid than ever
Climate models predict a rapid increase in global temperatures and sea level rise of up to 30cm, with severe consequences for agriculture, ecosystems, and extreme weather events. The study also highlights the impact of human activity on the climate, fuelling global warming.
Climate researchers meet to simulate flight operations for storm cloud experiment
A team of international scientists are conducting a three-day simulation at Sandia National Laboratories to prepare for the Tropical Warm Pool International Cloud Experiment. The experiment aims to collect detailed data sets on tropical convection and improve computer models simulating clouds and climate.
Penn State to host US DOE regional climate center
The Penn State Regional Center will conduct research on climate change's effects on regional terrestrial ecosystems, including the Northeast region with high population density and urbanization. The center aims to develop models predicting climate change impacts and analyze carbon exchange between ecosystems and the atmosphere.
UCAR training helps forecasters predict rip currents
The new Web-based modules, developed by COMET, will acquaint forecasters with the physics behind rip currents and help them use wind and wave forecasts to produce outlooks of rip-current risk. The modules include animated depictions of rip-current evolution in three dimensions.
SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·DateJun 30, 2005
Rapid-scanning doppler on wheels keeps pace with twisters
The Rapid-Scan DOW radar promises a complete picture of tornado evolution by detailing critical steps in tornado behavior, thanks to its 5- to 10-second resolution and close range. The radar's analysis will help produce better warnings and provide insights into the distribution of features across many types of tornadoes.
SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·DateJun 1, 2005
African-American connection to attract Earth sciences students
AESEDA aims to entice minority students to enroll in Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, with a focus on Africa connection. The program involves partnerships with HBCUs and Nigerian universities to develop natural resources and energy management in Africa.
Cassini images discover a windy, wavy Titan atmosphere
The Cassini Imaging Team report on Titan reveals that the moon's winds blow faster than its surface rotates, with speeds of up to 34 meters per second. The discovery suggests that meteorology works similarly on slowly rotating planets like Venus.
Satellite data reveal immense pollution pool over Bihar, India
Researchers analyzed satellite data from four years of MISR observations to find a concentrated pool of particles over Bihar, largely due to inefficient biofuel burning. The pollution affects human health and local climate, with altered temperature and precipitation patterns.
SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 27, 2005
UK scientists get a 'whiff' of Titan's surface
Scientists have detected a 'whiff' of methane evaporating off the surface of Saturn's moon Titan, revealing insights into its geology and weather systems. The data from the Huygens probe also suggests that beneath the thin crust lies a material made of water ice grains.
URI physical oceanography combine numerical models to improve hurricane research
The study combined three computer models to investigate the effect of surface waves and wind on hurricane dynamics. The team found a new characterization of the effect of surface waves on air-sea momentum under hurricane wind forcing, which is necessary for accurate predictions of track and intensity.
Missing chemical important to air pollution estimates
Researchers at Penn State have found a missing chemical that plays a significant role in ozone and aerosol production in the lower atmosphere. The discovery was made through a two-year study of hydroxyl radical reactivity in a forested area, which found that a temperature-dependent chemical was reacting with the hydroxyl radical.
Science in the clouds
Researchers use a NASA WB-57 research jet to examine icy cirrus clouds, aiming to understand their warming and cooling effects on Earth's climate. The Middle Latitude Cirrus Experiment gathers detailed information to improve computer simulations of future climate change.
Researchers awarded $2 million to create high-tech tools for fighting wildfires
Researchers at NCAR/University of Colorado Denver aim to create a system that sends real-time maps and predictions of wildfires to frontline firefighters. The team will use supercomputers, satellite and sensor monitoring, and meteorology to develop tools to warn firefighters about wildfire behavior.
SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·DateApr 15, 2004
Researchers receive funds to create high-tech wildfire fighting solutions
A team of researchers has received a $2 million NSF grant to create an advanced system that predicts wildfire behavior and progression. The system will use data from sensors, satellite monitoring, and mathematical theory to provide minute-by-minute predictions for firefighters.
Titan is ideal lab for oceanography, meteorology
Scientists plan to deploy the Huygens probe to study Titan's lakes, seas, and climate. The moon's thick atmosphere and liquid hydrocarbons will provide a unique environment to understand oceanographic processes and predict climate changes.
Symposium examines the growing influence of aerosols on climate
Recent research on aerosols suggests they can have substantial impacts on local heat budgets, exceeding those of greenhouse gases. Aerosol compositions and effects are being studied for their implications on regional climate change and human health.
Online subscriptions to scientific journals often no bargain for universities
Commercial publishers charge higher prices for print subscriptions than non-profit journals, particularly in emerging fields like neurobiology and molecular biology. Universities may struggle to prioritize subscription budgets as each journal's value varies among users.
SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 26, 2004
Corn earworm moths get a lift from the wind
Corn earworm moths travel at varying heights influenced by air currents, affecting their migration patterns. By analyzing wind patterns and weather forecasts, researchers aim to forecast the arrival of these pests and develop targeted insecticide strategies to reduce damage.
Arctic and Antarctic sea ice marching to different drivers
The study reveals a 20% faster rate of Arctic sea ice loss over the last two decades compared to the previous three decades. In contrast, Antarctica experienced a dramatic loss followed by a gradual expansion of its sea ice cover since the mid-1970s.
La Niña influences Amazon flooding
A recent study published in Nature announces a major advance in the study of Amazon Basin's hydrology and geochemistry dynamics. The research partnership has yielded precise measurements of water, sediment, and geochemical inputs contributed by the Amazon's main tributaries.
NCAR weather prediction system supports South Pole rescue
The AMPS system uses a tailored computer model, Polar MM5, to provide detailed forecasts for the extreme polar environment. Meteorologists have successfully used AMPS in emergency rescues from Antarctica since 2001, including a recent medical evacuation and ship rescue.
SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·DateSep 19, 2003
URI physical oceanographer awarded NOAA grant for hurricane research
Dr. Ginis receives two-year grant to improve hurricane forecasting model and enhance storm prediction capabilities. The model, developed in collaboration with NOAA scientists, aims to better understand and predict extreme winds and heavy rain causing $5 billion in annual damages.
NASA ozone satellite improves snowstorm forecasts
The study improved forecast accuracy for a major winter snowstorm in Washington, D.C. and demonstrated the potential to enhance storm tracking and predict snowfall amounts.
Early Mars: Warm enough to melt water?
Early Mars research suggests that the planet may have been too cold to melt water, contradicting Dr. James F. Kasting's theory of a greenhouse effect. However, Kasting proposes that methane-producing bacteria could have warmed the planet, allowing for the formation of features like Nanedi Vallis.
From sardines to anchovies and back in 50 years
The Pacific Ocean's sardine and anchovy regimes alternate every 25 years, affecting the marine food web and climate. These cycles are similar to El Niño events but take place over longer time periods.
North Atlantic Oscillation part of the global picture
Scientists analyzed 40 years of daily weather data to understand the NAO's two-week cycle and its effects on European winters. They found that positive NAO events lead to milder winters, while negative events bring colder temperatures and more precipitation.
Eye on the skies
A partnership between Navy and National Severe Storms Laboratory aims to improve weather forecasting by integrating SPY-1 radar with existing Doppler technology. The new phased array radar can provide faster updates of weather features, allowing for more detailed scans and increased lead time before tornadoes strike.
Satellites to profile weather, improve forecasts through GPS
The COSMIC satellite network will collect a global, 3-D data set, improving analyses of both weather and climate change. The satellites will probe the atmosphere using radio occultation to track temperature in the upper atmosphere and measure high-altitude electron density.
SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·DateAug 20, 2002
NASA sensors find pollution hiding in the SHADOZ
NASA's SHADOZ project has solved a decade-old mystery about the source of Atlantic ozone, revealing a 'wave-one pattern' that is predominantly in the troposphere. The data also show that the tropical tropopause is not a sharp boundary but a 2-mile thick transition layer.
Uncertainty in West African climate models addressed
Researchers aim to better understand West Africa's climate trends and model potential impacts on the region's water resources, agriculture, and energy sector. The study's findings could help inform regional plans for adapting to climate change and ensure the long-term sustainability of hydroelectric power.
Flambe helps with firefighting, weather and air quality forecasts
The FLAMBE project utilizes geostationary satellites to detect and monitor forest fires every half-hour, providing early warnings of haze events. The system also estimates burned areas, smoke fluxes, and radiative impacts, complementing NASA's Terra satellite products for improved global climate understanding.
Terra measures sea surface temperature with unprecedented detail
The Terra satellite provides daily global measurements of sea surface temperature accurate to within half a degree, surpassing previous satellites' accuracy. This high-resolution data enables scientists to better understand climate change and its effects on the ocean's temperature.
New method greatly improves U.S. seasonal forecasts
A new method significantly improves U.S. seasonal forecast accuracy by analyzing changes in sea surface temperatures across various ocean basins. The approach raises the bar for seasonal and inter-annual climate forecasts, with increases in predictability noted during spring and summer months.
Hi-tech weather watchers on worldstage
The new radar technology can measure wind speed, direction and turbulence, and can be used to predict weather patterns. It has been commercialized by Atrad and is being used in various applications, including flight trials of a supersonic transport aircraft and weather forecasting in the UK.
Long-range magnetic studies explain how delayed 'sprites' get their energy
Researchers have found that dual electrical discharges associated with sprite creation can be separated by long intervals due to persistent cloud-to-ground currents. These currents, which can last up to 200 milliseconds, provide enough energy flow for the second burst to trigger the sprite.
Atmospheric chemistry key to global and local air pollution
A Penn State researcher explains how atmospheric chemistry can alter the composition of air, affecting environmental quality, and how pollutants like acetone and formaldehyde contribute to ozone production. The study also explores the role of nitrogen oxide in complex chemical reactions that produce hydrogen oxides.
Deep mantle volcanic plumes cause of atmospheric oxygenation
Researchers propose that deep mantle volcanic plumes caused a sudden increase in oxygen levels, allowing for the emergence of life. The theory suggests that these plumes, rich in iron oxide, were fueled by buried magma and led to the formation of glaciers.
Major air pollution study launched
A national team of over 150 researchers will study air pollution in the Houston region, combining data from six research aircraft and 60 ground-based monitoring stations. The goal is to identify cost-effective ways to control pollutants and protect public health.
Amazon rainforest field research facility opens for ecological, global change studies
A new Amazon rainforest field research facility will conduct extensive ecological studies to understand the region's impact on global change. Scientists from around the world will study logging effects, carbon exchanges, and ecosystem cycles.
Earth's oceans destined to leave in billion years
The Earth's oceans are predicted to evaporate within 1 billion years as the sun's temperature increases, leading to a waterless planet. The process is driven by the sun's increasing brightness, which will eventually cause water to evaporate into space.
UF research suggests widely used models may under predict pollution
A University of Florida professor's research indicates that complex computer models may underestimate pollution levels by up to 30% due to the effects of tiny particles on smog-forming gases. The study, set to appear in a leading international journal, suggests improvements are needed to air quality models.
One theory solves two ancient climate paradoxes
A Penn State meteorologist suggests that tilt is the key to understanding both the Faint Young Sun problem and the Snowball Earth problem, proposing a solution where the Earth's axis is tilted at 70 degrees. This theory could potentially explain why the Earth was warmer in the early Precambrian despite a weaker sun.
U.S. and German experts to speak on global climate change
Renowned researchers Dr. George H. Denton, Prof. Hartmut Graßl, and Dr. Stefan Rahmstorf will address the effects of climate change on European nations. The event aims to explore possible solutions to mitigate these changes and ensure human survival.
Oxygen may be cause of first snowball Earth
A Penn State researcher suggests that increasing oxygen levels may have triggered the first of three past episodes when the Earth became a giant snowball, covered from pole to pole by ice and frozen oceans. The study proposes that low methane levels and high carbon dioxide levels were responsible for the glaciation process.
Modeling the paths of soaring birds helps pilots
Researchers developed a model to predict bird flight patterns, enabling pilots to adjust their routes and altitudes. The model can forecast bird locations and altitudes hours in advance, reducing the risk of bird strikes and damage to windshields and turbine engine blades.
UMass researchers to present findings on May 3 tornado
Researchers from the University of Massachusetts have produced the highest-resolution data ever available on a tornado during the May 3 storm in Oklahoma. By analyzing radar signals, they aim to determine what meteorological conditions enable supercells to form and drop dangerous tornadoes.
Jet Stream Studied In West African Drought
Researchers at Penn State found a correlation between jet stream strength and precipitation in the Sahel region, which has been experiencing drought since the 1970s. The Tropical Easterly Jet was mostly weaker during dry periods, while the African Easterly Jet showed slightly stronger patterns in very dry years.