The HS3 mission will investigate hurricane formation and intensity change in the Atlantic Ocean basin using two unmanned Global Hawk aircraft. The aircraft will be equipped with advanced instruments to measure eyewall and rainband winds, precipitation, and atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles.
A NASA-led modeling study projects that global warming will lead to an increase in heavy rainfall and a decrease in moderate rainfall worldwide. The study suggests that regions around the equator, such as the Pacific Ocean and Asian monsoon areas, will experience significant increases in heavy precipitation.
A NASA-University of Iowa collaboration uses ground instruments and satellite observations to improve flood forecasting. The study evaluates the accuracy of NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission satellite rainfall data.
Cyclone Imelda's weakening is attributed to strong wind shear in the Southern Indian Ocean. The storm's precipitation has been pushed southeast of its center, exposing the low-level circulation center.
Researchers used Kauai's unique rainfall gradient to test the relationship between precipitation and erosion, finding a strong correlation between rainfall rates and erosion rates. They also found that factoring precipitation into a widely used mathematical formula improved accuracy in predicting erosion rates.
A research team led by Anna Michalak found that the 2011 record-breaking algal bloom in Lake Erie was triggered by long-term agricultural practices combined with extreme precipitation, weak lake circulation, and warm temperatures. The team predicts future mega-blooms unless scientifically guided management plans are implemented.
A UCI study has found that Southern California sagebrush populations are more adaptable to climate change than those in the north. The researchers transplanted sagebrush from sites along the California coast to a test garden, measuring its responses to altered precipitation and long-term climate data.
Researchers analyzed over 70 years of hourly precipitation data from 13 US sites to test the hypothesis that storms are becoming more frequent and intense as the climate warms. They found a significant steady increase in stormy activity on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, which is famously prone to drizzle.
NASA's TRMM satellite detected a significant drop in rainfall intensity of Cyclone Sandra from March 11 to 13, with the heaviest rain falling south of the storm's center. The weakening tropical cyclone moved into an area of high wind shear and cold sea surface temperatures, expected to transform it into a cold-core system.
A new study led by the University of Arizona has found that monsoon failure plays a significant role in prolonged droughts in the Southwest. The researchers used tree-ring analysis to reconstruct summer precipitation patterns over a 470-year period, revealing that dry summers coincided with severe winter droughts.
A powerful Nor'easter merged two low-pressure areas on March 6, bringing winter weather advisories to the Mid-Atlantic. NASA provided satellite views of the storm's power and movement, showing the heaviest precipitation over New Jersey and Maryland.
A study by UCSD and NOAA finds that aerosols from the Sahara desert help spur precipitation in California, highlighting the impact of global weather patterns on regional water supplies. The research uses advanced instruments to track the journey of aerosols across continents and demonstrates their role in seeding storm clouds.
A new study reveals that global warming from greenhouse gases has a weaker impact on global precipitation compared to solar heating. The researchers found that the global rainfall rate increased by about 40% less during the present-day warming period than during past warming phases, despite higher temperatures.
A massive low-pressure area dropped over a foot of snow in some Midwestern states, prompting severe warnings and weather advisories. The AIRS instrument on NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image showing the heaviest precipitation areas at -63.6°F (-53.5°C) near New England states.
A University of Tennessee study predicts extreme climate changes in the Eastern US, with heat waves becoming more severe in most regions. The Northeast and Southeast will experience significant increases in precipitation, leading to a greater risk of flooding.
Tropical Cyclone Evan's eye-like structure was observed on Dec. 11 by TRMM's Precipitation Radar, indicating powerful storms and heavy rainmakers. By Dec. 13, Evan had intensified, with maximum sustained winds reaching 90 knots, and its eye being approximately 6 nautical miles wide.
Regional climate models project warmer temperatures and wetter winters in the Northeast US by 2070, with temperatures rising 2-3 degrees C and winter precipitation increasing 12-15%. However, confidence in spring, summer, and autumn precipitation changes is lower.
The NASA HS3 mission has ended its 2012 campaign with a final data-collection flight in the North Pacific Ocean. The Global Hawk aircraft tested three new hurricane-tracking instruments: HIWRAP, HIRAD, and HAMSR, which will be used in next year's campaign to study hurricanes and severe storms.
Climate change is affecting all regions in Europe, causing a range of impacts on society and the environment. Higher temperatures, decreased precipitation in southern regions, and melting glaciers are among the key findings.
The new method reduces phosphorus levels by over 80% and saves energy and waste, producing significant cost savings for municipal wastewater treatment plants. Simultaneous precipitation eliminates the need for additional chemical treatments.
A team of middle school students, led by a University of Arizona graduate student, conducted the first systematic study on leaf shrinkage when drying out. They found that leaves shrink about 20% on average, but variables such as species and structural investment determine the amount of shrinkage.
A new study by the USDA Forest Service reveals that climate conditions significantly impact bark beetle outbreaks, with optimal temperatures ranging from 1-4 degrees Celsius. Lower cumulative precipitation in prior years and higher current year precipitation also increase the likelihood of outbreaks.
A new study by the University of Colorado Boulder team analyzed extensive climate datasets and violent conflicts in East Africa, finding moderate increases in temperature reduce conflict risk slightly, while very hot temperatures increase it. Socioeconomic factors have a much greater impact on conflict risk than climate change.
Research models suggest varying geoengineering efforts can combat climate impacts in at-risk areas, reversing long-term changes in Arctic sea ice. A study published in Nature Climate Change found that tailoring geoengineering efforts by region and over time could potentially improve effectiveness and reduce risks.
Typhoon Prapiroon exhibited strongest rainfall on its southeastern side, with a rate of 50 mm/2 inches per hour. The storm's vertical structure was revealed through data gathered from TRMM's Precipitation Radar.
Tropical Storm Patty formed on October 11 and showed strong thunderstorms around its center, intensifying into a tropical storm within six hours. NASA's satellite imagery captured the storm's rainfall intensity and cloud heights, indicating a potential strengthening of the system before it weakens due to dry air.
The study reveals that southwestern forests face significant challenges due to climate change, including increased drought stress and mortality. The researchers developed a Forest Drought-Stress Index that shows a strong correlation with tree growth, death from drought, and area burned by forest fires.
Research using satellite data found convective precipitation is more common over dry regions, suggesting a different mechanism than previously thought. The study's findings challenge existing computer models and highlight the need for further research to understand this phenomenon.
Tropical Storm Bolaven is generating heavy rainfall and has been causing concern for flooding as it makes landfall in North Korea and southeastern China. The storm's cloud cover was extensive, blanketing the region with heavy precipitation rates greater than 75 mm/hr.
New studies reveal that changes in precipitation play a significant role in driving bird species out of their normal range, contradicting the conventional reliance on temperature. The research also found a sharp decrease in range for the Belding's ground squirrel, but identified areas where the species found refuge.
Tropical storm Kai-tak is causing more rain in the Philippines as it passes over northern Luzon, with Public storm warning signals in effect for several provinces. The storm has dropped extreme amounts of rainfall, including intense precipitation of over 100mm/hr, affecting the island of Luzon and neighboring areas.
Researchers found that birds experiencing dramatic seasonal swings in temperature and precipitation sing more variable songs. This adaptability helps them communicate effectively across different habitats. The study analyzed over 400 male birds from 44 species, including orioles, warblers, and finches.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute have developed a smart headlight system that reduces glare caused by rain and snow. The system uses a camera to track raindrops and adjusts the light projection accordingly, eliminating 70-80% of visible rain during heavy storms.
Researchers used tree ring data from the US Pacific Northwest and oxygen isotope analysis of lake sediments to clarify ancient climate regimes. The study suggests that drought patterns in the American West may have varied across different regions, with some areas experiencing wetter winters than expected.
Researchers found significant differences between global models and measurement data sets, with uncertainties increasing due to a shrinking global network of measurement stations. This study emphasizes the need for better understanding of evaporation, clouds, and precipitation interactions on regional levels.
Research confirms long-lasting severe droughts in western US throughout history, including 200-year megadroughts in the Sierra Nevada. Scientists used advanced sonar tools and tree-ring analysis to determine precipitation levels over the past 12,000 years.
Researchers found that rotavirus incidence is higher during the coldest, driest months of the year in South Asia. They also discovered an association between rotavirus and vegetation density, suggesting a potential tool for disease surveillance and prevention.
Data from UD researchers in Lewes, Del., shows a 60% decrease in precipitation acidity since the 1990s, a significant improvement attributed to pollution controls. However, fish populations and vegetation have been slow to respond, highlighting the need for continued monitoring.
Scientists from NASA's Precipitation Measurement Missions discovered that light rain makes up 50-60% of total precipitation in the region, contributing to freshwater resources. The study used satellite data and ground-based instruments to validate measurements and make new discoveries.
Tropical Storm Daphne brought heavy rainfall and flooding to the Fuji Islands in Fiji, causing at least three deaths and thousands of evacuations. The storm's rainfall totals reached over 600 millimeters, with some areas experiencing intense rain within a wide band of precipitation.
The Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar has arrived at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, providing three-dimensional measurements of raindrop shapes and sizes to better understand storm physical properties. This instrument will be integrated into the GPM Core Observatory, enabling more accurate precipitation estimates globally.
The TRMM satellite's Precipitation Radar instrument provided a three-dimensional profile of precipitation up to 20km height, revealing powerful storm towers around the storm's center reaching 15km. Tropical Storm Koji was predicted to strengthen into a hurricane with peak winds of 70kts, but will weaken soon after.
The GPM mission, a joint effort between NASA and JAXA, aims to improve climate, weather, and hydrological predictions by providing accurate precipitation measurements from space. The GMI instrument will play a crucial role in measuring precipitation and environmental forecasting, particularly during extreme weather events.
Heavy rainfall from Tropical Cyclone System 92S caused flooding in northern Madagascar, with intense storms dropping rainfall at rates of over 50mm/hr. The TRMM satellite measured high rain totals, including gusty winds and moderate to heavy rainfall along the Mozambique Channel.
NASA's GCPEx mission aims to improve snow detection from space to better understand snow dynamics and its impact on climate cycles. The team faces challenges in distinguishing between rain and snow due to the variety of snowflake shapes and sizes.
NASA's GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment will measure light rain and snow in Ontario from Jan. 17 to Feb. 29 using an airborne science laboratory, simulating the measurements to be taken by the planned GPM Core satellite in 2014.
The ARM Climate Research Facility has deployed 18 new scanning radars to study the lifecycle of clouds. These radars provide unprecedented data on cloud formation, structure, and evolution.
New research suggests ancient Meso-American civilizations amplified droughts by clearing rainforests, leading to significant precipitation decline. Ancient dry spells also occurred in the Northeast, with major droughts lasting up to 500 years, hinting at a potential future of severe water shortages.
A new study from North Carolina State University reveals that groundwater levels are influenced by precipitation three months earlier. The research provides unprecedented detail on how climate affects surface water and streamflow in the region, enabling better planning and policy decisions to mitigate water shortages.
A new study reveals that air pollution can exacerbate severe storms while suppressing gentle rains, according to the researchers. The findings have significant implications for water resource management in regions across the US and globally.
A new study finds that air pollution increases precipitation in wet regions while decreasing it in dry regions, exacerbating severe storms. The research provides clear evidence of aerosols' impact on weather and climate, with significant implications for water resource management.
A new study led by University of Maryland researchers found that air pollution increases the intensity of severe storms in wet regions while reducing precipitation in dry regions. The study's findings have significant economic and water resource implications for regions across the US and globally.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds a strong correlation between precipitation patterns in the Northeast and Southwest. Researchers used sediment layers to reconstruct records and found that extreme weather events are predicted by climate models.
Researchers used long-term data from Coweeta Hydrological Laboratory to examine the feasibility of managing forests for water supply. The analysis revealed significant increases in temperature and extreme wet and dry years, with conversion from hardwoods to pines decreasing streamflow.
Typhoon Roke intensified from a Category 1 to 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale due to rapid updrafts and heavy rainfall accumulation over Kyushu Island. The TRMM satellite captured 3-D radar data showing significant precipitation reaching altitudes above the freezing level, fueling the storm's intensification.
A Danish research group has discovered a significant decline in malaria mosquito populations in certain Tanzanian villages without organized mosquito control. The researchers attribute the decrease to changes in precipitation patterns, which may be linked to global climate change.
The RainGain project aims to provide detailed precipitation and flooding data on an urban scale. TU Delft will utilize rain radar technology to measure local precipitation patterns in Rotterdam and other partner cities, enabling more effective urban water management and flood protection strategies.
Research suggests planes may induce odd-shaped holes or canals into clouds, potentially increasing precipitation near airports with frequent cloud cover. This inadvertent seeding process works similarly to intentional cloud seeding and may require more frequent de-icing for planes.
Researchers found that airplanes can create holes in supercooled clouds, leading to increased snowfall and precipitation around major airports. The phenomenon is similar to cloud seeding but occurs naturally due to aircraft flight patterns and engine emissions.
The University of Arizona College of Engineering has been awarded grants from the US Department of Defense to develop high-tech measuring equipment for real-world applications in chemical and civil engineering. Armin Sorooshian's project aims to study cloud droplets and their effect on precipitation, while Jennifer Duan's project focus...