Climate change models predict catastrophic fires in Southern California due to growing vegetation and prolonged drought periods. The region may experience longer-term precipitation patterns with less year-to-year variability, leading to heavier vegetation loads and increased fuel loads.
Research by a Chinese-Israeli team shows that air pollution significantly reduces precipitation on mountains in semi-arid regions, highlighting the dire consequences for water resources in the Middle East and worldwide. The study found that increasing levels of manmade air pollution have led to a 20% decrease in precipitation on Mount ...
Dartmouth researchers found that North America's prevailing winds in the mid-latitudes once blew from the east, not the west. This change was influenced by a growing and intensifying northern circumpolar vortex, resulting in shifting temperature and precipitation patterns.
A unique fishbone deforestation pattern in Rondonia, Brazil has been found to increase precipitation over deforested regions, resulting in increased vegetation growth. The study suggests that the pattern creates a localized low-pressure zone, leading to more cumulus clouds and rainfall.
A recent study found that Iceland's Laki volcanic event significantly changed atmospheric circulations, causing unusual temperature and precipitation patterns that peaked in the summer of 1783. This resulted in record low river levels on the Nile River for up to a year due to reduced evaporation and increased temperatures.
Researchers at Purdue University found that considering all interactions among temperature, radiation, precipitation, and land use can aid humans in preparing for extreme shifts in weather patterns. They discovered that a lack of precipitation will have the most dramatic effect on living conditions in the future.
Researchers studied ancient Arctic water cycles during a period of rapid, extreme global warming 55 million years ago. The study found that increased precipitation led to lower ocean salinity and drastically lower oxygen levels in the Arctic Ocean, similar to predicted effects of greenhouse gases.
A study predicts Alpine glaciers could disappear within the century due to rising temperatures and precipitation changes. The majority of glacier cover is expected to be lost if summer air temperature increases by three degrees Celsius, with only the largest glaciers surviving in the 22nd century.
Researchers identify a previously unrecognized link between mid-latitude climate dynamics and tropical African climate, leading to exceptionally high organic carbon burial. The study suggests that changes in atmospheric pressure systems and surface winds drive variations in precipitation and runoff patterns.
The Rwenzori Mountains' glaciers are receding at a rate of tens of meters per year, halving their area between 1987 and 2003. The researchers expect the remaining ice to disappear within twenty years due to increased air temperature without significant changes in precipitation.
Researchers found that density of infected nymphs varies significantly from year to year, primarily influenced by fluctuations in acorn, mouse, and chipmunk abundance. Acorns emerge as the best predictor of Lyme disease risk due to their crucial role in supporting rodent populations.
A team of scientists has found that Pakistan experienced its wettest period in over 1,000 years during the 20th century, with precipitation rates increasing significantly. The study used ancient juniper tree rings to estimate humidity conditions and found parallels with global warming.
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.
A study reviewed over 100 scientific studies and found that the global water cycle is intensifying, with increasing precipitation, runoff, and evapotranspiration. However, the effects on tropical storms and floods are not consistent with predictions.
A new analysis of global satellite data reveals that a warming climate has led to fewer but stronger storms in mid-latitudes, resulting in contrasting cooling and warming effects on the atmosphere. These storm changes affect the Earth's radiation and precipitation fields, leading to increased precipitation in the northern mid-latitudes.
A new study reveals that warmer oceans and atmosphere will cause more intense precipitation worldwide, especially in tropical regions. Heavier rain will fall in areas such as North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, while the Mediterranean and US Southwest may experience decreased average precipitation due to longer dry periods.
A new study reveals that tropical deforestation affects rainfall in the US and around the globe, with significant changes observed in various regions. Deforestation in Amazonia influences precipitation in Mexico to Texas, while Central Africa affects the US Midwest, and Southeast Asia alters rainfall in China and the Balkan Peninsula.
A study by Alex Woods and colleagues suggests that climate change may be behind an unprecedented epidemic of dothistroma needle blight in forests. Increased summer precipitation is believed to have spread the pathogen, which typically thrives in moist conditions.
A new NASA-funded study reveals that warmer air temperatures from greenhouse gas emissions may lead to an increase in sea ice volume in the Antarctic's Southern Ocean. This finding suggests a counterintuitive phenomenon where some of the melt in the Arctic is offset by increased sea ice volume in the Antarctic.
Scientists discovered a consistent relationship between lightning strikes and ice content in clouds, supporting previous physics assumptions. In contrast, dense solar winds sometimes weaken auroral electrojets by compressing the magnetosphere.
Researchers found that warmer air could increase Antarctic sea ice volume by suppressing ice below sea level and refreezing as thicker ice. This counterintuitive phenomenon is driven by thermohaline circulation, impacting global climate patterns.
Researchers found that small glaciers in Northern California are remaining stable due to higher precipitation rates. This anomaly highlights the need for further study on glacier behavior and provides insight into climate variability over thousands of years.
Researchers find steady increase in Arctic river discharges since the 1960s, with annual rate of increase being 8.73 cubic kilometers per year. Human activity plays a major role in this trend, which is expected to intensify the global hydrological cycle.
Research reveals high charges in cloud drops may influence precipitation and study suggests Arctic clouds' structure affects global warming. A new model also proposes ancient snowfall as a source of water for Mars' channels near Tharsis.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) will be decommissioned by NASA, marking the end of its outstanding contribution to Earth observations. TRMM's unique precipitation observations have provided unprecedented insights into rainfall-producing cloud systems over tropical land masses and oceans.
Researchers found that in the driest years, desert and forest ecosystems exhibit similar growth rates per unit of precipitation, suggesting water scarcity is the primary factor limiting productivity. This study challenges current global models' ability to predict plant production under climate variability.
Researchers used high-resolution interferometric synthetic aperture radar to analyze data collected between 1992 and 2001 from European Remote Sensing satellites. They found that sliding rates increased by up to 30% during heavy rains, which may be controlled by elevated water pressures in the ground subsurface.
Research found that changes in land cover, particularly vegetation, have impacted regional temperatures and precipitation in the US. Land cover changes produced a significant cooling effect of more than one degree Fahrenheit in parts of the Great Plains and Midwest.
Researchers found that smoke from forest fires delays cloud release, preventing moderate rain and causing thunderstorms instead. High-altitude clouds produce large hailstones on the Amazon rainforest floor.
A new study predicts that global warming will diminish Western US mountain snow cover by up to 70% by 2050, leading to increased flooding and drought. The loss of snowpack will disrupt the region's agriculture, fisheries, and hydropower industries.
A NASA study suggests that warming temperatures will lead to more warm rain, which accounts for 31% of global rainfall. The increase in precipitation efficiency could make the air lighter and rise faster, creating updrafts producing more cold rain.
A study published in Conservation Biology found that climate change is consistently correlated with extinction among desert bighorn sheep. The researchers identified higher temperatures and decreased precipitation as key factors contributing to the decline of these populations, which are already living on a knife's edge.
A long-term ocean pattern, Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), influences West Coast temperatures and precipitation up to a year in advance. The study reveals correlations between PDO patterns and temperature and precipitation trends on the West Coast.
A recent study reports significant changes in ocean salinity levels, with tropical waters becoming saltier and polar regions fresher. These findings suggest an intensifying global water cycle, which could disrupt ocean circulation patterns and exacerbate global warming.
A new study reports significant changes in ocean salinity levels, with tropical waters becoming saltier and polar regions fresher. These shifts suggest an acceleration of the Earth's water cycle, potentially exacerbating global warming and disrupting ocean circulation.
New evidence reveals urban areas are altering rainfall patterns and daily precipitation trends, with higher rates during summer months downwind of large cities like Houston and Atlanta. Cities tend to be warmer than surrounding suburbs and rural areas due to urban heat islands.
A four-year study reveals that Himalayan erosion rates are uniform across wet and dry regions, contrary to expectations. The Indian Ocean's monsoon rains create a striking difference in precipitation between the north and south, yet erosion rates remain relatively constant.
Researchers are using stable isotopes in bird feathers to track migration patterns and wintering grounds, revealing previously unknown information about bird dispersal. This technique provides a faster and more cost-effective alternative to traditional methods like banding, allowing scientists to gather data on a wider scale.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that previous year's drought is the main driver of high mosquito populations in wetlands. This discovery has implications for predicting and controlling diseases like West Nile virus and malaria, which are spread by mosquitoes.
A recent study by Alessandra Giannini confirms a strong link between sea surface temperatures and precipitation in Africa's Sahel region. The research finds that Indian Ocean temperatures are the primary driver of precipitation in the area, with implications for climate prediction and seasonal predictions.
The Hotplate Total Precipitation Sensor uses a unique approach to measure precipitation rates, providing accurate readings for aviation and transportation applications. This breakthrough technology offers improved public safety and cost savings by reducing the need for manual snow gauges and deicing fluids.
Research finds African dust particles act as kernels for precipitation in low clouds, but suppress rainfall in high clouds. The study also suggests a link between increased dust levels and drought conditions.
TRMM allows researchers to daily map areas of potential flooding using precipitation radar data and high-resolution measurements of cloud water content. The satellite provides updated records on a global scale, enabling scientists to track storms, monitor El Nino conditions, and assess crop health in remote regions.
Climate change projections indicate an increase in heavy precipitation and extreme events in California's Sierra Nevada region, with a 37% rise in wet days per year. This could lead to more flooding due to the shift from snowfall to rainfall, reducing the buffering effects of snow.
Researchers used computer climate models and over 45 years of data to understand the connection between El Niño events and Western US snowfall. They found that ENSO affects atmospheric wind patterns, moist air transport, and Western U.S. precipitation and snow accumulation.
A new monsoon forecasting method developed by Professor Peter Webster could guide farmers in choosing optimal planting times and making informed decisions about water management. This technique, applicable to any monsoon region, has the potential to create a significant increase in crop yields without relying on pesticides or fertilizers.
A new study uses tree ring chronologies to identify patterns of multidecadal oscillations in precipitation, linking them to ocean temperature shifts. The research suggests that the Great Plains, Rockies, and Southwest are prone to megadroughts when tropical Pacific and North Atlantic sea surface temperatures align.
New England waters show little net change in acidity despite Clean Air Act reductions, researchers say; further changes expected as nitrogen regulations take effect.
NASA's Aqua satellite and a P-3 Orion aircraft are conducting a joint research effort to gather data on snowfall and rainfall in Wakasa Bay, Japan. The study aims to improve the accuracy of global hydrologic cycle data and better understand precipitation patterns in the north Pacific.
Researchers gather data from an unusual storm over the Amazon rainforest to analyze the storm's inner workings, revealing a two-phase process where both precipitation forms at lower altitudes and higher in the atmosphere. The study provides new insight into storm intensity and hazards, which should be avoided by aircraft.
A four-year field study by K-State researchers found that altering rainfall patterns in a tallgrass prairie led to decreased physiological vigor of grasses, lower plant productivity, and reduced water availability. The team discovered significant reductions in carbon cycling and below-ground activity under variable rainfall conditions.
A new study in Science finds a progressive increase in Arctic river discharge, which could reduce the Atlantic thermohaline circulation and impact global climate. The research also shows a correlation between increased discharge and global surface air temperature and North Atlantic Oscillation.
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.
Researchers at Stanford University conducted a three-year experiment, raising questions about the impact of elevated CO2 on plant growth. The study found that CO2 suppression was most pronounced when combined with other climate change factors like temperature, precipitation, and nitrogen deposition.
Researchers found that changes in SSTs affect the Madden Julian Oscillation, a key driver of South Asian monsoons. The study suggests that warmer sea surface temperatures can predict up to 30% of MJO fluctuations.
A new study suggests that future extreme rain events could cause significant crop losses and damages, particularly in the US Corn Belt. The researchers used a modified crop model to simulate the effects of excess soil moisture on corn crops, finding potential damages up to $3 billion per year by the 2030s.
A new study by Duke University researchers suggests that deforestation in the Amazon can lead to a significant reduction of rainfall in the Midwest and Dakotas during summer months. The simulation used mathematical equations to model climate behavior, finding a 10-15% decrease in precipitation in these regions.
A NASA study suggests that black carbon particles are responsible for changes in precipitation patterns over China, leading to increased flooding in the south and droughts in the north. The study used climate computer models and aerosol data to analyze the effects of black carbon on hydrologic cycles in China and India.
A new prediction index uses satellite-based data to identify signs of El Niño development in the winter, providing a 6-9 month lead-time. The study found high values that preceded five strongest El Niños, and predicts the next event to begin between July and October 2002.
A new NASA study suggests that changes in rainfall patterns play a significant role in plant growth and carbon absorption in the United States. The research found that higher humidity combined with increased precipitation led to a 14% increase in plant growth between 1950 and 1993.