The Pinatubo eruption validated computer-generated climate models demonstrating human-caused global warming. The sulfuric acid cloud altered winds and weather patterns, causing cooler summers and warmer winters worldwide.
Scientists discuss advancements in predicting extreme weather events, analyzing changes in global snow and ice cover, and the challenges of global environmental monitoring. New data from NASA's Earth-observing spacecraft reveal complex patterns in climate change and its effects on our planet.
Penn State meteorologists have combined weather data from airports, weather stations and sensors to create a more detailed picture of weather conditions in the state. The project aims to provide real-time displays of observations and user-specific products for various industries, including agribusiness and the power industry.
Researchers analyzed daily weather and mortality data for 11 eastern US cities, finding that mortality risk increased with temperature extremes. Cities in the North were more sensitive to heat, while Southern cities were more vulnerable to cold temperatures.
A recent study by NASA researchers analyzed global weather stations and satellite observations to identify minimal local human influence. They found larger warming at urban stations on average, but used rural stations to adjust the records for a more accurate climate change measure.
Researchers have discovered a new source of information to aid in weather forecasting, leveraging shifts in stratospheric winds to predict surface weather two months in advance. The study reveals that changes in the stratosphere can influence storm tracks and extreme cold events in the Northern hemisphere.
Researchers are testing new advanced weather technology to monitor rainfall in watershed basins as small as one square kilometer. The technology will provide more precise and accurate flood and flash flood warnings, helping emergency management officials prepare for events.
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.
Researchers at Penn State aim to improve flood prediction by evaluating past storms with different forecasting methods. They found that convective parameterization schemes can help forecast rainfall, but the best scheme varies depending on the season and atmospheric conditions.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory have developed a system to measure magnetic and electrical fields over large areas of the ionosphere, providing the first continuous monitoring of electric currents between space and the upper atmosphere. The advanced system will enable improved understanding and foreca...
The University of Iowa's contribution to the Cluster 2 space mission will analyze plasma waves in Earth's magnetosphere, predicting space weather events. The US experiment will also enable a unique telescope-like system for studying low-frequency radio emissions.
Detecting active regions on the far side of the Sun allows for up to two weeks' advance warning of strong solar winds. The method uses Lyman alpha radiation to track sunspot activity and predict severe space weather.
The Web Weather for Kids website has won an award for its online weather forecasting contest, which aims to engage middle schoolers in predicting the weather. The site's success is attributed to its interactive and educational content, which teaches students about thunderstorms, tornadoes, and other phenomena.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science has awarded a $10,000 prize to a web site that teaches students the science behind the weather. The 'Web Weather for Kids' site allows children in grades five through eight to predict precipitation and temperatures, with scores compared to those of local meteorologist Mike Nelson.
National Chemistry Week highlights the importance of polymers as natural insulators, found in products like umbrellas, sunglasses, and jackets. The week also explores fascinating chemistry facts about the weather, such as the transformation of nitrogen into a more user-friendly form by lightning.
Researchers will collect snow samples from Illimani and Sajama mountains to understand the impact of El Nino and La Nina on precipitation patterns. The team's goal is to analyze climate conditions over the past two years using sophisticated chemical analyses of snow samples.
Scientists from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center will launch a weather balloon equipped with a digital camera to broadcast web images of the Perseid Meteor Shower. The camera will provide a clearer view of the meteor shower and capture particles from the stratosphere during the event.
The Office of Naval Research is testing a new weather radar system that delivers potentially superior at-sea weather information. The system, which uses the Navy's SPY-1 phased array radar, will provide direct weather feedback and input to tactical weather forecasts.
A study by Stanley Changnon and colleagues found no evidence of an increase in catastrophic weather events, despite rising property losses. The growth of losses is attributed to the increasing population in coastal and urban areas, leading to a larger target-at-risk.
Scientists are conducting a month-long atmospheric research effort near Nauru to study the tropical ocean's impact on global weather and climate. The Tropical Western Pacific serves as the earth's heat engine, driving global weather events such as El Nino and La Nina.
A NASA study led by Dr. Dale Quattrochi found that Atlanta's urban expansion creates a unique heat island effect, influencing local weather patterns and air quality. The study revealed that this phenomenon can lead to increased ozone production and thunderstorms due to the interaction between warm air and surrounding areas.
A new heat-health watch/warning system will be installed in Rome by summer 2000, giving health officials up to 60 hours' notice of deadly weather. The system has already protected people from killer heat in Philadelphia and Washington D.C., and may be launched in Shanghai and other cities if effective.
A University of Michigan project enables space weather researchers worldwide to share data, models, and instruments, bridging geographical gaps. Collaborative technology also empowers small universities to access expensive equipment and interact with a broader scientific community.
Scientists are utilizing satellite remote sensing and mathematical modeling to predict and track climate variability and change related to infectious disease outbreaks. Improved forecasting models can help implement proactive programs to prevent or minimize weather-related health problems.
A team of researchers has deployed an Atmospheric Radiation and Cloud Station (ARCS) on the Pacific island of Nauru to study clouds and sunlight. The station will gather information for at least 10 years, providing insights into global warming effects and El Niño/La Niña weather phenomena.
The CloudSat spacecraft will produce detailed three-dimensional images of vertical cloud structures, missing from current weather forecasting models. Colorado State technology also contributes to a second NASA mission studying aerosols and thin clouds, enhancing climate change understanding.
A recent study suggests that El Nino events can be predicted several months in advance, with seasonal averages in the tropics being the most predictable. The research identifies sea surface temperature, soil wetness, vegetation, and snow cover as key factors influencing weather patterns.
Scientists have captured the most insightful images to date of Neptune's wildest weather, including monster storms and equatorial winds of 900 miles per hour. The new observations revealed a
Researchers aim to prove robotic planes can operate autonomously over the Atlantic Ocean, improving weather forecasting. The autonomous aircraft will gather meteorological data for improved forecast accuracy and potentially detect severe weather.
Researchers found that El Niño years averaged only 49.3% of maximum intensity compared to 48.6% in non-El Niño years. However, this current El Niño may be different and could help solve the mystery behind increasing North Pacific hurricane intensities.
NASA's Global Hydrology and Climate Center provides real-time geostationary satellite data, enabling users to view weather formations, temperature, winds, and precipitation in various regions. The center offers an interactive viewer with low-resolution animations and on-demand image sequences.
Researchers have developed computer crop models to predict crop yields and prices, helping farmers make informed decisions before an El Niño event. The models combine weather and soil information with virtual farming decisions, allowing for tailored growing strategies that reduce risks and uncertainties.
Researchers are collecting data from the lowest few thousand feet of the atmosphere, known as the boundary layer, to better understand its interactions with the surface. The Cooperative Atmosphere-Surface Exchange Study (CASES) aims to improve weather forecasting by measuring heating and evaporation rates at the surface.
The study enhances lightning detection capabilities with total lightning measurements, providing more accurate forecasts of severe storms and storm morphology. This technology has the potential to improve space launch weather support and reduce delays or scrubs due to adverse weather conditions.
A new weather-forecasting system using a powerful Sun Microsystems computer is providing the Pacific Northwest region with highly accurate temperature and wind forecasts. The system helps predict weather patterns such as snow, rain, and precipitation, enabling agencies to prepare for extreme weather events and issue air-quality alerts.
The FAA is testing a new deicing system that provides half-hour forecasts to aid in deicing decisions, potentially reducing cancellations and costs. The system uses data from surface weather stations, snow-weighing gauges, and Doppler radars to provide accurate predictions of snowfall accumulation.
Scientists capture high-resolution images of Neptune's clouds and their movement, providing fresh insight into the planet's extraordinary weather. The observations reveal a powerful equatorial jet stream and storms dwarfing Earth's most violent storms.
Researchers have successfully used GPS satellites to collect accurate weather data, including temperature, pressure, and humidity, every hour of the day, for any location on Earth. This new technique fills a void in atmospheric data collection over oceans, providing valuable insights into climate change research.
Researchers using Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites have developed a new technique to collect unprecedented accurate weather data, every hour of the day, for anywhere on Earth. This breakthrough could lead to greatly improved weather forecasts within months.
Research suggests that mountains are key to determining the location of severe winter storms. The Rocky Mountains and Tibetan Plateau influence storm tracks over North America and Asia. Understanding these dynamics can lead to more accurate weather predictions and insights into the Earth's atmosphere.