Heavy rainfall in southeastern Bangladesh caused at least 156 deaths through landslides and floods. NASA's IMERG data analyzed by Goddard Space Flight Center shows extreme rainfall totals exceeding 510 mm.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured images of Tropical Depression Calvin before it made landfall in southwestern Mexico on June 12. The depression brought heavy rain and created flooding across several Mexican states, including Oaxaca, Guerrero, Chiapas, Tabasco, and Veracruz.
Tropical Depression 3E is a disorganized storm system approaching southwestern Mexico, with periodic bursts of thunderstorm development near its center. The National Hurricane Center forecasts locally heavy rainfall and dangerous mudslides, with total rainfall accumulations expected to reach 5-10 inches in some areas.
The Afro-Asian summer monsoon is projected to intensify and shift northwards following the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) warm phase since the mid-1990s. Precipitation in the Huanghe-Huaihe River valley increased in the late 1990s, marking a significant change in the region's climate.
A new study from Ohio State University suggests that capable governments are crucial in preventing food-related violence induced by climate change. The researchers found that weak political institutions, poverty, and dependence on agriculture make countries more vulnerable to such uprisings.
A new study by researchers at Princeton and Rutgers universities found that sea-level rise will amplify moderate flooding in the southeastern US, while exacerbating severe flooding in areas like Seattle. Cities may need to prepare for more frequent severe events rather than common but less severe floods.
The iSeeFlood app, developed in 2016, is designed to gather data on flash floods, which can be dangerous to pedestrians and motorists. The app, which has now been made available for iPhones, encourages users to report flooding incidents, providing valuable information for cities and emergency services.
Scientists have developed a new model that predicts Sahel summer rainfall with high accuracy, enabling decision-makers to anticipate future cycles of droughts and floods. This improved understanding has the potential to help local communities become increasingly resilient to the region's variable climate.
A new report by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre presents the state-of-the-art in disaster risk management, highlighting the importance of science in preventing disasters and saving lives. The report identifies knowledge gaps and needs for further research to improve responses to natural hazards.
The Atlas of the Human Planet 2017 reveals that one out of three people worldwide is exposed to earthquakes, with 414 million living near active volcanoes. Exposure to natural hazards has doubled globally over the past 40 years, primarily due to urbanization and population growth.
Researchers created a physics-based sediment transport model to accurately describe the Yellow River's sediment load. The formula can be applied to study eroding coastlines worldwide and mitigate Huanghe floods, threatening 80 million people.
A new tool developed for China's Yellow River can predict and prevent its frequent floods, threatening 80 million people. The formula calculates sediment transport, enhancing the sustainability of eroding coastlines globally.
A new study analyzed high-resolution satellite data to quantify the impact of China's afforestation programs, finding that most new tree cover consists of sparse, low-density plantations. The research provides valuable insights for policymakers and researchers, enabling them to track returns from tree-planting investments and identify ...
Scientists at University of Edinburgh have found that landslides in southern Himalayan regions can increase flood risk by altering river paths with gravel and pebbles, while softer rocks in northern regions produce dispersed sand downstream. The study helps improve flood risk maps for the Ganga Plain, affecting millions.
Researchers at MIT predict an increase in Nile River flow variability due to climate change, which will lead to more extreme years of drought and flood. The study finds that the El Niño/La Niña cycle will become stronger, resulting in a 50% rise in annual flow variation.
Researchers have quantified the economic value of biodiversity in grasslands for enhancing carbon storage capacity. Increasing plant species diversity from one to ten resulted in twice the carbon storage value compared to increasing it from one to two species.
A recent study found that a specific wave pattern in the upper atmosphere, called wavenumber-5, is associated with California's droughts and floods. The wave pattern emerges during the northern winter and can lead to persistent extreme events like heat waves, droughts, and floods. Scientists hope that this new understanding of wavenumb...
Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed graphene-oxide membranes that can filter out common salts from seawater, making it safe to drink. This technology has the potential to revolutionize water filtration worldwide, particularly in countries with limited access to clean water.
A study in Limnology & Oceanography Letters reveals that biological organisms achieve high population extremes in Midwestern lakes, defying expectations. Researchers found frequent records being set across variables like fish populations, plant growth, and plankton numbers, indicating a need to reassess ecological limits.
Researchers at the University of Kansas found that weather whiplash, caused by changing climate patterns, will degrade Midwest's drinking water due to extreme fluctuations between drought and floods. This leads to a spike in nitrogen levels in surface waters, forcing municipalities to construct costly nitrate-removal facilities.
A recent study suggests that human-made climate change is likely influencing giant planetary waves, which can transport heat and moisture around the globe. These waves can stall, causing droughts or floods. The research found that warming caused by greenhouse-gases from fossil fuels creates favorable conditions for such events.
Researchers found a connection between climate change and extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, and floods, due to the impact of warming Arctic temperatures on the jet stream. The study used historical atmospheric observations and confirmed that this temperature pattern corresponds with persistent extreme weather events.
Researchers tracked social media posts with specific tags before extreme weather events to identify areas at risk. This early warning system has the potential to improve prediction and monitoring of floods and other natural hazards, saving lives and protecting homes.
Record-breaking warm temperatures triggered early blooms in eastern US, leading to severe thunderstorms and deadly tornadoes. The GPM satellite provided critical insights into the intense downpours and storm top heights of over 32,800 feet.
A new study finds that cumulative hazards from nuisance flooding in US cities will cost more than extreme events like Hurricane Katrina or Superstorm Sandy over time. The research predicts that by 2050, cities like Miami and Seattle may experience up to 700 hours of nuisance flooding per year.
A large storm system is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to southern California, with rainfall totals reaching up to 6 inches in coastal areas and 10 inches in mountain locations. A second storm system is also heading towards the east, bringing flash flood risks and rapid runoff to fire-scarred areas.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have identified a Martian valley with evidence of recent flooding, indicating water may have been present near Mars' equator in the not-too-distant past. This finding makes this location a potential geological target for detecting past life forms on the Red Planet.
A recent study published in Journal of Climate reveals a detectable anthropogenic shift toward heavy precipitation over eastern China. The research suggests that greenhouse gas forcing is the primary driver of this change, with aerosol forcing offsetting some effects.
Researchers S. George Philander and Mark A. Cane developed a key insight that the Pacific Ocean's weather balance swings seesaw-like between extremes, leading to practical forecasts of El Niño events. Their work enabled institutions worldwide to monitor warning signs for crop planting, disease control, and floods or droughts.
A strong El Niño does not necessarily result in a higher predictability of extreme drought, according to researchers. However, combining low- and high-latitude precursors improves the forecast accuracy of the EU pattern, which favors anomalous northerly conditions over North China.
A collaboration between NASA and the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center uses satellite data to improve stream flow forecasts, reducing errors by up to 70 percent. This enhances decision-making for managing water resources and reservoir facilities in the basin.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a 500-year cycle of flooding in central China, which can be used to predict broad precipitation patterns in the future. The findings provide insight into climate change over time and improve understanding of monsoon regions.
Researchers at Rice University and Kazan Federal University have found a way to extract radioactivity from water using oxidatively modified carbon (OMC) material. The OMC is highly efficient at absorbing radioactive metal cations, including cesium and strontium, making it a promising solution for purifying contaminated water.
A new study projects a 10-13% decrease in global mild days by the end of the century due to climate warming. Tropical regions are expected to lose up to 50 fewer days of mild weather, while mid-latitudes will gain more mild days.
A new study predicts that California will experience three more extreme precipitation events per year by 2100 as the Earth's climate warms. The researchers developed a technique to identify large-scale patterns in atmospheric data, significantly reducing uncertainty in extreme storm predictions.
A recent review by Renguang Wu examines the relationship between Indian and East Asian summer monsoons, highlighting a weakening of historically strong correlations. The study focuses on two pathways connecting Indian summer monsoon anomalies to East Asian rainfall fluctuations.
The DFG is establishing seven new Research Units to tackle pressing issues in various fields, including predicting human behavioral patterns and studying the matter inside planets. The first funding period will receive approximately €17 million.
A study by UC Davis and NERR found that atmospheric rivers contributed to a mass die-off of wild Olympia oysters in north San Francisco Bay in 2011. The event was caused by low salinity from freshwater discharge into the bay, highlighting the impact of extreme weather events on coastal ecosystems.
Researchers are preparing to tackle an onslaught of petabytes of complex data from sophisticated experiments, including CERN's Large Hadron Collider. To keep up with the challenge, experts propose developing exascale supercomputers and smarter networks, as well as reengineering software to adapt to future hardware developments.
A new study finds that extreme precipitation events could increase across the US due to climate change. The research suggests that summertime storms producing extreme downpours may increase by as much as 400 percent, leading to more frequent and intense flash floods.
The winter floods of 2015/2016 in the UK were the most extreme on record, with record peak flows at several rivers and a estimated insurance bill of over £1.3 billion. The floods affected 16,000 properties in England, causing life-changing financial losses and incredible stress to those impacted.
Researchers report good results in patients with metastatic prostate cancer using bipolar androgen therapy (BAT), which alternately floods and starves the body of testosterone. The treatment has been safe and effective, with PSA levels falling, tumors shrinking, and some men showing a complete remission.
A new Concordia research study examines sources of streamflow variability and change in Alberta's headwaters, providing a scientific methodology to understand the effects of natural and anthropogenic drivers on river flows. The study aims to develop effective management strategies for water security in Canada and globally.
The CReSP initiative aims to benefit at least 50 million people in high-vulnerability regions by promoting climate-smart and nutritious sweetpotato varieties. Orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties have been shown to reduce chronic malnutrition and child stunting when promoted with nutrition counseling.
A comprehensive study of Australian natural hazards finds increasing heatwaves and extreme bushfires, but uncertain projections for storms and rainfall. Temperature-related hazards are projected to become more extreme, while others may see increased frequency or intensity, with complex interlinkages between climate extremes.
The Colorado River Delta has benefited from recent engineered spring floods, with bird diversity increasing by 43% in restoration areas. Groundwater recharge has also improved, recharging the aquifer for irrigation and benefiting native plant species.
Glacial lakes in Bolivia are increasing in size, posing a threat to communities and infrastructure downstream. The study found that glacier recession could lead to glacial lake outburst floods, which have already occurred in the region, causing devastating effects on villages and farmland.
New research from Alaska analyzed 800 watersheds and found that intact flood plains can mitigate the impacts of a warmer, wetter future on salmon spawning habitat. The study predicts up to 16% loss of coho salmon spawning habitat by the 2080s in narrower, steeper streams.
Researchers propose new model of megaflood-carved landscapes, suggesting that deep canyons can be formed in bedrock by significantly less water than previously thought. This study applies numerical flood models to the 'channeled scablands' in eastern Washington State and Mars, revealing that channels were likely formed by flood dischar...
New research from Lehigh University reveals that women's economic status is a key predictor of disaster outcomes, with economically empowered women reducing the number of people affected. They also enhance health resources in their communities, leading to decreased suffering and death.
A new computer simulation predicts that storm-related flooding on the New York City coastline similar to Hurricane Sandy's scale will become more common in coming decades. The worst-case scenario sees a 17-fold increase by 2100 due to sea-level rise and varying storm activity.
A study found that certain components of climate change may benefit native oysters in California by allowing them to grow faster at warmer temperatures. However, a predatory snail species introduced from the East Coast and Asia poses a significant threat to oyster populations.
Climate change and sea-level rise will increase the frequency of floods like Sandy's in NYC, with projected increases of up to 17 times more frequently. The study predicts that floods as intense as Sandy's will occur at least three times more frequently by 2100.
NASA's CloudSat and Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellites tracked Hurricane Matthew's powerful winds and clouds. The storm maintained Category 3 status with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph, affecting Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
A study by mathematicians at the University of Strathclyde found that intense Atlantic storms coincide with high spring tides to cause devastating flooding in the Firth of Clyde. The research used a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model to simulate sea-level surges during storms, revealing the highest risk of flooding occurs when storms...
Leading health professionals call for drastic reductions in CO2 and short-lived climate pollutants to stabilize the climate and reduce major health threats. Reducing these pollutants can prevent up to 2.4 million premature deaths annually, they argue.
Hurricane Newton made two landfalls in Mexico, with NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites capturing its trajectory and intensity. The storm's center passed over Baja California and the mainland of western Mexico, causing high winds and flash floods in nearby areas.
A new international study links fertilizer addition to decreased plant diversity in diverse ecosystems globally, highlighting the need for ecosystem preservation strategies as they face multiple human-induced threats.
Satellites show Hurricane Madeline has weakened from a Category 4 storm to a Category 1 storm as it approaches Hawaii. The storm is expected to bring tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall, and storm surge to the islands, with the potential for dangerous flash floods and mudslides.
System 99L is a tropical low pressure area located over Hispaniola, producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity. Heavy rainfall, flash floods, and mudslides are likely over the region, with conditions becoming more favorable for development early next week.