A team of scientists led by UH professor Liming Li analyze Cassini spacecraft data to understand the seasonal changes on Saturn. They also examine the energy budget for Jupiter and Saturn to better comprehend planetary climate evolution.
Using video footage and geodesic Lagrangian coherent structures theory, researchers found unsteady material transport barriers surrounding Jupiter's Great Red Spot and jet streams. This analysis enhances knowledge of the planet's atmosphere, with potential applications in oceanography, meteorology, and environmental monitoring.
Researchers used Doppler polarimetric radar data to study nocturnal migrating songbirds in Eastern North America. The study found that birds strongly compensated for wind drift near the Atlantic coast, increasing their compensation throughout the night.
New research predicts more frequent extreme weather events will disrupt global food production, leading to 'food shocks' that can wreak havoc on markets and families worldwide. The study highlights the increasing interconnectedness of global food systems, making countries vulnerable to distant production shocks.
RapidScat measures surface winds in intensifying tropical cyclone Tatiana, providing forecasters with pinpoint data to track strongest winds. The storm is currently well offshore and poses no immediate threat to the Queensland coast.
Tropical Cyclone Stan weakened to a remnant low pressure area after landfall in Western Australia on January 30, 2016. The system dropped significant rainfall, with 77.8 mm recorded at Menzies and 40.4mm at Red Rocks Point.
Tropical Cyclone Stan is intensifying off Western Australia's coast, expected to make landfall on Saturday afternoon. The system will track steadily south-southeast and reach category 3 status before crossing the coast.
A developing tropical low pressure area, System 92S, is expected to become a depression in the next day or two off Australia's northwestern coast. NASA's GPM satellite gathered data indicating rain falling at rates of up to 96.7 mm/h and storm tops reaching altitudes of over 16 km.
A new study by an international team of scientists confirms that recent record warm years are almost certainly due to human-made climate change. The odds of these extreme temperature records occurring naturally are extremely low, between 1 in 5000 and 1 in 170,000.
New research suggests that record heat over the past century and a half is incredibly unlikely to have occurred naturally, with odds ranging from 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 170,000. Human-caused climate change is considered highly likely to cause warming events.
A recent study found that deep convective storms transport ozone-rich air parcels to the surface of the Amazon rainforest, rapidly increasing surface ozone levels. This process can initiate and accelerate cloud formation via interactions with plant-emitted hydrocarbons.
NASA analyzed rainfall totals in Paraguay and found the highest amounts occurred northeast of Asuncion, with over 400 mm recorded in central and southern parts. The strong El Niño phenomenon is believed to be the cause of the heavy flooding, affecting over 150,000 people across Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
A new study from the University of Minnesota used a network of 180 sensors to capture detailed temperature patterns across the Twin Cities metropolitan area, highlighting the strength and variability of the urban heat island effect. The research provides valuable insights into efforts to reduce heat-related harm in metro areas globally.
Planetary scientist Shoshanna Cole discovered signs of acid fog on Mars, which formed when acidic vapors dissolved minerals and created gel-like cement. The phenomenon was observed in the Watchtower Class outcrops on Husband Hill, indicating a change in the environment billions of years ago.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that surface solar radiation in China has decreased due to higher air pollution and lower wind speeds. The research reveals that the solar dimming increased significantly during the day in polluted areas, with 20% of reduced solar radiation attributed to aerosols.
AOU is developing an aeroecology training program that will train graduate students in data science and its application of Earth-observation data for societal benefits. The program, supported by the National Science Foundation, aims to recruit and retain diverse high-quality graduate students across disciplines.
A Baylor University study projects significant impacts of climate change on the Himalayan mountain basins, including reduced water availability and exacerbated food insecurity. The research highlights the importance of land use practices in conserving water resources, particularly in regions like Nepal.
An international team of scientists has identified 41 potential 'tipping points' where regional climate shifts could occur, including abrupt changes in ocean circulation patterns and vegetation. These events may happen at global warming levels below two degrees, challenging the notion of a safe limit.
Researchers at the University of Reading and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts found that accounting for unusual winds miles up in the stratosphere can make long-range winter weather forecasts twice as accurate. This allows forecasters to predict extreme winter weather events up to four weeks before they occur, providi...
Researchers found that the return period for a storm producing a surge of 2.81 meters or greater has been reduced from 3,000 years to just 130 years since human-caused climate change began. This increase in storm surges is attributed to rising sea levels and more intense tropical storms.
A new study reveals that Southern California wildfires have two distinct personalities, with Santa Ana winds-driven fires being more damaging due to faster spread, urban burns, and higher economic losses. Climate change is expected to fan flames for the region, increasing fire risk from hot summers.
The University of Oklahoma is developing a faster, more advanced imaging radar to provide unprecedented resolution and flexibility in storm surveillance. The new system will enable scientists to study tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, and other phenomena on an incredible time and spatial scale.
New research warns of growing air pollution over West Africa's cities, posing risks to human health, food security and regional climate. Scientists call for urgent data collection to improve models and predict future changes.
Research suggests that restoring native grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau could cool the air through increased evapotranspiration, weakening global warming. The study's findings indicate a positive impact on both regional and global climates.
Researchers from the University of Maryland have described a new definition of chaos that can be applied to a wide range of chaotic systems. Expansion entropy, a flexible type of entropy, is used to identify chaotic behavior in models that are forced by external inputs. This new definition has the potential to help advance computer mod...
Two University of Oklahoma doctoral students have developed a technique to forecast the orientation behavior of birds as they migrate through the atmosphere at night using the nation's weather radar network. The approach has discovered broad-scale flight orientation of nocturnal migrant birds, offering a promising development for biolo...
Tropical Cyclone Ashobaa is expected to make landfall in eastern Oman, bringing tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rainfall. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 40 knots (46 mph) on June 11.
Researchers found that warming temperatures are disrupting rainfall patterns, leading to more extreme and destructive storms. The study suggests that this could result in increased flash flood risks, particularly in urban areas.
A new study confirms the Montreal Protocol has effectively protected the ozone layer from severe depletion, with atmospheric concentrations of harmful substances declining since their peak in 1993. The researchers used a state-of-the-art model to investigate the impact of the treaty and found that without it, the Arctic ozone hole woul...
The US and Cuba have formed a groundbreaking meteorological partnership after a 20-year process, enabling the sharing of critical weather data and GPS monitoring equipment. This collaboration marks a significant improvement in forecasting accuracy for hurricanes and tropical storms, benefiting both countries.
Tropical Cyclone Quang formed quickly after organizing from a low-pressure area in the Southern Indian Ocean. NASA's Aqua satellite data revealed strong thunderstorms and high cloud top temperatures indicative of potential heavy rainfall.
A recent study by POSTECH researchers suggests that phytoplankton may amplify Arctic warming under greenhouse conditions, contrary to previous assumptions. The growth of phytoplankton is triggered by the melting of sea ice, leading to a positive feedback loop that warms the ocean surface and amplifies climate change.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of Tropical Cyclone Nathan's remnants, showing the storm had unraveled and most clouds were southeast of the center. Two large rainfall totals were recorded in the 24 hours prior, with 10.2 inches at Fanny Creek and 8.1 inches at Snowdrop Creek.
Tropical Cyclone Nathan's maximum sustained winds dropped to 30 knots (34.5 mph/55.5 kph) as it continued to move across land in the Top End of Australia's Northern Territory. The storm was weakening inland and had low potential for regeneration over the next few days.
Tropical Cyclone Nathan moved from Queensland to the Gulf Carpentaria and now crosses The Top End of Northern Territory. NASA's MODIS instrument captured images showing Nathan's western movement and second landfall near Arnheim Land.
Tropical Cyclone Nathan made landfall on March 19 at the Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland, with sustained winds reaching over 30 meters per second. NASA's RapidScat instrument revealed the strongest winds were south of the center before landfall, and the storm was moving west across the peninsula.
Cyclone Nathan strengthened to hurricane force as it approached landfall in Queensland's Cape York Peninsula, with sustained winds increasing to over 30 meters per second. The storm was moving west at 6 knots and generating rough seas, threatening coastal erosion upon landfall.
Tropical Cyclone Nathan is expected to make landfall in Queensland, Australia on March 20, bringing heavy rainfall and strong thunderstorms. NASA's Aqua satellite captured data showing temperatures near -63F/-52C, indicating strong storms with potential for heavy rainfall.
Tropical Cyclone Nathan is moving east and will track over warm water, leading to intensification in the next two days. The cyclone has slowed down and continued hugging the eastern coast of Queensland's Cape York Peninsula.
Tropical Cyclone Olwyn made landfall near Cape Cuvier in Western Australia, with NASA's Terra satellite capturing an image of the storm shortly after landfall. The cyclone was located about 43.5 miles southeast of Denham, moving south-southeast at 16 mph.
Tropical Cyclone Olwyn is predicted to make landfall near Cape Cuvier, Western Australia, bringing sustained winds of 20-25 meters per second. The cyclone's maximum sustained winds were reported as 65 knots on March 12, making it a Category one hurricane.
Tropical Cyclone Nathan's sustained winds reached over 30 meters per second, making it a strong tropical storm. The cyclone's center was near the Lockhart River south to Cape Flattery in the Coral Sea.
NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of Tropical Cyclone Nathan as it formed a cyclonic loop near the eastern coast of Queensland's Cape York Peninsula. The storm is expected to strengthen over the next day and a half due to decreasing vertical wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures.
Tropical Cyclone Olwyn has formed in the Southern Indian Ocean and is forecast to make landfall near Cape Cuvier in Western Australia. The cyclone is intensifying and moving south-southwest at 12 knots, with maximum sustained winds of 55 knots.
Tropical Cyclone Pam strengthened to hurricane-force near Vanuatu, with sustained winds reaching up to 56 mph and heavy rainfall expected. NASA's satellite data showed the storm's powerful thunderstorms, which are driving its circulation and intensification.
Climate scientists found that natural oscillations in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans contributed to a 'false pause' in global warming. The researchers discovered a sharply down-trending Pacific multidecadal oscillation (PMO) was the primary driver of this slowdown.
Tropical Cyclone Lam brought heavy rain to the Northern Territory, causing flooding in low-lying areas and river rises over the central Top End. The cyclone made landfall as a Category Four storm, with sustained winds near 55 kph.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data on Tropical Cyclone Lam, revealing a large area of strong thunderstorms circling the center of the storm. The system is expected to intensify to Category one hurricane status, bringing heavy rainfall and powerful winds to northern Australia.
The German Meteorological Service sponsors a new professorship to enhance numerical weather forecasting models. Researchers focus on the atmospheric boundary layer, a critical component in predicting extreme weather events like heavy rainfall and near-ground winds for wind farms and solar facilities.
Tropical Cyclone Lam formed in the northern Gulf of Carpentaria on Feb. 17, with NASA satellites capturing its cloud extent and rainfall rates. The storm is expected to intensify and make landfall into Arnhem Land before weakening.
The 'Hockey Stick' graph, created by Michael Mann and colleagues, revolutionized the climate change discussion with its depiction of rising temperatures. Despite criticism, investigations have consistently upheld the validity of Mann's research, highlighting a crucial distinction between legitimate scientific debate and bad faith attacks.
Recent study finds that the global warming slowdown is due to random fluctuations, not systematic errors in climate models. The simulations of climate trends agree well with observations, suggesting that the models are reliable and accurate.
Researchers found that geo-stationary satellites can greatly improve air-quality forecasting by providing aerosol optical depth every hour in high resolution. Combining this data with low Earth-orbiting satellite data produces more detailed maps for improved forecasts.
A five-year, $30 million NASA mission will measure atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases in the eastern United States. The study aims to improve detection and quantification of carbon sources and sinks using airborne, satellite, and ground-based observations.
The Adelaide Hills bushfire in Australia destroyed or damaged 26 homes as of January 5, 2015. Firefighters are concerned about worsening conditions due to forecasted temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius.
Tropical Cyclone Kate formed over the Indian Ocean on Dec. 24, with NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite capturing its visible image. The storm is expected to bring strong winds and rough seas to the Cocos Keeling Islands on Dec. 25 and 26.
The new journal ASCMO addresses the need for an outlet to publish statistical methodology work in climate change and atmospheric/oceanic applications. It will feature accessible articles on scientific advances and statistical methods for interdisciplinary researchers.
Researchers have developed a highly accurate airborne hygrometer, HAI, which simultaneously measures the amount of water present in the atmosphere as vapour, condensation, droplets, or ice. The device provides precise data on natural and anthropogenic cloud formation processes and their influence on climate development.
Kelvin Droegemeier, OU VP for Research, named 2014 AAAS Fellow for his contributions to developing partnerships in atmospheric sciences. He serves on several national and international boards, including the National Science Board.
Michael E. Mann received the 2014 Pongo Environmental Award for his groundbreaking research on global warming and strong advocacy for climate protection. The award recognizes his work in providing crucial global temperature data and a compelling case for global warming, as well as his leadership as a climate warrior.