During next week's transit, NCAR scientist Brown will examine regions of the solar spectrum absorbed by Venus's atmosphere between 65 and 85 kilometers altitude. He will also construct wind patterns based on gases' Doppler shifts to reveal atmospheric composition and temperature.
The NCAR instrument provides unprecedented views of the solar corona's magnetic structures, enabling scientists to analyze magnetism in the corona and relate it to emerging features like prominences and coronal mass ejections. This data will aid space weather forecasters in predicting solar storms that can impact Earth's infrastructure.
Scientists at NCAR's High Altitude Observatory developed a new model that accounts for the evolution of sunspots caused by plasma circulation. The forecast predicts solar storms and cycle 24 starting around 2007-2008, with potential implications for understanding stars similar to the Sun.
Researchers combine airborne data with ground-based measurements to better understand carbon exchanges in rolling hills and mountain ranges. The project aims to enhance carbon uptake and improve monitoring methods for high-emitting nations and industries.
The US Pentagon is using cutting-edge sensors and software tests to protect against airborne hazards, including chemical and biological attacks. The system includes a multiscale weather forecast model, lidars, and other sensors to monitor air flow and turbulence around the building.
Researchers at NCAR/University of Colorado Denver aim to create a system that sends real-time maps and predictions of wildfires to frontline firefighters. The team will use supercomputers, satellite and sensor monitoring, and meteorology to develop tools to warn firefighters about wildfire behavior.
Scientists warn that coral reefs are facing a 'crisis' due to human-caused climate change, threatening biodiversity and economic benefits. Rising CO2 levels and warmer waters cause coral bleaching and ocean acidification, devastating reef ecosystems.
Scientists are studying sulfur oxidation processes and high levels of atmospheric nitric oxide at the South Pole. They aim to understand natural phenomena to differentiate them from human-caused processes in more complex regions.
A new study using NCAR's global Climate System Model predicts a significant decrease in global dust levels by 2100. The reduction is expected to lower temperatures and reduce carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere through marine organisms.
A study by Thomas Karl and Kevin Trenberth concludes that human activities are significantly impacting the global climate, with a 90% probability of temperature rises between 1.7 to 4.9 degrees Celsius by 2100. Rising carbon dioxide levels and industrial emissions are driving these changes.
The USWRP's improvements to the global computer forecast model developed at NOAA's Environmental Modeling Center have led to a significant boost in hurricane track forecast accuracy. Since 2000, NHC forecasts have benefited from these advancements, predicting Atlantic tropical cyclones' tracks about 35% more accurately than prior to 2000.
Researchers from NCAR's Research Applications Program developed the NCAR Efficient Spectral Processing Algorithm (NESPA) to aid pilots in navigating turbulent storms. The algorithm achieved an impressive accuracy rate of over 80%, detecting turbulence encounters with very few false positives.
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.
The project will model air quality in the US, factoring in climate-driven changes, wildfires, and land use shifts. Researchers aim to better understand how future climate may impact urban and regional air quality.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research has been awarded $11.25 million to develop new weather forecasting tools, including the LEAD project. The tool will enable researchers to access state-of-the-art weather prediction models on demand and collaborate with colleagues in real-time.
The AMPS system uses a tailored computer model, Polar MM5, to provide detailed forecasts for the extreme polar environment. Meteorologists have successfully used AMPS in emergency rescues from Antarctica since 2001, including a recent medical evacuation and ship rescue.
The DOWs will deploy at or near the coast in the direct path of the storm, collecting high-resolution data and rapid-scan Doppler radar data from inside the eye. The Rapid-DOW can visualize three-dimensional volumes in 5 to 10 seconds, observing boundary layer rolls, wind gusts, and other phenomena as they evolve.
Researchers are using mobile radar to track wind patterns in Montana wildfires, enabling more accurate predictions of fire behavior and helping firefighters fight fires more efficiently. This technology has the potential to transform wildland fire monitoring and improve public safety.
A new study suggests that human activities are a leading cause of warming in the troposphere and cooling in the stratosphere. The research team found that ozone depletion combined with greenhouse gas emissions accounted for most of the recent rise in the tropopause height.
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.
Researchers found that lightning is the primary source of low-altitude ozone in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, defying previous expectations. The discovery was made using satellite data and computer models, which showed a significant increase in ozone levels near areas with intense lightning activity.
NCAR scientists have developed a new algorithm to predict turbulence using airborne radars, enabling pilots to receive warnings up to 30 seconds in advance. The NCAR Efficient Spectral Processing Algorithm (NESPA) demonstrates an 80% detection rate and low false predictions, showing its feasibility for improving aviation safety.
BAMEX will investigate how damaging winds unfold at night, when low-level air cools and stabilizes. The study aims to improve forecast warnings for high winds produced by bow echoes and heavy rains triggered by mesoscale convective systems.
A new study using satellite data found a global warming trend of 0.16°F per decade, closer to surface warming and computer-model simulations. The analysis improved upon previous results, accounting for errors in radiation sensor heating and satellite orbit drift.
The study reveals that photochemical effects dominate the winter-to-spring ozone increase, while stratospheric sources account for a small fraction of the observed ozone. Local ozone production is found to be more significant than the amount delivered from aloft during late spring.
NCAR has surpassed the one-petabyte mark in its data archives, storing over 1 trillion gigabytes of climate research data. This achievement is made possible by StorageTek's automated tape systems and high-performance computing infrastructure.
Climate experts Tom Wigley and Charles Knight will discuss the future of the Earth's atmosphere and the impact of greenhouse gases on climate change. They will also explore the science behind artificial snow formation, including nucleation and ice nuclei.
The Arctic Oscillation has strengthened in recent decades, leading to increased warmth over the Northern Hemisphere. Recent computer-model simulations suggest a possible link between the AO and global warming.
Warren Washington predicts that the global climate will continue to warm into the 22nd century, albeit at a slower rate than if emissions are not controlled. Climate extremes such as heat waves, floods, and droughts are expected to become more severe and frequent.
Scientists are developing new approaches to disaster prevention, including tools for wildfire management and prediction systems for heavy rainfall and landslides. These initiatives aim to reduce the impact of extreme weather events on communities.
Researchers have detected layers of high-level moisture and cirrus clouds using NCAR's instrument package, indicating a significant impact on long-term climate. These clouds, often missed by standard weather balloons and sensors, can warm the planet and trap radiation.
Satellite images from NASA's MOPITT project show high levels of carbon monoxide in regions prone to pollution, such as Southeast Asia and Australia. These images provide a new tool for monitoring air quality and tracking the spread of pollutants over long distances.
A new web-based system is being tested to improve winter road treatment. The Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) uses computer models to project hour-by-hour weather and road conditions up to two days in advance. This allows users to make informed decisions about road treatments, potentially saving lives and reducing costs.
Researchers pinpoint high concentrations of air pollutants in eastern US, Europe, and China using data from NASA and European Space Agency satellites. The pollutants vary by season, affecting human health and air quality.
Researchers found that climate change may weaken average El Niño events due to a decline in ocean-atmosphere coupling. However, individual El Niños could still be intense, even in a warmer world. The study simulated past and future behavior of El Niño using the NCAR Climate System Model.
A new online library, Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE), provides deaf students with interactive and visual resources that cater to their unique needs. The library offers reliable and up-to-date information, reducing the learning gap between deaf and hearing students.
Scientists are developing a new space weather model that can mimic solar explosions, auroras, and geomagnetic storms. The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) will provide a computer model of Earth's upper atmosphere to aid the effort.
The COSMIC satellite network will collect a global, 3-D data set, improving analyses of both weather and climate change. The satellites will probe the atmosphere using radio occultation to track temperature in the upper atmosphere and measure high-altitude electron density.
The Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) successfully predicted a brief window of favorable weather, allowing helicopters to bring the last passengers aboard. The forecasting support helped guide the ice-strengthened ship SA Agulhas to retrieve the stranded vessel and crew from near Antarctica.
The Community Climate System Model, version 2 (CCSM-2) is a new computer model that will help scientists understand the Earth's climate system. It has increased capabilities allowing for more detailed climate projections and will be used to produce improved simulations of average climate and climate variability.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has won a $3.8 million NASA grant to develop the core software for an Earth System Modeling Framework. The framework will enable models to work together, assimilate observational data, and produce more realistic simulations of weather and climate.
A massive weather study is underway in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, using six aircraft and 30 ground sensors to track water vapor and predict heavy rain. The IHOP2002 project aims to improve forecasts from 1 to 12 hours ahead of heavy rain, which could help in flash-flood safety and other applications.
Researchers developed a Web-based display, CIP, to describe current icing conditions, which goes into service this week for meteorologists and airline dispatchers. A companion tool, FIP (Forecast Icing Potential), forecasts potential icing up to 12 hours ahead but is still in development.
New estimates suggest that Earth's temperature could rise between 1.7 and 4.9 degrees Celsius over the next 100 years, with a 90% likelihood of warming within this range. The likelihood of more extreme warming scenarios is low, but still poses significant risks to society if not addressed through climate control measures.
Researchers discuss new strategies for understanding ecosystems, managing water resources, and assessing environmental policies. Warren Washington, Kathleen Miller, and Roger A. Pielke, Jr. present key findings on tackling complex environmental challenges.
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.
A new statistical analysis of 115 years of global temperature data strengthens the argument that human-caused emissions are warming the earth's atmosphere. The study found strong year-to-year correlations between actual temperature data and simulations from two leading computer models, indicating a consistent long-term trend.
Scientists Harry van Loon and Karin Labitzke found a mirror image of the solar-stratosphere correlation in the Southern Hemisphere, spanning three solar cycles. The analysis suggests that the sun's 11-year solar cycle drives periodic changes in temperatures and pressure heights of the lower stratosphere from pole to pole.
A team of scientists at NCAR has developed a new method to accurately quantify the total radiative output of the sun, including ultraviolet, visible light, and infrared wavelengths. This breakthrough will provide better information on the sun's influence on earth's climate and improve our understanding of solar variability.
Researchers at NCAR have created a software that uses an aircraft's existing equipment to measure and report in-situ turbulence, enabling pilots to steer clear of bumpy air. The data will be used to create turbulence forecasts and potentially enable real-time turbulence warnings.