Climatology

Global warming and increasing wildfire risk threaten viability of elite wine-growing regions in California – but others may boom

A new study suggests that California's wine industry is under threat from climate change and wildfires, particularly in established regions like Napa and Sonoma. However, areas like Mendocino and Monterey are expected to become increasingly favorable for premium vintages due to their projected increasing climatic suitability and decrea...

New AI-assisted climate study reveals what urban heat really feels like

A new study develops the first high-resolution urban air temperature dataset, providing detailed maps of air temperature across cities. This dataset helps explain why satellite-based data often overestimates heat stress and exaggerates disparities between neighborhoods.

Destination Earth moves into its third phase

Destination Earth is a European Union-funded initiative that aims to build a digital replica of the Earth system by 2030. The project integrates climate change adaptation and weather-induced extreme events with AI capabilities, providing flexible simulation frameworks for tailored information on impacts and potential evolutions.

Scientists find ozone depletion began decades before discovery of ozone hole

Researchers found evidence of early ozone loss dating back to the late 1950s, linked to carbon tetrachloride use, in contrast to CFCs' later role. This discovery reveals that modern monitoring tools could have detected earlier signs of human-induced depletion.

Decline in plankton across North East Atlantic sends stark warning for ocean health

Declining plankton abundance across the North East Atlantic poses a significant threat to ocean health, impacting marine food webs and carbon cycling. The study found six pelagic habitat-region combinations rated as 'Not Good' and three as 'Uncertain', highlighting the need for climate change mitigation and reduced nutrient pollution.

Rising heat and humidity challenge energy-efficient data center cooling

Climate conditions are increasingly limiting direct air free cooling in data centers, particularly across the tropics and southeastern US. Projections indicate continued expansion of these constraints with sustained warming and increasing humidity.

UT climate model of last year’s July 4 storms suggests that sea surface temperatures actually reduced rainfall

Research Scientists Edward Vizy and Professor Kerry Cook analyzed a storm that caused catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. They found that warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures weakened the Great Plains low-level jet, resulting in weaker storms and less intense rainfall.

World first as ECMWF brings cloud radar data into its global forecasting system

The ECMWF's global forecasting system now incorporates new cloud radar data from the ESA-JAXA EarthCARE space mission, enhancing weather forecasting accuracy. This move is expected to improve predictions for extreme weather events like typhoons and heavy rainfall.

What happens when environmental change outpaces life’s ability to adapt?

Scientists at MIT developed a theoretical model that predicts the severity of most mass extinctions based on the mismatch between environmental change and biological adaptation rates. The study successfully predicted the fraction of life that went extinct in Earth's history, suggesting that life has evolved to adapt at a similar scale ...

Deep learning model predicts South Indian Ocean Dipole seven months in advance

A Chinese research team has developed a deep learning model that can predict the South Indian Ocean Dipole (SIOD) seven months in advance, outperforming traditional dynamical forecasting systems. The model uses sea surface temperature and ocean heat content anomalies as inputs and automatically learns key features of ocean temperature ...

UMBC-led research uses NASA PACE satellite to track fall colors with new precision

Researchers developed a new approach using NASA's PACE satellite data to observe fall colors, producing detailed leaf color maps and tracking changes. The study improves traditional greenness indices by identifying precise markers of the end of the growing season.

AI study reveals stark inequalities in global climate plans

An international team of researchers used AI to analyse climate commitments submitted by 158 countries, finding profound inequalities persist. The study found that high-income nations focus on health and emissions reduction, while low- and middle-income countries prioritize access to basic resources like water, energy, and food security.

Sea-level rise has increased frequency of extreme coastal flooding worldwide, study finds

A new study by Tulane University researcher Sönke Dangendorf found that human-caused sea-level rise has significantly increased the frequency of extreme coastal flooding worldwide. Coastal flooding events expected once every 100 years now occur on average about 12 times more likely to occur globally.

The Earth is accumulating heat at an accelerating rate. Global warming reached 1.37°C in 2025

The Earth's energy imbalance has grown to a record high, driving rapid global warming and its projected increase to 1.5°C in four years. Global greenhouse gas emissions have reached an all-time high, contributing to the acceleration of climate change.

New study shows land shifts, sea level rise occur more rapidly than previously thought

Researchers found that ground subsidence has undergone phases of variable change, creating significant implications for coastal communities. The rate of vertical land motion is nonlinear in many coastal areas, particularly in Louisiana and the Mississippi Delta.

World’s leading soil science congress opens in Nanjing for the first time in China

The 23rd World Congress of Soil Science, held in Nanjing from June 8-12, marked the first time this premier global event was hosted in China. Experts discussed urgent challenges like soil health, food security, climate change, and biodiversity conservation.

Nature study: More icebergs in the Arctic

Researchers found a significant increase in Arctic icebergs since the 2000s, with stones raining down on the soft seafloor, forming new hard-substrate habitats for marine life. The presence of icebergs also poses greater risks to shipping and fisheries.

New El Niño index introduces more robust way to measure El Niño strength

A new El Niño index compares warming in the central Pacific with temperatures across the wider tropics, providing a clearer picture of unusual conditions. The Relative Niño index is more suited for monitoring and comparing events over time, reducing sensitivity to global warming trends.

Aerosols may warm or cool the climate depending on timing, new study finds

A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that aerosol-cloud interactions can produce opposite climate effects in the short term and long term. In the short term, aerosols initially warm the atmosphere, but over time, the cooling effect takes over.

Spring storms are becoming increasingly common in Europe

Research from the University of Gothenburg has found that spring storms in Europe are becoming more common, with a shift towards more intense and frequent winter storms. The study, which analyzed historical weather data from 1940 to 2024, suggests that Arctic sea ice reduction is a key factor contributing to these changes.

Global mangrove forests rebound, offering hopeful sign for climate and coastal resilience

Mangrove forests worldwide are no longer in net decline and are now growing overall, driven by natural regeneration and expansion. The research highlights a more hopeful trajectory for these ecosystems, which play a critical role in protecting coastlines and storing climate-warming carbon.

World Cup sets stage for UT Arlington environmental study

Researchers will measure particulate matter, ozone, wind, humidity, and temperature to understand environmental response to large-scale human activity. The study aims to find a balance between development and clean air, supporting sustainable growth in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

A plan to preserve wetlands without stopping development

A new study suggests that balancing wetland conservation with economic development is possible through a locally adjusted policy featuring both tradeable offsets and taxes. The study estimates that this approach would retain two-thirds of private gains from trade while preventing about $1.6 billion in flood damage.

Rising seas could ‘drown’ mangroves and release carbon

New research suggests that mangrove forests may not store as much carbon as previously thought, but instead release it as sea levels rise. The study found that localized areas may experience increased carbon storage, but the entire forest's storage is likely to decline over the next 100 years.

Record damages from wildfires in 2025, despite global area burned among lowest

Global wildfire activity in 2025 resulted in destructive and deadly fire events, with 335 million hectares burned globally - 16% below the long-term average. The fires accounted for 38% of all insured natural hazard losses, with Canada experiencing its third consecutive year of extreme fire activity.

Distant winds can drive massive tropical warming deep below the ocean surface

Scientists have discovered a previously unknown mechanism that transfers heat into the deep ocean, even when surface water temperatures remain stable. The study reveals an abrupt 5°C warming in intermediate waters at 800 meters depth over the past 11,000 years, linked to changes in Southern Hemisphere ocean-atmosphere circulation.

Sensitivity of Antarctic ice to climate change sharply increased after Ice Age shift 1 million years ago

A new study reveals that the Antarctic ice sheet responded sharply to climate change following a major shift in Earth's ice age cycles. The simulation found that below a critical atmospheric CO2 level, the amplitude of Antarctic ice variations increases in response to changes in temperatures.

Vast botanical data help solve Darwin’s puzzle of why some exotic plants become pests

Scientists analyzed vast botanical data to understand why some exotic plants become invasive pests. They found that the timing of flowering is crucial and depends on climate conditions, with native species adapting to local environments and invasive species thriving in milder regions.

Arctic Ocean food chain disrupted as key tipping point passed

A study reveals that the Arctic Ocean's chemical makeup is disrupting its food chain due to a sharp decline in nitrate levels, vital for plankton growth. The nutrient's removal limits life support for the ecosystem, with far-reaching consequences for marine ecosystems and carbon storage.

Land-use changes in Southeast Asia linked to 13,000 excess deaths and US$7.8 billion in economic losses: NTU Singapore study

A study led by NTU Singapore found that land-use changes across Southeast Asia contribute to thousands of excess deaths annually due to worsening air quality. The estimated 13,000 excess deaths in 2018 were linked to forest degradation and deforestation, accounting for nearly 30% of the total deaths.

Frontiers in Science Deep Dive webinar series | Soil science: how AI could help scientists secure a vital global resource

A new Frontiers in Science article explores how AI can accelerate scientific discovery in soil science by creating digital soil twins and trialing climate adaptation strategies. Researchers will discuss the potential of multi-agent AI systems to enable autonomous hypothesis generation, experimental design and data analysis during a fre...

UK heat risk leaves vulnerable people dangerously exposed

A new study warns that the UK's failure to protect the most vulnerable people from extreme heat is becoming a public health threat. The research highlights gaps in building regulations, weak enforcement, and low public awareness as key factors contributing to the problem.

Warmer temps, heavier owl monkeys: Climate linked to weight gain in primates

A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that Azara's owl monkeys have gained an average of 4% weight over two decades due to rising temperatures, contradicting Bergmann's rule. The researchers suggest that warmer temperatures may have allowed young monkeys to invest extra energy in growth

Soil science: How AI could help scientists secure a vital global resource

A new study highlights the potential of AI tools in soil science, enabling researchers to better understand soil ecosystems and adapt to climate change. The system successfully generated hypotheses on how soils store carbon and what controls their storage limits, with outputs aligning with expert research.

Extreme heat events are killing Gentoo penguins in Argentina, but the birds are shifting their breeding season earlier and therefore reducing the impact of potentially deadly hot days

Research finds Gentoo penguins in Argentina adjusting their breeding schedule to avoid extreme heat events, minimizing mortality. The study, published in PLOS One, reveals a positive adaptation to climate change.

Scientists identify hidden accelerant in Antarctic ice loss

AMS Science Preview: “Ornamental twilight,” heat deaths, hurricane eyes

Bigger and wetter storms mean drier conditions over time

Buffalo without lake-effect snow? Ancient iceberg scratches reveal a reverse snowbelt

New AI closes data gaps and shows how extreme weather emerges on Earth

Scientists dispute hypothesis that climate change will unleash massive ag pest populations

Climate change: How oxygen deficiency changes metabolic processes in the ocean

A new study reveals how sulfur compounds are metabolized under oxygen-deficient conditions, with microorganisms like Flavobacteria playing a key role. Taurine, an organic sulfur compound found in red meat and energy drinks, is assimilated only in low-oxygen waters.

Scientists uncover how mid-latitude westerlies contribute moisture to Asian water towers

Researchers identify a 'vertical conveyor' mechanism that transports moisture from the mid-latitudes to the Asian Water Towers through a process of nocturnal decoupling. This process integrates up to 30% of westerlies-advected moisture into the local cycle without precipitation, sustaining near-surface moisture accumulation.

Significant update to ECMWF’s key forecasting systems IFS and AIFS to go live

The European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is upgrading its key forecasting systems, the Integrated Forecast System (IFS) and the Artificial Intelligence/Integrated Forecasting System (AIFS), to improve weather forecast accuracy. The upgrades include enhancements to ocean- sea ice interactions, wave forecasts, and s...

Antarctica sea ice collapse driven by triple whammy of climate chaos, scientists find

A new study reveals Antarctica's sea ice collapse is driven by a triple whammy of climate chaos, resulting in record-breaking lows. The Southern Ocean's transformation led to the loss of vast areas of ice equivalent to Greenland, destabilizing global ocean currents and accelerating global warming.

The merits and pitfalls of metaphor use in science communication

Thawing Arctic soil awakens only half of soil microbes, new study reveals

Asst Prof Gianmarco Mengaldo appointed to AI Advisory Group at World Meteorological Organization

Hidden methane emerging from beneath the ice reveals Greenland’s sensitivity to climate change

A new study reveals how responsive Greenland's ice sheet is to climate change, with widespread methane release linked to an episode of warming around 4,000 years ago. The findings highlight the role of recent ice margin fluctuations on subglacial carbon cycling, with implications for global methane budget assessments.

How do climate extremes alter the behaviors of animal societies?

A new study on white-faced capuchin monkeys found that larger groups consume fruit at slower rates, especially during extreme climatic conditions. The monkeys expand their home range to access more foraging options and less-depleted food patches, offsetting the costs of internal competition.

How trees in urban areas are key to cooling down a warmer world

A study by Ohio State University found that certain tree species, such as red maple and northern catalpa, are more resilient to heat and water stress. Urban forests can provide natural cooling, reducing summer electricity usage, but require careful management and investment in irrigation systems.

Deforestation lowers threshold for Amazon degradation to below 2°C warming

Deforestation reduces Amazon's resilience to global warming, with around two-thirds of the forest at risk of degradation at 1.5-1.9°C of warming. Haltting deforestation and restoring forests can strengthen the Amazon's ability to withstand climate change.

Renewable energy is more cost effective than direct air capture at reducing carbon, new study finds

A new study published in Communications Sustainability reveals that investing in renewable energy yields more combined climate and public health benefits than direct air capture. The analysis models the health and climate benefit of cost-equivalent deployments of DAC, solar, and onshore wind across US grid regions from 2020 to 2050.

New study shows why rainfall remains hard to predict in a warming world

A new study reveals that climate models are less confident in predicting regional rainfall patterns due to uncertainties in large-scale wind patterns. This limits confidence in forecasts of floods and droughts, particularly in regions vulnerable to these events.

English farmers increased their sustainability between 2010 and 2021

Researchers found significant decreases in greenhouse gas emissions, fertilizer overuse, and cattle populations among English farmers. The study's findings highlight the importance of regular assessments of farming's environmental impacts to inform policy and management.

Better weather forecasts and climate models could come from new desert-dust research

A UCLA-led study reveals that airborne desert dust traps about twice as much heat as previously estimated, leading to improved climate and weather models. This increase in precision will help forecasters predict regional temperature shifts, rainfall patterns, and atmospheric motions.

New study suggests climate finance from developed countries may help reduce resource-related conflict risk in developing countries

A new empirical study found a direct link between climate finance and lower conflict risk in developing countries. Climate finance that alleviates water stress and boosts renewable energy projects contributes to peace and stability, with greater impact at higher levels of funding.

Temperature extremes and variability might be worst for the most vulnerable baby birds - the youngest, smallest, and most neglected nestlings - per study of 113 baby barn swallows in Colorado

A study of 113 baby barn swallows in Colorado found that temperature extremes and variability negatively impact the youngest, smallest, and most neglected nestlings. The research suggests that developmental constraints play a crucial role in determining the effects of temperature on nestling growth.

Pacific annular warming elevates the 2026/27 El Niño prediction

Researchers have forecasted a super El Niño event toward the end of 2026, driven by a rare and extreme surface annular warming pattern in the tropical Pacific. The current heat content buildup alone would generate a moderate El Niño, but adding the influence of annular warming intensifies it into the super category.

Hot spring microbiomes could transform industrial CO2 waste into valuable products, Manchester researchers find

Researchers at the University of Manchester have found that terrestrial hot spring microbiomes can transform industrial CO2 waste into biomass and other valuable compounds. This discovery could enable the production of value-added products directly from CO2-rich waste streams, reducing emissions while generating economic value.