Articles tagged with Climatology
Researchers developed Zephyrus, an AI agent capable of analyzing and answering questions in natural language about weather and climate data. The agent can handle language-based queries, translating them into code and generating plain language answers.
A new study suggests that chemical weathering beneath thick continental ice sheets may have consumed atmospheric carbon dioxide and prolonged global glaciations during the snowball Earth event. This process could have slowed atmospheric warming and delayed deglaciation, helping to explain the long durations of some snowball Earth events.
A new study finds hitchhiking bacteria dissolve essential ballast in ubiquitous
The OpenIFS model, a portable version of the global forecasting model used by ECMWF, is now available for all, making it easier to collaborate and generate new ideas. The change will support reproducible research and keep users current with the latest updates.
A research team analyzed 2.2 million thunderstorm events to identify a physical explanation for their formation. The study found that differences in soil moisture generate near-surface winds, leading to intense thunderstorms. High-resolution satellite measurements of soil moisture were crucial for this analysis.
A new Cornell University study found that consumers are willing to pay more for climate-friendly grain if its environmental benefits are clearly explained and it tastes good. The study analyzed the willingness of adult consumers to pay for artisanal sourdough loaves made with intermediate wheatgrass flour.
A new study published in the Journal of Hydrometeorology reveals significant declines in snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere, with about 24% of regions showing decreases. The research also identifies seasonal shifts, with snow cover declining earlier in March and retreating at the southern edge.
A new study from Jeonbuk National University finds that current national climate pledges are insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C temperature goal. The analysis projects a potential warming of 2.48°C by 2300 if countries follow existing plans, highlighting the need for stronger and more immediate action.
Researchers developed a new method to predict extreme rainfall in Japan, using Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation - Stochastic Partial Differential Equation (INLA-SPDE), which outperformed traditional kriging methods. The study used hourly precipitation data from 752 meteorological stations across four main islands of Japan and fo...
Leading climate scientists, including Prof Benjamin Santer, reiterate the role of humans in global warming and warn against using an inaccurate government report to inform legal decisions. The report's claims are factually incorrect, contradicting decades of research on human-caused temperature changes.
A recent study found that tropical algae were largely unaffected by periods of global warming up to 1.5 degrees Celsius in the distant past. This resilience provides valuable insights into the potential consequences of climate change and supports the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.
A new study by Manchester researchers argues that directional terms like 'upcycling' and 'downcycling' can skew perceptions of plastic sustainability. The study suggests that a more nuanced approach is needed to evaluate the environmental impact of recycling technologies.
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is launching its 2026 climate and weather data challenges to improve rapid decision-making during wildfires, explore flood forecast data from 10,000 stations globally, and detect implausible behavior in machine learning. The deadline for applications is April 9, 2026.
A study of over 8,000 tropical flowers found that their blooming periods have shifted by an average of two days per decade, with some species flowering up to 17 days earlier or later than they used to. This change could have significant ecological impacts on pollinators and herbivores.
Scientists analyzed peatland samples to reconstruct 4,000-year history of storm activity in the northwestern Atlantic. The study found increased storminess in three periods: 800-550 BCE, 500-750 CE, and 1300-1700 CE, which aligns with eastern Canada records.
A new study reveals disparities in urban shade levels, leading to greater health risks and exacerbating the 'heat island' effect in cities. Wealthier neighborhoods tend to have more trees, resulting in better shade provision for pedestrians, highlighting a consistent link between wealth and neighborhood tree abundance.
Scientists detected statistically significant changes in global atmospheric temperatures in response to three major natural events: Mount Pinatubo, Australian wildfires, and Hunga Tonga eruption. The study's findings suggest that these events may not have played a role in the acceleration of global surface warming in recent years.
Climate researchers developed a new method for computing hazards from extreme events, finding a tenfold increase in extreme heat over Europe. The study provides a basis for better quantifying damage to people, ecosystems, and infrastructure.
Scientists warn that synchronised extreme fire weather, characterized by warm and dry conditions, has increased worldwide since 1979, straining international firefighting cooperation. The number of high-risk days with simultaneous fires is more than doubling, making wildfires harder to tackle and increasing air quality issues.
New research from the University of Copenhagen suggests that volcanic eruptions during the Ice Age may have disrupted the AMOC, threatening Denmark's climate. The study shows that extreme volcanic eruptions can throw the climate system out of balance and push the AMOC into a weakened or collapsed state.
A record-breaking sediment core 700 km from Antarctica's nearest stations provides direct evidence of how the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and Ross Ice Shelf responded to warmer temperatures. The core, measuring 228 meters in length, contains layers of mud and rock documenting environmental conditions during earlier warm periods.
Growing evidence shows water insecurity is an increasing challenge in the US and other high-income countries. Rural areas face unreliable access to safe and affordable water due to aging infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and extreme weather events.
A new study finds that U.S. tornado activity is shifting southeastward due to the relationship between extratropical cyclones and low-pressure systems. Additionally, global warming has led to a fourfold increase in tropical cyclone rapid slowdown events in coastal areas.
Climate warming stimulates sphagnum growth, promotes iron protection, and inhibits microbial decomposition in boreal peatlands. This leads to increased soil carbon accumulation, potentially offsetting half of the decline in boreal forest carbon sink under future warming.
Multiple Earth system components are closer to destabilization than previously believed, threatening a hothouse Earth path driven by climate feedback loops. The researchers recommend prioritizing climate resilience in governmental policy frameworks and a socially just phaseout of fossil fuels.
A new study suggests some early life forms evolved to use oxygen hundreds of millions of years before the Great Oxidation Event, potentially delaying oxygen's accumulation in the atmosphere. This discovery adds to our understanding of aerobic respiration and its evolution on Earth.
A temporary weakening of the atmosphere's chemical capacity led to a sharp increase in methane levels between 2020 and 2021. The surge was driven by increased natural emissions and a decline in oxidizing capacity, particularly fewer OH radicals available for breaking down methane.
Research from the University of East Anglia predicts that tropical cities will experience increased urban heat island effects under 2°C global warming. The study finds that up to 81% of medium-sized cities will warm more than surrounding rural areas, with some experiencing warming rates up to 100% higher.
Researchers from Hokkaido University used a new method to track groundwater levels and greenhouse gas emissions in Southeast Asia's peatlands, finding they release more gases than previously thought. Human activities like drainage and agriculture increase emissions by tripling or sixfolding, contributing 30% of Japan's annual emissions.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen found that forest soils in south-western Germany absorb more methane as climate conditions become drier and warmer. This contradicts current international meta-analyses, highlighting the importance of long-term monitoring for assessing the effects of climate change.
An international team has successfully documented and sampled freshened water within a zone nearly 200 metres thick beneath the ocean floor. This discovery sheds light on offshore freshened groundwater systems and their relevance to coastal communities relying on groundwater for freshwater supply.
A new axis-based data model resolves long-standing issues in Earth data grids, enabling more accurate, flexible, and interoperable data across science, policy, and industry. The framework clarifies grid structure, coordinate handling, and value interpretation, allowing for efficient querying of massive multidimensional datasets.
A new study from Brown University finds that temperatures in parts of the tropics may increase by up to 4.8 degrees C due to rising CO2 levels. This is significantly higher than previously predicted, highlighting the importance of studying regional climate mechanisms.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen suggests that flooding low-lying areas in wetlands may not be the most effective way to mitigate climate change. Instead, maintaining a stable water table below ground level can help reduce methane emissions and promote CO2 sequestration, according to researchers led by Professor Bo Elberling.
Researchers found a surprising correlation between West Antarctic Ice Sheet retreat and marine algae growth over the past 500,000 years. The study suggests that global warming may lead to reduced CO2 uptake if the ice sheet continues to shrink.
A new study led by climatologists at the University at Albany found that extreme heatwaves in the Caribbean have increased significantly over the last five decades. The study reveals that heatwaves are lasting longer and occurring more often, especially in Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
A new study evaluates climate policies in 40 countries, finding that a comprehensive toolkit including carbon pricing, taxation, and renewable energy investments is most effective. Countries like Australia, Canada, and Japan have substantial potential to strengthen their climate performance by increasing fossil fuel excise taxes.
Researchers found significant decline of atmospheric trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in Toronto during COVID-19, suggesting its sources and enabling future reduction strategies. The decrease is attributed to short-lived chemical precursors emitted into the atmosphere, offering new hope for mitigating this persistent pollutant.
A new study provides a tool to quantify responsibility for PM 2.5 pollution, highlighting the impact of cross-state pollution on public health. The research highlights inequality in pollution across US states, with some facing disproportionate health risks and responsibilities.
The world's forests are becoming homogenized, with fast-growing tree species dominating landscapes. Biodiversity is declining as slow-growing, specialized species disappear, compromising ecosystem stability and carbon storage. Active ecosystem management is essential to halt the loss of these threatened species.
The American Meteorological Society has partnered with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to provide IPCC authors with access to peer-reviewed scientific publications. This collaboration ensures equitable access to critical climate science for researchers worldwide, particularly those from developing countries and fac...
A University of Waterloo scientist and international collaborators found that airborne mineral dust promotes algae growth on the Greenland ice sheet, exacerbating melting. The study reveals that phosphorus in the dust fuels the growth of pigmented glacier algae.
The center will develop cutting-edge computational methods, including AI algorithms, to tackle fundamental geophysical problems. By studying weather and climate on Earth and other planets, the hub aims to shed light on many events that have historically been difficult to forecast.
A research team from Osaka Metropolitan University found that optimizing window-to-wall ratio and insulation can reduce energy consumption by up to 27% in subtropical regions. The study provides tailored design guidelines for each climate zone, promoting net-zero energy housing and climate adaptation policies.
Researchers discovered that a significant drop in calcium levels in the ocean led to a massive decrease in carbon dioxide, driving global cooling and ending the planet's greenhouse era. The study suggests that changes in seawater chemistry played a key role in shaping climate history.
Amanda Staudt will lead the American Meteorological Society, advancing the atmospheric and related sciences for public safety, economic security, and environmental stewardship. With extensive experience in connecting science to society, Staudt aims to bring people together to amplify AMS's voices.
A new study by the University of Vienna estimates that over 20 times more microplastic particles are emitted on land than from the ocean, contrary to previous assumptions. The research was conducted using global measurement data and model simulations, and found significant discrepancies between emission estimates and measurements.
A new UN report warns that humanity has entered a state of 'Global Water Bankruptcy' due to unsustainable water use. The report highlights the urgent need for a global reset in water management, shifting from crisis management to bankruptcy management.
A new study using sediment drill cores reveals a link between solar cycles and the stability of fast ice in Antarctica. The research team found that changes in solar activity disrupt zonal winds over the Southern Ocean, leading to the retreat of sea ice along the coast.
The pilot plant enables production of demand-oriented quantities of fossil and renewable fuels, documenting their climate impact transparently. Regenerative reFuels can be used in various transport modes, reducing CO2 emissions.
A £3.7 million project aims to provide unprecedented analysis of mesophotic coral reefs' vulnerability to climate change and identify ways to protect them. The study will use state-of-the-art technologies to collect comprehensive data on biodiversity, health, and environmental parameters.
A new measurement campaign, NAWDIC, aims to explore the dynamics of weather systems over the North Atlantic Ocean and improve climate models. The campaign uses advanced remote sensing instruments to document moisture transport rates and interactions between the atmosphere and ocean.
A new study using fossil coccoliths suggests the North Atlantic was 9 degrees Celsius cooler than previously thought during the Miocene epoch. This finding challenges the extreme high-latitude warmth paradigm and aligns with existing climate models for this period.
A research team evaluated 39 CMIP6 climate models to better understand their performance in simulating multiyear El Niño events and their impact on southern China's spring precipitation. Most models struggle to reproduce the associated precipitation anomalies, highlighting substantial inter-model differences.
A European project found that greening school playgrounds improves the quality of life in cities and helps deal with climate change. The study, led by researchers at UOC and UPC, assesses the benefits of nature-based solutions in schools, promoting education, ecological restoration, empowerment, and reconnection with nature.
A mobile app developed by researchers from UNIGE and Agroscope helps winegrowers anticipate climate change impacts on their vineyards. The app uses climate analogues to identify regions with comparable climatic conditions in the future, allowing for the adoption of suitable viticultural practices.
A new study suggests that avocado growing areas in India will moderately expand northward and to higher elevations under low to moderate global emissions. However, if global emissions continue to rise, suitable zones may fragment and destabilize by 2070. The researchers call for conservation and climate-resilient cultivation strategies.
New research reveals that land subsidence caused by humans is the main culprit behind delta sinking, posing increased flooding risk to 236 million people. The study identifies groundwater extraction as the dominant cause of subsidence, highlighting the need for urgent local interventions.
Researchers found that trees recovering twice as fast in tropical forests with sufficient nitrogen could be preventing the annual sequestration of 0.69 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. The study suggests ways to boost carbon capture through reforestation by managing nutrients available to trees.
Scientists reveal that slow orbital wobbles, known as precession cycles, generate abrupt millennial-scale climate fluctuations even under ice-free conditions. The study provides a new clue for understanding rapid climate swings and offers insights for future warming scenarios.