Articles tagged with Climatology
The world's oceans absorbed significantly less CO2 in 2023 than expected, with the global marine carbon sink decreasing only moderately. Three physical and biological processes - CO2 escape, stratification of the water column, and the biological pump - counteracted CO2 outgassing and supported the sink's strength.
Researchers from the University of Maryland tracked lightning storms in real-time using NASA's TEMPO instrument, detecting nitrogen oxide emissions that affect climate and air quality. The study reveals how lightning can produce pollutants that travel long distances, influencing air quality far from the original storm.
A new study by the University of Gothenburg suggests that thawing permafrost played a significant role in raising carbon dioxide levels after the last ice age. Researchers estimate that this carbon exchange may have accounted for almost half of the rising CO2 levels.
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) has released a statement highlighting five foundational flaws in the Department of Energy's 2025 Climate Synthesis report. These flaws are inconsistent with scientific principles and practices, and require rectification before the report can accurately characterize scientific understanding.
The American Meteorological Society honors individuals and organizations with the 2026 Awards and Honors, recognizing their exceptional work in weather, water, and climate research. This year's recipients include scientists awarded prestigious medals for groundbreaking research in atmospheric dynamics, hydrology, and remote sensing.
A new study published in Science Advances predicts a significant increase in supercell thunderstorms across Europe, with the Alpine region and northern side of the Alps expected to see up to 50% more storms. The simulations show that temperature increases of 3 degrees Celsius will concentrate these storms in the region.
A new deep-learning model calculates urban heat stress per square meter in the future, considering geodata and weather forecasts. The model simulates a range of climate scenarios, including increased heat stress due to rising greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Princeton University found that major tropical eruptions create distinct flooding patterns depending on plume location and dispersal. The patterns mostly divide along the line of the equator, with increased rainfall in the tropics in one hemisphere and decreased flooding.
A new method reconstructs carbon dioxide levels and photosynthesis from fossilized tooth enamel, shedding light on the climate of the Mesozoic era. The analysis found that atmospheric CO2 levels were four times higher in the late Jurassic period and three times higher in the late Cretaceous period than they are today.
A new study published in Earth's Future journal reveals that sea-level projections from the 1990s were remarkably accurate, with global sea-level rise averaging about one eighth of an inch per year. The researchers compared these projections with recent satellite measurements and found a remarkable match.
A new study reveals five primary sources of iron have influenced the South Pacific Ocean over 93 million years, including dust and hydrothermal sources. This evolution has shaped marine ecosystems and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
New research from Purdue University reveals how moisture influences atmospheric blocking, a phenomenon that often drives heat waves, droughts, cold outbreaks and floods. The study introduces a new mechanism showing that moisture-induced diabatic heating strengthens ridge blocks but weakens dipole blocks.
A new study examines 1.2 billion social media posts from 157 countries, finding that very hot days are associated with more negative moods, especially in lower-income countries. The research suggests that extreme heat affects people emotionally, not just physically.
A study published in Science found that total burned area declined globally from 2002 to 2021, but human exposures to wildfires surged by nearly 40%, with Africa accounting for 85% of all incidents. Proactive mitigation strategies are crucial to protect communities from the growing threat of wildfires.
A new high-resolution global forest age dataset has revealed that forests are ageing naturally at a slower rate than before, while disturbances such as wildfires and deforestation are causing younger stands to rapidly grow. This study highlights the pivotal role forests play in regulating the Earth's climate.
A new study reveals complex mechanisms by which forests influence climate through interactions with aerosol formation, highlighting the need for regional consideration to maximize climate benefits. Forestation initiatives must balance competing effects of reduced surface albedo and aerodynamic disturbances on aerosol radiative effects.
Researchers found that heat waves across Africa are now hotter, longer, and more frequent, mainly due to human activities. The study aimed to fill the knowledge gap on climate extremes in Africa and provide insights for mitigation and adaptation strategies.
A new study found that planting trees in tropical regions can cool the climate by up to 0.8° F and reduce fire risk, offering significant benefits for global temperatures and ecosystems. The research emphasizes the importance of location in determining tree planting's impact on climate effects.
The State of the Climate report reveals record-high greenhouse gas concentrations, with CO2 levels reaching 422.8 parts per million, a 52% increase from pre-industrial levels. Global temperatures also reached a new high, with annual growth increasing to 2.4 ppm yr−1.
High humidity exacerbates extreme heat's negative impact on cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of heart-related emergencies by six times. Researchers analyzed over 340,000 emergency room visits in Dhaka, Bangladesh, finding a significant association between high heat and humidity levels.
Researchers used a fiber-optic cable to capture calving dynamics across the fjord of a South Greenland glacier, documenting a 'crazy calving multiplier effect' that accelerates glacial mass loss. The data provides a deeper look at the relationship between ice and water, shedding light on the consequences of continued mass loss.
A new study suggests that exposure to wildfire-derived PM2.5 is linked to increased mortality and morbidity, with a 93% underestimation of the actual death toll. The research estimated 535 annual deaths from all causes due to short-term exposure to wildfire smoke.
Researchers have developed a novel way to reach the unexplored mesosphere using lightweight flying structures that can float using sunlight. The devices, which were built at Harvard and other institutions, levitated in low-pressure conditions and demonstrated potential for climate sensing and exploration.
Fossilized dinosaur teeth contain oxygen isotopes that indicate high carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere during the Mesozoic Era, which was four to three times higher than today. This data suggests dynamic climates with double primary plant production, contributing to their extinction.
Scientists have uncovered the remains of a vast animal community that lived in the European Arctic 75,000 years ago. The bones represent the oldest example of an animal community in the region during this warmer period of the ice age, providing valuable insights into how wildlife responded to dramatic climate shifts.
Global net primary production increased significantly between 2003 and 2021 due to land's photosynthetic increase, but declined in marine algae. The study highlights the importance of terrestrial ecosystems in offsetting ocean declines.
Recent research from American Meteorological Society journals predicts a new record for lightning and a decrease in hurricane frequency. Additionally, fire forecasts have been updated to better manage water resources in Colorado's Gunnison River Basin.
Researchers found that solar energy delivers the biggest climate payoff in certain US regions, with California and Florida seeing significant CO2 reductions. A 15% increase in solar power led to a reduction of up to 147.18 metric tons of CO2 in California alone.
Researchers at Göttingen University developed a method to reconstruct the early Earth's atmosphere using fossilized micrometeorites. The study found that intact micrometeorites can preserve reliable traces of oxygen isotopes over millions of years.
A recent MIT study found that decreases in seed-dispersing animals can lead to a major reduction in forest carbon absorption. The researchers analyzed data from thousands of vegetation plots and found that healthy populations of seed-dispersing animals can absorb up to four times more carbon than similar forests with fewer animals.
A new study using NASA's PACE satellite data established a novel method to determine global plant productivity. The technique relies on the light plants reflect, allowing for accurate capture of short-term changes. This approach has significant implications for understanding carbon sequestration, climate change, and ecosystem monitoring.
Researchers developed a new machine learning method to improve climate model projections, making them more accurate at both global and regional levels. The new tool addressed challenges in capturing observed patterns in compound extreme events, leading to improved projections of these events.
Tiny droplets of sea spray can affect hurricane intensity, but measuring their concentration and size is challenging. Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas are using lab experiments and simulations to develop a machine learning model that incorporates these factors.
A new study attributes the extreme nature of the floods to climate change, linking it to intensified rainfall and warning that storms will become even more intense as the planet warms. The research calls for building resilience in a warming world through advanced early warning systems and community-based flood warnings.
A new global study reveals unprecedented freshwater loss since 2002, with four continental-scale mega-drying regions in the northern hemisphere. The findings warn of severe consequences for water security, agriculture, and sea level rise.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that energy-efficient strategies can have a significant impact on public health in the European Union. The research reveals dramatic differences in health burdens from electricity use based on the source of energy used, with cou...
A recent study published in PLOS One found that European peatlands require warm temperatures and a specific water table depth to accumulate plant matter and store carbon. The study suggests that maintaining a water table around 10 centimeters below the surface is key to allowing peat to grow quickly and store carbon over the long term.
Researchers estimate that lightning kills around 320 million trees each year, resulting in significant biomass loss. This equates to an annual emission of 0.77-1.09 billion tons of CO₂, comparable to the emissions from wildfires.
A team of scientists has developed a high-resolution climate model that simulates global climate change at 9 km atmospheric and 4-25 km oceanic scales. The model demonstrates superior performance compared to lower-resolution models, providing detailed regional insights into future climate conditions.
Recent AI applications in wind speed prediction have improved accuracy and stability. Hybrid models combining shallow and deep learning approaches enhance robustness and long-term pattern extraction. The review emphasizes the role of multi-objective optimization in balancing prediction accuracy, efficiency, and model interpretability.
A study found that declining aerosols are up to 2.5 times more influential than greenhouse gases in driving changes in heatwave occurrence in populated areas. Higher levels of aerosols suppressed heatwave exposure by reflecting the sun's rays, but this trend is now reversing due to clean air policies.
Scientists reconstructed ocean pH levels 201 million years ago and found a massive drop in acidity, leading to mass extinction. The research links this event to volcanic activity and a significant increase in atmospheric CO2.
A new study revisits forecasts made in 2002 about the world's rocky shorelines, finding some threats have materialized while others have not. The researchers highlight the importance of addressing issues like ocean acidification and plastic pollution to protect coastlines.
A new study by researchers at the University of Kansas finds that cities with proactive, learning-oriented and risk-tolerant governance styles are more likely to implement ambitious climate resilience strategies. These cities are better positioned to protect their communities and lead meaningful change in an era of mounting climate risks.
Researchers solved a long-standing climate mystery by combining geological evidence with climate model simulations. They found that speleothem δ18O records reflect precipitation signals from multiple seasons, not just summer monsoon season.
A new study reveals how variations in the stratospheric polar vortex affect where and when extreme cold hits, with a focus on the northwestern US. The research finds two distinct patterns that steer Arctic air into different areas, leading to colder winters in regions like Montana and Texas.
Researchers at KIT have developed a new AI method that generates high-resolution precipitation maps from low-resolution data, offering improved assessments of regional climate risks and disaster control. The model provides physically plausible precipitation maps with statistical uncertainty, applicable to diverse climatic conditions.
Researchers found that azuki bean beetles infected with Wolbachia bacteria produce larger eggs yielding exclusively male offspring when exposed to elevated temperature and carbon dioxide. This adaptive reproduction strategy enhances the survivability of their offspring.
New research claims adding lime to agricultural soils can remove CO2 from the atmosphere, rather than cause emissions. The study, based on over 100 years of data, shows that the addition of acidity is the main driver for CO2 emissions from soils.
New research reveals that lakes relying on groundwater connections maintain stable water levels and buffer climate change impacts. Shallow lakes are vulnerable to rising temperatures and reduced rainfall due to high evaporation rates.
Researchers found that longest heat waves will see greatest acceleration in frequency, while extreme heat waves will increase most. The study's equation can analyze one region or multiple regions, providing valuable insights into climate change impacts.
Research presents fig tree species storing calcium carbonate in trunks, converting CO2 from atmosphere. The oxalate-carbonate pathway increases soil pH and nutrient availability, making it a potential means to mitigate CO2 emissions.
Weakening Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) impacts both the ocean and atmosphere, contributing equally to the cold anomaly. A cooler ocean surface reduces evaporation and moisture in the atmosphere, amplifying the pre-existing cold anomaly.
A new study reveals that forests take 1-2 centuries to shift tree populations in response to climate changes, highlighting the need for human intervention to keep them healthy. Assisted migration, such as planting warmer-climate trees in colder locations, may be an effective tool to aid forest adaptation.
New research reveals that the collapse of tropical forests during Earth's most catastrophic extinction event led to a prolonged period of high CO2 levels and extreme warming. The study supports the theory that thresholds exist in Earth's climate-carbon system, which can amplify warming when reached.
A new study suggests that sustained US military spending reductions could lead to substantial decreases in energy consumption, with potential annual savings comparable to those of Slovenia or Delaware. The analysis found that decreased spending primarily affects energy consumption from facilities, vehicles, and equipment, and jet fuel.
Researchers used daily high-resolution images to create 3D elevation models of three glaciers: La Perouse Glacier in Alaska, Viedma Glacier in Argentina, and Skamri Glacier in Central Asia. The analysis revealed consistent thinning in the Viedma and La Perouse Glaciers but a small net gain of ice in the Skamri Glacier.
A new study led by RMIT University found that restoring southern Australian reefs from urchin barrens is feasible and beneficial for improved water quality, fisheries, and carbon sequestration. Economic modelling showed an AU$50 million investment would return up to AU$92 million in economic benefits.
Urban gardens in Warsaw contribute to better carbon dioxide absorption, air pollution reduction, and the mitigation of urban heat-island effect. They also improve water efficiency, reduce flood risk, and promote social capital.
A new online platform, SMRT-Flames, estimates the health impacts of wildfire smoke and provides fire managers with tools to assess potential smoke exposure. The app uses a Harvard-developed computer model to predict how fires would behave across regions and how smoke would pool and disperse.