Articles tagged with Climate Data
Researchers found that in the driest years, desert and forest ecosystems exhibit similar growth rates per unit of precipitation, suggesting water scarcity is the primary factor limiting productivity. This study challenges current global models' ability to predict plant production under climate variability.
Researchers use the North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array to monitor storm weakening and strengthening, improving severe weather detection. NASA's satellite technology provides near real-time data on severe weather and lightning strikes worldwide, aiming to reduce false alarms and improve forecasting accuracy.
A new map reveals that the USA's impervious surface area equals Ohio's, with significant environmental implications. Increased ISA affects ecosystems, alters stream channels, and degrades wetlands, impacting biodiversity and climate change mitigation.
Deforestation in the Amazon leads to faster land heating, causing localized upward motions that enhance cloud formation and increase rainfall. The effects are most pronounced during the dry-to-wet season transition period.
Two studies reveal new insights into climate change: a microplate in the Mediterranean Sea is found to be independent of larger tectonic plates, while seasonal changes in photosynthesis can affect global atmospheric simulations. Another study warns that oxygen isotope analyses may not accurately portray ancient climates due to changing...
The combined database will help researchers determine the origin of magnetic signals in Earth's crust. With over 36,000 rock samples, it will improve our understanding of Earth's structure and development.
Scientists from NASA's Terra satellite are tracking global air pollution trends, shedding light on how pollutants spread around the globe. The data reveals seasonal and annual variations in CO and aerosol levels, providing clues about Earth's changing climate.
Regime shifts occur when changes in ocean conditions, such as warming, affect plankton production and propagate up the food chain. Overfishing can also force a regime shift, changing population dynamics of an entire ecosystem.
Researchers used satellites to create an 18-year record of global land surface temperatures, confirming that snow-free land surfaces have warmed. The satellite data provides a more detailed and comprehensive understanding of climate changes and will improve computer modeling.
The subpolar gyre's weakening trend is attributed to heat exchanges from the ocean to the atmosphere playing a bigger role. This study, published on Science Express Web site, found Labrador Sea water warmed during the 1990s, reducing contrast with warmer southern latitudes and driving ocean circulation.
A recent study using genetic data reveals that individual coral reefs within the Great Barrier Reef are vulnerable to global warming due to limited dispersal of corals. In contrast, reefs at Lord Howe Island have low genetic diversity and appear disconnected from the Great Barrier Reef.
A study by NASA and NOAA researchers reveals new climate patterns in the North Pacific Ocean, which differ from the traditional Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) pattern. The findings suggest that a single index like PDO is incomplete for characterizing the state of the North Pacific climate system.
A new statistical technique called wavelet bootstrapping enables researchers to extract meaningful information from a single data run by applying re-sampling methods in the wavelet domain. This technique has applications in geophysical sciences, bioinformatics, and medical imaging, among others.
A new generation of researchers will unravel the Earth's complexity using powerful cyberinfrastructure tools. This includes advanced data analysis, intelligent sensing systems and collaborative platforms.
A long-term ocean pattern, Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), influences West Coast temperatures and precipitation up to a year in advance. The study reveals correlations between PDO patterns and temperature and precipitation trends on the West Coast.
Researchers at Columbia Climate School presented various studies, including predicting earthquakes to urban heat island effects. One study found that human activities may have significantly raised seismicity levels in stable continental regions during the last half-century. Another study examined the impact of climate change on air pol...
Researchers use climate models to analyze past solar energy changes and test regional climate predictions under global warming scenarios. The study reveals smaller background trends in solar energy are in better agreement with long-term climate records, providing insights into Earth's changing climate.
The ICESat mission is measuring the surface elevations of large ice sheets covering Antarctica and Greenland, determining how they are changing. The satellite's data are helping scientists understand how life on Earth is affected by changing climate, and providing critical observations of atmospheric particles.
A NASA-funded study analyzed urban growth among 30 mid-sized cities using Landsat satellite data, revealing three common spatial patterns of land development. The research provides current global assessments of urbanization, including growth in Africa, and highlights the need for updated maps to inform climate modeling and social scien...
Satellite data reveals a significant increase in animal deaths in tropical rainforests worldwide, highlighting the impact of habitat destruction and fragmentation on species populations. The study, published in Ecology Letters, provides critical insights into the urgent need to protect these ecosystems.
A recent study found that the Arctic warmed significantly over the last decade, with the largest temperature increases occurring in North America. The study's results have direct connections to other NASA-funded research on declining sea ice extent, which could lead to positive feedbacks and further climate change.
ICESat is providing new insights into polar ice sheets and their mass-balance. The satellite detects features such as ice streams, cloud heights and aerosol distributions, enabling a better understanding of the Earth's climate.
A massive Antarctic iceberg, C-19, blocked the movement of sea ice in the Ross Sea region, resulting in unusually high sea-ice cover and a significant reduction in primary production. This study used satellite imagery and chlorophyll data to quantify the effects of the iceberg on phytoplankton growth.
Researchers found cycles lasting 200, 435, 590 and 950 years that reflect changes in solar intensity and sea ice extent. The patterns match cyclic changes in solar irradiance and North Atlantic sea ice, suggesting a link between solar variations and climate.
Ocean phytoplankton's net primary productivity has declined by over 6% globally since the 1980s, mainly due to increased temperatures and decreased iron deposition. This decline affects the global carbon cycle, as phytoplankton absorbs half of the Earth's CO2 through photosynthesis.
Researchers found steady, light rain in central Pacific during El Niño, which differs from thunderstorms. This type of rain affects air movement and jet stream patterns, leading to improved rainfall forecasts worldwide.
A team of researchers from the Illinois State Water Survey and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that frequent droughts, lightning strikes, and fires are critical factors for the plains. Long-term data gathered since 1890 suggests that these extremes are key issues in addressing global climate change.
The study aims to analyze satellite imagery to create a new baseline of current glacier conditions for comparison with historical measurements. Researchers will focus on two regions: central Asia and southern Alaska, where glaciers have experienced unprecedented ice loss, affecting freshwater sources and regional ecosystems.
MaNIS improves access to natural history specimen data, facilitating conservation hotspot identification, ecosystem change monitoring, disease tracking, invasive species management, and biodiversity studies. The distributed database network provides researchers with millions of specimens' information online.
NASA has created high-resolution world maps showing the frequency of lightning strikes worldwide, providing unique insights into climate information. The data indicates uneven distribution of lightning strikes globally, with increased activity in certain regions during El Nino events.
A new Web-based calculator will warn public health officials when and where mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus thrive or die, based on climate data. The system will help track mosquito populations' development and aging, which is crucial for predicting outbreaks.
A NASA study found that urban heat islands in coastal cities like Houston cause warmer air to rise, interact with sea breezes, and create heavier rainfall. The study also suggests that this effect may be more pronounced near coasts.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers have resolved terrestrial paleoclimate records near the K-T boundary, correlating with marine data. Climate changes occurred globally, with warming events occurring 66 million years ago, and cooling trends preceding the K-T collision.
The Ohio State team is contributing to NASA's ICESat mission, which aims to map the Earth's ice sheets using a radar-like system. The team has developed lidar mapping software that will help calibrate the satellite's lidar system and create accurate maps of ice sheet extent.
A study analyzing 143 scientific papers and personal backyard recordings reveals that animals and plants are shifting their behaviors and seasonal timing due to a 0.6°C global temperature increase. In the temperate zone, species are shifting about five days earlier every ten years in response to warming temperatures.
The study found that Arctic temperatures are increasing at a rate of 1.2 degrees Celsius per decade, leading to the decline of perennial sea ice. If the perennial ice cover disappears, it could profoundly impact summer shipping lanes, plankton blooms, ocean circulation systems, and global climate.
NASA's Public Health Applications Program aims to provide public health agencies with innovative technologies, data, and satellite-based tools to combat the disease. The program helps identify environmental indicators, predicts disease outbreaks, and informs mosquito surveillance efforts.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that urban areas in the US now have an average of 10 more very warm nights a year than rural areas, which has significant implications for heat problems. The growth was highest on the East Coast, with cities like Miami and Los Angeles showing the most extreme temperature trends.
Researchers will analyze data to predict and control harmful algal blooms and red tides in Narragansett Bay, affecting marine life and local aquaculture. The study aims to enhance understanding of bay ecology needed for effective management and use of resources.
Researchers at URI Graduate School of Oceanography have been awarded a $35,000 grant from the Vetlesen Foundation to investigate pathways for transport of copepod Calanus finmarchicus and its relation to climatic variations.
A new report reanalyzes national weather service estimates to provide a comprehensive understanding of US flood damage trends. The data show that North Dakota has suffered the most per capita economic losses due to flooding.
A team of researchers led by Hongxing Liu from Texas A&M University is analyzing remotely sensed data from the Lambert ice sheet to understand its role in global climate change. The study will help determine how glaciers respond to changes in the climate and provide clues about the potential impact on sea levels.
The AIM mission will investigate the sudden increase of noctilucent clouds near the equator, potentially linked to global warming. Temperature measurements indicate cooling at high altitudes, which may explain the rising cloud observations.
Aqua has successfully transmitted engineering images from five of its six instruments, providing a glimpse into the spacecraft's performance and paving the way for operational data in early September. The high-quality data will help improve weather forecasts and advance our understanding of Earth's climate system, particularly the role...
The NOAA-17 satellite has been successfully launched into orbit, providing improved imaging and sounding capabilities for weather forecasting and climate monitoring. The spacecraft will collect meteorological data and transmit it to users worldwide.
Satellite observations show northern regions experiencing a 'greening' trend over the past two decades, with spring advancing by about a week and summer maximum leaf cover increasing. The LPJ model confirms this trend, attributing it to warming caused by climate change, while also highlighting other factors such as increased carbon dio...
A 100,000-year climate cycle linked to the sun's magnetic activity has been discovered. The study found that periods of high solar magnetic activity correlate with warmer climates and vice versa.
A new climate study reveals California's increased risk of warmer temperatures, smaller snowpacks, and altered water supplies due to rising carbon dioxide levels. The research offers precise regional specificity and statistical analysis, providing a more reliable basis for planning climate change mitigation strategies.
NASA's SHADOZ project has solved a decade-old mystery about the source of Atlantic ozone, revealing a 'wave-one pattern' that is predominantly in the troposphere. The data also show that the tropical tropopause is not a sharp boundary but a 2-mile thick transition layer.
Researchers analyzed seismic activity from six stations in West Antarctica, discovering a significant number of small earthquakes. The study confirms that West Antarctica is prone to earthquakes due to its rift-like nature.
Geologists reconstructed the Eridanos Delta's course and discovered that climate influenced its development. Numerical models predict river dynamics over hundreds of years, helping to answer questions about climate change impacts on rivers.
A NASA study reveals strong relationships between El Niño episodes and changes in Antarctic sea ice cover, indicating a connection between the Southern Oscillation and global climate. The findings suggest that El Niño affects regional ice distributions, with notable associations observed in the Amundsen, Bellingshausen, and Weddell Seas.
Scientists discuss advancements in predicting extreme weather events, analyzing changes in global snow and ice cover, and the challenges of global environmental monitoring. New data from NASA's Earth-observing spacecraft reveal complex patterns in climate change and its effects on our planet.
Researchers at NSF Longterm Ecological Research in Antarctica found a cooling trend on the continent, contradicting global warming expectations. The study indicates that most of the continent is cooling, posing challenges to climate models and potentially affecting unique ecosystems.
A study published in Nature magazine found that ignoring leap year can lead to a 10% statistical bias in predicting the arrival of spring, with trends being overestimated. The researcher emphasizes the importance of using accurate data to predict climate change and highlights the need for corrections.
The TRMM satellite is continuing to collect data on various climate and weather questions, including the formation of snowflakes and raindrops inside clouds. Microscopic dust and soot particles are found to interfere with rain formation in 'dirty' clouds.
The Nenana Ice Classic provides a consistent and accurate dataset on river ice breakup timing, showing spring is coming earlier due to climate change. Researchers can use this historical record to analyze the effects of global warming on natural systems.