Articles tagged with Clouds
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.
Researchers have identified fungal proteins that can catalyze ice formation at high subzero temperatures, making them a potential alternative to toxic silver iodide in cloud seeding. The discovery could lead to safer weather modification and improved food preservation techniques.
Researchers conducted the SANAT flight campaign to study aerosols' role in cloud formation in Antarctica. They collected extensive data on aerosol frequency, transport processes, and chemical composition, revealing an unexpectedly high aerosol concentration in the interior.
Researchers at the University of Kansas have developed a tornado-forecast system called Warn-on-Forecast System (WoFS) that can predict tornado formation up to an hour before it occurs. The system uses high-resolution simulations and gauges uncertainties, providing guidance on severe weather threats.
Researchers studied unique clouds around Mount Fuji, classifying them into subtypes and determining occurrence frequencies. Tsurushi clouds were generated by mountain waves, while Hata clouds displayed different seasonal patterns, indicating a distinct cloud category.
New research published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics reveals that cleaner fuels have reduced ship emissions' influence on cloud formation, helping refine global climate models. The study found a 67% decrease in cloud-altering abilities after the IMO regulations went into effect.
Researchers investigate how adjacent cities exacerbate each other's heat island effects. A study also highlights the need for improved hindcasting infrastructure in climate science. Additionally, a campaign monitors pinned clouds over industrial sources of heat and finds that trees are more reliable against heat stress than buildings.
A new study using CALIOP lidar data found nearly 10% of atmospheric profiles feature ambiguous transition zones between clouds and aerosols. The high frequency of these zones poses a challenge to current climate models, highlighting the need for more sophisticated representations of atmospheric particles.
Contrails predominantly form within existing ice clouds, with over 80% of persistent contrails occurring within natural cirrus clouds. This has significant implications for climate impact, as artificial clouds can contribute to warming or cooling depending on their environment.
A new study shows that reducing air pollution has decreased the brightness of marine clouds, leading to accelerated warming. Scientists attribute 70% of this change to aerosols, and researchers are exploring ways to make clouds shinier without polluting the air.
A study by University of Arizona researchers found that selecting the right data for flood insurance can significantly improve accuracy, speed, and predictability. The type of data used affects not only payout timing but also confidence in anticipating future payouts, influencing program costs.
A new study reveals that small electric charges between particles play a crucial role in forming highly concentrated clusters in turbulent environments. This discovery has significant implications for climate research, medicine, engineering, and science, enabling better predictions and controls.
The HALO-South mission aims to investigate the interaction of clouds, aerosols, and radiation over the Southern Ocean. Researchers hope to provide important data for optimizing weather forecasts and climate models in the little-explored southern hemisphere.
Researchers found that strong wave breaking along shorelines produces significant amounts of sea spray aerosols, increasing cloud condensation nuclei and aerosol mass concentration. This can lead to gross overestimations of sea spray aerosols in open oceans using coastal measurements.
Researchers at ETH Zurich found that mineral dust particles can trigger freezing of cloud droplets, particularly important in northern regions where clouds form below freezing temperatures. This process affects sunlight reflection and precipitation generation, with major implications for climate models.
Researchers used space-based instruments to measure a record-setting megaflash spanning 515 miles from Texas to Kansas City. Megaflashes are rare, occurring less than 1% of the time, and can be deadly, striking people up to 15 miles from their storm origin.
Scientists at the Naval Research Laboratory are working with NASA to better understand pyrocumulonimbus clouds, which can inject smoke into the upper atmosphere and alter weather patterns. The Injected Smoke and Pyrocumulonimbus Experiment (INSPYRE) aims to enhance predictive weather modeling through detailed analysis of wildfire-induc...
Researchers conduct extensive four-month study to better understand cloud characteristics in the Southern Ocean, revealing a striking dominance of supercooled liquid water clouds. The findings provide valuable insights for accurately modeling polar climate and resolving discrepancies in climate models.
Researchers at TROPOS found new product channels in isoprene's oxidative degradation, which could influence atmospheric aerosol growth and secondary organic matter formation. The study suggests that highly oxidised isoprene peroxy radicals are formed globally every year, potentially playing a significant role in these processes.
A study found that Arctic snow and ice melting triggers an enhancement in the cloud short-wave cooling effect, partially slowing further melting. This new perspective reveals a co-evolution mechanism between clouds, snow/ice coverage, and surface albedo.
Planetary scientists confirmed that Jupiter's mushball hailstorms occur due to unmixing of ammonia and water in the upper atmosphere. The storms are accompanied by fierce lightning and can punch through shallow weather systems, challenging long-held assumptions about gas giant atmospheres.
A Cornell University-led study predicts long-term increases in precipitation over East Asia and the Western U.S. as the Southern Ocean warms, regardless of climate mitigation efforts. The research suggests that accounting for cloud feedbacks in climate models can help explain uncertainties and improve predictions.
Researchers at HKUST have developed a groundbreaking method that significantly improves accuracy in climate predictions. The new approach reveals tropical cloud feedback has amplified the greenhouse effect by 71%, narrowing uncertainty in one of the largest unknowns in climate science.
A recent study from the Indian Institute of Science found that cloud band strength plays a key role in its movement and density of rains during Indian wet spells. The researchers discovered that only strong equatorial cloud bands drive northward propagation, increasing moisture and triggering stronger winds.
A recent study published in One Earth reveals that the climate effects of new particles in urban areas have been significantly underestimated. Particle formation is more pronounced at higher altitudes, where factors such as sulfuric acid and increased relative humidity promote particle growth.
A new research group aims to enhance climate models by accounting for 3D cloud radiation transport, combining satellite data with high-resolution ground-based observations. The project involves a large field campaign in 2026 to record optical and microphysical cloud properties.
Research finds that aerosols from Canadian wildfires of summer 2023 contributed to the formation of ice clouds over the Arctic. Aerosol particles were transported via atmospheric rivers and contributed to ice cloud formation at temperatures warmer than usual.
The study found that clouds contain significantly more arsenic on average than rainwater, and biological processes play a key role in the global distribution of arsenic. The researchers also detected various types of arsenic compounds in rainwater samples, including methylated forms formed by bacteria and plants.
New research from Colorado State University finds that wildfire smoke has a modest impact on long-term solar power generation activity in the US. The study, published in Nature Communications, shows that power generated from photovoltaics remained relatively stable even in extreme fire seasons, with losses averaging around 5%.
Amateur astronomers, led by Dr. Steven Hill, used a simple analytical method to map ammonia and cloud heights in Jupiter's atmosphere. They found that the primary clouds are likely composed of ammonium hydrosulphide, not ammonia ice, due to photochemical reactions.
Researchers link global warming spike in 2023 to reduced low-level cloud cover, which limits Earth's ability to reflect solar radiation. This decline in planetary albedo could explain the 'missing' 0.2 degrees Celsius of warming.
The Amazon rainforest is a significant source of condensation nuclei for clouds, according to two studies. The rainforest's plant transpiration and thunderstorms produce aerosol particles that can be transported thousands of kilometers, influencing marine cloud formation.
A recent study published in Nature found that isoprene, a naturally occurring organic compound emitted by vegetation, significantly contributes to the formation of new particles in the upper troposphere. Isoprene oxygenated organic molecules can rapidly form new particles under certain conditions.
A recent study reveals that oceans produce a previously unknown sulfur gas called methanethiol, which cools the climate by increasing aerosol formation and reflecting solar radiation. This new compound is found to have a greater cooling capacity than dimethyl sulphide and its impact on climate models.
A new study by Nagoya University researchers reveals a complex relationship between Arctic warming and Arctic dust. Higher temperatures lead to increased dust emissions, promoting ice nucleation in clouds and potentially counteracting temperature feedback mechanisms.
Researchers analyzed data from southern Israel to find significant electric field changes during heavy precipitation, suggesting early indicators for extreme weather. The study highlights the potential of incorporating electric field observations into weather monitoring systems for enhanced nowcasting capabilities.
A research team found that rainfall in the Amazon rainforest creates temporary bursts of nanoparticles that can grow into cloud condensation nuclei, essential for water vapor to condense and form clouds. This new understanding challenges previous theories on aerosol particles and their role in precipitation formation.
New research reveals microplastics can act as ice nucleating particles, affecting cloud formation and potentially influencing weather forecasting and climate modeling. The study found that microplastics can trigger ice crystals to form at warmer temperatures, altering precipitation patterns and aviation safety.
Researchers using NASA airborne platforms have found a new kind of gamma-ray emission, dubbed flickering gamma-ray flashes, that fills in the missing link between steady glows and brief bursts. These discoveries provide new insights into thundercloud radiation and mechanisms that produce lightning.
Researchers used a retrofitted U2 spy plane to detect gamma radiation in large tropical thunderstorms. Over 9 of 10 flights yielded observations, suggesting more than half of all thunderstorms in the tropics are radioactive.
David Stanley's research uses a mixed integer linear program solver to optimize satellite pointing angles for efficient cloud imaging. The study simulates multiple satellites and clouds to understand convection transport effects on regrowth of new clouds, with potential implications for greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers have developed a new satellite data fusion method to enhance the early detection of convective clouds. By combining high-resolution texture information with multispectral data, forecasters can identify smaller-scale convective clouds earlier and improve the precision of predicting where these clouds will form and intensify.
The ATLID atmospheric lidar is a state-of-the-art instrument that records detailed vertical profiles of aerosols and clouds in the atmosphere. The new data from EarthCARE's lidar will significantly advance our understanding of aerosols, clouds, and their interactions with climate change.
Researchers have gained insights into clouds in Antarctica using a new platform, discovering warm air intrusions and sulphate aerosol at high altitudes. The study, conducted over 12 months, was the first to investigate vertical distribution of aerosol particles and clouds above the German Neumayer Station III.
Researchers Gavin Cornwell, Sneha Couvillion, and Bo Peng will study bioparticles, soil microbes, and their impact on climate models. They aim to improve representations of ice nucleating particles and understand lipid exchange in soil ecosystems.
The Cloud Atlas database showcases an array of atmospheric phenomena on Mars, including cloud formations, dust storms, and gravity waves. Scientists can study these events to better understand the Martian atmosphere's physical nature and appearance, as well as its climate cycles.
A new model developed by scientists can predict intense, localized heavy rainfall events caused by rapid air rises in clouds. This breakthrough offers potential to improve public safety and preparedness through early warning systems.
A new study finds that reduced sulfur emissions from shipping industry likely contributed to nearly 20% of record-breaking 2023 warmth, while regulations also accelerated warming. Further research is needed to understand the magnitude of climate response.
Researchers found that turbulent movements of air in clouds play a key role in the growth of droplets and initiation of rain. Simulations with turbulence showed rain formed around 20 minutes earlier and with seven times more rainwater than simulations without turbulence.
A recent study found that cloud cover changes more during the day than at night on a global scale, leading to increased greenhouse effect and amplified global warming. The asymmetry in cloud cover is attributed to stability in the lower troposphere due to rising greenhouse gas concentrations.
A UC Riverside study found that large fires in California create a self-sustaining cycle of heat and dryness, making it easier for new fires to start. The extra heat reduces humidity, allowing conditions to become favorable for more fire.
The study explores spatiotemporal and convective characteristics of cirrus clouds over the SCS, highlighting their impact on regional radiative climate. Convective and non-convective cirrus clouds show distinct properties, such as ice water content and vertical distributions.
A modelling study found substantial reductions in atmospheric aerosols and cloud droplet number density after the IMO 2020 regulation reduced sulphur content in shipping fuel. This led to an estimated 80% increase in Earth's heat energy retained, equivalent to a significant radiative warming effect.
A recent analysis of cloud measurements and satellite data suggests that even tiny aerosol particles may play a significant role in cloud formation. This finding challenges current models and could have significant implications for predicting future climate change.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have discovered thick clouds and a surprising lack of methane on the planet's nightside, while ubiquitous water presence was found throughout its atmosphere. The discovery reveals the first observation of clouds on the nightside of WASP-43b, a giant gas-filled exoplanet.
Researchers developed a high-resolution lidar technique that can measure cloud droplet number concentrations remotely. The device provides unprecedented fine-scale structure at the base of clouds, enabling scientists to gain insight into aerosol-cloud interactions and their impact on climate.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that marine cloud brightening can account for 60-90% of the cooling effect, increasing cloud cover by up to 50%. The study suggests MCB could be a more effective 'painkiller' than previously thought.
A study from Colorado State University explores how human activity is altering the atmospheric water cycle, leading to changes in precipitation distribution and cloud formation. The research uses science fiction narratives to imagine possible futures and spark conversations around water management policies.