Add BrightSurf on Google Email

AMS science preview: Hurricane damage; kimchi and air pollution

Recent studies analyze hurricane damage, water flow into dams, marine heatwaves, and the impact of air pollution on vegetable market prices in South Korea. Hurricane Katrina remains the most damaging U.S. hurricane, while a new system predicts extreme air pollution episodes in India's New Delhi megacity.

SourceAmerican Meteorological Society·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateDec 6, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Predicting the weather: New meteorology estimation method aids building efficiency

A new meteorology estimation method developed at Osaka Metropolitan University improves the accuracy of building energy simulations by considering interdependent factors such as temperature, solar radiation, and humidity. The generated data was found to be almost identical to the original dataset, proving its accuracy.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 26, 2024

AMS Science Preview: Turbulence & thunderstorms, heat stress, future derechos

New studies reveal significant increases in Atlantic hurricane seasons and derecho events, while also highlighting the dangers of turbulence near thunderstorms and extreme heat stress. Climate models predict a rise in precipitation extremes across US cities, particularly during winter and spring.

SourceAmerican Meteorological Society·JournalJournal of Climate·DateNov 8, 2024
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

AMS Science Preview: Sea-ice loss may accelerate; tornadoes and flying cars

Arctic sea ice is expected to lose mass in the coming decade due to dominant natural climate patterns. Exposure to extreme temperatures, particularly heat, may lead to adverse birth outcomes in China. Researchers also found that ocean warming intensifies typhoons, but moderation comes from atmospheric temperature and humidity changes.

SourceAmerican Meteorological Society·JournalJournal of Climate·DateMay 31, 2024
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

AMS Science Preview: Hawaiian climates; chronic pain; lightning-caused wildfires

A new study establishes official climate divisions in Hawaii, improving climate research and forecasting. Chronic pain sufferers who spend time outdoors experience stronger weather-based effects, while lightning-initiated wildfires are responsible for more than half the acres burned in the contiguous United States.

SourceAmerican Meteorological Society·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateApr 26, 2024

AMS Science Preview: “Outdoor days,” lightning, air pollution

A new study finds that extreme tropical cyclone rainfall is increasing across the continental US, while climate warming restricts 'outdoor days' for people living in developing countries. Additionally, air pollution increases mortality risks from heat, especially when combined with other factors like wildfires and reduced aerosols.

SourceAmerican Meteorological Society·JournalJournal of Climate·DateMar 21, 2024
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Meteorology: weak polar vortex makes weather more predictable

Researchers at LMU have discovered that weak polar vortex states in the stratosphere lead to reduced uncertainty in long-range weather forecasts over Northern Europe. This allows for more accurate predictions of cold spells and storm activity, making the weather more predictable.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature·DateMar 15, 2024

AMS 2024 Annual Meeting highlights climate challenges and solutions

The AMS 104th Annual Meeting will focus on climate change research, mitigation, and adaptation, with key discussions on overcoming barriers to implementation. The meeting features numerous scientific conferences and symposia covering topics like climate variability, air pollution meteorology, AI for environmental science, and more.

SourceAmerican Meteorological Society·DateJan 18, 2024

Climate change behind sharp drop in snowpack since 1980s

A new Dartmouth study finds that seasonal snowpacks have shrunk significantly over the past 40 years due to human-driven climate change. The sharpest global warming-related reductions are in the Southwestern and Northeastern United States, as well as in Central and Eastern Europe.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 10, 2024
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Unraveling the mysteries of fog in complex terrain

A study led by University of Utah researchers has shed new light on how fog forms in mountainous areas, providing insights for improving forecasts. The team used high-resolution data and modeling to better understand the complex physical processes involved in fog formation.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·TypeObservational study·DateDec 27, 2023

Highly resolved precipitation maps based on AI

The researchers developed an AI-based generative neural network called GAN that can generate highly resolved radar precipitation films from coarsely resolved maps. This higher resolution is required to better forecast heavy local precipitation and the resulting natural disasters in future.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalEarth and Space Science·DateDec 13, 2023

Key to predicting heat events in Central Europe

A GEOMAR study found that low North Atlantic sea surface temperatures are responsible for heat events on land. The researchers discovered a link between cold ocean temperatures and European heat waves, which contributes to the formation of high pressure systems and clear skies.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalTellus A Dynamic Meteorology and Oceanography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 12, 2023

Insights on the formation of polar ice clouds

Marine bacteria and atmospheric rivers play a crucial role in forming ice clouds at higher-than-expected temperatures over the Southern Ocean. The findings from this study provide key information for improving numerical models of ice cloud formation, which can help better predict climate conditions in vulnerable polar regions.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 5, 2023
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Riding the whims of the wind

Researchers develop a mathematical model that analyzes the future survival of plants in a changing climate by studying how far wind can carry seeds. The model provides fast and reliable predictions of seed movement, considering factors like seed type, plant height, and wind speed.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEcological Modelling·DateNov 30, 2023

Giant sea salt aerosols play major role in Hawai‘i’s coastal clouds, rain

Researchers found that the coastline produces up to five times more giant sea salt aerosols than the open ocean, affecting cloud formation and rainfall around the Hawaiian Islands. The study's findings can improve numerical weather prediction of nearshore cloud formation and rainfall patterns.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·TypeObservational study·DateNov 27, 2023

Green spaces can save lives, according to urban big data

Researchers found that green spaces alleviate extreme heat's negative impacts on human health, while densely packed buildings increase mortality risk. Urban design strategies incorporating different types of greenery are recommended to mitigate heatwave-associated mortality.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 5, 2023

Enhancing the safety and efficacy of drone flights in polar regions

Scientists have developed a system to detect icing conditions in drones flying over the polar regions, allowing for safer and more efficient data collection. The onboard aerosol counters enable real-time detection of supercooled cloud droplets, which can damage drone components.

SourceResearch Organization of Information and Systems·JournalAtmospheric Environment·DateOct 18, 2023
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Climate change brings earlier arrival of intense hurricanes

Research reveals that Category 4 and 5 hurricanes are arriving three to four days earlier with each passing decade due to climate change. This shift in seasonal cycle can lead to compounding extreme events and challenges community preparedness.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 5, 2023

Dense measurement network revealed high level of PM2.5 in Punjab due to crop residue burning and its transport to Haryana and Delhi NCR

A recent study used a dense measurement network to track the transport of crop residue burning pollutants from Punjab to Delhi NCR, revealing high levels of PM2.5. The measurements showed that the Indian national air quality standard for PM2.5 were frequently exceeded in the region.

SourceResearch Institute for Humanity and Nature·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateOct 2, 2023
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Stevens researchers take aim at weather forecasters’ biggest blindspot

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have developed more accurate nowcasting algorithms to predict short-term weather forecasts. The study found that probabilistic models are highly accurate in predicting both long- and short-term rainfall events, while deterministic models are better suited for extremely short-term projections.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalEnvironmental Modelling & Software·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 28, 2023

El Niño and La Niña multi-year events could become more common

A new study reveals that the Pacific Walker Circulation has changed its behavior over the industrial era, with volcanic eruptions causing temporary weakening of the circulation. This could lead to more frequent multi-year La Niña or El Niño events, exacerbating climate-related risks.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature·DateAug 23, 2023
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Shift to ‘flash droughts’ as climate warms

Research finds that flash droughts are becoming more frequent due to human-caused climate change, posing a major challenge for climate adaptation. The transition to flash droughts is predicted to accelerate in a warmer future, with irreversible impacts on ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalScience·DateApr 13, 2023

AI could set a new bar for designing hurricane-resistant buildings

Researchers at NIST have developed a new method of digitally simulating hurricanes using AI techniques, accurately representing the trajectory and wind speeds of real storms. The simulations can help develop improved guidelines for building design in hurricane-prone regions.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalArtificial Intelligence for the Earth Systems·DateMar 29, 2023

The world’s atmospheric rivers now have an intensity ranking like hurricanes

A new study introduces a scale to measure atmospheric river intensity, enabling the identification of hotspots for the most intense events worldwide. The scale helps communities prepare for both beneficial and destructive effects of these storms, with AR-5 events occurring only once every two to three years.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres·DateMar 9, 2023
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

PSU study: Everything was stronger in that deadly June 2021 PNW heatwave

A record-breaking heatwave in the Pacific Northwest in June 2021 was attributed to a strong high-pressure ridge, which intensified when an atmospheric river moved into Alaska, releasing massive amounts of moisture. The air was exceptionally hot when brought down to the surface due to its temperature aloft.

SourcePortland State University·JournalMonthly Weather Review·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 8, 2023

Researchers propose a more effective method to predict floods

A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalJournal of Hydrology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 9, 2023

Researchers advance insights into cause of ripples on icicles

Experimental physicists discovered that water impurities become entrapped within icicles, creating chevron patterns and ripple effects. The study reveals that internal patterns are connected to external shapes, leading to a deeper understanding of natural ice formations.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPhysical Review E·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 5, 2022

Clouds less climate-sensitive than assumed

Researchers analyzed observational data from a major field campaign in 2020 and found that trade-wind clouds' contribution to climate warming has been overestimated. The study shows that the clouds are more resilient to global warming than previously thought, which can improve the accuracy of future climate projections.

SourceUniversity of Hamburg·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2022
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Tropical cyclones act as 'massive heat pumps' that fuel extreme heat

A new study by the University of Arizona found that tropical cyclones often follow extreme heat, which can be a major hazard after a storm. The research team analyzed 53 tropical cyclones and found that cities' heat index values were always warmer than average after the storm.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 8, 2022

Warning of the need to standardize the beach safety signage system

Researchers at the University of the Basque Country analyzed beach safety flags and their management in Northern Spain, finding a lack of uniformity in colors, shapes, and sizes. A standardized system could improve safety, especially with inadequate signage and double markings that provide contradictory information.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalMarine Policy·DateOct 30, 2022

Climate change to produce more rainbows

A new study predicts that climate change will increase rainbow viewing opportunities in northern latitudes and high elevations, while decreasing them in tropical regions. The research used photographs from Flickr to map rainbow occurrences under current and future climates.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 28, 2022

Where does the energy of North Atlantic Tropical cyclones come from?

The energy of North Atlantic Tropical cyclones comes from ocean heat content, with peak intensities related to extratropical North Atlantic heat. Coastal upwelling affects subsurface ocean temperatures, correlating with TC peak intensity on an interdecadal timescale.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateOct 19, 2022
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Scientists reveal the different effects on storm tracks between the upper- and lower-level eddy growth over the North Pacific

Researchers find that midwinter suppression in the North Pacific is driven by differences in upper- and lower-level eddy growth properties. The study reveals that upper-level eddies are more complex, with growth suppressed during cold season, but near-jet exit can grow normally.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateSep 23, 2022

Scientists find complex terrain aggravates haze formation and its meteorological feedback

Scientists have found that complex terrain enhances secondary haze formation by blocking pollutants and accelerating chemical transformation. This leads to a positive feedback loop where thick haze aloft intensifies interactions between aerosols and the planetary boundary layer, exacerbating pollution in mountainous areas.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateSep 6, 2022

Turning over a new leaf: Local mountain climate is affected by leaf area ratio

A Japanese research group discovered that the leaf area index of mixed-forests influences seasonal changes in the formation of a nocturnal cold-air pool at a small mountain basin. The study found that weakening of the nighttime temperature inversion occurred during leaf expansion, while strengthening occurred after leaf fall.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalJournal of the Meteorological Society of Japan Ser II·DateSep 5, 2022
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Probing sustainable agromet services and outcomes on agriculture in Laos

A case study in Laos explores the application of climate services for agriculture, demonstrating improved agricultural planning and decision-making through ICT-based platforms like LaCSA. The project successfully co-created agromet services with local stakeholders, increasing capacities and promoting resilience to climate risks.

SourceThe Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture·JournalClimate Services·TypeCase study·DateAug 30, 2022

Wind has caused 479 injuries, 28 deaths in bounce houses since 2000

New research from the University of Georgia found at least 479 people were injured and 28 died worldwide in more than 130 bounce house accidents due to weather events. Basic precautions such as securing bounce houses could have prevented many accidents.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateAug 9, 2022

Air samples from Arctic region show how fast Earth is warming

Researchers from Colorado State University have made direct observations of ice nucleating particles in the central Arctic, revealing strong seasonality and seasonal changes. These findings provide crucial insights into the effects of climate change on clouds and precipitation patterns.

SourceColorado State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJul 15, 2022
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Discovery of a tripole winter precipitation change pattern around the Tibetan Plateau in the late 1990s

Researchers found a tripole winter precipitation change pattern in the late 1990s around the Tibetan Plateau, affecting eastern India, southern China, and northern regions. This pattern was triggered by changes in tropical Pacific SSTs and influenced by regional circulation patterns.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateMay 31, 2022

Meteorological mechanisms behind severe drought in southwestern China during spring 2021 differ from similar historical events

A study found that climatic conditions during the extreme 2021 spring drought in SWC were distinct from similar historical events. Researchers identified atmospheric internal variability and a warming trend as key drivers of the drought, with high temperatures contributing significantly to its severity.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateMay 17, 2022

Machine learning produces more accurate rainfall predictions

Researchers from The University of Tokyo developed a novel machine-learning approach to predict local precipitation with high accuracy. By recognizing complex relationships in meteorological data, they created a bias correction method that produced accurate hourly estimates of precipitation.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalPLOS Water·DateMay 12, 2022

World’s ocean is losing its memory under global warming

The world's ocean is losing its year-to-year memory due to global warming, making it harder to predict ocean conditions. This decline in ocean memory will have significant impacts on fisheries management, population estimates, and land-based weather forecasts.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 6, 2022
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.