Articles tagged with Precipitation
A new study from Dartmouth College found that droughts in the Northeastern US have decreased due to increased precipitation, outpacing water loss from the surface. The research team analyzed changes in drought frequency, intensity, and duration from 1901 to 2022, comparing their results to the US Drought Monitor.
Research highlights advances in global weather modeling, sea ice convergence, and changes in seasonal drought patterns. Tornado emergencies are also explored, with a focus on Latinx communities and the importance of building trust and partnerships.
A UBC-led study finds that insects pose a more immediate threat to North American forests, with over 60% of areas projected to experience 30% more insect pressure by mid-century. Climate change and pests could jeopardize critical carbon sinks and air quality, costing billions of dollars in economic losses.
Researchers collected and analyzed wet and dry deposition samples, finding PFAS in forested watersheds, but attributed to breakdown of precursor compounds, not sea spray. The study suggests PFAS are likely transported from industrial centers elsewhere, raising environmental concerns.
The study develops a new climate prediction method called SFA-based Climate Prediction (SCP) that extracts predictable signals from precipitation data. It demonstrates higher prediction skill than two dynamical models and a hybrid dynamical–statistical system, providing a new approach for regional seasonal precipitation prediction.
Numerical experiments show that parameterization of orographic gravity wave drag reduces rainfall intensity overestimation and improves forecast accuracy. The study suggests current OGWD parameterization schemes require further improvements to achieve greater forecasting accuracy.
A team of northern New England universities has been awarded $5.9 million to advance snow research and explore connections between winter weather and the outdoor recreation economy in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The project will unify snow monitoring equipment and weather station networks to improve computer model simulations an...
A recent study published in Nature found that Antarctica's brief rebound in 2021-2023 was caused by climate variability, not a new normal. The researchers linked the extra precipitation to the tropical warm pool, a warm patch of ocean in the western Pacific and eastern Indian oceans, which made an outsized contribution to extreme weath...
Researchers identified a recurring setup of atmospheric conditions that lead to prolonged periods of intense rainfall. The study found that existing operational weather forecasts can capture these large-scale patterns, paving the way for more accurate predictions of high-impact southwest monsoon events.
A new study finds that a slowing Atlantic Ocean current will strengthen powerful storms in California while reducing snowfall over Greenland. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation's weakening is projected to increase atmospheric moisture and high-altitude winds, creating more destructive atmospheric rivers.
Researchers propose 'nudges' could alter hurricane tracks, weaken freezes and reduce extreme rainfall through carefully-timed cloud seeding operations. The approach aims to complement conventional disaster management and encourage more favorable outcomes from potentially devastating weather events.
A breakthrough study reveals that powerful solar storms can lead to sharp changes in North American weather patterns, including declines in precipitation. The more intense the storm, the more dramatic the shift in weather.
New studies reveal potential for 30-day forecast accuracy boosts using machine learning and explore the impact of vegetation on ocean currents during the Little Ice Age. Researchers also find that La Niña events can slow global warming by amplifying each other's cooling effects.
Researchers found that plant species with tougher leaves actually suffered more from insect damage, while those with higher silicon concentrations sustained less. In contrast, plants with higher heat tolerance experienced greater herbivory. Understanding these drivers is crucial for predicting forest health under future climate scenarios.
Researchers found that atmospheric rivers have intensified in recent decades, leading to more frequent extreme rainfall events in Japan. This trend aligns with global warming and increased atmospheric water vapor content.
Researchers identified two weather patterns associated with an increased risk of headaches in the Northeast US. The study found that approaching cold fronts and high-pressure systems, such as the Bermuda High, can trigger new-onset headaches in people with episodic migraines.
Recent studies investigate the relationship between weather conditions and extreme events like heat-related mortality, tropical cyclone hazards, and changes in precipitation patterns. Researchers also explore new modeling methods to predict visually appealing atmospheric phenomena like 'ornamental twilight'.
A study by Dartmouth researchers shows that annual rainfall is increasingly concentrated into bigger and wetter storms with longer dry periods in between. This means less water is available for land, soil can only absorb so much at once, and what's not soaked up evaporates more readily.
Researchers have discovered ancient iceberg plowmarks along the Great Lakes that suggest lake-effect snow was pushed toward western shores during the Ice Age, potentially reducing snowfall in cities like Buffalo and Cleveland. The study provides critical context for paleoclimate researchers studying future climate patterns.
Researchers from Colorado State University are investigating the effects of rain falling on snow in the Arctic, which can influence animal behavior and habitat quality. They aim to develop a snow modeling tool to better predict changes to the environment and support decision-making for communities that rely on wildlife.
A new study reveals that climate models are less confident in predicting regional rainfall patterns due to uncertainties in large-scale wind patterns. This limits confidence in forecasts of floods and droughts, particularly in regions vulnerable to these events.
Field inundation causes widespread problems across the food system, including economic issues, biological changes, and human health impacts. Illinois scientists are working with farmers to develop a customizable toolbox of solutions suited to specific contexts.
A new study finds that warmer winters will lead to faster water transit times in the western United States, negatively impacting summer water levels and quality. The research focuses on the Naches River basin, where snowpack declines have already resulted in earlier spring discharges.
New research from the American Meteorological Society explores AI forecasting limits, the impact of climate change on hurricane trends, and simplifies the heat index. The studies find that machine learning can outperform numerical physics-based models in certain conditions, but not universally.
A new review paper reveals that land surfaces in humid monsoon regions shape precipitation characteristics through complex interactions. High-resolution satellite observations and convection-permitting climate models reveal a nuanced understanding of surface moisture, energy balance, and atmospheric dynamics. This challenges the tradit...
Researchers found that atmospheric rivers and well-organized atmospheric systems can produce significantly heavier rainfall while also creating clearer signals in the atmosphere. This understanding could improve early warnings for extreme events and sharpen forecasting tools globally.
A team of researchers, led by Felicity Newell, tracked over 8,000 birds in Peru's cloud forests and found that breeding times vary significantly due to changing environmental conditions. The results suggest a more complex response to climate change than previously thought.
The MountAInWater project uses a unique combination of field work, modeling, and AI to assess climate change impacts on mountain water supplies and identify potential tipping points. The global reanalysis will provide crucial resources for managing future water security challenges.
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.
A new study found that Northwest China's precipitation increase since the late 1990s is largely driven by local sources, including enhanced evapotranspiration. The region's humidification trend is fueled by warming temperatures, vegetation recovery, and increased meltwater from glaciers and snowpack.
A new study reveals that heat uptake fluctuations in the Aegean Sea during August predict Eastern Mediterranean winter rainfall. The Aegean Sea Heat Uptake Anomaly (AQA) index captures year-to-year rainfall variability and improves seasonal forecasting skill.
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.
A recent study has clarified the record-late monsoon onset in Australia, defining its critical impact on water security and cattle industry. The researchers found that local wind conditions over Darwin prevented the upper-level winds from switching to easterlies.
Researchers improve extreme precipitation forecast accuracy using a novel CNOP-I scheme in a convection-allowing ensemble prediction system. The new method captures nonlinear evolution characteristics of weather systems, leading to more accurate predictions and reduced uncertainty.
Researchers have identified four synoptic patterns contributing to summer clustered extreme precipitation events in Northeast China, including eastward-moving low-altitude vortex and southwesterlies. The study provides a robust assessment of prerequisite conditions for these events and offers insights into short-term forecasting.
Climate change is altering the global nitrogen cycle, affecting food security, water quality, and biodiversity. The review finds that elevated CO2 boosts plant growth but dilutes protein quality, while rising temperatures reduce yields and increase nitrogen losses.
Recent research reveals that volcanic eruptions can cause unpredictable weather patterns, including volcanic rain, dust storms, and unstable Antarctic air. The study also found that the Antarctic surface atmosphere has become less stable and more prone to gravity waves since the 1950s.
The 106th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will focus on the intersection of technology and human decision-making in weather, water, and climate sciences. The meeting will feature keynote presentations, Presidential Sessions, and named symposia highlighting key Earth science topics.
A recent study co-led by Princeton and University of Chicago found that deaths caused by rainfall and rising sea levels are almost ten times higher than official statistics suggest in Mumbai. The research highlights the human toll of extreme urban flooding, with slum residents facing disproportionate risks, particularly children under ...
Researchers identify unique interannual variability in East China Sea summer precipitation, distinct from Western North Pacific subtropical high. Local cyclonic anomaly plays key role in promoting enhanced precipitation over the ECS.
A UAlbany researcher is leading a $1.2 million NSF project to integrate climate records from stalagmites, corals, lake sediments, and tree rings to understand past changes in monsoon rainfall patterns. The study aims to improve decadal predictions and risk management for societies vulnerable to climate change.
A global research effort by Colorado State University reveals that extreme, prolonged droughts in grasslands and shrublands result in more than twice the loss of plant productivity compared to moderate droughts. The study suggests that these ecosystems lose their ability to recover over time under prolonged dry conditions.
The Sahara Desert is expected to see a significant increase in rainfall by the second half of the 21st century, with some regions experiencing up to 25% more precipitation. Researchers warn that this change will have far-reaching consequences for billions of people in Africa and beyond.
A Kyoto University study found that a 4 degree global temperature increase will intensify extreme precipitation and make it stronger by 7% per degree of warming. However, favorable conditions for extreme precipitation occur when atmospheric moisture is sufficient, not on the hottest days.
Recent research from the American Meteorological Society reveals a false global heat record, suggests that severe weather events are increasing in frequency, and predicts an expansion of fire-prone areas. The study also examines the impact of cold wakes on tropical cyclone rainfall and finds that they intensify with global warming.
Researchers explain how iron nanoparticles form in water or on minerals, organic matter, and microbial biofilms, influencing ecosystem health and pollutant movement. Organic molecules and microbes also play major roles in nanoparticle growth and transformation.
Researchers from Japan developed a new statistical method to increase accuracy of flood risk projections across 70% of the Earth's landmass. This approach merges climate scenarios with different socioeconomic pathways, offering policymakers powerful insights for adaptation and preparedness strategies.
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.
A study by Brazilian scientists predicts that climate change will significantly impact the country's underground reservoirs, reducing groundwater supply across Brazil. This will increase the risk of water shortages in several regions, especially the Southeast and South.
Researchers found that targeted snow monitoring at hotspots can improve water supply predictions in most basins, with typical gains of 11-14% compared to 4%. This approach is more cost-effective than basin-wide surveys and has potential for more accurate forecasts.
The Madden-Julian Oscillation's speed and intensity are influenced by atmospheric stability, which affects regional convection and tropical cyclones. Uneven ocean warming changes MJO behavior, impacting rainfall patterns and climate forecasts.
A new Philippine study reveals that the country's hottest days are more likely to produce hail, contradicting its typical balmy climate. The research used satellite and radar data to confirm the presence of strong updrafts and favorable conditions for hailstorms during hot periods.
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.
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.
Researchers optimized a key land surface parameter to reduce the wet bias of climate models for the Tibetan Plateau. The adjustments weakened land-atmosphere interactions, leading to a 16% decrease in precipitation estimates and improved accuracy at 66% of rain gauge stations.
Researchers improved WRF model precipitation simulation by optimizing Grell-Freitas cumulus scheme and Turbulent Orographic Form Drag scheme. This approach reduced overestimation of precipitation across the Tibetan Plateau.
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.
The ERIC system combines doorbell cameras and AI to analyze rainfall estimation and automatically adjusts irrigation schedules for more precise water use. Researchers estimate users can save up to $29/month in utility costs and 9,000 gallons of water per month with the innovative irrigation system.
A new study uses 100 ensemble members to analyze near-term precipitation projections for the QP, finding a complex east–west dipole pattern influenced by the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation. This helps increase consistency of precipitation projections.
A study of tree pollen records in Northern Australia reveals a 150,000-year record of monsoon patterns, showing a potential intensification of the monsoon system due to climate change. This could lead to increased flooding in Australia and droughts in East Asia.