Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a 500-year cycle of flooding in central China, which can be used to predict broad precipitation patterns in the future. The findings provide insight into climate change over time and improve understanding of monsoon regions.
Feldspar's unique surface defects enable ice crystals to grow, a discovery that sheds light on precipitation formation in clouds. The research found that microscopic edges and cracks on feldspar crystallites serve as active sites for ice nucleation.
Typhoon Chaba intensified into a super typhoon, with extremely heavy precipitation and towering storm tops. NASA satellites used GPM data to track its movement and formation, which was influenced by warm sea surface temperatures and low vertical wind shear.
New research finds that chemical weathering can weaken rock structures in river beds, making them more susceptible to erosion. The study reveals a positive feedback loop where high precipitation rates maintain high erosion rates despite continuously exposing 'fresh rock'.
A new study in Nature finds large variations in precipitation over the past millennium, with stronger extremes in earlier centuries than in the twentieth century. This analysis enables improved accuracy of climate models and better prediction of future precipitation changes.
Recent decades have seen increased frequency of large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns associated with California's precipitation and temperature extremes. The researchers found that the 'Ridiculously Resilient Ridge' pattern, which diverts winter storms northward, has become more common, leading to increased dry conditions.
A new study reveals that warmer spring temperatures have a significant impact on upper Colorado River flows, reducing them more than previously recognized. This finding has implications for drought management and climate modeling, which suggests that warming temperatures will exacerbate drought conditions in the Western US.
Researchers at University of Zurich predict up to 30% less precipitation in the Central Andes by 2100, exacerbating seasonal water shortages. The study suggests stronger westerly winds will lead to greater aridity, impacting the region's climate.
Typhoon Nangka is moving north towards mainland Japan, with NASA satellites tracking its progression. The storm's maximum sustained winds decreased from 65 knots to 75 mph/120 kph, making it a minimal category 1 typhoon.
Researchers found that recent years have seen three of the stormiest seasons on record, with the summer of 2012 being the 'stormiest' since at least 1871. A 142-year climate data study confirms a strong relationship between seasonal precipitation totals and cyclone frequency in the region.
Researchers found that lower oxygen levels led to increased precipitation and warmer temperatures due to the resulting drop in atmospheric density. The study's findings suggest that changes in oxygen concentrations may help explain features of past climates not accounted for by variations in carbon dioxide levels.
A new study by NCAR and CDC researchers finds strong correlations between warmer temperatures and higher rates of West Nile virus disease in the US. Precipitation also influences disease outbreaks, but with varying regional impacts. The study aims to develop a system to forecast outbreaks weeks or months in advance.
The King Fire in California has burned over 92,960 acres since its start in September 2014. The fire is currently 38% contained, with arson as the suspected cause, and is being battled by over 7,600 personnel. Extreme weather conditions, including strong winds and low humidity, are exacerbating the fire's behavior.
Hurricane Norbert's visible bands of thunderstorms spiraled into the center in NASA satellite imagery on September 4, but lost some organization due to easterly vertical wind shear. The hurricane is forecast to track parallel along the coast of Baja California for the next couple of days.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Storm Karina on August 13, revealing a concentration of strong thunderstorms around its center. The storm is strengthening and expected to become a hurricane late on August 14 as it moves westward through the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Tropical Storm Nakri formed on August 2 and struggled to organize for a week, eventually becoming visible to NASA's Suomi NPP satellite. The storm dissipated just one day later while approaching the Korean peninsula, with its maximum sustained winds reaching near 40 knots.
Tropical Storm Amanda was bisected by NASA's CloudSat satellite on May 25, 2014, showing a deep area of moderate to heavy-moderate precipitation below the freezing level. The storm had become the strongest May hurricane on record for the Eastern Pacific basin before quickly weakening due to dry air and wind shear.
Cyclone Ian has been battered by strong wind shear, causing its bulk of precipitation to shift east and southeast. The storm's temperature varied greatly, with coldest cloud tops near -63F/-52C in some areas.
Research suggests that decreasing winter winds are a primary driver of streamflow declines and reduced precipitation in the Pacific Northwest mountains. This decrease can lead to increased wildfire risk, earlier and lower streamflows, and decreased water availability for communities and industries.
A new CU-Boulder study reveals a significant increase in dust emissions across the Western United States over the past 17 years. The research found that dust erosion is linked to an increase in calcium deposition in precipitation, with major increases observed in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah.
Researchers used laser light pulses to study aerosol and cloud processes in atmospheric conditions. The results show that high-intensity laser pulses can increase the number of ice particles in cirrus clouds by up to a factor of 100 within seconds, intensifying their optical density and making them appear brighter.
Cyclone Imelda's weakening is attributed to strong wind shear in the Southern Indian Ocean. The storm's precipitation has been pushed southeast of its center, exposing the low-level circulation center.
NASA's Aqua satellite data reveals Tropical Cyclone 18S continues to experience wind shear, pushing precipitation away from its center. The storm's main convection is being hindered by strong easterly vertical wind shear, affecting its ability to consolidate and intensify.
Soil respiration in China varies significantly across regions, with the highest rates found in southeastern China and lowest in northwestern China. Precipitation and temperature also play a crucial role in controlling soil respiration, with increasing variability expected under warming scenarios.
Post-tropical cyclone John's cloud top temperatures warmed by 24 hours, with one tiny area of convection remaining. The remnants of the storm are moving northwest and expected to dissipate later today.
Scientists warn that chronic droughts like the 2000-04 event could become more frequent and severe, leading to ecosystem damage and reduced carbon sequestration. The region's ability to absorb carbon dioxide may decline by the end of the century, exacerbating global warming.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered an unexpected complexity in the patterns of drought during the Middle Ages. The study uses tree rings and oxygen isotopes to reveal that winters were wetter-than-expected during the Medieval Climate Anomaly, contradicting previous tree ring data.
A recent study by University of Innsbruck climate researchers found that land-cover changes have a limited effect on glacier loss in the Kilimanjaro area. The team's novel methodology showed that LCC mainly alter precipitation over glaciers, resulting in local increases or decreases in glacier mass.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds a strong correlation between precipitation patterns in the Northeast and Southwest. Researchers used sediment layers to reconstruct records and found that extreme weather events are predicted by climate models.
Scientists found significant increases in annual temperatures in south-western China, with 77% of weather stations displaying statistically significant rises. Glaciers are retreating at an alarming rate, threatening natural habitats and ecosystems.
NASA's Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP) mission is analyzing Hurricane Earl's structure and behavior. The GRIP aircraft are equipped with instruments such as HAMSR, which provides detailed data on the storm's temperature, water vapor, and cloud liquid water distribution.
The study reveals that incorporating NASA products into the BASINS model significantly improves water quality model performance. By capturing the effects of water flow during storm periods, the NASA data systems provide a more accurate representation of non-point pollution and improve estimates of water quality.
Researchers at NC State University developed a new methodology that combines multiple general climate forecast models to improve the accuracy of winter precipitation and temperature forecasts. The tool is valuable for government officials, providing key information for predicting energy consumption and water availability.
Researchers explore Arctic river deltas as a potential source of information about past and future climate change. The sediments deposited in these delta regions can record data on sea level, productivity, storminess, and human factors affecting sediment delivery, providing valuable insights into the global carbon cycle.
Researchers found that local climate moderates the relationship between temperature, precipitation and dengue incidence. Climate patterns affect mosquito reproduction and virus development.
A recent study found that groundwater storage plays a crucial role in regulating watershed response and climate feedbacks. The depth of the water table is closely tied to land surface conditions, with shallow tables amplifying temperature increases and deep tables directly influencing precipitation patterns.
Dartmouth researchers found that North America's prevailing winds in the mid-latitudes once blew from the east, not the west. This change was influenced by a growing and intensifying northern circumpolar vortex, resulting in shifting temperature and precipitation patterns.
A NASA study suggests that a warmer climate may not result in a wetter world, with simulations showing an increase in global evaporation and precipitation. However, the atmospheric storage of water vapor decreases as temperatures rise.
A study by Alex Woods and colleagues suggests that climate change may be behind an unprecedented epidemic of dothistroma needle blight in forests. Increased summer precipitation is believed to have spread the pathogen, which typically thrives in moist conditions.
Montana State University has released a new Conserve Water Educators Guide to help inform others about basic water science topics with a focus on water conservation. The guide provides contemporary materials for educators, water managers, and community leaders to educate the public about water conservation.
Researchers investigated urbanized watersheds in four US regions over 50 years, comparing stream flow data with population growth. They found that higher population densities led to increased stream flow despite lower precipitation levels.