Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
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.
Researchers used snail shells to recreate prehistoric cyclones in South East Queensland, Australia, by analyzing growth rings and stable isotopes. The study showed that snails responded to extreme rainfall events, not annual wetness, providing a new climate archive for the region.
Researchers from São Paulo State University tracked moisture sources and predicted droughts in the Amazon using water isotopes. The study demonstrated that daily precipitation monitoring can provide an early warning system for droughts, which are caused by El Niño and the warming of the North Atlantic.
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.
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...
Climate researchers have discovered a significant increase in neighborhood-level hurricane warnings, widespread wildfires in the US, and unprecedented changes in Earth's energy budget. These findings suggest that greenhouse gases are driving these trends, with smoke and fire-related carbon emissions rising due to increased aridity.
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.
Researchers analyzed the 2025 Texas Hill Country floods, which killed at least 135 people, including 28 at Camp Mystic. Experimental models showed they could have predicted extreme flows with greater lead time.
Researchers found that when bedding strata incline above the topographic slope, rainwater infiltrates deep into the subsurface through fractures. In contrast, on dip slopes with aligned bedding direction, landslide landforms develop due to rapid runoff after rainfall 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.
Research from the University of East Anglia found that even modest changes in weather can impact mental health service demand, with increases during hot weather and low sunshine. Fluctuations in temperature and sunlight exposure were linked to shifts in unscheduled healthcare use, with rainfall appearing to have little consistent effect.
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.
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 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 finds that deforestation in the southern Amazon can trigger severe reductions in rainfall, even under a changing climate. The authors estimate that limiting deforestation to 10% of the area may be necessary to maintain annual rainfall and protect agricultural livelihoods.
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.
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 study reveals that tropical cyclones and post-tropical cyclones are responding differently to surface warming, resulting in increased rainfall intensity and longer-lasting storms. Warmer temperatures lead to wetter tropical cyclones, especially in warm, low-latitude regions.
A new study reveals that the Madden–Julian Oscillation significantly influences climate conditions in Hawaiʻi, increasing rainfall on windward slopes during active phases and producing drier conditions during suppressed phases. Understanding this impact can help scientists and forecasters anticipate periods of heavy rainfall and drought.
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 found that widespread flooding in the Middle Yangtze Valley led to the decline of the Shijiahe culture around 4,200 years ago. The study used stalagmite analysis to reconstruct rainfall patterns and show that high-rainfall intervals were associated with increased flooding and a significant decline in population.
A new study finds that U.S. tornado activity is shifting southeastward due to the relationship between extratropical cyclones and low-pressure systems. Additionally, global warming has led to a fourfold increase in tropical cyclone rapid slowdown events in coastal areas.
A study using satellite data found that deforestation in the Amazon increases surface temperature by 3°C during the dry season, with a 25% decrease in rainfall. This leads to greater forest degradation, increased tree mortality, and susceptibility to forest fires, threatening biodiversity.
A study by Newcastle University found that UK winters are becoming significantly wetter, with a 7% increase in rainfall per degree of global warming, driven by rising temperatures from anthropogenic warming. The experts warn that this trend will continue to worsen, increasing the risk of flooding and economic damages.
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.
Researchers at Newcastle University and the UK Met Office identified a three-layered atmospheric structure associated with heavy rainfall developing within minutes. The findings help explain record-breaking rainfall and flash floods in the UAE and Oman in April 2024, and may aid future improvements in identifying risk.
Researchers used 'proxies' from the geological record to show that intense rainfall events were less regular during the Paleogene Period, which saw extreme warming. This challenges common assumptions about how wet places become wetter and drier with climate change.
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 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 ...
A recent study found that rainfall and temperature significantly impact the water volume in bromeliad tanks, which in turn affects mosquito development and species diversity. This knowledge can be useful for predicting malaria transmission risk and estimating the effects of climate change on disease outbreaks.
A new rain correction approach using dual-frequency measurements from the WindRAD instrument aboard the FY-3E satellite significantly improves wind measurement accuracy during moderate rainfall. The method reduces wind speed root-mean-square errors by approximately 0.2 m s−1 and wind direction errors by about 1.6°.
A study by Stanford University researchers reveals that regions relying more on land-sourced moisture, such as the US Midwest and southern Africa, face greater drought risk and crop yield losses when rainfall falters. The study identifies a critical threshold beyond which crops become far more likely to suffer water stress.
A study by Pusan National University finds that aerosols intensify ocean rainfall while delaying land storms, affecting water resources and flood protection. High aerosol levels alter precipitation patterns, with increased rainfall over the ocean and decreased rainfall over land.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers found that deforestation is responsible for a significant reduction in rainfall and increase in temperature in the Amazon during the dry season. The study quantifies the impact of forest loss and global climate change on the biome, highlighting the importance of preserving standing forests to maintain climate resilience.
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.
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 framework developed by Northwestern University and UCLA scientists integrates various water-related processes with a machine-learning model to predict landslide threats. The framework identifies three main pathways leading to landslides: intense rainfall, rain on already saturated soils, and melting snow or ice.
Research reveals rainfall dramatically affects planktonic fungal communities in urban lakes, reducing species richness and evenness. Parasitic fungi emerge as key biomarkers, with changes in their abundance and distribution observed following precipitation.
Researchers analyzed leaf waxes and found no significant drying trend in northern Africa between 3.5 and 2.5 million years ago. This challenges previous interpretations of the climate history of the region. The study suggests that dust deposits may be attributed to changes in wind patterns rather than rainfall.
A new study predicts that a 2°C temperature rise could double the frequency of short-lived summer downpours in the Alpine region, causing severe damage and posing risks to lives. The analysis of nearly 300 mountain weather stations found that warm air retains more moisture, intensifying thunderstorm activity.
Researchers at Kyoto University found that reducing urban heat release can control summertime local precipitation, with potential to mitigate extreme weather issues. By systematically decreasing sensible heat fluxes over urban areas, the team demonstrated a link between urban heat island effect reduction and less intense rainfall.
A study proposes five action fronts for civil defense units to increase their organizational capacity, including professionalization and resource allocation. Municipalities face challenges such as monitoring urban expansion, lack of financial resources, and social participation.
A new study reveals that the Pacific Meridional Mode plays a major role in Hawaiian rainfall variability, particularly in spring. The research suggests that El Niño emerges as the primary driver of winter rainfall, but the PMM is crucial for spring rainfall, especially on Maui and the Island of Hawai‘i.
Recent rainfall patterns play a critical role in triggering humid heatwaves in tropical and subtropical regions. In drier regions, humid heatwaves are more likely during or just after periods of enhanced rainfall, while in wetter regions, they tend to follow at least two days of suppressed rainfall.
Research reveals the mechanism behind peak extratropical cyclone activity in spring East Asia, with intensified low-level jet streams facilitating system formation. This understanding can improve climate predictions and adaptation strategies for the region.
A team of climate scientists found that six major oceanic modes influence prolonged heavy rainfall in China, which can lead to severe flooding. Winter sea temperatures in the tropical Pacific can predict summer flood potential with 75% accuracy.
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 new numerical computer model tracks how pollution travels through Galveston Bay, helping scientists understand water movement in estuaries. The model is critical for evaluating climate variability and sea level fluctuation impacts on coastal communities, guiding better decisions to keep water clean and prevent flooding.
A new study reveals that the Saharo-Arabian Desert experienced recurrent humid intervals over the past eight million years, supporting migrations of water-dependent animals, including early ancestors. These wetter periods likely sustained monsoonal precipitation from the South, which gradually weakened over millions of years.
Recent research highlights increased fire activity in the western US, with wildfires becoming less prone to calming down at night. Meanwhile, extreme turbulence on hurricane flights has led to a new 'bumpiness' metric. Climate extremes are also evident in shifting energy demands for heating and cooling in Chinese megacities.
A study in Brazil's Caatinga biome found that removing animals from degraded pastures did not restore soil health after three years. Green manure and strategic tree planting are recommended to accelerate ecological recovery. Soils show severe degradation, with carbon loss and decline in holistic soil health index.