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Geography study finds hot days lead to wildfires

A recent geography study by the University of Cincinnati found that hot temperatures are a better predictor of western wildfires than other factors. The researchers identified other risk factors, including vegetation cover and proximity to roads and population centers, which can increase the likelihood of wildfires.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateApr 24, 2019

Was the restaurant really that bad -- Or was it just the rain?

A study by Ohio State University found that customers left more negative remarks on comment cards on rainy days than dry days. The researchers linked this to bad moods, which were related to less positive views about the restaurants visited.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Hospitality & Tourism Research·DateApr 22, 2019

Climate change to blame for Hurricane Maria's extreme rainfall

A new study finds that Hurricane Maria's extreme rainfall was due to human-caused climate warming, making a storm of its magnitude nearly five times more likely to form now than during the 1950s. The research analyzed Puerto Rico's hurricane history and found that Maria produced the largest maximum daily rainfall of those 129 storms.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 16, 2019
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.

Corals in the Red Sea offer long-term view of the south Asian summer monsoon

A new study from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution uses coral chemical data to reconstruct nearly three centuries of wind data, revealing that monsoon winds have indeed increased over the past centuries. This finding suggests that stronger winds may be becoming more common due to climate change.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 16, 2019

Thunderstorms half a world away significantly contribute to heat waves in central California

Researchers found that enhanced rainfall in the tropics preceded each heat wave in predictable patterns, linking tropical weather to Central California's hot weather. The study used data from 1979 to 2010 and linked heat waves to the Madden-Julian Oscillation, a large atmospheric circulation pattern.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateApr 12, 2019

Predicting heat waves? Look half a world away

Researchers from UC Davis and APEC Climate Center found a significant correlation between tropical rainfall and heat waves in Central California. The study analyzed data from 1979 to 2010 and identified a predictable pattern linking enhanced MJO activity in the Pacific and Indian Oceans to intense heat waves.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateApr 12, 2019
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Unexpected rain on sun links two solar mysteries

Researchers found evidence of coronal rain in smaller, previously overlooked magnetic loops on the Sun. The discovery links two solar mysteries: the anomalous heating of the corona and the source of the slow solar wind.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 5, 2019

Ammonia emission control in China

Researchers suggest regional emission control strategies based on acid rain and PM2.5 pollution levels to balance benefits and drawbacks of reduced ammonia emissions.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 1, 2019

Phasing out air pollution emissions

A recent study suggests that rapidly phasing out air pollution emissions can prevent approximately 3.6 million avoidable deaths each year, while also increasing rainfall in drought-prone regions and limiting global warming. The researchers found that removing fossil fuel-related and all anthropogenic emissions could achieve the 2°C tar...

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 25, 2019
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

NASA finds heavy rainfall around Tropical Cyclone Joaninha's center

Tropical Cyclone Joaninha generated heavy rainfall in the Southern Indian Ocean, with rates exceeding 0.75 inches per hour around its center. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission data used by NASA's IMERG provided a comprehensive analysis of the cyclone's precipitation patterns.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 25, 2019

NASA catches Tropical Cyclone Idai making landfall in Mozambique

NASA's Aqua satellite provides critical infrared data on Tropical Cyclone Idai before its landfall, indicating cloud top temperatures as low as -63 degrees Fahrenheit. This suggests extremely strong storms with the potential to create severe thunderstorms and heavy rain in Mozambique.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 14, 2019
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.

Coal power stations disrupt rainfall: global study

A global study reveals that modern coal-fired power stations emit more ultrafine dust particles than road traffic, modifying and redistributing rainfall patterns on local to regional scales. This can lead to extreme weather events, including intense rain and dry conditions.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateMar 12, 2019

It's raining on the Greenland ice -- in the winter

A new study finds that rain is becoming increasingly common over parts of the Greenland ice sheet, triggering sudden melting events. The researchers estimate that nearly a third of total runoff is initiated by rainfall, leading to more widespread future melting.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalThe Cryosphere·DateMar 7, 2019

A clearer view of past climate from tree rings

A new technique uses Liebig's Law to improve estimates of historical temperature and rainfall from tree rings. The method selects trees that were growing well, linking their growth to the climate they experienced, resulting in more precise measurements.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalPaleoceanography and Paleoclimatology·DateFeb 28, 2019

Human settlements and rainfall affect giraffe home ranges

A new study found that giraffes living near human settlements have larger home ranges than those living far from towns, while areas with more rain have smaller home ranges. This suggests that humans are impacting giraffe habitat and forcing them to travel longer distances to access critical resources.

SourcePenn State·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateFeb 27, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Raindrop size distributions vary across seasons and rain types

Researchers found seasonal variations in raindrop size distribution in East China, with summer having larger raindrops and higher mean rain rates. These findings have implications for microwave communication, radar, and satellite remote sensing, as well as numerical weather prediction models.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateFeb 27, 2019

Mini-tornadoes of spores illuminated during raindrop impact

A recent study published in PNAS revealed that raindrop impact can transport rust spores using tornado-like air vortices, enabling long-distance pathogen spread. This discovery has significant implications for preventing disease spread in wheat crops and may inform new strategies for managing disease.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2019

Limits to water availability

A study by Joep Schyns et al. estimates limits to green water availability due to limited annual rainfall, affecting global food and production systems. The analysis reveals that green water scarcity is a significant concern, particularly in regions with low rainfall.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2019

Amazon forest can be trained by higher rainfall variability

New research reveals that regions with higher rainfall variability are more resilient to current and future climate disturbances. However, the Amazon's ability to cope with climate change is still uncertain due to ongoing forest clearance and policy issues.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 25, 2019
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.

NASA takes an infrared analysis of Tropical Cyclone Oma

NASA's Aqua satellite uses infrared analysis to track Tropical Cyclone Oma's strongest storms, finding cloud top temperatures as cold as -63 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm is expected to weaken due to increased wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 21, 2019

Preserved leaves reveal 7,000 years of rainfall and drought

Researchers reconstructed past rainfall patterns in south-east Queensland using preserved paper-bark tea tree leaves from North Stradbroke Island, finding a generally wet period around 5000-6000 years ago. The study suggests that the probability of a drought worse than the Millennium Drought may be as much as 10 times higher.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 15, 2019

Seasons change: Researchers provide new definition for major Indian monsoon season

A new definition for the Northeast Indian Monsoon (NEM) season has been established using surface temperature analyses, identifying the average onset and demise dates as November 6 and March 13. This definition provides a more objective and reliable approach to monitoring the monsoon season, which is critical for millions of people in ...

SourceFlorida State University·JournalMonthly Weather Review·DateFeb 8, 2019

NASA looks at Tropical Cyclone Funani's rainfall rates

Tropical Cyclone Funani's strongest rains wrapped around the center and extended northwest, with heaviest rainfall found around the center and a fragmented band of thunderstorms northwest. Rainfall rates reached up to 13 mm per hour, as the storm continued to move southeast towards Mauritius.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 8, 2019

Sea snakes that can't drink seawater

A new study reveals that sea snakes in dry regions rely on freshwater lenses formed on the ocean's surface to quench their thirst. Researchers found that only a portion of the captured snakes accepted the offered freshwater after rainfall began.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 8, 2019
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria

A new study published in GSA Today reveals that Hurricane Maria triggered more than 40,000 landslides in at least three-fourths of Puerto Rico's municipalities. The study assesses the factors contributing to these extreme events and aims to enhance landslide susceptibility analyses and risk management efforts.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGSA Today·DateFeb 7, 2019

When does noise become a meaningful message?

Bats use rain noise as a salient informational cue to inform their decision making about emerging from roosts. This study shows that noise can be beneficial for animals, providing important information about their environment and when it's safe to hunt.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateFeb 6, 2019

NASA looks at Tropical Storm Funani's rainfall

Tropical Storm Funani is experiencing heavy rainfall southwest of its center, with rain falling at a rate of 1.2 inches per hour. The storm is rapidly strengthening and will intensify to 105 knots within two days before weakening.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 6, 2019
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.

New scale to characterize strength and impacts of atmospheric river storms

A new scale has been developed to characterize the strength and impacts of atmospheric rivers, which can deliver heavy precipitation to the Western United States. The scale assigns five categories to atmospheric rivers based on the amount of water vapor they carry and their duration in a given location.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateFeb 5, 2019

Early spring rain boosts methane from thawing permafrost by 30 percent

A recent study found that early spring rainfall warms up thawing permafrost bogs in Alaska, promoting plant growth and increasing methane emissions. The team discovered a 30% increase in methane production compared to previous years, highlighting the sensitivity of these regions to thermal effects.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 4, 2019

Rainfall extremes are connected across continents: Nature study

Researchers discovered a global pattern of extreme rainfall teleconnections linked to jetstreams, which could enhance weather forecasting and damage mitigation. The study's findings have practical relevance for improving predictions of extreme rainfall events.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature·DateJan 31, 2019

Extreme rainfall events are connected across the world

Researchers have discovered global connections in extreme rainfall events, which could lead to better forecasts and more accurate climate models. By analyzing satellite data, the team found that extreme rainfall events are connected across the world through atmospheric patterns.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature·DateJan 30, 2019
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

New study finds evidence of changing seasons, rain on Titan's north pole

A new study from the American Geophysical Union confirms evidence of rainfall on Titan's north pole, providing insight into the moon's changing seasons. The findings suggest that sunlight reflecting off a wet surface likely resulted in the observed reflective feature.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 16, 2019
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.

First detection of rain over the ocean by navigation satellites

A team of researchers has successfully detected rain over the ocean using GNSS Reflectometry, a technique that measures sea surface roughness to infer precipitation. This innovation could provide unprecedented temporal resolution and spatial coverage for monitoring atmospheric precipitation.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateDec 20, 2018

NASA finds extreme rainfall in Tropical Cyclone Kenanga

Tropical Cyclone Kenanga generated powerful thunderstorms reaching high into the troposphere, resulting in extreme rainfall as confirmed by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission. The heaviest rainfall was found in the storm's southeastern quadrant, with rates exceeding 161 mm per hour.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 19, 2018

Oroville Dam earthquakes in February 2017 related to spillway discharge

Seismic activity near Oroville Dam was related to reservoir discharge altering pressure on underlying rock fractures, causing them to open and close. The events occurred for decades prior to the dam's spillway failure and continued after it.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateDec 18, 2018

The long dry: why the world's water supply is shrinking

Research found that global water supplies are shrinking as soils dry out due to climate change, leading to drought-like conditions. Despite intense rain, large rivers are drying out, and urban flooding is becoming more common.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalWater Resources Research·DateDec 13, 2018
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Santa Claus take note: Winter is coming, but get yourself a raincoat

Researchers found that warmer winters mean more ice on the ground due to increased winter rain, posing challenges for Arctic wildlife and ecosystems. The formation of basal ice can kill plants and starve animals, while rain-on-snow events can lead to avalanches.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateDec 13, 2018

Record-wet and record-dry months increased in regions worldwide

A new study reveals that regions worldwide are experiencing more extreme weather events, with heavy rainfall in North America and Europe, while Africa sees an increase in droughts. The study suggests that human-caused climate change is driving these changes, with significant impacts on people's livelihoods.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateDec 12, 2018
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

NASA's IMERG analyzed Tropical Storm Usagi's rainfall

NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data revealed that Tropical Storm Usagi dropped moderate to heavy rain along its path in Southeast Asia. The analysis showed the storm produced over 350 mm of rainfall in Vietnam, causing widespread flooding around Ho Chi Minh City.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 29, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

When a city feels good, people take more risks

Researchers found that unexpected positive outcomes in cities, such as sports wins or sunny days, are correlated with a change in city mood and an increase in citizens taking risks like gambling. This effect is subtle but significant, with a predicted 2.5% increase in spending on gambling in reactive neighborhoods.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 28, 2018
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.

Half of the world's annual precipitation falls in just 12 days, new study finds

Researchers analyzed data from over 185 ground stations and found that half of the world's measured precipitation falls within a 12-day period, set to become even more skewed under climate change. This uneven distribution could lead to increased flooding and damage associated with extreme weather events.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 15, 2018

The first rains in centuries in the Atacama Desert devastate its microbial life

Recent rainfall in the Atacama Desert has caused widespread devastation among local microbial species, with 85% extinction rate reported. This study provides crucial information for understanding the microbiology of extremely arid environments and its implications for the search for life on Mars.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 14, 2018

Climate control of Earth's critical zone

A new study by University of Colorado Boulder geoscientists sheds light on the hidden world beneath our feet, revealing how rainfall affects the depth of the critical zone. The researchers found that a shallow critical zone forms under dry conditions, while a thick one forms in wet conditions.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalHydrological Processes·DateNov 14, 2018

For arid, Mars-like desert, rain brings death

A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that heavy rainfall in the Atacama Desert wiped out most microbe species, contradicting expectations of floral blooms. The research has implications for our understanding of microbial life on Mars and suggests that sudden water exposure can be lethal to microorganisms.

SourceCornell University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 14, 2018
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.