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This week from AGU: More concentrated storms, methane emissions, and 4 research spotlights

Researchers study concentrated storms causing extreme flooding in urban areas and high methane emissions from the Bakken oil field. Scientists also investigate black carbon in oceans and its impact on marine life. Additionally, a new study reveals that half of streamflow in the Upper Colorado River Basin originates as groundwater.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 11, 2016

In cities, flooding and rainfall extremes to rise as climate changes

Researchers found that storms are shrinking in space and intensifying over smaller areas, resulting in more intense peak rainfalls. This intensification is expected to lead to a significant rise in flash flooding across major urban centers worldwide.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 9, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study offers clues to better rainfall predictions

Scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found a clear link between higher sea surface salinity levels and increased rainfall on land in the African Sahel. By analyzing global salinity and rainfall data, they discovered that high springtime salinity levels correlate significantly with increased monsoon-season rainfall in the ...

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 6, 2016

A cleansing rain falls; a soil-filled mist arises

Scientists discovered that up to 60% of airborne particles after a rainstorm come from the soil, releasing organic matter into the atmosphere. This finding has significant implications for understanding the planet's climate and will be integrated into atmospheric models.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMay 2, 2016

NASA's IMERG analyzes severe weather in Tornado Alley and eastward

Severe spring thunderstorms spawned over 67 tornadoes across the US, with intense rainfall totals reported in states including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. Heavy flooding caused six fatalities in Palestine, Texas, while six inches of rain were recorded in southern Mississippi.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 2, 2016

Climate change puts most-threatened African antelopes in 'double jeopardy'

A new study finds that climate change will disproportionately affect African antelopes with the smallest geographic ranges, exacerbating their already high risk of extinction. The researchers predict a significant decline in suitable habitat for these species, particularly those adapted to cooler and drier climates.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 28, 2016
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.

NASA sees wind shear end Tropical Cyclone Amos

Tropical Cyclone Amos weakened and dissipated in the Southern Pacific Ocean on April 24, 2016, after being torn apart by increasing wind shear. The storm's elongation was evident in composite satellite images, with heaviest rainfall appearing in its northwestern quadrant.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 25, 2016

NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Fantala slowing

NASA tracks Tropical Cyclone Fantala's decreasing wind speeds and intensifying rainfall rates, with estimates suggesting maximum sustained winds of 105 knots (121 mph). The storm is expected to encounter adverse conditions that will prompt a weakening trend north of Madagascar as it continues to move west toward the African mainland.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 22, 2016

Paperbark tree to unlock climate change

Researchers at Griffith University used paperbark tree leaves to reconstruct past rainfall activity in tropical and subtropical regions. The study, published in Global Change Biology, offers a new proxy for inferring changes in climate.

SourceGriffith University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateApr 21, 2016
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.

NASA sees changes in Tropical Cyclone Fantala

Tropical Cyclone Fantala continues to move north of Madagascar with significant changes in its intensity and track. The storm showed heavy rainfall and a clouded eye due to vertical wind shear, causing it to reverse course and move southeastward over its earlier track.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 21, 2016

NASA's 3-satellite view of powerful Tropical Cyclone Fantala

Tropical Cyclone Fantala reached Category Five intensity with maximum sustained winds of 150 knots (173 mph), making it one of the strongest storms in the South Indian Ocean. NASA satellites tracked the storm's intense rainfall and powerful thunderstorms, providing critical data on its size and wind patterns.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 19, 2016

Record Balkan floods linked to jamming of giant airstreams

Record Balkan floods of 2014 were likely caused by the temporary slowdown of giant airstreams and planetary wave resonance. The study found that extreme rainfall events are strongly increasing in the region, even more than globally observed.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 15, 2016
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

GPM sees heavy rain in Tropical Cyclone Fantala

Tropical Cyclone Fantala intensified with sustained winds near 80 knots, prompting heavy rainfall of up to 189 mm/h. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts further intensification and potential impact on northern Madagascar.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 13, 2016

Bringing the landslide laboratory to remote regions

Researchers in China have developed a portable laboratory and topography meter to measure the frequency of random landslides on the steep slopes of the Loess Plateau. The system allows for site-specific tests, such as simulated rainfall, and can digitally reconstruct the slope's behavior under erosion conditions.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateApr 12, 2016

Will raindrops stick to a spider web's threads?

A recent study found that a droplet hitting a thin fiber will be captured at low speeds, pass through at intermediate speeds, and split at high speeds. The researchers' model has significant implications for optimizing water collection systems and fiber-coating technologies.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateApr 12, 2016
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.

NASA's GPM views Tropical Cyclone Zena hitting Vanuatu

Tropical Cyclone Zena intensified in the South Pacific Ocean near Vanuatu on April 5, 2016, causing sustained winds of over 35 knots. The GPM satellite measured intense downpours dropping rain at a rate of almost 154 mm per hour

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 6, 2016

Massive deforestation found in Brazil's Cerrado

The study found that agricultural land has doubled within the Cerrado region, replacing native vegetation and altering the water cycle. Continued agricultural growth could reduce rainfall or delay critical rainy periods, threatening both natural vegetation and agricultural production.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateApr 1, 2016
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.

NASA's GPM satellite examines tornadic thunderstorms

The GPM core observatory satellite measured heavy rainfall rates of over 3.6 inches per hour in a powerful storm east of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The satellite also revealed the three-dimensional structure of precipitation in storms beneath it, showing storm tops reaching heights above 7.4 miles.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 1, 2016
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.

Freezing plants to predict the fate of the Arctic

Researchers encase Arctic plants in ice to study climate change's effects on growth patterns. To their surprise, the frozen plants exhibited increased growth in remaining undamaged shoots.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateMar 31, 2016

NASA sees heavy rain in Tropical Cyclone Emeraude

Tropical Cyclone Emeraude intensified rapidly after forming on March 15, 2016, with GPM's radar measuring extreme rainfall rates of over 8.2 inches per hour. The storm peaked at 125 knots and then weakened, but is expected to re-intensify as it curves toward the southwest.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 18, 2016

Galapagos lakes reveal tropical Pacific climate since Biblical times

Researchers reconstructed a 2,000-year record of precipitation changes in the eastern Pacific using sediments from Galapagos lakes, revealing long-term shifts in El Niño patterns. The study provides new insights into tropical climate dynamics and will help model future changes.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 17, 2016
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.

NASA measures US south heavy rainfall from space

Heaviest rainfall in the southern US was reported over 24 inches in Monroe, Louisiana, with over 4,958 homes damaged by flooding. NASA's TMPA analysis revealed a merged satellite rainfall image showing heavy rain stretching from northern Louisiana to south central Arkansas.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 14, 2016

Global warming increases rain in world's driest areas

New research reveals that global warming will increase rainfall in dry regions, but the additional water may not be available due to increased evaporation. This could lead to more frequent and intense flash flooding events in areas without adequate infrastructure.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMar 7, 2016

NASA analyzes US Pacific Northwestern storm system

NASA's RapidScat instrument detected tropical-storm-force winds in a weather system affecting the Pacific Northwestern U.S. and southwestern Canada, bringing rain and snow to the region. Heavy rainfall totals of over 8 inches were estimated in some areas, with potential to alleviate California's long-lasting drought.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 7, 2016
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.

NASA's IMERG measures flooding rainfall in Peru

Heavy rainfall caused flooding and landslides in northern Peru, with NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) measuring extreme rainfall totals of over 700 mm. The strong El Niño was partially blamed for the abnormally high rainfall.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 3, 2016

NASA maps El Niño's shift on US precipitation

NASA has visualized rainfall data to show the changes in US precipitation during El Niño, with areas like California and East Coast experiencing wet conditions. However, other parts of the country faced droughts and floods due to shifts in precipitation patterns.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 25, 2016

Climate change speeds up gully erosion

Heavy rainfall causes gullies to expand rapidly, with predicted climate change increasing rates up to three times faster. Researchers have developed a model to predict gully expansion and warn of devastating consequences for agriculture, water quality, and infrastructure.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalEarth-Science Reviews·DateFeb 25, 2016
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.

NASA catches Tropical Cyclone Uriah nearing peak

Tropical Cyclone Uriah intensifies to a Category Four hurricane with sustained winds near 115 knots, expected to reach peak intensity of 125 knots on Feb 18. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are observed south of the storm's center.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 17, 2016

The Nullarbor Plain's ancient forests revealed

Scientists dated fossilized pollen to show the Nullarbor Plain was once home to gum and eucalyptus trees before a dramatic climate shift. The region's history reveals a rainfall increase of up to four times higher than today, contradicting its modern arid conditions.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 9, 2016

Intensifying Atlantic storm examined by NASA's GPM

GPM's radar measured heavy rainfall in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Virginia coast, with rates exceeding 25 mm per hour. The low-pressure area also packed strong winds, generating gusts up to 65 mph, particularly across southeastern New England.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 8, 2016

Record Missouri flooding was manmade calamity, scientist says

Scientists found that recent developments near the Meramec River, including a levee and landfill, significantly magnified flood levels. The study showed that floods are becoming more chaotic, unpredictable, and severe due to human activities such as development in floodways and floodplains.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of Earth Science·DateFeb 5, 2016
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.

NASA's GPM satellite examines violent thunderstorms

The NASA GPM satellite examined violent thunderstorms in the southern US on February 2-3, with one powerful storm in North Carolina dropping rain at an extreme rate of 112.96 mm (4.4 inches) per hour. The satellite's radar instruments measured precipitation within the area and created a 3D cross-section through the storms.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 5, 2016

NASA measures 10 days of US extreme precipitation from space

NASA analyzed satellite data measuring heavy precipitation in southern Florida, California, and across the Great Plains from late January to early February. The IMERG mission estimated over 200mm of precipitation in some areas, with powerful winds bringing down trees and power lines.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 4, 2016
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.

Man-made climate change helped cause south of England floods, say scientists

A study by Oxford University scientists found that human-induced climate change increased the risk of severe storms in the south of England, leading to devastating flooding. The analysis attributed the increase in extreme rainfall to thermodynamic changes in the atmosphere and westerly air flow.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNature Climate Change·DateFeb 1, 2016

Moon's tidal forces affect amount of rainfall on Earth

New University of Washington research shows that the lunar forces affect the amount of rain on Earth, though very slightly, with a change of about 1 percent of total rainfall variation. The effect is due to the moon's gravitational tug causing higher air pressure and increasing temperature, making it less favorable for precipitation.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 29, 2016

Mercury levels in rainfall are rising in parts of North America, study finds

Researchers found recent increases in mercury concentrations in rainfall at many sites across the continent, with positive trends in central regions consistent with increased emissions from Asia. The findings suggest that reductions in North American mercury emissions are primarily benefiting the eastern United States.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateJan 27, 2016

GPM flies over dissipating Tropical cyclone Corentin

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite observed Tropical Cyclone Corentin, which was weakening due to high vertical wind shear. Rainfall data showed moderate to heavy rainfall in bands southeast of the exposed center of low-level circulation.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 26, 2016
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.

A new model emerges for monsoons in a changing global climate

A new study suggests that continent-scale monsoons will adapt gradually to climate change, with changes in land use and greenhouse gas concentrations prompting adjustments in massive air circulations. Despite predictions of a sudden shift, the researchers argue that monsoon rainfall will change smoothly over time.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

NASA eyes powerful winter storm spreading into mid-Atlantic

A powerful winter storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions to the Mid-Atlantic region. Snowfall totals may exceed 2 feet in some areas, including Baltimore and Washington D.C., with gusty winds and storm surge flooding also possible.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 22, 2016
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.

NASA provides in-depth analysis of unusual Tropical Storm Alex

Tropical Storm Alex formed in January 2016, becoming the earliest hurricane to do so since 1938. NASA analyzed storm data using AIRS, RapidScat, GPM, and Suomi NPP satellites, revealing strongest winds at 30 meters per second and rainfall rates decreasing significantly after declaration as a hurricane.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 15, 2016

Weather-worn lizards might adapt to new climates

A study by James Cook University scientists found that lizards in environmentally variable areas can tolerate more fluctuations, leading to wider ranges. Climate change predictions are met with evidence of species adapting to extreme weather events.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalEcological Monographs·DateJan 14, 2016

NASA analyzes Hurricane Pali's rainfall rates

NASA analyzed data from GPM core observatory and Suomi NPP satellite, discovering the hurricane had an eye forming with heavy rain falling at 84.5 mm per hour on its eastern side. The storm's convective storms reached heights of over 12 km, while its strongest feeder band wrapped around its eastern side.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 13, 2016
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.