Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
A WVU statistician is developing new methods to analyze curve-type data for predicting extreme weather patterns, financial turmoil and pollution levels. The research aims to create innovative tools for understanding high-resolution data and addressing regional risks in mountainous states like West Virginia.
A study by Florida Atlantic University and the University of Tübingen found that rainfall cools beach surfaces and enhances moisture for egg development, making it a crucial factor in determining hatchling body size. The research suggests that global warming may shorten incubation periods and disrupt growth, affecting sea turtle survival.
The region experienced extreme heatwaves, regional heavy rainfall and flooding, overcast rain, and cold spells. Precipitation was significantly different between 2022 and 2023, with droughts followed by floods.
A new study reveals that the Sierra Nevadas are a significant source of groundwater for California's Central Valley aquifer, with some areas relying almost entirely on it. The research found that the groundwater is mixed in age, with some water being as young as 4 years old and others dating back over 40,000 years.
A new study confirms that human-induced climate change is making rainfall patterns more volatile globally, with increased variability observed since the 1900s in 75% of land areas studied. The researchers found daily rainfall variability to have increased by 1.2% per decade.
Researchers found that turbulent movements of air in clouds play a key role in the growth of droplets and initiation of rain. Simulations with turbulence showed rain formed around 20 minutes earlier and with seven times more rainwater than simulations without turbulence.
A new study reveals surprising findings about mercury pollution patterns in ecosystems, where it comes from and how it moves vary significantly. Dragonfly larvae are found to be a cost-effective indicator of mercury contamination in nearly every aquatic habitat, providing valuable insights for resource management decisions.
Researchers at UCLA and NASA's JPL found that the 2023 Rolling Hills Estates landslide was a slow-moving, progressive event that began with heavy winter rainfall. The study used satellite data to measure ground motion over time, revealing subtle movements before accelerated collapse.
Researchers study droughts, wildfires, and precipitation changes across the US Southeast and globally. The Great Salt Lake's drying exacerbates regional droughts, while a Maui wildfire is linked to atmospheric patterns.
A recent study highlights the need for effective contingency plans and local community involvement in disaster response to mitigate losses. The analysis of landslides in São Sebastião, Brazil, revealed a breakdown in the early warning system, resulting in significant economic and human costs.
A study by Dartmouth College finds that regenerative agriculture's impact on farmers extends beyond financial gain, influencing their relationships and quality of life. By adopting practices like reduced tillage and cover cropping, farmers experience reduced dependence on agrochemicals and improved soil fertility.
A team of scientists has found a correlation between atmospheric blocking over Scandinavia and the Ural Mountains and extreme weather events in Svalbard. The study suggests that this phenomenon is driving Arctic warming and mass loss of ice.
Climate change projections suggest that land-locked lakes on the Tibetan Plateau will increase in volume fourfold by 2100, leading to significant land loss and related impacts. This could alter the landscape, affect wildlife migration routes, and exacerbate climate change through increased greenhouse gas emissions.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the Cerrado biome in Brazil is experiencing its worst drought in at least 700 years, caused by global warming. The research used chemical analysis of stalagmites to extend the perception of drought back seven centuries and linked it to disruption in the hydrological cycle.
A new BU study links sewage overflows to increased risk of acute gastrointestinal illnesses in downstream communities. Residents are at a 62% higher risk of developing AGI within four days after large-volume combined sewer overflows, regardless of drinking water source.
Researchers found that PFAS are introduced into the Great Lakes through precipitation and accumulate at different rates in each lake. The northern lakes are accumulating PFAS, while Lake Ontario is eliminating them. This study could inform future actions to mitigate PFAS presence in the Great Lakes.
A new study by the University of Plymouth found that saturated soils in upland regions could negatively impact the survival rates of young oak saplings and acorns. The research highlights the importance of considering soil conditions when creating temperate rainforests to combat climate change.
A study found that heavy snowfall and rain contribute to earthquake swarms in northern Japan by altering underground pressure. Climate conditions are linked to seismic activity, with the timing of intense precipitation events correlating with the start of quakes.
New research shows climate change will cause more severe combined wind-rain extremes in the UK and Ireland, leading to increased flooding and damage. The study found that stronger winds and heavier rainfall are likely to occur together, posing challenges for coastal areas and emergency response resources.
A new study establishes official climate divisions in Hawaii, improving climate research and forecasting. Chronic pain sufferers who spend time outdoors experience stronger weather-based effects, while lightning-initiated wildfires are responsible for more than half the acres burned in the contiguous United States.
A 14-year study in the Brazilian savanna-like biome found that tree basal area increased while density decreased, and community diversity increased slightly. The researchers discovered that 54% of initial trees had died, replaced by new growth, highlighting the rapid degeneration of cerradão into a biodiversity-poor forest formation.
A team of over 100 scientists from Brazil and the US ran high-resolution simulations of South America's past and future climate using a weather research and forecasting model. The goal is to better understand hydroclimatic processes and inform adaptation measures for millions affected by climate change.
A new study reveals that climate change could lead to a significant global GDP loss of up to 10% if the planet warms by +3ºC, highlighting the substantial costs of inaction.
The year 2023 saw unprecedented extreme weather events globally, with a record-breaking temperature increase of 1.45°C above pre-industrial times. Emerging features include earlier onset of heatwaves and increased simultaneous events in different parts of the world.
Desert soil bacteria can survive prolonged droughts by entering a state of dormancy, but quickly reactivate in response to rare rainfall events. This allows them to generate energy and repair their genomes before returning to dormancy.
Despite rising temperatures in the region, Yellowstone Lake's ice cover has not changed over the past century, according to new research. Increased snowfall has acted as a buffer against warmer weather, delaying ice break-up and protecting the lake's unique ice phenology.
The UK's 2022 drought, the worst since 1976, emphasized the importance of early mitigation measures due to its rapid onset and extensive impacts on water resources, wildlife, and people. Improved monitoring and forecasting systems can help prevent similar extreme weather events in the future.
A new study suggests that rapid climate action could reduce summer rainfall in southern Europe by up to 48% by 2100. If net-zero emissions are reached soon, much of this decline can be avoided, preventing devastating dry periods and forest fires.
A new study finds that extreme tropical cyclone rainfall is increasing across the continental US, while climate warming restricts 'outdoor days' for people living in developing countries. Additionally, air pollution increases mortality risks from heat, especially when combined with other factors like wildfires and reduced aerosols.
A new study projects that as many as 500,000 people could be affected and 1 in 35 properties damaged by flooding in 32 US coastal cities by 2050. The research highlights racial and socioeconomic demographics of those potentially affected.
A recent study found that rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones (RI) are already more hazardous than normal TCs and will worsen coastal flooding under future climate warming. RI events may increase by 10-30% for each degree of global mean temperature increase, posing a significant threat to coastal communities.
A new study using a high-resolution global climate model found that cloud clustering causes more extreme rain in the tropics, leading to increased severity of precipitation events. The researchers also discovered that more extreme rain occurs at the cost of expansion of dry areas, further shifting towards extreme weather patterns.
A new study finds that aerosol emissions like sulfur dioxide have offset the increase in rainfall caused by greenhouse gases. As air pollution diminishes, average and extreme rains may increase.
Researchers found no clear link between weather conditions and muscle and joint pain, debunking a long-standing medical myth. High temperatures, low humidity, and dehydration may increase the risk of gout flares.
A new study reveals that the Amazon rainforest is at risk of a large-scale collapse if climatic and land-use thresholds are breached. The Southeastern Amazon has already shifted from a carbon sink to a source, while droughts, deforestation, and fires weaken its resilience mechanisms.
A recent study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem uncovers notable correlations between the Indian Ocean and precipitation in the Middle East, which may lead to seasonal prediction of Fall precipitation. The research highlights a discernible upward trend in crucial Indian Ocean climate indices over the last four decades, indicatin...
A recent Harvard University study found that soil moisture increased across 57% of the US during summer between 2011-2020, contradicting the assumption that rising temperatures lead to drier soils. Precipitation, rather than temperature, is the primary driver of soil moisture trends.
A study reveals that consecutive atmospheric river events lead to significantly higher economic losses in California, tripling expected damages compared to standalone events. This is crucial for emergency and water managers balancing flood risks with water shortage needs.
Researchers found that permeable pavements can capture tire-associated chemicals, resulting in a 68% average reduction of the toxic contaminant 6PPD-quinone. The technology has vast potential to protect salmon populations and human health.
A new compound flooding model predicts that New York City will experience historic and devastating floods every 30 years by the end of this century, a fivefold increase from the present climate. The tool helps city planners prepare and protect against future disasters by providing detailed flood forecasts.
Research using a high-resolution climate model found that global warming amplifies the strength of typhoons in East Asia, leading to increased intense rainfall and powerful storms. The study suggests that continued escalation of global warming will result in stronger typhoons and more extensive occurrences of extreme precipitation events.
A new map showing all above-ground biomass in the Brazilian Amazon has been published, derived from a study combining airborne laser scanning, satellite imagery, and forest inventories. The results show an average of 174 metric tons of biomass per hectare and a maximum of 518 tons per hectare.
A new study has overturned conventional wisdom on wild turkey nesting survival, revealing that precipitation levels during nesting season are not related to reproductive success. The researchers found that temperatures above historical averages were associated with higher rates of daily nest survival during incubation.
A new study from the University of Illinois finds that extreme rainfall leads to significant spikes in nutrient concentrations, particularly after ½ inch, 1 inch, and 2 inches of precipitation. However, agricultural management practices such as cover crops can lower nutrient levels in water and persist until the end of the growing season.
A new study reveals that mountains amplify and obstruct winter precipitation during El Niño events, with increased rainfall on the western side of mountains. This analysis enables more accurate water predictions for the Colorado River in western North America, helping cities, farmers, and water managers prepare for droughts.
Researchers found that the coastline produces up to five times more giant sea salt aerosols than the open ocean, affecting cloud formation and rainfall around the Hawaiian Islands. The study's findings can improve numerical weather prediction of nearshore cloud formation and rainfall patterns.
A research team developed a multi-model projection system using the self-calibrating Effective Drought Index to predict drought and recommend cumulative precipitation for recovery. The required rainfall for drought recovery was estimated at 170 mm, 310 mm, and 440 mm for March, April, and May respectively.
Researchers found that green spaces alleviate extreme heat's negative impacts on human health, while densely packed buildings increase mortality risk. Urban design strategies incorporating different types of greenery are recommended to mitigate heatwave-associated mortality.
Researchers have reconstructed a global history of water over the past 2,000 years, showing that the global water cycle has changed during periods of higher and lower temperatures. The study found that when global temperature is higher, rain and other environmental waters become more isotopically heavy.
Researchers predict a shift from drying to wetting in the Himalayan region due to reduced anthropogenic aerosol emissions, with climate model simulations suggesting increased precipitation throughout High Mountain Asia by the 2040s. This change is primarily driven by human-induced factors, rather than natural variability.
Researchers have developed a new method to measure the duration and severity of hydrological droughts in streams and rivers, which can persist for up to 3.5 years after drought conditions end. The study found that baseflow droughts are strongly tied to groundwater levels and can impact water management and ecosystem services.
Researchers analyzed 50 years of Bordeaux wine critic scores with weather data to show that warmer temperatures, higher rainfall, and earlier seasons yield better vintages. Climate change is predicted to increase these conditions, potentially improving wine quality, but water scarcity poses a risk.
A team of researchers analyzed ancient leaf waxes to study past rainfall and drought patterns. By comparing their data with climate models, they verified how well those models capture past climate change and improved the accuracy of future rainfall predictions.
Research reveals that Category 4 and 5 hurricanes are arriving three to four days earlier with each passing decade due to climate change. This shift in seasonal cycle can lead to compounding extreme events and challenges community preparedness.
A recent study by the University of Melbourne found that severe bushfires followed by heavy rainfall are causing platypuses to abandon their homes. The research used environmental DNA sampling to track platypus movement before and after the 2019-2020 megafires, revealing a significant decline in platypus populations in affected areas.
A UNLV study found that a warm period in the early Holocene, when temperatures rose, led to increased summer rainfall and groundwater recharge. The researchers used an ancient stalagmite to analyze precipitation patterns and estimate the potential impact of future climate change on monsoon rains.
A PSU study examines how atmospheric patterns influencing the weather won't necessarily become stronger or more frequent by the end of the century. Instead, warmer temperatures will lead to an increase in rainfall over the Pacific Northwest in most seasons except summer.
Scientists have discovered a new technique to analyze stalagmites for insights into seasonal rainfall patterns in Southeast Asia over thousands of years. The study reveals potential to refine climate models' predictions on winter monsoon rainfall, which can inform policies to mitigate intense rainfall impacts.
A new study finds that global warming will lead to an increase in compound climate extremes such as heavy rainfall and heatwaves, which will have devastating impacts on communities. The regions most affected are already prone to geologic hazards and produce many of the world's crops.
Researchers found that human-induced aerosol emissions largely drive temperature fluctuations in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, impacting Sahel rainfall and hurricane formation. The study's results suggest a correlation between reduced aerosol emissions and increased Atlantic hurricane activity and Sahel rainfall.