Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
A new study found that dust raised by farmers amplified and spread natural drought, turning an ordinary drying cycle into disaster. The researchers warn that current pressures on farmland could worsen food crises like the Dust Bowl in other regions.
Geologists found that the central Sierra Nevada attained its present elevation 12 million years ago, 8-9 million years earlier than previously thought. This discovery has implications for understanding ancient global climates and modeling past weather patterns.
Researchers found a signature to detect rain-on-snow events in satellite microwave imagery, which can prevent mass starvation of native people's livestock. The method could provide a realistic chance of getting food to herds affected by the devastating weather event.
Research found that airborne bacteria are globally distributed and may cause freezing at warmer temperatures, leading to the formation of rain. The bacteria can multiply and form groups on plants, creating a cycle of precipitation that could help reduce drought.
Scientists at UEA found intense rainfall events increasing in UK's winter and spring seasons, reversing summer trend. Heavy summer rainfall returns after 1990s decrease, impacting flood risk and extreme weather events.
Scientists found that summer storms in the Southeast drop more rainfall on weekdays than weekends. The study suggests that atmospheric pollution from humans may be driving this trend, as pollution levels peak midweek.
Researchers found that El Nino winters lead to altered jet stream positions, resulting in intensified storm activity in several US regions. The study analyzed daily records of snow and rainfall events over 49 US winters, finding a connection between ENSO events and increased probability of severe winter storms.
A recent study found that soil erosion in northern Mexico is accelerating due to overgrazing, leading to the loss of fertile land and vegetation. The research team used a rainfall index type hydrological model to simulate soil moisture levels and runoff rates, revealing that areas with low rainfall are most prone to sheet erosion.
Researchers found that smaller tropical storms and depressions contribute significantly to cumulative rainfall, with over half of the seasonal rainfall attributed to these weaker systems. In contrast, major hurricanes produce heavy rainfall on any given day but are not the primary storm type relieving drought in the region.
New projections for Australia's changing climate indicate rising temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns. By 2030, temperatures are expected to increase by about 1ºC, with a 10-20% chance of exceeding this threshold in coastal areas.
Despite predictions of collapse, Amazon forests in drought-stricken regions grew more vigorously during the 2005 drought, indicating a positive response to drought conditions. This finding contradicts global climate models and suggests a negative feedback loop that could slow down global warming.
The US Department of Homeland Security is working on a comprehensive project to identify technologies and procedures to rapidly assess and repair levees. The goal is to limit trouble when a levee breaches or prevent such breaks from happening again, using innovative designs, materials, and approaches. The project aims to develop soluti...
Scientists detected a long-term increase in tropical rainfall, with the rainiest years since 2001. The increase is attributed to a warming trend, which enhances evaporation and allows more moisture to form clouds.
Researchers have linked unpredictable rainfall to cooperative breeding in birds, particularly among African starlings living in savannas. This evolutionary adaptation allows more chicks to survive over long periods of uncertain environmental conditions.
Researchers found that over one-third of African starlings engage in cooperative breeding, a behavior typically seen in birds and other animals, due to the unpredictability of their savanna habitats. In contrast, non-cooperative species live in forests with more stable environments.
Researchers found correlations between plentiful sunspots and heavy rain in East Africa, with peak sunspot activity preceding heavy rainfall by about a year. This link could enable public health officials to prepare for insect-borne diseases and flooding.
NASA provided critical soil moisture data for affected areas, enabling emergency response teams to track flash flooding and stage rescue efforts. The sensor's detailed maps helped officials predict future flooding risks and avoid casualties.
Scientists used satellite images to show a link between rapid city growth and changes in rainfall patterns, including decreased precipitation in winter months. The study found that urbanization can lead to desertification and deforestation, threatening wetland health.
Researchers developed a new way to predict when vegetation dries to its most vulnerable state to large-scale fires in the Santa Monica Mountains near Los Angeles. The study found that global warming has not caused any apparent long-term trend toward early fire seasons in the area.
Engineers at MIT developed a simple system to determine an area's landslide risk using data on history of landslides, bedrock type, slope inclination, and vegetation growth. The tool is especially applicable to developing countries in Southeast Asia where detailed analysis has not been performed.
Researchers can now predict where tropical storms and hurricanes will dump the most rain — even days after — and hundreds of miles away from landfall. The new tools, developed by Corene Matyas, use geographical information systems (GIS) to model rainfall patterns based on storm intensity, distance inland, and landscape topography.
China's Three Gorges Dam, a massive hydroelectric power generator, is being constructed on the Yangtze River. NASA satellites have provided detailed views of the dam's construction and its impact on climate and environment.
Researchers found that tropical plants in Hawaii can acclimate to varying rainfall by switching between different forms of nitrogen. This adaptation may help plants survive in a warming climate with altered precipitation patterns. However, other factors like pollinator distribution and invasive species could still impact plant growth.
Researchers found that drought tolerance predicts plant distributions at local and regional scales in tropical forests. Drought-tolerant plants are more common in dry sites than in wet sites, even in humid forests.
Researchers use a new technique to analyze rainfall trends, finding systematic patterns in heavy and light rain, but no consistent trend in moderate rain. The study resolves the challenge of detecting long-term global rainfall trends, providing insight into climate change's impact on weather events.
A NASA study suggests that a warmer future climate will increase droughts in the southwest United States and other parts of the world. The researchers found that changes in solar output in the past increased surface warming and altered atmospheric moisture and circulations, leading to severe droughts.
Researchers analyzed interaction between individual raindrops and soil particles, dispelling a 50-year-old misconception about how rain-splash transport works. The study provides a theoretical model for the transfer of momentum carried by raindrops to sand grains.
In semi-arid environments, trees have evolved to access moisture from bedrock fractures and quickly recover when heavy rains occur. Understanding these surface-atmosphere interactions is crucial for predicting water supplies and managing scarce resources.
Researchers gathered precise wind measurements in a hurricane using NASA's ER-2 aircraft and NOAA's P-3 aircraft. This data helps advance the understanding of complex storms, allowing for more accurate forecasts and potential improvements in replicating hurricane development.
Scientists at UCSC developed a new instrument to measure water droplet sizes in clouds, revealing a combination of entrainment and turbulence in raindrop formation. The findings suggest that stirring up droplets can speed up coalescence, challenging long-standing debates over the mechanisms behind this process.
A Rutgers-based team found a connection between the 1783 Icelandic volcanic eruption and a famine in Egypt, which reduced the Nile valley population by a sixth. The study used computer models to trace atmospheric changes from the eruption to their impact on North Africa.
Scientists used NASA satellite data to identify regions with the most intense thunderstorms, finding that eastern Andes Mountains in Argentina and semi-arid regions like Sahara Desert have powerful storms. The study also found that rainy areas like western Amazonia and Southeast Asia experience frequent but relatively few severe storms.
Scientists project that most of the world will face enhanced risks of heat waves, intense precipitation, and weather extremes by 2080-2099. The study used advanced climate models to analyze how weather extremes could change in the next century.
Scientists reconstructed a 45,000- to 60,000-year-old record of ocean temperature and salinity using chemical traces in fossil shells. They found the Atlantic got saltier during cold periods and fresher during warm intervals.
Research finds rapid changes in North Atlantic Ocean salinity linked to sudden shifts in Greenland temperatures and tropical rainfall patterns during the last ice age. This provides evidence that climate change can have a direct and rapid impact on ocean circulation and chemistry.
A NASA study reveals that small dust particles, known as aerosols, help trigger rainfall in South Asia's Tibetan Plateau during the monsoon season. The 'elevated heat pump' effect amplifies this process, causing an earlier and longer wet season in northern India.
Scientists from Newcastle University found a significant increase in extreme rainfall events in Scotland and Northern England over the past 40 years. The probability of such events increased by four times in Scotland and two times in Northern England, posing a major threat to flood risk management.
Katrina's rapid development was aided by favorable atmospheric conditions and warm ocean temperatures. Satellite data from NASA instruments provided crucial information on the storm's cloud motion, rainfall intensity, and wind speeds.
A new radar technique is being tested to track water vapor in the lower atmosphere, helping forecasters predict storm locations and timing. The REFRACTT project uses multiple Doppler weather radars to measure changes in radar signals caused by refraction, revealing the presence or absence of atmospheric moisture.
Scientists believe that high runoff from hurricanes in 2004 contributed to the development of extensive and long-lasting red tides off west-central Florida. Groundwater discharge is thought to provide the necessary nutrients for these blooms, explaining their persistence and frequent occurrence in the region.
A study by J. Marshall Shepherd found a significant increase in rainfall in arid cities like Phoenix and Riyadh due to urbanization and human activities. This change has real implications for water resource management, agricultural efficiency and urban planning.
A study by UCLA physicists reveals a connection between water vapor in the atmosphere and intense rainfall, using statistical properties similar to those found in magnets. This finding may lead to more accurate climate models and improved precipitation prediction under global warming.
A recent study has shown that human activities such as land use, aerosols, and irrigation in arid cities like Riyadh and Phoenix can alter the natural system and affect monsoon flow and mountain convection. These findings have significant implications for water resource management, agricultural efficiency, and urban planning.
Researchers investigate how changes in tropical vegetation affect carbon emissions and global climate change. They will make measurements in Africa, Australia, and South America to understand the conditions under which rainforests and savannas thrive.
By analyzing cloud height and rainfall patterns, NASA scientists can estimate whether a hurricane's surface winds will strengthen or weaken. Rainfall from clouds extending up to 9 miles high indicates stronger winds.
Researchers found that thunderstorms over Tibet transport nearly three times more water vapor into the lower stratosphere than those in India. The study also reveals that Tibetan storms are responsible for transporting carbon monoxide to the upper atmosphere, affecting air pollution.
Researchers identify key factors that contribute to the amplification and transmission of West Nile Virus, including drought-induced conditions and specific mosquito species. By understanding these local conditions, control strategies can be devised to prevent the spread of the disease.
Research papers highlight the influence of Himalayan topography on monsoon rainfall and reveal self-gravity wakes in Saturn's A ring. Additionally, studies show complex ion chemistry on Titan's nightside and suggest ammonia ions in Titan's ionosphere.
The study aims to improve the ability to observe and simulate monsoons over North America. Researchers gathered extensive atmospheric, oceanic, and land surface observations in the core region of the North American monsoon, providing insights into warm-season convective processes.
A University of Toronto study reveals that rainfall-induced erosion significantly impacts tectonic plate behavior, extending to the mantle thermal engine. The research suggests subtle surface weathering could shift plates over millions of years.
Researchers found that rain gardens significantly reduced concentrations of nitrates, ammonias, phosphorous and other pollutants reaching storm drains. Design tweaks allowed bacteria in the soil to convert harmful nitrates into nitrogen gas, preventing them from entering groundwater.
Climate change is exacerbating landslides worldwide, particularly in Asia and the Americas, resulting in significant human and financial losses. International experts propose various strategies to mitigate landslide risks, including land use planning, building codes, and infrastructure development.
A new European study predicts increased flooding in areas like the UK and River Rhine by up to 50% and 25% respectively by the end of the century. The STARDEX project uses advanced statistical techniques to analyze climate trends, enabling more precise predictions of extreme weather events.
A USGS study found that winter/spring high river flows in northern New England came significantly earlier during the 20th century, with most changes occurring since the 1960s. The total winter days of ice-affected flow decreased by 20 days from 1936 to 2000 for the average of the 9 longest-record rivers.
Research finds that heavy rainfall and flooding can lead to more dust being released into the atmosphere, especially in regions like the Tigris-Euphrates Basin and North Africa. In contrast, areas with more vegetation and lower wind speeds tend to experience a decrease in dust emissions.
A combination of factors makes future landslides inevitable in La Conchita, including active faulting, rapid tectonic uplift, and weak rocks. Experts propose a beach park solution and installation of sensors to detect slope movement to mitigate the risk of landslides.
A new study reveals that warmer oceans and atmosphere will cause more intense precipitation worldwide, especially in tropical regions. Heavier rain will fall in areas such as North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, while the Mediterranean and US Southwest may experience decreased average precipitation due to longer dry periods.
Researchers dropped instruments called dropsondes into the hurricane to measure temperature, pressure, winds, and more. The study reconstructed the structure of the eye in three dimensions from high altitude to great detail.
A new weather model, ARW, uses high-resolution data to predict hurricane intensity and location of fine-scale rain bands. This enables better warning systems for floods, power outages, and road blockage.
Archaeologists at Silchester are using a Virtual Research Environment (VRE) to digitize their findings and facilitate collaboration with researchers worldwide. The project aims to reduce the time spent on digitization and enable easier comparison of data across different databases.