Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
A new study reveals that tropical deforestation affects rainfall in the US and around the globe, with significant changes observed in various regions. Deforestation in Amazonia influences precipitation in Mexico to Texas, while Central Africa affects the US Midwest, and Southeast Asia alters rainfall in China and the Balkan Peninsula.
Scientists at NASA have developed a way to process radar data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite, providing 3D snapshots of hurricanes. This allows forecasters to access information on heavy rainfall rates and cloud heights within three hours, helping them make more accurate forecasts.
The study found that homes built under the Florida Building Code since 2002 sustained less damage than those built between 1994 and 2001. The research also highlighted the effectiveness of recent code requirements, such as reinforced garage doors, in reducing hurricane-related damage.
Climate expert Kevin Trenberth warns that hurricanes will intensify due to global warming, fueled by rising ocean temperatures and increased atmospheric water vapor. This may lead to heavier rains and an increased risk of flooding at landfall, particularly in the US coastline.
A University of Oregon geologist's analysis suggests that a 'troubled' greenhouse event 55 million years ago may indicate wider climate shifts in Africa, North America, and South America. The study confirms dramatic increases in seasonal contrast and rainfall, with potential implications for modern-day weather patterns.
The 2004 Midwest crop yields were record-breaking due to unique weather conditions, including an unusually high number of sunny days that aided photosynthesis. This anomaly in atmospheric circulation patterns contributed to the exceptional yields, which surpassed predictions and models.
Researchers found that Saharan dust increases the number of cloud condensation nuclei, leading to smaller cloud droplets and reduced rainfall. The study also showed that the dust affects thunderstorm anvils, impacting sunlight and warming temperatures over time.
A new NCAR study reveals that rising temperatures are the primary cause of expanding droughts globally. The research found that almost half of the change in dry conditions since the 1970s is due to warming rather than decreased rainfall or snowfall.
Scientists studying Pinatubo's rivers found that some have not recovered to stable channels, necessary for aquatic species and ecological recovery. The high amount of sediment remains a threat to human settlements, posing risks of flooding and loss of life.
Researchers developed an index using satellite data to accurately predict the arrival of El Niño in the Pacific Ocean. The study found that fluctuations in rainfall and wintertime precipitation in the eastern Indian Ocean can signal early shifts in climate leading to El Niño development.
Researchers used TRMM data to identify areas with greatest year-to-year change in rainfall between 1998 and 2003, finding a strong correlation with the El Nino Southern Oscillation. Global rainfall patterns are influenced by El Nino, but some regions like the Bay of Bengal remain unaffected.
Researchers used computer models to locate areas where soil moisture influences rainfall, identifying common features known as 'hot spots'. These hot spots are found in transition zones between wet and dry regions, with implications for seasonal forecasting of rainfall and improving weather forecasts.
The TRMM satellite has provided new insights into rainfall patterns in tropical cyclones, revealing that heaviest rains fall within 50km of a storm's center. This study improves forecast accuracy and can help with the development of better weather forecasts.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) will be decommissioned by NASA, marking the end of its outstanding contribution to Earth observations. TRMM's unique precipitation observations have provided unprecedented insights into rainfall-producing cloud systems over tropical land masses and oceans.
The African monsoon has two distinct seasons: a late spring season strongly influenced by sea surface temperatures near the Gulf of Guinea, and a later summer season driven by African Easterly Waves. The waves play a major role in this summer season monsoon rainfall.
Deforestation in the Amazon leads to faster land heating, causing localized upward motions that enhance cloud formation and increase rainfall. The effects are most pronounced during the dry-to-wet season transition period.
A computer model reveals that rainfall in New Mexico's mountains can recharge the Rio Grande River's water table after a 50-year lag. This finding has significant implications for sustainable aquifer management and river management planning.
Research suggests that rainfall and snowfall in distant mountains can significantly impact river levels years later, highlighting the importance of water table recharge. This phenomenon has significant implications for development in semi-arid regions, emphasizing the need for long-term planning to ensure sustainability.
Researchers created a controlled environment to test various weather conditions and their effects on post oak, bluestem grass, and juniper species. The study aims to understand how these changes may alter land use and wildlife survival in the region.
Researchers found that smoke from forest fires delays cloud release, preventing moderate rain and causing thunderstorms instead. High-altitude clouds produce large hailstones on the Amazon rainforest floor.
Scientists found a possible link between increasing greenhouse gases and European heat waves, while also studying the transfer of energy from earthquakes through Earth's formations. Additionally, research revealed the Amazon River's strong impact on tropical Atlantic carbon levels and new insights into Martian drainage basins that may ...
A NASA study suggests that warming temperatures will lead to more warm rain, which accounts for 31% of global rainfall. The increase in precipitation efficiency could make the air lighter and rise faster, creating updrafts producing more cold rain.
New evidence reveals urban areas are altering rainfall patterns and daily precipitation trends, with higher rates during summer months downwind of large cities like Houston and Atlanta. Cities tend to be warmer than surrounding suburbs and rural areas due to urban heat islands.
A four-year study reveals that Himalayan erosion rates are uniform across wet and dry regions, contrary to expectations. The Indian Ocean's monsoon rains create a striking difference in precipitation between the north and south, yet erosion rates remain relatively constant.
A study found that ponderosa pine and Douglas fir needles can reduce water flow erosion by up to 60% and rain-induced erosion by up to 80%. Researchers used artificial rain laboratory experiments to test the effectiveness of needle cover in preventing post-fire soil erosion.
A recent study by Alessandra Giannini confirms a strong link between sea surface temperatures and precipitation in Africa's Sahel region. The research finds that Indian Ocean temperatures are the primary driver of precipitation in the area, with implications for climate prediction and seasonal predictions.
The Hotplate Total Precipitation Sensor uses a unique approach to measure precipitation rates, providing accurate readings for aviation and transportation applications. This breakthrough technology offers improved public safety and cost savings by reducing the need for manual snow gauges and deicing fluids.
The CBLAST project aims to provide more accurate predictions of hurricane intensity, landfall, and storm surge using new data-collection instruments and computer models. This research will help save lives and reduce economic losses for citizens and the Navy.
A new study using sediment cores from the Cariaco Basin reveals three large, rapid shifts of 5-7 degrees Fahrenheit in tropical temperatures on time scales of a century or less. These changes were synchronous with warming and climate changes recorded in Greenland ice cores.
Researchers found steady, light rain in central Pacific during El Niño, which differs from thunderstorms. This type of rain affects air movement and jet stream patterns, leading to improved rainfall forecasts worldwide.
Research finds African dust particles act as kernels for precipitation in low clouds, but suppress rainfall in high clouds. The study also suggests a link between increased dust levels and drought conditions.
A NASA study found that urban heat islands in coastal cities like Houston cause warmer air to rise, interact with sea breezes, and create heavier rainfall. The study also suggests that this effect may be more pronounced near coasts.
TRMM allows researchers to daily map areas of potential flooding using precipitation radar data and high-resolution measurements of cloud water content. The satellite provides updated records on a global scale, enabling scientists to track storms, monitor El Nino conditions, and assess crop health in remote regions.
Researchers Scott Curtis and Bob Adler found a significant pattern of alternating rainfall for El Niño since 1979. This discovery may help scientists improve rainfall forecasts around the globe during an El Niño event.
NASA's Aqua satellite and a P-3 Orion aircraft are conducting a joint research effort to gather data on snowfall and rainfall in Wakasa Bay, Japan. The study aims to improve the accuracy of global hydrologic cycle data and better understand precipitation patterns in the north Pacific.
Researchers gather data from an unusual storm over the Amazon rainforest to analyze the storm's inner workings, revealing a two-phase process where both precipitation forms at lower altitudes and higher in the atmosphere. The study provides new insight into storm intensity and hazards, which should be avoided by aircraft.
A new study reveals that mercury in California rainwater originates from industrial emissions in Asia, particularly coal combustion and ozone production. High concentrations of mercury were found in coastal and inland sites, with urban smog influencing the oxidation rate.
A four-year field study by K-State researchers found that altering rainfall patterns in a tallgrass prairie led to decreased physiological vigor of grasses, lower plant productivity, and reduced water availability. The team discovered significant reductions in carbon cycling and below-ground activity under variable rainfall conditions.
Researchers found that changes in SSTs affect the Madden Julian Oscillation, a key driver of South Asian monsoons. The study suggests that warmer sea surface temperatures can predict up to 30% of MJO fluctuations.
A NASA study analyzed satellite data from 1997-2000 and found that the transition from El Nino to La Nina reversed rainfall patterns in Africa, affecting vegetation greenness. This reversal has implications for agriculture, livestock farming, and vector-borne disease outbreaks.
Researchers have developed a method to measure spring output and analyze groundwater flow in the Blue Ridge province. The technique helps determine how much water is available for wells, addressing a pressing issue in Virginia due to drought and rapid growth.
A new study by Duke University researchers suggests that deforestation in the Amazon can lead to a significant reduction of rainfall in the Midwest and Dakotas during summer months. The simulation used mathematical equations to model climate behavior, finding a 10-15% decrease in precipitation in these regions.
Researchers found thicker, denser storm clouds over warmer waters, covering wider areas of the tropics and releasing more moisture as rain. This contradicts the 'Adaptive Iris' theory, which suggests cloud cover decreases with rising ocean temperatures.
A NASA study found that urban heat islands create more summer rain over and downwind of major cities worldwide. The increased heat promotes rising air and alters weather patterns, leading to higher rainfall rates in urban areas.
Researchers developed a formula to accurately determine water-use efficiency in typical soils, showing that no-till techniques can improve crop yields while reducing runoff and drainage losses. Soils with higher clay content and greater capacity to retain water produce better results, highlighting the importance of soil type management.
A new climate study reveals California's increased risk of warmer temperatures, smaller snowpacks, and altered water supplies due to rising carbon dioxide levels. The research offers precise regional specificity and statistical analysis, providing a more reliable basis for planning climate change mitigation strategies.
A new prediction index uses satellite-based data to identify signs of El Niño development in the winter, providing a 6-9 month lead-time. The study found high values that preceded five strongest El Niños, and predicts the next event to begin between July and October 2002.
A new NASA study suggests that changes in rainfall patterns play a significant role in plant growth and carbon absorption in the United States. The research found that higher humidity combined with increased precipitation led to a 14% increase in plant growth between 1950 and 1993.
Researchers at Stanford University found that extreme climate variability in the past 70 years hastened the extinction of Bay Area checkerspot butterfly populations. The study tied climate variability to a mechanism and showed that population extinctions are a prelude to species extinctions, threatening ecosystem services.
Aerosols from pollution particles reduce ice crystal sizes in thunderstorms, leading to less precipitation over land. Aerosol levels are highest over Northern Africa, with smaller ice crystals found in clouds above the eastern Pacific and southern Indian Oceans.
Researchers found the warmest portion of a hurricane's eye is approximately 3.5 miles high, corresponding to falling pressure and destructive winds. The data provided a comprehensive 3D image of the inner core, revealing how heat from rising air powers the storm.
A massive weather study is underway in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, using six aircraft and 30 ground sensors to track water vapor and predict heavy rain. The IHOP2002 project aims to improve forecasts from 1 to 12 hours ahead of heavy rain, which could help in flash-flood safety and other applications.
The new model traces water vapor from its source in the atmosphere to where it falls back to Earth, providing a clearer picture of how water moves. This allows for more accurate weather forecasts by identifying regional sources of atmospheric moisture.
Researchers detected a magnitude 5.7 quake on Kilauea's southern flank in November 2000 using GPS data, which caused the volcano's southern flank to slide nearly 3.5 inches into the sea. The event could become a model for predicting catastrophic tsunamis in the Pacific.
Researchers found that soil geology plays a significant role in the Congo River Basin's response to drought. The basin's varied geology, including ferruginous cuirassed peneplain, sandy soils, and porous aquifers, affects discharge reduction rates during droughts.
The TRMM satellite is continuing to collect data on various climate and weather questions, including the formation of snowflakes and raindrops inside clouds. Microscopic dust and soot particles are found to interfere with rain formation in 'dirty' clouds.
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that wind-borne pollutants can travel long distances, contaminating both air and water. They used rain and air samplers to collect pollutants in Corpus Christi Bay and estimated the amounts deposited into the bay area.
The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) spacecraft will continue to provide vital data on global rainfall and climate change with its extended mission. Scientists anticipate improved climate predictions and a more robust record of rainfall patterns.
Research found that heavy rainfall precedes most waterborne disease outbreaks in the US, with extreme precipitation levels increasing outbreak risk. The study analyzed data from 1948-1994 and found a significant association between precipitation and waterborne disease outbreaks.
A team of researchers led by Bradley and Yale archaeologist Harvey Weiss found that sudden climate changes were often present in societies that collapsed during the past 10,000 years. The study suggests that climate change was a major factor in the collapse of several societies around the world.