Articles tagged with Rain
A new study reveals that droughts in the Amazon rainforest can lead to a ripple effect, causing widespread damage and biodiversity loss. The research team used network analysis to understand the complex workings of the forest's moisture recycling system.
The levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in environmental media have dramatically decreased over the last 20 years due to new insights into their toxicity. However, due to the global spread of PFAS, environmental media everywhere will now exceed guidelines designed to protect human health.
Aerosol particles in the atmosphere have a bigger impact on cloud cover than previously thought, increasing it by approximately 10%. Clouds hold more water before rainfall occurs due to smaller and more numerous droplets, leading to reduced precipitation. The study uses satellite data and machine learning to improve climate models.
A recent study found that the desert climate has extended 60 miles northward in Central Asia since the 1980s due to rising temperatures and dwindling precipitation. The region's high-altitude areas have seen an increase in precipitation, but this is largely in the form of rain rather than snow.
A new study suggests that sustainable irrigation can boost crop productivity to feed 1.4 billion more people, reducing environmental impacts and clearing natural land for agriculture. However, climate change may complicate this calculus, requiring additional research on water management strategies.
A team of Australian scientists has analyzed rare earth elements in drilled reef cores to unveil a deep history of wild weather on the Great Barrier Reef. The study reveals that extreme runoff from intense monsoons affected water quality over 8,000 years ago, leading to reduced coral growth and reef decline.
A new study proposes designing permeable pavements to reduce flood impacts in Australia, with the potential to store up to 50% of rainfall and reduce urban flooding by up to 50%. The proposed system takes into account local soil types and rainfall intensity, and has been tested on 107 towns and cities across Australia.
The study found different isotopic compositions of water in continental and coastal areas, with varying seasonal patterns. Daily measurements revealed the influence of moisture source, transport, and convective activity on rainfall type, providing insights into regional atmospheric controls.
Researchers from The University of Tokyo developed a novel machine-learning approach to predict local precipitation with high accuracy. By recognizing complex relationships in meteorological data, they created a bias correction method that produced accurate hourly estimates of precipitation.
A new study reveals that large-scale tree restoration can increase evaporation globally by nearly 10 litres per square meter, leading to a net decrease in water availability. However, the impact varies by region, with some river basins experiencing increased water flow due to enhanced rainfall.
A new study found that Portland residents are willing to pay $442.40 per household for green roofs that reduce stormwater runoff by three times per year, decrease urban heat island effect by over one degree, and bring in a significant amount of bees, birds, and butterflies. The cost would be added to sewage and stormwater utility bills.
A new online portal developed by UKCEH enables forecasters to provide communities with more reliable warnings about large storms in the Sahel region. The portal uses state-of-the-art weather forecast models to predict storm behavior, taking into account factors such as land surface temperatures, soil moisture, and atmospheric humidity.
Scientists developed a method to estimate summer rainfall in the Southwest months in advance, performing well in Arizona. By analyzing lower atmosphere moisture, they created monthly forecasts to aid reservoir storage and water allocation decisions.
Researchers used complex networks to study synchronized structures of extreme rainfall events, revealing regions with similar climatological behaviors. The analysis showed that extreme rainfalls are not independent but have a degree of similarity globally.
A severe rainstorm over Kauai in April 2018 resulted in $180 million in damage and 532 homes destroyed. The study found that supercell thunderstorms triggered the deluge, which set a new US 24-hour rainfall record of nearly 50 inches.
A recent study found that native vegetation green roofs in New York City are more effective at managing stormwater runoff compared to conventional succulent-planted green roofs. The research used the Ranaqua green roof as a case study, which was constructed and monitored by the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.
A new UC Riverside study finds that the timing of rainfall is crucial for drought-stricken plants, with summer rains resulting in higher plant biomass. In contrast, winter rains have less impact on plant growth and may lead to negative effects.
A study by Nagoya University researchers found that plants recognize rain as a risk factor for disease and activate their immune system through hair-like structures called trichomes. This discovery could lead to the development of methods to protect plants from infectious diseases caused by rain.
A Rice University-led team is studying the impact of climate change on flooding in the Mississippi River, which affects over a quarter of the US population. The research aims to understand how climate warming will alter the frequency and magnitude of flooding by comparing paleoclimate data with modern models.
A new study finds that climate change will increase the risk of debris flows, flash floods, and extreme rainfall events following wildfires in the western US. By the end of the century, more than 90% of extreme fire events will be followed by at least three extreme rainfalls within five years.
A recent study published in Nature Geoscience has found that tropical trees' trunk growth is reduced in years with drier and warmer conditions. The researchers also discovered that the effect of climatic fluctuations is more dramatic in arid or warm regions, suggesting climate change may increase the sensitivity of tropical trees.
Researchers have developed a model to predict Vibrio vulnificus abundance in the canal by analyzing rainfall, water temperature, dissolved nutrients and organic matter. The study found that warmer waters due to climate change may lead to an increase of twice or three times current levels of bacteria by the end of the century.
Volunteers transcribed 130 years of handwritten rainfall observations, extending the UK's rainfall record back to 1836. The new data provides insights into extreme dry and wet months, as well as recent changes in rainfall due to climate change.
A new study reveals climate change has caused significant recent losses of India's forests, exacerbating deforestation. The research found that rainfall alterations and temperature trends contributed to large declines since the turn of the century, necessitating targeted preservation action.
Researchers found that desert microbes produce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in arid soils after rain, contradicting the long-held assumption that it comes from fertilized agricultural fields. The study reveals a new source of nitrogen pollution in deserts, driven by fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes.
Research led by Dr. Petra Holden from the University of Cape Town found that catchment restoration through alien tree management can reduce climate change's impact on drought streamflow. The study shows that clearing moderate levels of invasion can result in a 3-16% amelioration of human-derived climate change impact.
A recent study found that rainfall significantly affects the abundance of Vibrio vulnificus in the Ala Wai Canal, with moderate rainfall leading to high concentrations of the bacterium. The researchers suggest that while exposure is still a risk, precautions such as washing off with soap and water can minimize the danger.
A new study reveals that fewer rainy days are leading to an earlier arrival of spring for plants in northern climates. The researchers found that as rainy days decline, spring arrives earlier due to increased solar radiation and clearer skies.
Monitoring projects have identified a vast array of contaminants in urban stormwater, including tire- and vehicle-derived chemicals, PFAS, phosphorous, metals, and more. Researchers are exploring various strategies to address this issue, such as rain gardens, permeable pavement, and reducing chemical usage at the source.
KAUST researchers have developed a flexible statistical model to analyze environmental data, revealing niches where existing methods fall short. The study provides a new approach to modeling dependence structures, highlighting the importance of understanding model limitations and extrapolation beyond observed data.
A new $1 million project at UCF aims to understand how raindrops interact with hypersonic shock waves. Researchers will use computer simulations and experiments to predict conditions for safe hypersonic travel. The knowledge gained could prevent damage and improve rocket launch accuracy.
Researchers found nanoparticles from human activities rapidly grow in atmosphere and influence cloud formation, affecting raindrop formation and changing rainfall regime. The study provides new insights into the impact of small aerosols on precipitation and improves climate change studies based on mathematical models.
A new technique combining microwave data with existing computer weather forecast models reduced forecast errors for Hurricane Harvey, improving track, intensity, and rainfall forecasts. This could lead to better warnings and preparedness for tropical cyclone-associated hazards.
A new study analyzes three decades of radar data to build a catalogue of rainbands, helping scientists create storm prediction algorithms. The researchers found that 60% of events resulted in at least one National Weather Service warning, with some associated with atmospheric rivers.
A University of Arizona-led team combined tree-ring data with forest inventory measurements to predict future tree growth. The researchers found a 56-91% decline in individual tree growth, leading to less carbon sequestration by Arizona's forests.
A new study by Potsdam scientists finds that increased rainfall and extreme daily rainfall have a significant impact on the global economy. The analysis of over 1,500 regions across 40 years reveals a clear connection between wet days and economic slowdowns, particularly in rich countries.
A 25-30 percent increase in winter rainfall over the eastern Arabian Peninsula was found since 1981, with a decrease of about 10-20 percent in the south and northeast. This shift is linked to an El Niño pattern in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
Research reveals that the 2020 Yangtze River flooding was caused by an unusual anticyclone and frequent latitudinal swings of the Meiyu front. The study aims to improve forecasting skill before and during monsoon season.
Researchers discover Amazon basin as main mechanism for precipitation in Atacama Desert, accounting for 40-80% of total precipitation. The findings reveal a new pathway of water supply for the driest region on Earth, aside from summer rain, through moist easterly winds and winter storms.
Researchers at USTC reconstructed precipitation patterns in East Asian monsoon region during the Holocene and proposed a driving mechanism. The study suggests that low-latitude seasonal insolation changes, modulated by Western Pacific Subtropical High, control monsoon precipitation variation.
Researchers found that tides play a crucial role in modulating groundwater discharge and coastal salinity, especially during low rainfall periods. Heavy rains and tropical cyclones also impact submarine groundwater discharge, with significant effects on coastal ecosystems and aquaculture.
Persistent weather conditions are becoming more common in European summer, leading to prolonged heat waves and intense rainfall events. This trend is linked to increased hydro-climatic risks, especially for densely populated regions.
Detailed supercomputer simulations show that the North American monsoon occurs when Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental mountains divert the eastward-trending jet stream toward the equator, cooling moist tropical air until it condenses and falls as rain. This new understanding will impact forecasts in the region.
The North American Monsoon originates from the interaction of mountain ranges with extratropical atmospheric circulation, deflecting the jet stream and generating a stationary wave. This unique case has implications for models forecasting heavy rainfall events brought by the monsoon.
Researchers are using X-ray CT to analyze magnetic minerals in speleothems, which can reveal past climate conditions. The team hopes to uncover evidence of extreme weather events and improve understanding of New Zealand's climate history.
A recent study found that earthquakes and extreme rainfall lead to a significant increase in landslide rates in Nepal during the monsoon season. The research, published in Nature Communications, reveals that landscape damage caused by the April 2015 Gorkha earthquake increased landslide risk by six times.
The Mountain Rain or Snow project collects observations of rain, snow, and mixed precipitation from across mountainous regions. Volunteers can submit their own reports via smartphone or computer to improve satellite monitoring and model predictions, leading to better weather forecasts, skiing conditions, and avalanche risk assessments.
A record-breaking summer of flooding in eastern Asia prompted an international team to research and submit findings on the event to a special journal issue. The studies highlighted unusual behavior of an anti-cyclone and its connection to the Indian Ocean's warming, leading to persistent extreme rainfall.
Farmers in the African Sahel have developed crop diversity strategies to cope with high seasonal variability and rising temperatures caused by climate change. By alternating long and short-cycle crop varieties, such as sorghum and pearl millet, they maintain food security despite changing environmental conditions.
A study by University of Tennessee researchers found two soybean genotypes, 'Ellis' and 'USG Allen', that outperformed others under drought conditions. These varieties showed improved yields and reduced wilting, making them suitable for water-limited areas.
A Brazilian study reveals that forest fires and wildfires modify the freezing process of cloud droplets, altering natural cloud functioning and potentially impacting precipitation. The research used a large dataset to show that aerosols emitted by fires can affect cloud formation in southern Amazonia during the rainy season.
A new study found that a UK government subsidy aimed at boosting restaurant sales during the pandemic accelerated a second wave of COVID-19 infections. The 'Eat-Out-To-Help-Out' scheme subsidized meals by up to 50% and saw a significant increase in restaurant visits, particularly on weekdays.
A study found that climate change increased the probability of heavy rainfall by 70% in Brazil's Minas Gerais state, leading to severe flooding, deaths, and massive damage. The extreme event caused over 90,000 people to be temporarily homeless and resulted in significant economic losses.
Volcanic eruptions impact monsoon rainfall differently globally, dominated by pre-eruption ENSO phases according to a study. Regional responses are varied and can be explained by the underlying mechanism of SST anomalies triggered by volcanic eruptions.
Heat extremes have increased by 90-fold, with 3-sigma events affecting 9% of land area; record daily rainfall events also increased, with 1 in 4 records attributed to climate change. The small temperature increase has pushed up extreme weather substantially.
Heavy precipitation affected a significant portion of China, with the Yangtze River basin experiencing extreme flooding and multi-day rain events. The study found that the East Asian Summer Monsoon front played a dominant role in bringing persistent precipitation to the region.
Groundwater recovery time varies by region and human activity, with some areas taking up to 15 years to recharge. Excessive pumping can cause land subsidence, contaminant mobilization, and decreased water quality.
An analysis by the University of Basel has revealed that mercury enters seawater primarily through gas exchange, not rainfall. The study found that approximately half of the mercury in the ocean originates from gaseous emissions, rather than precipitation.
Research by Prof. Lifang Sheng and team reveals the northward movement of Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) causes heavy autumn rainfall in the northern South China Sea. The ITCZ's shift north is triggered by abnormal equatorial easterlies, which strengthen during La Niña years.
Researchers at the University of Reading found that climate models underpredict regional temperatures and rainfall, particularly in the mid-latitudes, by neglecting extratropical wind variability. This increases uncertainty and likelihood of extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts.