Research on rainfall and the water cycle. Covers climate-driven precipitation, hurricanes and storms, moisture transport, and extreme-weather forecasting.
New climate model projections indicate that droughts will become longer and more frequent globally, particularly in regions like the Amazon, Mediterranean, and southern Africa. The study's findings suggest that variability in rainfall is a key factor in predicting future drought intensity.
Researchers at KAUST found that Jeddah's urban heat island effect enhances storm energy and blocks passage, leading to 26% more rainfall. The study suggests improved forecasting capabilities to mitigate damage from severe weather events.
NASA analyzed rainfall generated by post-tropical cyclone Bertha, which brought heavy rain to the Carolinas and Midwest. The GPM core satellite measured rainfall rates of up to 1 inch per hour in south central West Virginia, prompting flash flood watches for several states.
A study published in Quaternary Science Reviews found that many local animals stayed put in the ecologically rich ecosystem at Pinnacle Point, allowing early humans to flourish. The researchers used ancient herbivore teeth to track migratory patterns and discovered a lack of movement among most animals.
Researchers found that tree pollen fragments remain airborne for up to 11 hours after spring rains, posing a risk to allergy sufferers. The study advises people to stay indoors during and after rain events, especially thunderstorms, to minimize respiratory impacts.
Tropical Storm Arthur experienced heavy rainfall rates of over 25mm per hour near its northeastern side, with lighter rates throughout the rest of the storm. Forecasters incorporated this data into their forecasts, noting potential impacts on swells and life-threatening surf conditions in the mid-Atlantic and southeast US coasts.
Researchers used popular proverbs to study climate change impacts on precipitation, snow cover, and flowering periods in Sierra Nevada. Many proverbs were found to be inaccurate due to changes in climate conditions, but they also provided novel information on scientifically undocumented climate change impacts.
Researchers at the University of Reading studied historic records from a Scottish research station to investigate how Cold War nuclear bomb tests affected rainfall. They found that cloudy days with high radioactivity generated charge were associated with thicker clouds and 24% more rain.
Researchers at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School have discovered a connection between tropical weather events and US rainfall during El Niño years. The study's findings show that when both an El Niño Southern Oscillation and Madden-Julian Oscillation occur simultaneously, the resulting pressure and rainfall anomalies in the US ...
Researchers found that on days with little atmospheric moisture, afternoon rainfall is more likely over wetter soils, while on days with high moisture, it's more likely over drier soils. Warmer morning temperatures also contribute to the likelihood of afternoon rainfall.
A Louisiana State University meteorologist is studying how coronavirus-induced lockdowns improved air quality in China, which could have implications for global temperatures and weather patterns.
A study published in Ethology has captured koalas drinking behaviour in the wild for the first time, showing they access water by licking smooth tree trunks. The research highlights the importance of retaining trees for the conservation of the species.
A University of Illinois study finds climate-smart agricultural practices increase maize yields, particularly when farmers have access to training and resources. The practices, such as absorption trenches and agroforestry fertilizer trees, help conserve water and soil nutrients.
A study estimates the cloud water path of mature tropical cyclones by analyzing the correlation between cloud microphysical properties and precipitation intensity. The results show that a notable sigmoid function can be used to fit the cloud water path and near-surface rain rate, providing a new way to estimate cloud water path in models.
A study found that repeated annual rainfall shortages contribute to increased cropland expansion and deforestation in the developing world. The authors also noted that regions with adequate water infrastructure experience reduced cropland expansion and forest cover loss.
Researchers at the University of Miami found that prolonged and extreme rainfall in Hawaii's Big Island triggered the 2018 Kīlauea volcano eruption. The team suggests local rainfall patterns contribute to timing and frequency of eruptions, with potential implications for other volcanoes.
Researchers linked prolonged, heavy rainfall in May 2018 to the Kīlauea eruption, which was characterized by intense activity, lava flows, and ash clouds. The study suggests that water content changes in the Earth's shallow crust can trigger eruptions.
Farmers in parts of the western United States will be among the hardest hit by climate change, which will reduce seasonal water availability for irrigation. The study found that basins globally most at risk include the San Joaquin and Colorado river basins, where snowmelt runoff is projected to decrease significantly.
Strong wind shear displaced moderate rainfall east of Tropical Storm Jeruto's center, pushing heaviest rain at 1.6 inches per hour in a small area. NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission measured these rates on April 16.
NASA analyzed severe storms in the southern US, creating an animation of powerful thunderstorms that brought heavy rainfall and spawned destructive tornadoes. The analysis used NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) algorithm to estimate near-realtime precipitation rates.
Research finds that climate change increases the risk of undernutrition and diarrheal diseases among young children in flood-prone areas of India. Interventions focused on households with pregnant women and infants can help mitigate these risks by improving access to healthcare, safe drinking water, and sanitation facilities.
Tropical Cyclone Harold generated heavy rain due to cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storms. NASA's IMERG algorithm provided near-real-time precipitation estimates, helping gain a greater understanding of major storms.
NASA's IMERG satellite rainfall product reveals intense precipitation rates of over 30 millimeters per hour from Hurricane Harold's core region, resulting in significant flooding rains and strong winds.
Tropical Cyclone Harold has caused severe flooding and property damage in Vanuatu, with NASA's GPM satellite detecting heavy rainfall rates of up to 48 mm per hour. The cyclone is now a Category 4 storm, forecasted to continue affecting Fiji later this week.
Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Irondro was displaced southeast of the center due to strong wind shear, with light rain throughout the rest of the storm. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 40 knots despite wind shear, and is expected to become a cold core low pressure area later in the day.
The study found that extreme rainfall days have increased significantly in metropolitan São Paulo, with a four-fold rise over the past seven decades. The researchers also observed an increase in consecutive dry days, suggesting that heavy rainfall events are becoming more concentrated in shorter periods.
The new coarse-grained model explains how seasonal changes in rainfall, solar radiation, and vegetation conditions affect surface urban heat islands at a city-wide scale. It provides general insights for city planners and scientists to design heat mitigation strategies.
Researchers used ensemble simulations to quantify uncertainty caused by internal variability in SASM rainfall projections. They found a linkage between the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) phase and the spread in projected SASM rainfall, identifying IPO as a leading internal mode influencing near-term projection.
A new study finds that hurricanes Irma and Maria combined to knock down a quarter of Puerto Rico's tree biomass, with rain dominating the damage caused by wind. The research suggests that future hurricanes stoked by warming climates may be even more destructive to forests than previously thought.
Ex-tropical cyclone Esther has moved over Northern Territory, generating a flood watch and widespread rainfall totals. Satellite imagery provided by NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite shows the remnants of the storm have blanketed the region.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Esther has turned back into Western Australia, bringing heavy rainfall and flood warnings to the region. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Flood Watch for several areas, with widespread daily totals of 50-80 mm expected, and isolated falls of up to 150 mm possible.
Researchers found that consumers mentally visualize using products associated with sunny and snowy conditions, leading to higher product valuation. This effect only works for products related to being outside, such as beach towels or winter gear.
Ethan Yang, a Lehigh University professor, receives a NSF CAREER award to study the effectiveness of rain gardens and rain barrels in reducing urban flooding. He plans to use smart sensors and AI-powered modeling to monitor and analyze the impact of green infrastructure on flood mitigation.
NASA's GPM satellite measures heavy rainfall rates of up to 1 inch per hour for both storms, with lesser amounts falling on surrounding areas. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for strong surfs and flash floods in American Samoa.
New research reveals that Mediterranean-type climates experience rapid decreases in rainfall when greenhouse gases rise, impacting water resources. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions can interrupt these effects, benefiting regions reliant on winter rainfall.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Uesi continues to generate moderate rainfall in its southern quadrant, with the heaviest rates found south of the center. The system is expected to bring periods of heavy rain to the west and south of the South Island on Sunday and early Monday.
A study found that a 15-month-old boy attempted to sing along to 'Happy Birthday' after hearing it played on a toy. The research suggests that babies learn music patterns and rhythms through spontaneous imitation.
Heavy rainfall was detected southwest of Tropical Cyclone Uesi's center by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission. Rainfall rates reached up to 1.6 inches per hour in some areas, with scattered light rain falling at slower rates in other regions.
NASA's Terra satellite has detected a strengthening Tropical Cyclone Uesi, affecting New Caledonia with heavy rainfall and gusty winds. The storm is moving southwards, pulling away from Vanuatu but still generating powerful thunderstorms.
Climate change could lead to a 30-70% increase in landslide activity in the border region of China and Nepal, causing flash floods and downstream disasters. The study used satellite estimates and modeled precipitation data to project future landslide trends.
NASA measured heavy rainfall around Tropical Storm Uesi's center and in a large band of thunderstorms, triggering warnings for Vanuatu. The heaviest rainfall was falling at 1.2 inches per hour near the center, while a large band of thunderstorms experienced rainfall rates of up to 1 inch per hour.
GPM mission core satellite analyzed rainfall generated by ex-Tropical Cyclone Damien's remnants, showing heaviest rainfall occurring south of the center at a rate of at least 0.2 inches per hour. Heavy rainfall is forecast over the southeastern Gascoyne and adjacent Goldfields, posing a risk of flash flooding.
Researchers found that ocean surface temperatures were more important than solar radiation in driving rainfall in the region. This discovery provides context for the development of tropical rainforest ecosystems in Central America and sheds light on the impacts of climate change on ancient civilizations.
A new study from the University of Notre Dame finds that climate change may not directly lead to more conflict, but rather affects regional instability through variations in income. The research explores the complex relationship between drought, crop failure, and conflict, suggesting that expectations and adaptation can alter predicted...
A team of researchers from the University of Arizona and other institutions is studying the Baja California peninsula's evolution and biodiversity over time. They aim to determine how geological activity, rainfall patterns, and climate cycles have shaped the region's biodiversity and found that multiple causations are likely.
Climate change is expected to lead to more frequent and deadly heatwaves in China, posing a significant threat to public health. The study found that extreme daytime heat and rainfall events are becoming more common, with night-time temperatures rising significantly.
Tropical Cyclone 12P formed on January 25 with peak winds at 35 knots and dissipated by January 27 under adverse conditions. NASA's Aqua satellite observed the storm's demise, revealing areas of heavy rainfall that were quickly dissipating.
New Stanford research finds that winter floods driven by rainfall can be 2.5 times larger than those driven by snowmelt. As global warming increases precipitation falling as rain, flood sizes increase exponentially, posing a significant threat to infrastructure in Western US.
A study examines climate and vegetation changes in early modern human environments, finding that periods of wet climate facilitated human migration. Variations in climate and vegetation patterns also led to contractions and expansions of regional habitats, potentially influencing the dispersal of early modern humans.
The remnants of Ex-tropical Cyclone Blake have generated rainfall over desert areas in Western Australia, triggering four area flood warnings. The NASA Aqua satellite captured visible images of the elongated shape of the remnants, which stretched from central to southeastern Western Australia.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Blake are moving southeast through the South Interior area of Western Australia, threatening heavy rainfall and strong winds. Damage from the system is expected due to winds averaging 31-37 mph and potential flooding from daily rainfall totals of 3-6 inches.
Researchers have discovered that the nanotexture of rattlesnake scales allows water to be absorbed through beads that coalesce and stick to the surface. This adaptation enables the snakes to harvest rainwater, which is essential for their survival in desert environments with infrequent rainfall.
Simulations suggest a 15% chance of a temporary slowdown or pause in the North Atlantic Current within the next 100 years. The current's collapse is considered unlikely due to non-linear behavior and rapid changes in precipitation.
A 79-year study confirms that increased coniferous forests are the primary cause of water browning in lakes and rivers. Organic soil leaching into lakes and streams also contributes to this process.
Researchers found that four-species mixtures of perennial ryegrass, chicory, red clover and white clover outperformed monocultures in terms of yield stability during drought. The study revealed higher yields in the multi-species mixtures, with an average drop of 1.08 tonnes ha-1 compared to 1.41 tonnes ha-1 for monocultures.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in predicting June rainfall in the lower Yangtze River Basin with four-month accuracy. The Met Office's seasonal forecasting system successfully identifies variations in mei-yu rainfall linked to atmospheric circulation patterns.
Research finds that torrential rains are more severe after a hurricane has weakened to a tropical storm. This counterintuitive finding highlights the importance of considering weakening storms in disaster preparedness plans.
Typhoon Kammuri brought heavy rains to the Philippines, with surface rainfall accumulations exceeding 500 mm (~20 inches) over the central Philippine Sea. The storm also caused significant flooding and landslides, resulting in up to 17 fatalities.
Research on warm-sector heavy rainfall (WSHR) in China has revealed its association with specific synoptic patterns and topography factors in South China. However, WSHR events in other regions are less understood, leading to inaccurate forecasts.
Tropical Storm Fung-Wong was found to have two small areas of moderate to heavy rainfall despite strong wind shear. The Global Precipitation Measurement mission measured rainfall rates throughout the storm on Nov. 22, with heaviest precipitation occurring at a rate of 1.6 inches per hour.