Articles tagged with Storms
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discovered that coarse sea spray significantly reduces the amount of lightning in storm clouds. The study found that aerosols larger than 1 micron, or coarse sea spray, inhibit lightning by up to 90%, while smaller aerosols actually increase lightning and affect rainfall.
A new study uses high-resolution regional model experiments to explore how lake surface temperatures may affect the climate of the Great Lakes region. Small differences in lake surface temperatures can have a significant impact on summer climate and fuel extreme weather events.
A new computer model developed by Louisiana State University oceanographer Giulio Mariotti shows that barrier island retreat will accelerate by 50 percent within a century due to rising sea levels. The model challenges the common assumption that barrier islands respond instantly to sea level rise, revealing a lag between the two.
A new study found that extreme weather events can mobilize hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of sand into beach systems, potentially offsetting shoreline retreat caused by sea level rise. Researchers used high-resolution measurements and specialized equipment to track sand movement before and after storms.
A new study provides a framework for predicting snowpack runoff and its impact on flood risk during rain-on-snow events. By leveraging hourly data from existing snow monitoring stations, researchers have created a decision support tool that can help water managers prepare for potential flooding.
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.
A new study projects that climate change will more than double the frequency of intense tropical cyclones globally by 2050, increasing maximum wind speeds by up to 20%. This will disproportionately affect low-income countries and regions that are not currently prone to these events.
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.
The study analyzed tide gauge observations along coastlines in Europe and found that changes in storm surges have altered the likelihood of extreme sea-level events. While some areas see an increase in extreme flooding, others see a decrease, with human-induced climate change partly to blame.
Researchers at Mainz University created artificial hailstones using a 3D printer to study their behavior in a vertical wind tunnel. The experiments revealed that the form of hailstones determines their velocity before impact, which can affect the severity of precipitation events.
A new machine learning study analyzed 10 years of weather data to identify three major categories of weather patterns and their effects on thunderstorms. The study aims to isolate the impact of aerosols, tiny particles suspended in the atmosphere, on storm severity.
A new research study by the University of Massachusetts Amherst fundamentally changes our understanding of how salt marshes acquire sediment. The majority of sediments are delivered by the ocean during storms, reversing commonly held assumptions about the role of rivers in building and maintaining these ecosystems. This discovery has s...
A WVU postdoctoral researcher has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of magnetic reconnection, which can be used to predict space weather events that affect satellite and power grid systems. The study uses advanced laser diagnostics to measure electron speeds, providing new insights into plasma physics processes.
A recent study by Anglia Ruskin University found that UK hospitals face significant challenges in maintaining capacity and vital services during extreme events, with an average staff capability of attendance at 61%. The research highlights the need for comprehensive disaster management strategies to mitigate against risks.
A novel framework for improving scientific understanding of 'recurrent acute disasters' (RADs) has been developed to account for legacy conditions that leave people vulnerable in the wake of repeated disasters. The framework proposes a holistic view of the 'human ecosystem' and trends in legacy conditions.
A recent study analyzed data from 1998-2018 and found a significant association between tropical cyclone exposure and death rates from various causes at the county level. The researchers used this information to better understand the impact of these storms on mortality rates in different areas.
Researchers assess predictive skills of ocean heat content in two state-of-the-art seasonal forecasting systems, finding potential to predict sub-surface warming up to two seasons in advance. This could aid mitigation of extreme events and provide early warnings for industries such as aquaculture and fishing.
A new study reveals a significant shift in the Northern Hemisphere jet stream position, increasing by up to 330 km and speed by 8% during 1871-2011. This shift is linked to warming Arctic winters and decreased temperature gradients, with implications for climate predictions and storm activity.
Researchers developed a new model to predict storm damage, allowing for effective resource allocation and reduction in societal consequences. The framework can be applied to various infrastructure systems and weather events, promoting better preparedness and response.
A Cornell University-led analysis recommends improving contracting improvements in Texas' energy-only markets to mitigate rare events. Decentralized energy markets rely on investors anticipating demand, but they often fail to manage risk as designed.
Research reveals that intense storms in the Southern Ocean increase ocean mixing, bringing carbon dioxide-rich waters to the surface and driving an outgassing of CO2 into the atmosphere. This process has significant implications for understanding global climate models and predicting future climate change.
The frequency of thunderstorms in some fast-growing African coastal cities has doubled over the past 30 years, mostly linked to land use change. Deforestation exacerbates storm activity, causing increased rainfall and flooding in urban areas.
The Forest Condition Monitor tool uses color-coded visualization to identify areas of high-stress forests across Europe, allowing for targeted conservation efforts and research. Scientists can study these regions to understand eco-physiological processes and warn forest owners of potential risks.
A new study published in Science of the Total Environment found that forests can reduce storm flows, but only when small-scale floods occur. In contrast, forests offer little to no protection against larger and more devastating flood events.
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.
Recent advances in radiocarbon knowledge have improved our understanding of climate processes, solar activity, geophysics, and the carbon cycle. Researchers developed a more detailed record of atmospheric radiocarbon extending back 55,000 years, helping to understand Earth's past and project future changes.
Research finds climate stabilized due to increased rock weathering and erosion, which converts CO2 into insoluble carbonate; this process took 20,000-50,000 years. Lithium isotope analysis supports theory, showing increased weathering and erosion during Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum.
A study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences reviews research on sea-air interactions, revealing a complex relationship between ocean currents and atmospheric circulation. The review suggests that eddies and fronts can drive changes to both weather and climate, but more investigation is needed to fully understand their impact.
Researchers found that stronger hurricanes trap and transport more birds due to their intense winds and thunderstorms. The study used radar data from 33 Atlantic hurricanes between 2011 and 2020, revealing a correlation between hurricane intensity and the presence of birds within the eye.
A new model developed by Skoltech researchers optimizes satellite radar system design, balancing performance characteristics with other mission parameters. The study identifies optimal designs for small satellite platforms, particularly in the 8-12 GHz and 4-8 GHz frequency bands.
Climate change is altering flooding patterns, with moderate storms producing less runoff due to increased soil moisture, but extreme storms causing more devastating flooding. The study's findings have significant implications for infrastructure design and flood risk mitigation strategies.
A study by University of Plymouth researchers found that seabed habitats and species recover more quickly following extreme storms than from the impacts of bottom-towed fishing. The research examined the impact of the 2013/14 winter storms on the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area, off southern England's coast.
A 2018 Martian dust storm destroyed a southern hemisphere cold air vortex and brought an early spring, whereas the northern hemisphere's vortex remained stable. The storm had profound effects on the atmosphere, including altering wind patterns and suppressing waves in the northern hemisphere.
A new study by Newcastle University and the Met Office predicts a significant increase in slow-moving intense rainstorms across Europe by the end of the century, potentially leading to devastating flooding. The research estimates that these storms could be 14 times more frequent, with increased rainfall accumulations and flash flood risk.
A new study reveals that coastal wetlands provide more flood protection than previously thought, reducing water levels by up to 2 metres and protecting inland areas. The research found that wetlands can reduce storm-driven flooding by 35% and damages caused by 37%.
Scientists at the University of Plymouth have developed a simple algorithm-based model to predict coastal evolution. The Forecasting Coastal Evolution (ForCE) model accurately forecasts coastline changes over timescales of days to decades and beyond.
Researchers analyzed oxygen isotopes from Texas caves to understand trends in past thunderstorms and their durations. They found that shifts in storm regimes coincide with global abrupt climate shifts during the last glacial period. This study helps predict future mid-latitude thunderstorm patterns.
New research from UMass Amherst reveals how beach sand grain size relates to the slope of the beach. The study found that finer-grained sand determines a beach's slope in bi-modal beaches. This discovery has implications for understanding how New England's beaches will respond to sea-level rise and increased storm activity.
A study links climate features to the variability of global tropical storm days from 1965 to 2019. The research reveals that tropical storm days vary in patterns lasting 3-6 years or 10 years, tied to El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO).
A massive Saharan African dust plume traveled across the Atlantic in June 2020, affecting Caribbean and Gulf Coast states. Researchers used satellite data to understand the mechanism behind the phenomenon, which could occur more frequently due to climate change, posing health risks and disrupting transportation systems.
Recent warming leads to a weakening of global dust storm activity, according to researchers from Tianjin University. The study found that changes in wind patterns and atmospheric stability are responsible for the decrease in dust storm frequency and intensity.
Researchers found that stormwater can carry high concentrations of microplastic particles, including microscopic fibers and black rubbery fragments, into water bodies. A proof-of-concept experiment showed that a rain garden can capture up to 98% of these microparticles, suggesting a potential solution to reduce microplastic pollution i...
A UTA research team is testing a geothermal de-icing system on an operational bridge to assess its performance under real-world conditions. The system, designed by Xinbao Yu and Anand Puppala, uses heating fluid to melt ice and snow from beneath the bridge deck.
A comprehensive study published in Earth-Science Reviews journal found that remote monitoring techniques can accurately measure the effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NBS). This advancement offers hope for routine, continual, and accurate assessment of NBS, helping to quell skepticism around their use.
A new study tracks the life cycle of Jupiter's auroras, which evolve in a pattern reminiscent of Earth's auroral substorms. The storms emit hundreds of Gigawatts of ultraviolet light as they rotate from night side to day side.
A new study found that sea-level rise is causing wastewater to flood into coastal waters in urban Honolulu, leading to negative impacts on water quality and ecological health. The study used chemical tracers to detect groundwater discharge and wastewater, revealing that both are occurring today due to tidal influences.
Researchers found that warming temperatures intensify future rainfall extremes, with largest increases to short thunderstorms causing dangerous flash flooding. This study highlights the urgent need for climate change adaptation measures as heavier short-term rainfall increases flash flood risks globally.
Scientists at UCL and George Mason University have located the source of potentially hazardous solar particles for the first time, finding they originate from plasma confined close to the top of the Sun's chromosphere. This discovery aims to improve forecasts of solar storms and reduce risks to satellites and electronic infrastructure.
Researchers used NASA's ICESat-2 satellite to track snowfall and found that 41% of height increases over West Antarctica during the 2019 winter occurred due to landfalling atmospheric rivers. These events delivered large quantities of snow during short periods, contributing to increased snow mass.
Researchers predict that Alaska will experience a significant increase in thunderstorms by the end of the century, with storms becoming more frequent and intense, especially in southern regions. This shift is driven by warming temperatures and ice-free waters around Alaska, which will fuel atmospheric moisture.
A new study published in Frontiers in Earth Science uses citizen science data to identify the temperature cutoff between rain and snow in winter storms in the Lake Tahoe region of the Sierra Nevada. The results show that a warmer temperature threshold of 39.5°F may be more accurate for predicting precipitation in this region.
A mathematical model reveals how two radically different communities coexist beneath California's iconic kelp forests. The model accounts for the growth rate and mortality of algae and invertebrates, as well as the lifecycle of giant kelp and sunlight availability. This dynamic foundation species allows competing groups to dominate at ...
Researchers at the University of Oregon found that small electrical sparks may be triggered by friction in Martian dust particles. The sparks, likely to be small and pose little danger, suggest that Mars may be an electrically active place with unique characteristics.
Electrons in Earth's radiation belt can be accelerated to ultra-relativistic energies when plasma density is extremely low, enabling them to surf on plasma waves and take energy from them. This two-stage acceleration process may also occur in other astrophysical objects.
New research links the shape and size of precipitation areas on radar to rainfall intensity. Studies in the Tibetan Plateau show that square-shaped precipitation areas have the highest rain rate, while linear ones have the lowest. This discovery has potential for forecasting precipitation and verifying numerical models.
Global tropical cyclone activity has been drifting closer to land over the past four decades, according to researchers Shuai Wang and Ralf Toumi. The distance between storms and land has decreased by roughly 30 kilometers per decade, increasing the risk of coastal populations.
High aerosol concentrations increase environmental humidity by producing more clouds, which can mix condensed water into the surrounding air. This humidification enhances updraft speeds, intensifying thunderstorms.
Researchers found that urban landscapes and human-caused aerosols can start storms sooner and pull them towards cities. In Kansas City, urban land and aerosols amplified large hail by 20%, while in Houston, they led to longer-lasting rainfall that developed earlier.
Declining biodiversity is putting nature's contributions to people at risk, impacting crop yields and soil productivity. The degradation of environmental conditions also increases exposure to floods and storms, affecting human well-being and prosperity.
A study reconstructs 5,800 years of seabird population dynamics on Grand Colombier Island, linking European settlement to a significant decline in the Leach's Storm petrel population. Paleoecological approaches can help determine current ecological loss and protect critical habitat.