Articles tagged with Tornadoes
A survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that climate change is increasingly affecting Americans' daily lives, from electricity bills to outdoor activities and sleep. The survey also reveals that 76% of respondents report that extreme outdoor heat affected their daily activities at least sometimes in the past year.
Research highlights advances in global weather modeling, sea ice convergence, and changes in seasonal drought patterns. Tornado emergencies are also explored, with a focus on Latinx communities and the importance of building trust and partnerships.
Climate researchers have discovered a significant increase in neighborhood-level hurricane warnings, widespread wildfires in the US, and unprecedented changes in Earth's energy budget. These findings suggest that greenhouse gases are driving these trends, with smoke and fire-related carbon emissions rising due to increased aridity.
Researchers used X-band phased-array radar data to improve tornado simulation capabilities, enhancing disaster risk reduction in vulnerable regions. The study found that assimilating radar wind data strengthened the storm's spinning motion, predicting the tornado's path most accurately.
A new AI-powered translation program developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) translates weather forecasts into multiple languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Samoan, and French. The program aims to provide life-saving information to over 68 million US residents who do not speak English at home.
A high-resolution model developed by University of Pennsylvania researchers shows that river levels once expected every 50 years now occur every few years due to climate change. The 1-in-100-year threshold marks a tipping point when flooding spreads rapidly across the urban landscape.
New research from the American Meteorological Society explores AI forecasting limits, the impact of climate change on hurricane trends, and simplifies the heat index. The studies find that machine learning can outperform numerical physics-based models in certain conditions, but not universally.
Researchers investigated the Mississippi River's hydrological trends, ocean carbon storage, and gender dynamics in flood mortality. A study found that precipitation increases, but soil moisture decreases, while high-resolution models reveal stronger Southern Ocean carbon absorption. Additionally, data showed men are overrepresented in ...
Researchers have developed a new method for cleaning oil spills using massive fire whirls, which can burn through crude oil nearly twice as fast as in-situ fire pools. The results show that fire whirls produce 40% less soot and consume up to 95% of the fuel, leaving fewer harmful particles behind.
A new study finds that U.S. tornado activity is shifting southeastward due to the relationship between extratropical cyclones and low-pressure systems. Additionally, global warming has led to a fourfold increase in tropical cyclone rapid slowdown events in coastal areas.
Researchers at the University of Kansas have developed a tornado-forecast system called Warn-on-Forecast System (WoFS) that can predict tornado formation up to an hour before it occurs. The system uses high-resolution simulations and gauges uncertainties, providing guidance on severe weather threats.
Research shows that flooding in delta cities like Shanghai can expand by up to 80% and be much deeper by 2100 due to extreme climate events, sea-level rise and land subsidence. A major adaptation effort is required to raise defences and construct mobile flood barriers.
Researchers investigate how adjacent cities exacerbate each other's heat island effects. A study also highlights the need for improved hindcasting infrastructure in climate science. Additionally, a campaign monitors pinned clouds over industrial sources of heat and finds that trees are more reliable against heat stress than buildings.
Three young scientists received top honors at the 2025 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists, each receiving a $250,000 prize for their innovative work on critical global issues. The awards recognize exceptional scientific achievement and innovation by U.S.-based researchers under 42 years old.
Horizontal vortex tubes significantly influence tornado genesis and development in typhoon periphery regions. The WRF model simulation shows the role of these tubes in tornado formation, enabling better forecasts for South China.
Recent research from American Meteorological Society journals predicts a new record for lightning and a decrease in hurricane frequency. Additionally, fire forecasts have been updated to better manage water resources in Colorado's Gunnison River Basin.
A study proposes five action fronts for civil defense units to increase their organizational capacity, including professionalization and resource allocation. Municipalities face challenges such as monitoring urban expansion, lack of financial resources, and social participation.
Recent research highlights increased fire activity in the western US, with wildfires becoming less prone to calming down at night. Meanwhile, extreme turbulence on hurricane flights has led to a new 'bumpiness' metric. Climate extremes are also evident in shifting energy demands for heating and cooling in Chinese megacities.
A new poll found that nearly 3/4 of older Americans have experienced at least one extreme weather event, increasing their concern about climate change's effects on their health. Those who lived through such events are more likely to express worry about the impact on themselves and future generations.
Research highlights the impact of wind on wildfire growth, with areas in the US Southeast vulnerable to extreme heat and precipitation events. Meanwhile, a study suggests the 'drought' of EF5 tornadoes may be due to stricter ratings rather than changes in tornadoes.
Researchers have introduced cutting-edge approaches to improve tornado record-keeping, including social media trawling, spaceborne photography, and UAV-based surveys. These methods aim to reduce uncertainties in tornado counts and refine intensity estimations, making global damage surveys more accurate, comprehensive, and timely.
Early online research reveals associations between snowmelt timing, wildfires in Alaska, and rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones. The impact of climate patterns on extreme weather events is a growing concern.
The 105th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will address key issues in weather, water, and climate. The meeting features a Presidential Forum on physical, social, cultural, and economic impacts of climate change, with experts from the region of the Mississippi River Delta.
New studies reveal significant increases in Atlantic hurricane seasons and derecho events, while also highlighting the dangers of turbulence near thunderstorms and extreme heat stress. Climate models predict a rise in precipitation extremes across US cities, particularly during winter and spring.
A team of OU scientists, led by Nathan Snook, will use deep learning techniques to analyze numerical simulations of tornadoes. The goal is to improve tornado forecasting by identifying key factors that influence their formation.
Researchers analyzed live-streams of hurricanes and storms, finding that people in affected areas used streams to discuss official risk advice and show support to impacted regions. The study highlights the importance of understanding how new technologies influence hazard risk perception and community engagement.
A study by Dan Chavas and his team found that the rough texture of the land surface in South America may prevent tornadoes from forming, while a smoother ocean surface in North America enhances their frequency. This challenges established wisdom about the role of the Gulf of Mexico in tornado formation.
A recent study by Oregon State University found that US adults are fairly confident in linking wildfires and heat to climate change, but less so for hurricanes, flooding, or tornadoes. The survey also revealed significant differences in responses based on politics, personal experience, and demographics.
Arctic sea ice is expected to lose mass in the coming decade due to dominant natural climate patterns. Exposure to extreme temperatures, particularly heat, may lead to adverse birth outcomes in China. Researchers also found that ocean warming intensifies typhoons, but moderation comes from atmospheric temperature and humidity changes.
A recent study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor Cory Armstrong found that roughly 50% of those surveyed in the mid-south region couldn't accurately define a tornado warning. Meanwhile, 35% correctly identified a warning as a tornado being sighted or indicated on weather radar.
A new study establishes official climate divisions in Hawaii, improving climate research and forecasting. Chronic pain sufferers who spend time outdoors experience stronger weather-based effects, while lightning-initiated wildfires are responsible for more than half the acres burned in the contiguous United States.
A new study finds that extreme tropical cyclone rainfall is increasing across the continental US, while climate warming restricts 'outdoor days' for people living in developing countries. Additionally, air pollution increases mortality risks from heat, especially when combined with other factors like wildfires and reduced aerosols.
Researchers used GIS software to analyze data on tornado frequency, transportation infrastructure, and household income to determine where populations are likely to be more resilient. The study's findings can help local governments pinpoint regions with vulnerable communities and fragile transportation networks.
Researchers are designing a national testing facility to simulate tornadoes, downbursts, and gusts. The NEWRITE project aims to engineer buildings that can withstand extreme winds and reduce structural damage.
A mathematical breakthrough provides new insights into typhoon dynamics, enabling more accurate predictions and advancements in weather forecasting. The study confirms the stability of specific vortex structures, which can be encountered in real-world fluid flows.
A machine learning model developed by Colorado State University researchers has been tested with forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center to improve medium-range severe weather forecasts. The tool provides a probabilistic measure of hazardous weather events, such as tornadoes and hail, four to eight days in advance.
A new model investigates long-term temporal trends in synoptic-scale weather conditions favoring significant tornado occurrence over the central United States. The study suggests that specific weather patterns have contributed to increased tornado activity in this region.
A new project aims to explore the tension between managing hurricane risk and achieving equity and economic prosperity in coastal communities. Researchers will develop methods to model long-term hurricane hazards and create a framework for designing policy interventions.
Researchers at Lancaster University have created a camera-like device that captures images of mini whirlpools in quantum liquids for the first time. The camera uses particle-like disturbances to take pictures of collections of vortices, which are unpredictable and form in specific patterns above a vibrating wire.
Scientists identified three atmospheric phenomena orientations near the equator that increase US severe weather event probabilities three to four weeks later. Using machine learning, they found correlations between MJO fluctuations and U.S. severe weather weeks after the event.
Scientists at IIT realized coupled light vortices forming an ordered structure, a light crystal. They developed metasurfaces to control laser beams and created 100 light vortices with tunable topology, enabling new properties for optical communications and simulations of complex systems.
Engineers from Penn State assessed structural damage and resilience in Mayfield, Kentucky, after the December 2021 Midwest Tornado series. They collected data through door-to-door assessments, drone evaluations, and photographs to understand community recovery and design more resilient structures.
Researchers from the University of Rhode Island studied the interaction between tornado-strength winds and highway overpasses, finding no evidence of wind acceleration under an overpass. The study, published in Physics of Fluids, suggests that using an overpass as a shelter during a tornado may not be safer than other options.
A new proposed scheme has been developed to seamlessly detect cutoff lows and preexisting troughs in a consistent and integrated manner. The scheme uses an automated numerical approach to extract the locations, intensities, and sizes of these features from snapshot upper tropospheric weather map data.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered the physical mechanism behind icy plumes that precede severe thunderstorms and potentially deadly tornadoes. The study reveals a hydraulic jump phenomenon triggered by fluid obstacles in the atmosphere, leading to rapid water vapor injection into the stratosphere.
A Purdue University study suggests that the eastern half of the US is a hotspot for severe thunderstorms due to high terrain, while the Gulf of Mexico plays a relatively weak role. Removing the Gulf would shift storm patterns eastward into Illinois and reduce them over southern Texas.
A study analyzing tornado wind speed and size data from 120 events found that stronger and wider tornadoes exist than damage-based estimates indicated. The median peak wind speeds were around 60 m/s, sufficient for Enhanced Fujita scale ratings of 2-3.
A new method to rate tornado warning skill improves understanding of forecast challenges, particularly nighttime and summer twisters. The study finds that these events are harder to predict due to unfavorable conditions and fewer eyewitness reports.
A new system called GLINDA allows researchers to capture the unique sound signature of a tornado, improving understanding of its behavior and potential impact on false alarm rates. By measuring infrasound at close range, scientists can gain valuable insights into tornado production and reduce the number of deaths caused by these deadly...
Scientists are studying the infrasound signatures of tornadoes to develop more accurate prediction and warning systems. Researchers have found that these vibrations can travel long distances quickly and through different media, potentially allowing for early detection of tornadoes from far away.
Researchers at the University of Leeds and the Met Office have developed a predictive tool to identify regions at increased risk of tornadoes on UK cold fronts. The tool uses wind fields ahead and behind the cold front to compute a percentage probability that tornadoes will occur.
Researchers argue that current approaches to attributing extreme weather events to global warming focus too much on raising the threshold for false alarms, neglecting the importance of accurate warnings. By prioritizing probability of detection, climate scientists can strike a better balance between caution and timely warning.
Researchers found a statistically significant difference in storm structure between those producing tornadoes and non-tornadic supercells, which could lead to more accurate warnings. The study suggests using polarimetric radar data to identify the orientation of raindrop shapes, potentially improving tornado warning times.
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.
Researchers from Oklahoma State University and University of Nebraska-Lincoln have discovered that low-frequency sounds are emitted before tornado formation. These infrasound signals can be detected hours or even days in advance, providing potential warnings for severe weather events.
Tyler Fricker's study analyzed nationwide tornado casualty data to identify high-risk regions and community-level factors influencing casualties. The results suggest that regional susceptibility to high-casualty events is more complex than previously thought, with factors beyond mobile home ownership and low income contributing to high...
A study found that many Tennesseans are misinformed about tornado protection, with misconceptions common across the state. Researchers recommend taking tornado warnings seriously and seeking shelter in sturdy buildings or mobile homes immediately upon receiving an alert.
A University of Colorado Boulder study found that women tend to take cover during emergencies and prepare for evacuation but often struggle to convince men to do so. Women are also relegated to traditional roles such as homemaker after disasters, while men focus on finances and lead community efforts.
A team of scientists at Northern Illinois University successfully forecasted the nation's extensive tornado outbreak in late May 2019, three to four weeks before it occurred. The prediction used historical weather-pattern records and methodologies to predict severe weather across the continental United States with extended lead times.
April tornadoes influenced by global climate patterns, while May events more strongly linked to internal atmospheric processes. Shifting weather patterns within seasons affect tornado frequencies, suggesting a key factor in climate change impact studies.