The National Weather Service has adopted a new method for predicting snowfall density, allowing for more accurate forecasts and differentiation between powdery and wet snow. The method uses only two variables: temperature and wind speeds at mountain crest level.
Cyclone Gelane has reached category 4 strength in the Southern Indian Ocean, with sustained winds near 143 mph and a compact eye. The storm is expected to move into adverse atmospheric conditions this weekend, leading to weakening and potential rough surf along nearby islands.
Researchers at the University of Missouri are studying how increasing carbon dioxide levels and global temperatures may impact atmospheric blocking, a rare but significant weather event. They aim to improve forecasting accuracy by identifying cues that can warn people of long-lasting, severe weather.
NASA and JAXA satellite data combined with ground weather station information aid in forecasting tropical cyclone tracks. Olga's center is expected to remain over land, but Australian Bureau of Meteorology forecasts its reemergence into the Gulf of Carpentaria.
The GOES-P spacecraft is proceeding through final checks before its launch on March 1. The Imager, Sounder and Solar X-Ray Imager have completed cleaning and inspections, while optical port covers are being installed as the last mechanism to be deployed in orbit.
Tropical Storm Olga has maximum sustained winds near 39 mph and is moving northwest near 4 mph. It is expected to turn north and enter the Gulf of Carpentaria, where it will strengthen before making another landfall near the Queensland border.
Tropical Storm Laurence is forecasted to make its second landfall in Australia, impacting the northern Kimberley coast and potentially causing heavy rainfall and beach erosion. Residents in the affected areas are advised to take action in preparation for the cyclone's arrival.
Tropical Storm Bongani is forecast to head south through the Mozambique Channel and parallel the coast of Madagascar over the next 5 days. The storm has weakened due to interaction with land, but may re-intensify briefly before weakening.
A new water management framework developed by NC State University researchers can help plan for droughts or excess rain, making efficient use of water resources. By using climate forecasts, water managers can reduce vulnerability to drought and increase benefits for poor farming communities.
The University of Oklahoma is leading a $6 million NSF-funded project to develop cyberCommons, an information commons for real-time ecological data and forecasts. This will enable ecologists to predict changes in weather's impact on plant carbon use and nitrogen storage.
Tropical Storm Neki formed near Johnston Island with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph; forecasters predict strengthening into a hurricane as it moves northwest, passing close to the island on October 21.
Super Typhoon Lupit is currently packing maximum sustained winds near 132 mph and moving westward toward northern Luzon. The storm has joined the ranks of super typhoons in the Western Pacific Ocean, with forecasters expecting a landfall in the region during the afternoon hours on October 22.
Typhoon Lupit strengthened quickly from a tropical depression to a typhoon in just 24 hours. The storm's cloud temperatures were colder than minus 63F (-52.78C), indicating strong thunderstorms. Forecasts predict the northern Philippines will feel the first effects of Lupit on October 20, with residents urged to make preparations.
Tropical Storm Rick is expected to strengthen into a hurricane over the weekend, with warm sea surface temperatures and light wind shear contributing to its growth. Residents of southern and central Baja California are advised to prepare for potential evacuations from coastal areas if the forecast holds.
Tropical Storm Grace formed suddenly near the Azores Islands and is expected to merge with a non-tropical low-pressure system. The storm has sustained winds of up to 65mph and is forecasted to bring rainfall to Ireland.
NASA's AIRS instrument captured icy clouds of Super Typhoon Melor, revealing powerful thunderstorms and wind speeds reaching 132mph. Residents are warned of damaging winds extending hundreds of miles from the storm's center.
The University of Oklahoma Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms has been awarded three separate grants worth nearly $3 million to enhance severe weather prediction, improve wildfire management and predict tropical cyclones. The grants will focus on next-generation supercomputing, improved model resolution and advanced data assi...
The University of Arizona is building a network of soil moisture probes to improve short-term and seasonal weather forecasting, with funding from the National Science Foundation. The project aims to provide more accurate forecasts by measuring low-energy neutrons produced when cosmic rays hit the soil.
A recent study by University of California, Davis, researchers used 'bugs in boxes' to investigate the variability of invasive species' spread. The results suggest that predicting the course of an invasion may be more challenging than previously thought.
NASA's Aqua satellite revealed extremely high thunderstorms in Typhoon Choi-Wan as it approached the island of Sai-Pan. The typhoon is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to the area, with storm surge and inundation possible along shorelines.
Researchers predict global temperature will increase by 0.15 degrees Centigrade from 2009 to 2014 due to anthropogenic forcing and solar irradiance. The study suggests a recent ice age on Mars, with layered deposits indicating climate oscillations, and sheds light on human's role in global dimming through aerosol emissions.
Tropical Storm Claudette made landfall near Fort Walton Beach, Florida with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph. Heavy downpours and localized flooding are expected for Alabama and Mississippi as the storm moves north-northwest through the region.
Tropical Storm Felicia is expected to weaken as it affects Hawaii, with residents anticipating large ocean swells, gusty winds, and heavy downpours. CloudSat and Aqua satellites captured images of the storm's clouds, revealing temperatures and height, aiding meteorologists in their forecasts.
A new electronic device, developed by Queen's University Belfast's ECIT team, will enable complex imaging of clouds at short wavelengths, providing unprecedented data on atmospheric conditions. This breakthrough is expected to lead to more accurate global weather forecasts and valuable insights into climate change.
The Gulf of Mexico's dead zone is smaller than expected this year, measuring 3,000 square miles, but severe in some areas. The area was predicted to be larger by NOAA models, driven by high nitrate loads and freshwater flows from rivers.
NASA's TRMM satellite provides forecasters with a 3-D look at Hurricane Carlos's cloud heights and rainfall, aiding forecasting. Carlos regained hurricane status as a Category One storm on July 14, 2009, with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University have developed a novel way to predict the intensity of the next big flood using cell phone signals. By analyzing fluctuations in atmospheric moisture around cell phone towers, they can provide accurate 'critical moisture distribution' levels for fine-tuning model predictions of big floods.
A nationwide survey found that nearly nine out of ten adult Americans obtain weather forecasts daily, placing a value of 10.5 cents on each forecast, resulting in an annual value of $31.5 billion.
A nationwide survey found that nearly 9 out of 10 adult Americans obtain weather forecasts regularly, with an estimated 300 billion forecasts used each year. The study reveals that most people are satisfied with forecasts and place a high value on them, equivalent to $31.5 billion annually.
Scientists predict a massive dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, threatening commercial and recreational fisheries. The predicted size could be as large as New Jersey, caused by nutrient runoff from agricultural activity.
The GOES-O satellite will contribute to accurate NOAA forecasts for severe weather, including hurricanes that threaten at least 35 million Americans. The new satellite joins a system of weather satellites providing timely environmental information to meteorologists and the public.
This book delves into the science of climate study and its impact on human societies, exploring how weather has influenced civilizations throughout history. The author uses a detective story approach to examine the role of weather in shaping human societies, from ancient Sahara to modern-day New York City.
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) is showcasing recent advancements in hurricane forecasting, climate trends, and the long-term impact of CO2 emissions. A new study reveals improved forecast capabilities, while another paper examines the causes of seasonal and regional climate trends over the United States.
By leveraging the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for EOS sensor on NASA's Aqua satellite, researchers can estimate soil moisture levels with improved accuracy, leading to more precise crop forecasts. This innovation addresses the pressing issue of global food scarcity and its impact on millions of poor people.
Researchers are using a novel 'cloud tomography' approach to reconstruct three-dimensional cloud structure. The team will use a network of sensors to probe clouds' thermal emission and measure other characteristics, providing insights into the role of clouds in regulating Earth's radiation energy budget.
The VORTEX2 project, a collaborative international study, aims to gain a better understanding of tornado formation and damage patterns. By deploying advanced weather-sensing tools, researchers hope to identify the characteristics of severe thunderstorms that produce tornadoes, ultimately leading to more accurate tornado warnings.
The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center has achieved significant milestones, including the launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Solar Dynamic Observatory. The center is also working on future missions to study global precipitation, Mars' lost atmosphere, and dark energy.
A new study from the University of Washington found that people's understanding of rainy weather forecasts is hindered by misconceptions about probability and uncertainty. Researchers tested over 450 college students and found that many incorrectly assumed deterministic forecasts, leading to unnecessary precautions.
A NASA experiment has successfully 'hindcasted' the path of Cyclone Nargis, which killed over 135,000 people in 2008. The new data integration and mathematical modeling approach uses satellite imagery and atmospheric profiles to provide multi-day advance warnings for cyclones in the Indian Ocean.
Recent research reveals a 'pacemaker' climate shift mode controlling global temperature changes. Meanwhile, natural ocean 'thermostats' for Pacific reefs are disputed, suggesting underreported bleaching events. Space dust also interacts with the atmosphere, vaporizing and leaving behind high-altitude metal ions and molecules.
The GOES-O satellite has arrived at the Kennedy Space Center for final pre-launch testing, targeting a launch on April 28. The satellite will provide enhanced weather monitoring and forecast operations with improved image resolution and navigation accuracy.
The NOAA-N Prime spacecraft has been launched into space, improving weather forecasting and monitoring environmental events around the world. The satellite will collect vital data on the Earth's surface and atmosphere, supporting NOAA's weather forecasts and providing critical inputs for search and rescue operations.
The NCAR forecast system will provide highly detailed, localized weather forecasts to enable utilities to make critical decisions about powering down traditional plants when sufficient winds are predicted. The system will help increase reliance on wind energy while meeting customer needs.
Kristine C. Harper's 2008 book, 'Weather by the Numbers: The Genesis of Modern Meteorology,' has received international acclaim from atmospheric science librarians. The book explores the transformation of meteorology from an art to a scientific discipline, highlighting the development of numerical weather prediction and its impact on w...
The NOAA-N Prime satellite will provide vital data inputs for NOAA's weather forecasts and support the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking System. The satellite has instruments that can detect solar winds, impair communications, and affect astronaut safety.
A team of scientists has analyzed global atmospheric data for the past 60 years to determine the frequency of polar lows. They found that there is no long-term trend in the frequency of these storms, contradicting previous assumptions about their connection to climate change.
Researchers at MIT aim to improve weather forecasting by using robotic aircraft and advanced flight plans that consider millions of variables. The goal is to gain more time for planning, saving lives and reducing the impact on customers.
University of Miami Rosenstiel School Ph.D. student Rafael Schiller earns a coveted 'Best Poster' award for his research on improving coastal simulations using GODAE and satellite products, supporting the Northern Gulf of Mexico Cooperative Institute.
The UCAR project aims to provide long-term weather forecasts to medical officials in Africa to target vaccination programs and reduce meningitis epidemics. The forecasts will be used to focus on regions most at risk, pulling back from areas that are about to get rain, and helping vulnerable populations.
A new study by NIU researchers highlights the danger of nighttime tornadoes, which are 2.5 times more likely to kill than daytime events. The study suggests that current warning systems may not be adequate for overnight events, particularly in mobile homes where nearly 61% of fatalities occur at night.
Using NASA satellite data, forecasters can now more accurately predict the timing of two out of three dust events. This capability is crucial for issuing early warnings to populations at risk for dust-related health complications.
A new forecasting method published by UGA scientist could help pilots chart new courses around clear air turbulence, reducing the risk of injury claims. The method uses gravity waves and a single, consistent theory to predict turbulence location.
A new LIDAR system developed by EPFL will provide continuous data on atmospheric humidity for Western Switzerland's weather forecasting headquarters. The system offers excellent spatial and temporal resolution, outperforming traditional LIDAR systems in stability and reliability.
Research highlights importance of distinguishing between tropical cyclones and extra-tropical storms, with a focus on raindrop size distribution. This distinction can help weather forecasters better estimate rainfall intensity and reduce flash flooding.
The OSTM/Jason 2 satellite will monitor global sea-level rise and study ocean circulation and its links to Earth's climate. The mission aims to improve weather and climate forecasts, providing better seasonal predictions and near-real-time data on ocean conditions.
The new NOAA ocean observing system in Pascagoula provides mariners with free real-time information on water and wind conditions. This enhancement reduces vessel groundings and increases cargo movement through the port.
Florida State University has been awarded a two-year $2.5 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture to provide climate forecasting for farmers in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. The research will help farmers make informed decisions on planting crops such as peanuts, cotton, and strawberries.
Researchers like Brad Marston use statistical physics to analyze climate patterns, providing insights into the driving concepts behind global warming. By focusing on the larger mechanisms that drive changes in rainfall, scientists can improve their understanding of climate change and its effects.
Scientists at University of Warwick argue that Alfvén waves, thought to superheat the Corona, are actually kink waves, a bending of the magnetic field. This reinterpretation throws doubt on previous research and leaves the question of the Corona's extreme heat unresolved.
Stan Kidder, a CIRA researcher, has contributed to a new book celebrating 50 years of Earth observations from space. The book highlights the significant contributions satellites have made to weather forecasting, providing capabilities that were not possible before satellites, such as predicting tropical storms and severe weather events.