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Stevens researchers take aim at weather forecasters’ biggest blindspot

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have developed more accurate nowcasting algorithms to predict short-term weather forecasts. The study found that probabilistic models are highly accurate in predicting both long- and short-term rainfall events, while deterministic models are better suited for extremely short-term projections.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalEnvironmental Modelling & Software·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 28, 2023

Scientists warn about decoupling warming trend when detecting marine heat waves

A new study reveals that analyzing surface temperature anomalies without correcting for long-term warming trends can lead to biased detection and characterization of marine heat waves. By removing the trend from data, researchers can distinguish between transient changes and actual shifts in heat wave properties.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 3, 2023

Birds raise fewer young when spring arrives earlier in a warming world

A new study found that birds produce fewer young if they start breeding too early or late in the season, with climate change resulting in earlier springlike weather. The researchers report that birds have been unable to keep pace with the changes, leading to a mismatch between the start of spring and birds' readiness to reproduce.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJul 3, 2023

Officially reported temperatures underestimate Miami’s heat burden, new study finds

A new study published by scientists at the University of Miami found that Miami residents may experience temperatures 6 degrees Fahrenheit higher on average than NOAA's official reported values, which can feel 11°F higher with humidity. The research team analyzed temperature and humidity data from low-cost sensors set up in outdoor loc...

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalJournal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 5, 2023

MU researcher finds similarities in COVID-19 mortality rates between Canadian provinces and American states before vaccines were available

A study by University of Missouri researchers found similarities in COVID-19 mortality rates between certain US states and Canadian provinces, highlighting the importance of localized public health strategies. The findings suggest that factors such as population density, age, and socioeconomic conditions may have contributed to these s...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalCanadian Studies in Population·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 1, 2023

In years after El Niño, global economy loses trillions

A recent study by Dartmouth researchers finds that global economic losses from El Niño can persist for several years after the event, with a significant impact on the world's poorest nations. The study projects total losses of $84 trillion for the 21st century, highlighting the need for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 18, 2023

Warming climate will affect streamflow in the northeast

A new Dartmouth study examines how changes in precipitation and temperature due to global warming affect streamflow and flooding in the Northeast. The research finds that a warmer climate will lead to increased streamflow and higher flood risk, particularly if soils become wetter and more prone to heavy rainfall events.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalJAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 17, 2023

Stanford-led study reveals a fifth of California’s Sierra Nevada conifer forests are stranded in habitats that have grown too warm for them

A Stanford-led study estimates that about 20% of all Sierra Nevada conifer forests are mismatched with the climate around them. This means they are temporarily surviving in habitats that have grown too warm for them, but are likely to be replaced by tree species better adapted to the climate after catastrophic wildfires.

SourceStanford University·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 22, 2023

Mapping Mexico’s dengue fever hotspots

A Rutgers researcher has analyzed data from Mexico's Ministry of Health to identify dengue fever hotspots, highlighting areas where severe outbreaks occur. The study found that lower socioeconomic status increases risk of dengue fever and that DENV-2 is the deadliest serotype.

SourceRutgers University·JournalEcological Informatics·TypeContent analysis·DateFeb 1, 2023

Toward standardized tests for assessing lidars in autonomous vehicles

The three-year effort aims to establish a widely accepted protocol for comparing lidar performance. The first year's tests evaluated range, accuracy, and precision of eight automotive-grade lidars using a survey-grade reference. Results showed the distribution of measured values was not Gaussian, with significant errors in some cases.

1930s Dust Bowl led to extreme heat around Northern Hemisphere

The study reveals that the Dust Bowl's extreme heating influenced temperatures across North America and beyond, suppressing cloud formation in some regions. The research suggests that the hot, exposed land in the central US triggered a wave-5 teleconnection pattern, which spread record-breaking heat to Europe and East Asia.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 29, 2022

Climate change to produce more rainbows

A new study predicts that climate change will increase rainbow viewing opportunities in northern latitudes and high elevations, while decreasing them in tropical regions. The research used photographs from Flickr to map rainbow occurrences under current and future climates.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·TypeImaging analysis·DateOct 28, 2022

Understanding the effect of wildfires on air quality: a NASA initiative

A NASA initiative studies wildfire-induced air pollution by measuring atmospheric CO and O3 levels using airborne observations. The study found that CO levels increased in the plume as it was transported away from the fire site, while plume age was associated with distance in both vertical and horizontal directions.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Applied Remote Sensing·DateSep 7, 2022

To bee or not to bee

A new study by University of Missouri and Webster University scientists finds climate change linked to decline of bumblebees in alpine regions. Warming temperatures are creating a longer growing season, allowing lower-elevation bees to migrate to alpine areas, where they struggle to adapt.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateAug 18, 2022

Ozone depletion over North Pole produces weather anomalies

Researchers found a correlation between Arctic ozone depletion and extreme weather events in the Northern Hemisphere. Simulations suggest that reduced ozone levels contribute to warmer temperatures and droughts in central Europe, while wet conditions prevail in polar regions.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 7, 2022

New research will help minimize impact of wind energy development on migratory birds

Researchers used weather radar data to identify areas where large numbers of migrating birds fly through the rotor-swept zone and stopover in high densities. This information can guide the placement of new wind energy development and turbine operation to minimize collisions and habitat loss.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science·JournalConservation Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 4, 2022

Study finds offshore wind could drive down energy costs in New England

A new analysis found that offshore wind power in New England could reduce wholesale electricity prices by $28.81 megawatts per hour, while lowering emissions consistently. However, extreme winter storms may cause temporary losses of power due to high wind speeds, but these events are rare and do not break the system.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalEnergy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 21, 2022

Climate change demands near perfect weed control in soybean

Research reveals that climate change and drought can cause significant yield losses in soybeans, even with high levels of weed control. To mitigate this, farmers need to adopt integrated weed management strategies, including the use of soil-residual herbicides and late-maturing soybean varieties.

The longest drought

Researchers predict that certain regions will experience perpetual drought or perennial pluvial conditions due to climate change, rendering traditional definitions obsolete. The team's findings suggest a need to adapt water management strategies to account for an ever-changing baseline.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 14, 2022

Snow drought research finds predictability in uncertainty

A Dartmouth team compiled a global-scale dataset to show how uncertainties over determining snow depth can actually improve predictions of water availability. The approach leverages observational and definitional uncertainties to make better assessments of snow droughts and their impacts.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateDec 16, 2021

Protein region on COVID’s viral spike senses temperature, drives seasonal mutation patterns

Researchers identify a molecular culprit for COVID-19's seasonal nature, finding a galectin-like structure on the spike protein that responds to external seasonal patterns. This discovery could help predict future mutations and potentially pave the way for new therapeutics or vaccines.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalMethods of Microbiology and Molecular Biology·DateDec 8, 2021

Change in vaccination strategy averted outbreak of urban yellow fever in São Paulo State, scientists say

An updated vaccination strategy is credited with averting an outbreak of urban yellow fever in São Paulo State, according to research published in Scientific Reports. The study found that the virus spread rapidly, reaching cities never affected before, and that a high number of cases were reported in areas with low vaccination coverage.

What causes disease outbreaks?

A study by the University of Georgia's Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases identified contaminated water as the most common driver of large-scale zoonotic disease outbreaks. The researchers analyzed over 4,400 outbreaks and found that unusual weather patterns and changes in vector abundance were also significant contributors.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateOct 26, 2021

Keeping it clean and cool

Dr. Mohammad Al Hashmi's research focuses on reducing energy consumption in residential buildings in hot and arid climates using renewable energy systems such as solar and wind power. His framework combines building interventions and clean energy approaches to minimize environmental impact.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalEnergies·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 7, 2021

Study: New Pacific Ocean circulation findings may hold key to better predicting impact of El Niño and La Niña

Researchers at York University have discovered a conveyer-like motion of heat across the equator in the Pacific Ocean called the Cross Equatorial Cell (CEC), which influences El Niño and La Niña. This finding may lead to improved prediction of year-to-year disruptions to weather patterns, benefiting countries worldwide.

SourceYork University·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Oceans·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 4, 2021