Besides meteoric “space dust,” the atmosphere more than seven miles above Earth’s surface is peppered with particles containing metals from satellites and spent rocket boosters vaporized by the intense heat of reentry.
NOAA teamed up with industry aircraft professionals to test the use of uncrewed aircraft to gather observations. Science payloads can help NOAA address air quality, the role of aerosols in Earth’s energy budget, and atmospheric interactions.
Amid rising temperatures in the Western and Eastern United States, a cooling trend has dominated summer daytime temperatures over the central United States since the mid-twentieth century. A new study examines the role of natural variability.
Formic and acetic acid, which contribute to acid rain and aerosols, are too abundant for scientists to identify all their sources. A new study explains why models tend to underestimate their extent.
Sharks, seals, birds, and fish count among predator species in the Northeastern Pacific that are ecologically, culturally, and commercially valuable. A new study shows how marine heatwaves affect predators differently.
Sea surface temperatures, storms, greenhouse gases, aerosols, and natural radiation all affect the tropical Atlantic climate. A new study finds that a north-to-south ocean temperature gradient is a key driver of Atlantic hurricanes and Sahel rainfall.
NOAA and partner scientists recently completed two successful field tests in the US Arctic merging new technologies and traditional ship surveys of phytoplankton species distributions in response to surface warming.
Extreme heat has implications for power grid infrastructure, food production and nutrition, childhood education, worker health and safety, and crime.
Islands in the Caribbean can enjoy near-daily rainfall but have limited freshwater reserves, making them especially vulnerable to sudden, rapid drying. A new study identifies instances of widespread flash drought outbreaks.
Approximately $2 million has been allocated to support tribal drought resilience. This investment will help tribal nations address current and future drought risk while informing decision making and strengthening tribal drought resilience in a changing climate.