Tropical cyclones pull energy from the ocean surface, typically cooling the sea surface temperature at the same time. A new study finds that intense rainfall under a cyclone reduces the sea surface cooling.
Greenhouse gas pollution caused by human activities trapped 49% more heat in the atmosphere in 2021 than they did in 1990, according to NOAA scientists. Carbon dioxide remained the leading culprit, but other heat-trapping gases included methane and nitrous oxide.
NOAA’s Climate Program Office announces seven new projects for Fiscal Years 2022-2024 to develop model-based monitoring of key climate-impact areas. Totaling $2.7 million, the projects address coastal inundation, wildfire smoke, flash droughts, heat stress, and vulnerability to humid heat.
As electricity providers add renewable energy to their portfolios, a new study shows that more accurate wind forecasts generated by a NOAA weather model is saving the utilities—and consumers—big money.
A new study links the record-low Arctic sea ice extent in 2012 tropical sea surface temperatures. The study finds that back-to-back La Niña events in 2010 and 2011, followed by a marginal El Niño may have affected Arctic sea ice.
Data-driven tools will help communities accelerate equitable resilience.
As NOAA adopts 1991–2020 as the new 30-year period of record, “average” hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean will increase. Average activity for the new period of record means 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes.
With wildfires in the western United States burning nearly 3.56 million hectares (8.8 million acres) in 2020, or about 75% more area than expected in an average year, it’s important to know how droughts, wildfires, and heat waves interact. How do they shape each other’s likelihoods, magnitudes, and impacts?
Researchers with the Pacific Northwest Climate Impacts Research Consortium (CIRC) have projected widespread increases in flood magnitude throughout the Columbia River Basin in a warmer climate. By 2050, much of the Pacific Northwest could experience increased flood magnitudes. The webinar associated with this study, recorded March 5, 2021, is now available online.