Articles

October 28, 2024
Clear Skies Ahead: Kim Klockow McClain
Clear Skies Ahead: Kim Klockow McClain

Kim Klockow McClain, UCAR senior social scientist supporting the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, on the expanding opportunities for people coming into the social sciences. For more, listen to the Clear Skies Ahead podcast (https://blubrry.com/clear_skies_ahead/), with new episodes released every month.
 

October 21, 2024
Celebrating Women's Contributions to Atmospheric Sciences
Celebrating Women's Contributions to Atmospheric Sciences

I grew up in a family that valued intellectual pursuits, discipline, and the importance of women’s education—and was provided the support to make sure I received that education despite external social and cultural barriers. In the 1930s, when my mother was young, such values were uncommon outside of her family. My mother was the first woman in our community in the town of Srinagar, Kashmir, to receive a college degree, back in the late 1930s. She was followed by her younger sisters, one of whom went on to become the principal of the women’s college in town. Thus, I grew up with the important privilege of having strong women as role models.

By AMS President Anjuli S. Bamzai
October 17, 2024
Sharing Scientists' Stories: A Conversation with Meteorologist Biographers
Sharing Scientists' Stories: A Conversation with Meteorologist Biographers

Hear from Jonathan E. Martin, Sean Potter, and Jim Fleming as they explore the lives and groundbreaking work of meteorology pioneers Joanne Simpson, Cleveland Abbe, and Reginald Sutcliffe. 

October 11, 2024
With TEMPO, Pollution Can't Hide
With TEMPO, Pollution Can't Hide

Air pollution information for North America is now available at unprecedented detail with the recent release of data from the Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) mission.

October 9, 2024
Hurricanes Get Coast-lier
Hurricanes Get Coast-lier

“We’re not talking about intensification out in the middle of the ocean. We’re talking about it happening right at the coastline, where it matters most.”
—Karthik Balaguru of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), on new research he led that shows a recent significant increase in the intensification of hurricanes near coastal areas.

October 7, 2024
Fire Rainbows
Fire Rainbows

I managed to capture multiple photos of iridescent clouds (fire rainbows), and I’m pleased to share these

By Mason Wessinger
September 26, 2024
Breaking News Event: On the Ground (& In a DOW) For Hurricane Helene
Breaking News Event: On the Ground (& In a DOW) For Hurricane Helene

Tropical Storm Helene hit Florida on Thursday. Watch for a recorded live webinar with Josh Wurman and Karen Kosiba from their Doppler on Wheels, moderated by Jen Walton of Girls Who Chase, as they track the storm in real time.

September 24, 2024
Make Your Weather Passion a Reality: A Panel Discussion With the Experts
Make Your Weather Passion a Reality: A Panel Discussion With the Experts

Curious about meteorology or storm chasing but not sure where to start? Watch our webinar for a conversation with weather experts like Ginger Zee, Elizabeth Leitman, Melanie Metz, and Karen Kosiba!

September 23, 2024
Rivers of Rust
Rivers of Rust

Many streams and rivers in remote Alaskan locations are turning orange, possibly from thawing permafrost releasing metal ores into the water. By combining remote sensing, field work, and crowdsourced observations of nearly 600 miles of northern Alaska’s Brooks Range, researchers discovered that the discoloration has occurred in 75 locations over the last 10 years, when the region experienced rapidly warming temperatures.

September 16, 2024
So, You Want to Start a Weather Company
So, You Want to Start a Weather Company

Do you want to start your own weather company?  Doing so can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll do during your career.  

By William B. Gail
September 11, 2024
When Looks Can Be Deceiving: Late Season Beach Safety
When Looks Can Be Deceiving: Late Season Beach Safety

Early fall may offer perfect beach conditions, but offshore storms can create dangerous rip currents and large waves just as lifeguard coverage decreases. Beach safety expert Bruckner Chase will share tips for staying safe this season, updated NOAA safety messaging, and insights into 2024 drowning statistics in an important webinar for weather communicators and beachgoers.

September 9, 2024
Changing the Color of Drought
Changing the Color of Drought

“What value to decision- making is a map that is red everywhere all of the time?”
—Justin Mankin of Dartmouth College, on a recent finding that the U.S. Drought Monitor may not be keeping up with actual drought conditions across the country.

September 2, 2024
Clear Skies Ahead: Bill Sjoberg
Clear Skies Ahead: Bill Sjoberg

Bill Sjoberg, consultant with Leverage Information Technology in Lanham, Maryland, with advice for job-seekers looking to establish a career. For more, listen to the Clear Skies Ahead (https://blubrry.com/clear_skies_ahead/), with new episodes released every month.

August 30, 2024
What Can You Say in an Elevator About Climate Change?
What Can You Say in an Elevator About Climate Change?

Bob Henson provides tips for discussing climate change in everyday conversations, focusing on clear, relatable communication without overwhelming others with facts. He emphasizes addressing common misconceptions and maintaining a hopeful tone to encourage constructive dialogue.

By Bob Henson
August 28, 2024
Lucky Sight (or how the Universe let me see my optical effect holy grail for a few seconds)
Lucky Sight (or how the Universe let me see my optical effect holy grail for a few seconds)

Dr. Lourdes B. Avilés shares her journey from casually admiring atmospheric optics like rainbows to a deeper interest in rare phenomena such as antisolar halos, which are caused by sunlight reflecting and refracting through ice crystals on the opposite side of the sun. After years of searching, she finally experienced the thrill of spotting these elusive halos during a flight, capturing a quick glimpse that deepened her passion for understanding these unique atmospheric effects.

By Lourdes B. Avilés, Ph.D.
August 27, 2024
The 2024 Aurora: More Than an Electric Light Show
The 2024 Aurora: More Than an Electric Light Show

Hear from space weather experts about the May 2024 aurora event. They discuss space weather forecasts, their accuracy, and challenges communicating the science. 

August 26, 2024
Going Rogue in the Southern Ocean
Going Rogue in the Southern Ocean

Aboard the South African icebreaker S.A. Agulhas II on the Southern Ocean near Antarctica, researchers were conducting a study of rogue waves in a region where oceanic conditions are among the most extreme on Earth.

August 19, 2024
Striking Sunset
Striking Sunset

I have been chasing storms during the Arizona monsoon season with my camera for the past ten years or so, and on August 11, 2022 I found myself southeast of Tucson with some promising indications of activity appearing on radar.

By Liz Kemp
August 19, 2024
Packs that Lack
Packs that Lack

22%—The overall decline in the annual amount of water in mountain snowpacks in the contiguous United States since 1982, according to research published recently in Hydrology and Earth System Sciences.

August 19, 2024
Jeremy's Journeys - Check Your 'Blue IQ' and Stay Safe in the Surf
Jeremy's Journeys - Check Your 'Blue IQ' and Stay Safe in the Surf

Stormtracker 16 Meteorologist Jeremy Lewan breaks down the best practices to keep you safe while enjoying your beach vacation.

By Jeremy Lewan
August 5, 2024
Sprites, Splashes, and Storms: Photography Tips from our 2023 Photo Contest Winners
Sprites, Splashes, and Storms: Photography Tips from our 2023 Photo Contest Winners

The Weather Band Photo Contest showcases incredible weather photography from around the world. In our "Weather Lens" webinar, 2023 winners Kristy Sharkey, Elan Azriel, and Michael Seger shared their insights. The session, moderated by retired TV meteorologist Alan Sealls, offered valuable tips for anyone getting into weather photography. Thinking about entering our 2024 Photo Contest (open until August 30)? Check out their advice!

August 4, 2024
Clear Skies Ahead: Jan Null
Clear Skies Ahead: Jan Null

Jan Null, a forensic meteorologist and Certified Consulting Meteorologist at Golden Gate Weather Services in Half Moon Bay, California, speaks on his approach to the challenges of depositions and trials. For more, listen to the Clear Skies Ahead podcast at https://blubrry.com/clear_skies_ahead/, with new episodes released every month.

August 1, 2024
Staying Cool: How to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses During Another Hot Summer
Staying Cool: How to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses During Another Hot Summer

2024 temperatures are expected to be well above average and possibly even hotter. In the summer months, it is important to monitor how your body feels in the heat to prevent heat-related illnesses. This webinar explains what actions you can take to combat extreme heat impacts to your health this summer.

July 31, 2024
BEST: Capturing the Worst Tornado Winds
BEST: Capturing the Worst Tornado Winds

On 21 May, 2024, a powerful tornado struck Greenfield, Iowa, where an NSF BEST project team, including Karen Kosiba, PhD, and Jen Walton of Girls Who Chase, captured record-setting data. We spoke with them about their experiences and findings.

July 24, 2024
Tornado on the Ground: DOW insights from 2024 tornadoes, including the Greenfield, IA EF4
Tornado on the Ground: DOW insights from 2024 tornadoes, including the Greenfield, IA EF4

On May 21, 2024, DOW radars near Greenfield, IA, recorded EF4 tornado windspeeds of 309-318 mph, among the fastest ever! Hear from scientists who've gotten up close with tornadoes in 2024, and learn how the NSF-funded BEST project will enhance tornado prediction and safety.