Articles

“Wildfires are not just a consequence of climate change or global warming—they’re also an active participant.”
—Xin Huang of Nanjing University, coauthor of a recent study in Science that suggests large fires can create feedback loops that alter local weather and subsequently amplify the fires.

Matthew Cappucci—a meteorologist at MyRadar, The Washington Post, and Fox5DC—on the influence his teachers have had on his career and perspective. For more, listen to the Clear Skies Ahead podcast, with new episodes released every month.

Brian Golding discusses how the weather enterprise can collaborate to provide more effective warnings that are timely, culturally sensitive, and easily understandable amid the increasing occurrence of extreme weather in our changing climate. 

Hurricane Hilary triggered California's first-ever Tropical Storm Warning. Given the rare hazards for the U.S. Southwest associated with this storm, hurricane expert Kim Wood discusses the storm's impacts, its unusual nature, and what it means for the Pacific Coast to be facing a tropical storm.

On May 16th, 2021, while analyzing weather models, Jessica, a meteorologist, travel writer, and professional photographer, spotted the potential for an isolated supercell in the Texas Panhandle. Though not guaranteed, the allure of capturing a serene storm drew her in. As daylight faded, she managed to photograph a stunning low precipitation supercell illuminated by golden hour light, a moment that reaffirmed her purpose and left her awestruck by nature's beauty.

10%–30%—The amount that California’s solar power production during peak hours decreased following wildfires in the state in September 2020, due to smoke darkening the sky.

In this webinar, a panel of lightning safety advocates from around the world discuss their perspectives on lightning safety. Learn more about how those in the weather and climate enterprise are working to reduce lightning casualties around the world.

Ashley Orehek-Rossi, a STEM librarian at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on some of the steps she takes in helping students with research projects. For more, listen to the Clear Skies Ahead podcast, with new episodes released every month.

3.3 trillion tons—The amount of ice lost from the Amundsen Sea Embayment (ASE) in West Antarctica over the 25-year period of 1996–2021, according to a recent study published in Nature Communications.

BAMS interviewed Madeline Ostrander, a Seattle-based science journalist and author of the acclaimed book "At Home on an Unruly Planet: Finding Refuge on a Changed Earth." The book was named one of Kirkus Review's top nonfiction books of 2022. Ostrander's impactful writing has been featured in prominent publications including The Atlantic, The Nation, PBS's NOVA Next, and more.

In this webinar, Sally Potter gives us an overview of her research on impact-based forecasts and warnings, as well as on the challenges and benefits from an institutional perspective.

In this webinar, panelists discuss these and more recent weather phenomena of 2023.

In our 2022 Weather Band Photo Contest Winners Webinar, we gained insights from Jeremy Bower and Laura Hedien, discussing their award-winning photos and offering valuable advice for fellow weather photographers, including tips on storm chasing gear and optimal settings for capturing lightning.

Rainbows captivate us with their colorful beauty, formed by sunlight interacting with raindrops. Double rainbows and the dark band between arcs add to the excitement. Primary rainbows feature red on top, while the secondary rainbow displays fainter, inverted colors, and occasionally, pastel-colored supernumeraries enchant our sight. Rainbows hold hidden wonders, even for those familiar with their formation, inspiring us since ancient times.

Maestros Amber Liggett and Dr. Ashton Robinson Cook lead a discussion about storm chasing during the spring and summer seasons.

A recent study suggests that climate conditions during two specific time periods created a bridge for early human migration from Asia to North America. The presence of sea ice in the northeast Pacific Ocean, identified through sediment cores, indicates that land migration may have been more feasible than previously thought. These findings challenge earlier theories and propose that ice movements along the west coast of North America provided a more accessible route for the first Americans. The study sheds light on the influence of climate on early human migration to the Americas.

Increasing tree cover to 30% in European cities could prevent up to one-third of summer deaths caused by the urban heat island effect, according to research published in The Lancet, highlighting the importance of integrating green areas and sustainable urban planning.

Becky Depodwin, senior consultant at Guidehouse, on opportunities outside of the traditional school curriculum she feels can be beneficial to securing a job in a weather profession of choice. For more, listen to the Clear Skies Ahead podcast, with new episodes released every month.

During the Conrad Holmboe expedition to Greenland in 1923, Thomas Rossby's father faced challenging ice conditions while attempting to reach a weather station, a remarkable journey that was revealed to Thomas years later and documented in Gunnar Isachsen's book 'Grønland'.

A recent study reveals that the origins of sneaker waves, which pose a danger to beachgoers, lie in the relationship between surface gravity waves and longer infragravity waves, providing insights to improve advanced warning systems.

J. P. Kalb
Meteorologist, National Weather Service, Hanford, California