Articles

Road weather conditions significantly contribute to vehicle accidents and transportation delays, with more than one in five crashes in the US being weather-related. Observations from Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) stations and emerging technologies like connected vehicles and autonomous driving play a vital role in enhancing road safety and minimizing accidents by providing real-time data on road temperature, precipitation, and surface conditions.

Efforts are underway to collect real-event observations, like post-tornado surveys, to better understand human behavior during weather events. Organizations, including the National Severe Storms Laboratory and National Weather Service, are using standardized surveys and citizen science apps to gather data and improve insights into meteorological questions.

Tropical Storm Idalia is set to become a major hurricane before hitting Florida this week. Join Stephanie Zick from Virginia Tech to learn about the storm's impact and landfall predictions.

“TEMPO will be revolutionary.”
— Aaron Naeger of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, on the Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution instrument, which was launched onboard a satellite in early April.

On May 17th, 2019, an unusual bimodal severe weather setup unfolded across the Central and Southern Plains. Focusing on the Nebraskan border near McCook, convergence, moisture, and instability combined to create a severe weather setup, leading to the formation of a picturesque white elephant trunk tornado. This tornado, rated EF-2, lasted around five minutes, causing damage but no injuries. My dedication to storm photography and reporting severe weather hazards demonstrates my commitment to both artistic passion and public safety communication.

As we navigate the midst of Atlantic hurricane season (June to November), being prepared for the potential hazards presented by these storms is crucial. Tropical cyclones, with their powerful winds, rainfall, and waves, can lead to disasters, and it might surprise you to learn that a significant portion of tropical cyclone fatalities occur post-storm. Over the past decade (2013-2022), the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has identified the primary causes of weather and water-related deaths resulting from these cyclones, shedding light on the dangers associated with these natural phenomena.

“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.