Topic: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

4 ways to prevent natural disasters from becoming human tragedies

The catastrophic impact of climate change – especially on the developing world – is not inevitable. Here are four cutting-edge tools to anticipate and minimize the damage from natural disasters.
Vernal equinox heralds end of the winter that wasn't

This winter was the warmest on record so far in the 21st century. Here are some other remarkable facts about the winter that wasn't.
Tornado checklist: What to do – and what myths to ignore
Five ways House Republicans are striking fear in environmentalists
In Pictures: Japan's 9.0 earthquake

All Content

Search and rescue efforts under way in Moore, Okla. (+video)

A monstrous tornado barreled Moore, Okla., Monday, demolishing an elementary school and a hundreds of homes. At least 24 people were killed. President Obama declared a major disaster and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts.
Oklahoma tornado hits grade school: Search continues for survivors (+video)

Oklahoma tornado hits grade school and flattens Oklahoma City suburban neighborhoods. Oklahoma search and rescue teams are working through the night, and the death toll from the tornado is expected to rise.
Oklahoma tornadoes: More forecast for Monday (+video)

Oklahoma tornadoes leave one dead on Sunday. But tornado warnings saved lives in Oklahoma, say officials. The National Weather Service says more tornadoes are forecast for Monday afternoon.
Blue crabs in Maine? Something fishy about global warming.

Warming oceans are changing the mix of species in the world's fisheries, according to a new study. Marine-ecosystem models have indicated that this could be an effect from global warming.
Change Agent How mussels could help clean polluted waters

Along the shores of New York Harbor, scientists are investigating whether mussels, a hardy bivalve, might be grown in urban areas as a way of cleaning coastal waters of sewage, fertilizers, and other pollutants.
Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels reach milestone

A monitoring station in Hawaii has measured carbon dioxide levels of 400 parts per million, a concentration not seen on Earth since the Pleistocene Era.
Waters off Northeast US coast unusually warm, says NOAA

Sea surface temperatures on the Northeast US Continental Shelf reached the highest recorded in 150 years, says an advisory issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Aurora Borealis tonight? Dazzling northern lights forecast

Aurora Borealis tonight? Yes, New York, Pennsylvania, and parts of the US Midwest could see a rare spectacular aurora borealis light show tonight, based on the forecasts.
Will we ever understand 2012 drought? Study blames 'random weather' (+video)

The drought of 2012 was more about unusual weather patterns than global warming, says a study. But its authors acknowledge the record-smashing event likely will be a puzzle for years to come.
What is killing California sea lion pups? Why unusual event is a concern (+video)

Scientists say the sea lions reveal 'important things about what is going on in our oceans.' Food shortages and disease are being looked at as possible causes of the 'unusual mortality event' in California.
Modern Parenthood Citizen science: How families can contribute to real science

Citizen science has led to a number of discoveries throughout history. Many agencies need help that families -– yes kids too! – can provide, from measuring precipitation to charting night skies to recording first bloom.
Clouds blamed for record ice melt in Greenland

The 2012 summer witnessed the largest ice loss ever in Greenland since scientists started recording melt rates there in 1979, and new research indicates that clouds might be the cause.
Energy Voices Global luke-warming: Is the threat of climate change overstated?

In an interview with OilPrice.com, climate blogger and former TV meteorologist Anthony Watts says carbon dioxide will heat the Earth somewhat, but by the time we get to full saturation we’ll have likely have moved on to other energy sources anyway.
Global temperature rise is fastest in at least 11,000 years, study says

The study, which also found the magnitude of the global temperature rise to be unmatched in 4,000 years, suggests that the current warming trend cannot be explained by naturally occurring temperature fluctuations.
Warming climate could cut labor capacity by 10 percent, study finds

US scientists warned that heat stress-related labor capacity losses will double globally by 2050 if the Earth's temperature rises by another 1.8 degrees F.
Kansas City, St. Louis hit by fast-moving snowstorm (+video)

A snowstorm is hammering the plains region, but meteorologists say it's not enough to ease harmful drought conditions that have plagued the area for the past two years.
On thin ice: As Arctic Ocean warms, a scramble to understand its weather

Increasing summer ice melt in the Arctic Ocean could shift global weather patterns and make polar waters more navigable. But scientists say forecasting Arctic ice and weather remains a massive challenge.
New England fishermen doomed?

New England fishermen say they're doomed after federal officials propose drastic cuts in the cod they can catch. Federal officials to fishermen: Expect revenues to be cut by a third. New England fishermen: We're doomed.
Monster storm expected to explode in Atlantic. It may be one for the books.

NOAA forecasters say an unnamed extra-tropical storm will experience explosive intensification over the North Atlantic this weekend. Its central low pressure could rival a category 4 hurricane's.
Arctic air invasion captured in animation (+video)

Arctic air has driven down temperatures in most of the continental US. A new video animation from NOAA shows the arctic air swirling into the country and predicts its path.
Objections raised over additional projects lumped with Sandy relief

Some lawmakers are cautioning against passing the $50.7 billion Superstorm Sandy aid package, which includes $150 million in aid for fisheries in Alaska, Mississippi and the Northeast. House Republicans have introduced an alternative proposal.
2012 hottest year on record in the US by large margin

A brutal combination of a widespread drought and a mostly absent winter pushed the average annual US temperature last year up to 55.32 degrees Fahrenheit, the government announced Tuesday.
In Pacific Northwest, a welcome break from a very wet week

Flood watches continue in the Pacific Northwest, but the latest storm to blow in via the 'Pineapple Express' has moved inland. Some areas have seen as much as 15-20 inches of rain since Nov. 27.
Violent dolphin deaths: $5,000 reward to find their attackers (+video)

Violent dolphin deaths are on the rise in the Gulf of Mexico. The violent attacks on dolphins include bullet wounds and hacked off fins. Five dolphin deaths are from gunshot wounds.
Hurricane Sandy surge could flood New York runways and subways

Hurricane Sandy brings strong winds and rain, but for the New York area, the biggest concern may be the storm surge, which could come ashore in some places as a 13-foot wall of water.