Green Glow of ‘Mesospheric Ghosts’ Decoded
Mysterious green displays in the sky dubbed “mesospheric ghosts” can sometimes accompany the dramatic red atmospheric lights called sprites
Weather
Thunderstorm Damage Keeps Rising
Increasingly frequent thunderstorms caused insurers to pay $60 billion in claims in 2023
First-Ever Flood Forecasting Maps Show Houses and Roads at Risk
The National Weather Service has launched the first flood forecasting system with precise, real-time data showing spots that are at imminent risk of inundation
Where Farmers’ Almanacs’ Weather Predictions Come From
Two competing farmers’ almanacs say this winter will be cold and snowy, but NOAA, the top U.S. weather agency, disagrees
Earth Just Had the Hottest 12-Month Span in Recorded History
The planet just saw the hottest span of 12 months in human history because of climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels
Extreme Temperatures Can Threaten Heart Health
Cardiologists forecast greater heart attack risks as winter and summer temperatures become more extreme
Hurricane Otis Came Out of Nowhere to Slam into Mexico
Tropical Storm Otis rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane overnight in a region that has never seen landfall by a storm of such power before
Arctic Cyclones Are Getting Stronger, More Damaging
As the climate warms, Arctic cyclones are lasting longer and becoming stronger, leading to more sea ice loss
Mysterious Lightning ‘Superbolts’ Can Be 1,000 Times as Strong as Ordinary Strikes
Superbolts of lightning that are up to 1,000 times more intense than ordinary lightning may form because of a particular setup between storm clouds and Earth’s surface
Why Is Asthma Worse in Stormy Weather?
New research offers insight into how rain and thunderstorms break up and spread respiratory irritants, such as pollen, fungal spores and pollutants
September Was the Most Anomalously Hot Month Ever
September shattered a record for the highest temperature anomaly of any month and could help push 2023 to be the first year to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial temperatures
The American Climate Corps Wants You
Biden’s new program is expected to hire 20,000 people in its first year for renewable energy projects and ecological restoration