Earth - Weather Topics
NASA Puts the Right Stuff in the Right Hands
2009 — April 6, 2011
All research and no application makes data a dull toy. NASA's SPoRT program brings data to life by putting it in the hands of people who can use it best--the National Weather Service forecasters who send us scurrying for cover when severe weather looms.
To Be or Not to Be, La Nina?
2000 — April 6, 2011
Just last month, scientists were predicting that current La Nina conditions would persist, but now data from Earth-orbiting satellites show that it may be on the decline. Is it too soon to revise the hurricane forecast? Find out here.
The Ups and Downs of Ozone
2000 — April 6, 2011
Scientists are watching carefully as the ozone layer, which protects animal and plant life from harmful solar ultraviolet radiation, begins an uncertain recovery. Ozone destroying chemicals in the atmosphere are on the decline, but the timing and nature of the expected recovery -- and even whether a recovery is occurring at all -- are controversial topics.
Here Comes Urban Heat
2000 — April 6, 2011
With summer just around the corner, NASA scientists are using space age technology to understand how characteristics of the urban environment create "urban heat islands.
Spotting Tornadoes from Space
2000 — April 6, 2011
One year ago this week killer tornadoes raged across Oklahoma. Now, NASA scientists are figuring out how to predict such storms using Lightningdata from Earth orbit. This story includes animations of space-based data obtained during the May 3, 1999, tornado outbreak.
LightningStrikes an Odd Pattern Over the Plains
2000 — Sept. 20, 2011
A surprising pattern emerges from satellite observations of lightning. Storms over the Great Plains States have significantly more Lightningthat never reaches the ground, an indicator of violent activity that can spawn hail and tornadoes.
The Lightningof El Nino
2000 — April 6, 2011
Without El Nino to spice up life along the Gulf Coast, it's been "a boring year" for thunderstorm watchers, say scientists who have found an interesting correlation between El Nino and lightning. At any given moment there are 2,000 thunderstorms active around the world and 100 flashes of Lightningper second. Monitoring Lightningfrom space will help predict and track severe weather.
Aphelion Day
2000 — April 6, 2011
The Earth will reach its greatest distance from the Sun this year on the 4th of July, but don't expect a break from the heat of northern summer. This article discusses Earth's slightly elliptical orbit and the effects (some negligible, some substantial) that lopsided orbits have on planets around the solar system.
Culprits of Climate Change
2000 — April 6, 2011
For many years, researchers agreed that climate change was triggered by "greenhouse gases," with carbon dioxide from burning of fossil playing the biggest role. However, NASA funded scientists suggest that climate change in recent decades has been mainly caused by air pollution containing non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases.
A Lot Less Snow
2000 — April 6, 2011
An instrument on board NASA's Terra satellite recorded much less snow than usual over parts of North America during the winter of 1999-2000. This story includes a snow map of North America in March 2000 and sample pictures from Terra's snow-mapping "MODIS" instrument.