Articles

Science writer Brian Clegg’s book Weather Science explores the evolution of meteorology from traditional folklore to modern technology, examining weather forecasting, extreme events, and historical attempts at weather control.

A recent study reveals that climate change is altering ice quality on lakes, creating hazardous conditions as warming temperatures lead to weaker, more unstable ice.

Researchers have discovered that lightning on Earth may trigger high-energy “killer electrons” in the Van Allen radiation belts, posing potential risks to satellites and astronauts.

Discover the science and cultural significance of atmospheric optics, from sunsets to rainbows, and learn how to observe and photograph these fascinating sky phenomena.

Learn how to optimize or design a home weather station, covering instrumentation, siting, and data use to enhance personal weather tracking and citizen science participation.

This webinar explores the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), its impact on global weather patterns, and this winter’s outlook, with experts breaking down how ocean temperature shifts influence extreme weather.

This webinar explores how storytelling enhances climate communication by blending scientific data with relatable narratives to inspire action, deepen engagement, and equip scientists, educators, and community leaders with tools to drive meaningful change.

Warning Coordination Meteorologist Rick Smith from the NWS Norman, OK, will share insights on working through severe weather events, living in a high-impact area, and his office’s role in the making of the movie Twisters.

This session explores the science of weather safety messaging, its evolution, and effective communication strategies to encourage protective actions during high-impact events, using examples like tornadoes, floods, and recent hurricanes Helene and Milton.

7,000–11,000—The number of excess deaths caused by the average tropical cyclone in the United States, according to new research published in Nature.

This photograph of lightning bears meteorological importance with a thrilling beauty showing a very abrupt change of dark sky into a purple one.

Sunrise and sunset

“There is way more going on in thunderstorms than we ever imagined.”
—Steve Cummer of Duke University, on recent research that revealed a new kind of gamma-ray emission in many thunderclouds that Cummer and colleagues call “flickering gamma-ray flashes,” or FGFs.

Seeing the aurora borealis has been a lifelong dream. Growing up in the tropics, it felt like an adventurous fantasy - a journey to a faraway, freezing destination where long winter nights made the lights possible. Now, living in the mid-latitudes, I'm closer to the possibility, though sightings here are rare and fleeting. 

“Day after day, day after day,
We stuck, nor breath nor motion;
As idle as a painted ship
Upon a painted ocean.”
—Lines from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 1834 poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” describing the “doldrums”—an area circling the Earth near the equator where sailors would become stalled due to little or no wind.

Researchers studied satellite rainfall data for 1,056 cities across the globe for the years 2001–20, and found that 63% exhibited an “urban wet island” effect, meaning they received more annual precipitation in and downwind of their urban areas compared to bordering rural areas.

Cliff Jacobs, with more than 50 years of experience in research and administration in the government and private sectors, offers some advice for students and early-career professionals.

As temperatures stay warmer later into fall, shorts and t-shirts are becoming a common sight deeper into the season. While fall isn’t disappearing, the warming trend is expected to continue across all seasons in the years ahead.

2024 was a busy year for weather, from historic flooding in the southern Appalachians to a crippling ice storm in the Pacific Northwest, plus the eclipse and aurora borealis. Join Meteorologist Steve Glazier as we look back at the year’s most memorable and impactful weather events!

Cool cloud formation in Castle Rock, Colorado on November 30, 2024, around 4:40pm MST.

Misinformation spreads fast! In this webinar, marine scientist Ellen Prager and AMS Fellow Dave Jones discuss tackling ocean and atmosphere myths, the importance of credible sources, and their new book packed with facts and humor.

~4 Billion Years Ago—The first occurrence of rainfall on Earth, according to recent research that examined oxygen isotopes in ancient minerals. 

As the climate warms, you might wonder what future temperatures will look like in your hometown. The University of Maryland’s Future Urban Climates map offers a glimpse, with projections for 40,581 locations worldwide.