In the Journals: Forecasting

EarthzineClimate, Weather

Earthzine examined the ramifications of inaccurate forecasts in its most-recent mini theme. Here are other examples of crystal balls being more cloudy than clear.

Plan to build treetop bridges to save critically-endangered Hainan gibbons

EarthzineWeather

Artificial canopy bridges in China’s rainforest will provide vital habitat needed to stop the first ape species from becoming extinct Conservationists will begin constructing a series of treetop bridges later this year in a bid to save a critically-endangered species of gibbon. Just 25 Hainan gibbons, Nomascus hainanus, are left in a small patch of rainforest on Hainan island in … Read More

Tracking Snow: The Cryosphere in an Era of Climate Change

EarthzineAgriculture, Climate, Earth Observation, Ecosystems, Feature, Featured Article, Original, Technology, Water, Weather

A new generation of weather satellites is helping researchers gain insights into the complex relationship between the cryosphere ‰ÛÒ the planet’s cold regions ‰ÛÒ and the climate. With drinking water supplies dwindling around the world, understanding the cryosphere is becoming a front-burner issue.

Major winter storm poised to wallop U.S. Mid-Atlantic

Amanda LewanClimate, Weather

Originally Published by EarthSky – A major winter storm is poised to wallop the U.S. Mid-Atlantic states bring large amounts of snow to cities including Baltimore, Md., Washington, D.C. area on March 2 and 3, according to NOAA’s National Weather Service. NOAA’s GOES-East satellite captured this image on March 2, 2014 of the clouds associated with the winter storm as it continued moving east toward those cities.

How do snowflakes get their shape?

Amanda LewanWeather

Originally Published by EarthSky – The shape of snowflakes is influenced by the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere. Snowflakes form in the atmosphere when cold water droplets freeze onto dust particles. Depending on the temperature and humidity of the air where the snowflakes form, the resulting ice crystals will grow into a myriad of different shapes.

Proba-2: Eye-to-eye with Typhoon Soulik

EarthzineWeather

Proba-2 X-Cam. Credit: ESA. Originally published by ESA – The swirling eye of Typhoon Soulik as it approached Taiwan last Friday is caught by a tiny espresso cup-sized camera on one of ESA’s smallest satellites, Proba-2.