Feature Stories - weather, climate, societal impacts, and related topics

Rough seas: Regional variations add a wild card to future sea-level rise Along with usually persistent rains, there was a different kind of watery surprise this summer for people on the U.S. Atlantic coast. From June into early July, tides ran as high as 60 centimeters (2 feet) above predicted values from the barrier islands of the Southeast to the rocky shores of Maine... (October 2009) Teaching teens about climate - Online courses give educators a boost Climate Discovery, a series of three six-week online courses funded by NCAR, gives middle and high school teachers access to scientifically credible content on climate and climate change, including current research. (July 2009) Where the winds are - Better forecasting for wind energy Wind is one of the most difficult weather variables to forecast, yet this knowledge is essential for energy production. NCAR is studying how wind turbines and farms interact with the atmosphere and how their output can be better predicted and managed. (May 2009) Coding the atmosphere: The quest for nimble software Given the complexities of Earth's atmosphere and the demands of high-performance computing, there are powerful incentives to make our weather, climate, and other computer models as agile and efficient as possible. NCAR is experimenting with novel ways to improve the software that drives so much of modern atmospheric and Earth system research. (December 2008) Wildfires, Weather, and Climate - In Depth How do fuels, topography, and weather interact to shape a wildfire? Do wildfires produce air pollution? What about fires and climate change? This backgrounder explores the answers and links to current fire conditions, statistics, and other resources. (November 2008) Hurricanes, Typhoons, Cyclones - In Depth How strong can hurricanes get? Will we ever control them? This backgrounder answers frequently asked questions, spotlights recent research, and provides links for tracking and learning more about the most powerful storms on Earth. (July 2008) Forests and Climate Change: What's Their Role in Global Warming? Forests help reduce global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide. However, some types of forest absorb sunlight more readily, leading to more warming. The play between these competing influences is an area that scientists are intensely studying. (June 2008) Whatever the Weather: Dealing with Atmospheric Impacts A day's notice before a flood isn't much help to the world's poor. But with 10 or more days, people can act to protect lives and property. In developed nations, utilities are finding help in planning and responding to disasters. (May 2008) Turbulence in Hurricanes Revealed by New Modeling NCAR scientists have discovered signs of turbulent eddies swirling through a simplified tropical cyclone. Such turbulence, which occurs on too small a scale to be directly depicted in global or regional weather models, was detected with some of the finest-scale hurricane modeling ever conducted. (April 2008) Collaboration and Mentoring from a Community of Peers A week, a month, or a year with colleagues can boost a career at almost any point. Whether the visit occurs during undergraduate exploration or after years of research, a stay at NCAR and UCAR offers access to a broad range of experts in atmospheric science, Earth system research, scientific computing, and other specialties. (March 2008) Africa in Mind: Building Scientific and Social Bridges to a Continent The initiative's guiding principle is to integrate research and education while building the capacity for locally based action, with African rather than American institutions setting the agenda. (February 2008) Climate's Impact on Coral & Reef Systems Slight changes in the atmosphere and ocean affect the ability of coral reefs to thrive. Human activities are stressing these ecosystems, threatening the long-term survival of many coral species. Take a tour of efforts to understand and address the changing reef environment in this NCAR Field Guide. (January 2008) New Approaches to Understanding Wildfires The complex interactions among fire, land, atmosphere, and human behavior pose exciting challenges for atmospheric and Earth system researchers working to expand our knowledge of this powerful force of nature. (July 2007) Understanding Climate Change With new reports out from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, find out what we know and what we're still learning about global warming and the state of Earth's climate future. (January 2007) The Sun-Earth Connection: Understanding the Turbulent Star Next Door We're in the lull between the end of one sunspot cycle and the start of the next, but it's never quiet on the solar front at NCAR. New instruments and a new way of portraying the flow of magnetism around the Sun are advancing our understanding of the long-term solar cycle as well as solar storms. (October 2006) Investigating Urban Atmospheres: From Downtown to the Whole Planet As more of the world's population moves into already crowded cities, researchers are investigating the ways urban areas affect day-to-day weather and long-term climate. (April 2006) Taking a Bite Out of Winter Travel Hazards When winter weather's at its worst, snow and ice often spell danger on the roads and in the air. (December 2005) Hurricanes—Weather's Biggest Bullies As hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones rage across the oceans, researchers are probing for clues to advance our ability to respond to these weather monsters. (August 2005) Spring and Summer Bring Stormy Weather Hang on to your hat as we explore some warm-and-stormy weather research. (May 2005) Something in the Air The study of air quality and pollution has gone global as researchers work together to better grasp what's in our air, where those ingredients came from, and where they're heading next. (November 2004) Clouds, Clouds, Clouds Clouds play many roles in the life of our planet and can have critical effects on global climate change, aviation, and even safe winter driving. (October 2004) When Southern Weather Heads North: Monsoons and Hurricanes In late summer, the eyes of weather-watchers across the United States often turn to the south as monsoonal rains douse the Southwest and hurricanes threaten the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. (August 2004) Techniques and Teamwork Blossom at Summer Workshops Summer is high season for workshops, as educators take time to strengthen skills and researchers meet to tackle thorny problems. (July 2004)    Teachers highlight their experiences in the Modeling in the Geosciences Workshop video (~53 MB, QuickTime video) Summertime, and the Forecasts Aren't Easy When your local forecast calls for a 30% chance of rain, it disguises a good deal of uncertainty about just where and when those raindrops will fall. (April 2004)   Researcher David Ahijevych narrates Corridors of Concern: The Search for Clues to Repetitive Summer Rain (~14 MB, Flash 6 or later )

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