Climate

Agriculture

Carbon ‘sponge’ found beneath desert

Watering farmlands in arid parts of the world could have long-term climate benefits, a new study concludes.

Climate

New El Niño coming on strong

The current El Niño event could be a record breaker, changing weather patterns worldwide and bringing rain to drought-parched California.

Climate

Scientists Say: Cyclone

These strong storms have different names in different oceans. But all are cyclones.

Climate

Scientists Say: Hurricane or typhoon?

Sometimes you read about hurricanes, and sometimes about typhoons. The difference? Location, location, location.

Climate

The heat that keeps on giving

Burning fossil fuels generates heat and carbon dioxide. That pulse of heat is quickly exceeded by the warmth that carbon dioxide traps in Earth’s atmosphere.

Climate

Pacific hurricanes to strengthen as Earth warms

Global warming is heating up the oceans. That is causing waters to warm. As a result, Pacific storms — called typhoons — will become more destructive.

Climate

Carbon dioxide levels rise fast and high

The buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is rising faster than at any time since dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The burning of fossil fuels is largely to blame.

Climate

Scientists ‘see’ thunder for first time

Scientists have captured the first image of thunder. The map shows the relative strengths of the sound waves emanating from the loud clap.

Climate

Warming’s role in extreme weather

Extremes in temperature and precipitation will be more common as global temperatures rise. Human-led climate change is largely to blame, a new study finds.

Climate

Cosmic rays offer clues about lightning

Space particles called cosmic rays pelt Earth. Scientists are using the rain of these particles to probe how lightning forms.

Brain

Twisters: Can warning people too early backfire?

If people think they have enough time to flee a tornado, they may try to drive away, information shows. This could leave them stuck in traffic — with no protection — when the storm does show up.

Climate

Mornings become electric

Lightning packs a wallop in the morning. The most powerful lightning strikes in the continental United States usually peak before noon.