WeatherSeptember 8, 2017
What Old-Fashioned Weather Balloons Foretell about Irma’s Track
Forecasters depend on satellites and flights to track hurricanes—but balloons add crucial precision
Stories by Andrea Thompson
Andrea Thompson is senior desk editor for life science at Scientific American, covering the environment, energy and earth sciences. She has been covering these issues for nearly two decades. Prior to joining Scientific American, she was a senior writer covering climate science at Climate Central and a reporter and editor at Live Science, where she primarily covered earth science and the environment. She has moderated panels, including as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Media Zone, and appeared in radio and television interviews on major networks. She holds a graduate degree in science, health and environmental reporting from New York University, as well as a B.S. and an M.S. in atmospheric chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Follow Thompson on Bluesky @andreatweather.bsky.social
Climate ChangeAugust 11, 2017
Climate Change Has Influenced the Timing of Europe’s Floods
Floods are arriving earlier or later due to the interplay with other factors like the timing of snowmelt
WeatherMay 31, 2017
Global Warming Could Push Earth's Rains Northward
As the Northern Hemisphere warms faster than the Southern, Earth's rain belts may shift to the North
WeatherMay 25, 2017
NOAA Forecasts Busy Hurricane Season for Atlantic
The forecast is currently for 11 to 17 storms to form, of which five to nine are expected to become hurricanes, and two to four major hurricanes
Climate ChangeMay 23, 2017
Long Budget Process Could Impact Climate Science
Trump’s cuts are part of an effort to pump up military spending and finance a Mexico border wall
Climate ChangeMay 18, 2017
El Niño Again? It's Hard to Tell
Scientists are trying to pin down an answer as soon as possible
Climate ChangeApril 1, 2017
Trump Budget Cuts “Critical” NASA Climate Missions
Four Earth-observing satellites are targeted for elimination in the president's budget proposal
Climate ChangeMarch 23, 2017
Arctic Sea Ice Sets Record-Low Peak for Third Year
Sea ice was also thinner this winter than in the past four years
Climate ChangeFebruary 13, 2017
Sea Ice Hits Record Lows at Both Poles
The repeated bouts of warm weather this season have stunned polar researchers, and could push the Arctic to a record low winter peak for the third year in a row
Climate ChangeJanuary 26, 2017
Rain from Thunderstorms is Rising Due to Climate Change
More extreme rains could have implications for water management and flooding because the ground can’t absorb as much rainwater when it falls all at once
Climate ChangeJanuary 18, 2017
2016 Was the Hottest Year on Record
Both NASA and NOAA declare that our planet is experiencing record-breaking warming for the third year in a row
Climate ChangeJanuary 6, 2017
Large Iceberg Looks Poised to Break Off from Antarctica
A chunk of ice bigger than New York's Long Island is hanging on by a relative thread
WeatherDecember 6, 2016
Warming U.S. Could See Extreme Rains Increase Fivefold
More frequent, intense storms will put significant strain on infrastructure and agriculture
Natural DisastersDecember 1, 2016
Extreme Tornado Outbreaks Are Becoming More Extreme
Lone tornadoes strike on fewer days, but outbreaks of multiple storms are occurring more often
WeatherNovember 11, 2016
La Niña Likely to Exacerbate Southern Drought
The climate event brings warm, drier weather to the southern U.S., but thankfully its effects will likely be short-lived this year
Climate ChangeNovember 10, 2016
Climate and Energy Experts Speak Out on Trump’s Views
Disregard and plain denial of science threatens the planet, the economy and research itself
Climate ChangeNovember 1, 2016
Drought and Climate Change Could Throw Fall Colors Off Schedule
A dry year can cause leaves to brighten early or late—or just turn brown
WeatherSeptember 6, 2016
Pacific Typhoons Are Hitting Asia with More Intensity
The proportion of storms that strike land as a Category 4 and 5 in the western Pacific is rising, because of warmer coastal waters
EnvironmentAugust 29, 2016
Krill Are Disappearing from Antarctic Waters
Whales, seals and penguins could be hurting as this tiny creature--fundamental to the food web--declines
Climate ChangeAugust 5, 2016
Greenland Ice Melt Could Expose Hazardous Cold War Waste
The military abandoned the ice-tunnel complex with tons of chemicals and radioactive materials
Climate ChangeAugust 3, 2016
2015 Set a Frenzy of Climate Records
Temperatures, CO2, ocean heat and Arctic sea ice changes all saw sobering firsts
EarthJuly 19, 2016
First Half of 2016 Blows Away Temperature Records
Heat drops after El Niño but remains at record global highs
Climate ChangeMay 26, 2016
Africa Faces Hotter Future
Global warming hits the African continent soonest and hardest
EarthMay 18, 2016
99 Percent Chance 2016 Will Be the Hottest Year on Record
The streak of record warm months continues, thanks to El Niño and global warming