January 2025 - Page 9 of 11

Jan132025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Winter Storm Paralyzes Mid-Atlantic as NOAA Satellites Prove Vital

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Space, Tech

On January 6, 2025, a ferocious winter storm swept through Washington, D.C., and the Mid-Atlantic region, bringing life to a halt with heavy snowfall, icy winds, and widespread disruptions. As the storm wreaked havoc across states, NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) played a critical role in forecasting and mitigating its impact, proving indispensable in the face of extreme weather. The storm began its journey across the Central Plains, leaving a trail of heavy snow and plunging temperatures in states like Missouri, Kansas, and Ohio. By the time it reached the Mid-Atlantic, it had gathered strength, blanketing Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia in thick layers of snow. In the nation’s capital, over five inches of snow accumulated by eve...

Jan112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

La Niña Makes a Comeback Cooler Pacific Waters Signal Global Weather Shifts

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

The phenomenon of La Niña has officially returned to the Pacific Ocean, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which announced its emergence on Thursday, January 9. Cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures have been recorded in the central and eastern Pacific, signaling the onset of La Niña conditions after more than a year of unusually warm ocean temperatures. NOAA confirmed that the shift began in December 2024, marking the first La Niña phase since the 2020–2023 cycle. Though the current event is classified as weak, its timing and potential impacts on global weather patterns are drawing significant attention. La Niña, part of the larger El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, is known for altering atmospheric conditions worldwide. The ...

Jan112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Hydroclimate Whiplash Intensifies Amid Global Warming, Researchers Warn

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

Rapid swings between extreme wet and dry weather known as hydroclimate whiplash are accelerating globally due to climate change, with further escalation expected as temperatures rise, according to a study led by UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain. The study, published in Nature Reviews, highlights the role of the "expanding atmospheric sponge," a phenomenon where the atmosphere absorbs, evaporates, and releases 7% more water for every degree Celsius of global warming. This process intensifies the swings between droughts and floods, posing new challenges for water and disaster management. California offers a vivid illustration of hydroclimate whiplash. Following years of drought, the state experienced record-breaking precipitation during the winters of 2022-23, triggering floods, sno...

Jan112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

11 Dead Thousands Displaced as Fires Ravage Los Angeles Area

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

At least 11 people have died, and thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed as massive fires tear through the Los Angeles area. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the blazes, which have devastated neighborhoods and forced widespread evacuations. The Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive, began in Pacific Palisades and quickly spread through the hilly, wooded area. The fire reportedly started behind a house on Piedra Morada Drive. Among the homes destroyed were those of Hollywood stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Billy Crystal, highlighting the fire's indiscriminate path of destruction. The Eaton Fire, which ignited in east Los Angeles County, has also wreaked havoc, destroying hundreds of homes. Together, the two fires have left a trail of devastation, wit...

Jan112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

L.A. 27,000 Acres Burn Wildfires Unprecedented Devastation Grips City

Breaking News, Disasters, Environment

Los Angeles is reeling from some of the most destructive wildfires in its history. As flames rage on, five lives have been lost, 27,000 acres have burned, and 130,000 residents are under evacuation orders. The magnitude of the disaster is revealing vulnerabilities in the city’s infrastructure and policies, while experts point to climate change as a driving force behind the escalating crisis. Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness, explains the factors fueling these devastating fires. Prolonged drought, low humidity, and the powerful Santa Ana winds have created the perfect conditions for the inferno. “When winds hit speeds of 100 miles per hour, even a small spark can quickly spiral out of control,” Schlegelmilch said. The geography of L.A.’s hi...

Jan112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Saint Kitts Farmers Battle Drought with Climate Tech Amid Mounting Water Crisis

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

On the Caribbean island of Saint Kitts, farmers like Meshach Alford face the daily struggle of nurturing crops in bone-dry soil. "I have planted crops, and there has been no water for weeks, for months," says Alford, who farms 11 hectares in Saint Paul’s. "Even 18 inches deep, the soil is still dry." This harsh reality is becoming increasingly common in Saint Kitts and Nevis, a twin-island nation grappling with the growing impacts of climate change. Drought, once a rare occurrence, is now disrupting livelihoods and threatening food security. Rainfall, the islands' sole source of potable water, has diminished significantly, leaving 80% of Saint Kitts residents facing regular water outages. Unpredictable Seasons, Uncertain Futures "What was considered a wet season is no longer a wet...

Jan102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Future of Space Science: ISRO Chief S Somanath Inspires Students at START 2025 Launch

Breaking News, Space

In a virtual keynote at the launch of ISRO's START 2025 programme, Chairman S Somanath painted an inspiring yet realistic picture of space science. Addressing 20,000 students from over 560 institutions, he emphasized that the field is not just about the thrill of exploring the universe but also about rigorous, time-intensive work. “Space science isn’t just excitement; it’s about crunching numbers, solving formulas, and building systems like satellites, rockets, and sensors,” he said, underlining the demanding nature of the discipline. The START programme, which runs until January 29, aims to introduce students to both the thrilling and technical aspects of space missions. “We’ll talk about our exciting space missions, but also the science behind orbits, trajectories, and rocket build...

Jan102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Researchers Reveal Ancient Hotspot Shaped Formation of Great Lakes

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Learning & Developments

New evidence suggests that the Great Lakes owe their extraordinary size and depth not just to Ice Age glacial activity but also to ancient geological processes. A study published in Geophysical Research Letters highlights the role of a geographic hotspot that interacted with the Earth's lithosphere millions of years ago, reshaping our understanding of these iconic water bodies' origins. As the ancient supercontinent Pangea drifted over the hotspot, the Earth's lithosphere thinned. This thinning made the region's crust more fragile and susceptible to deformation, paving the way for significant geological transformations over time. Seismic Wave Analysis Confirms Deformation Seismic wave data provided key evidence for the hotspot's role. Unusual horizontal wave movements beneath ...

Jan102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Space Station Crew Prepares for Upcoming Spacewalks and Advances Scientific Research

Breaking News, Space

The Expedition 72 team aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is in full swing, balancing scientific research, astronaut training, and preparation for two upcoming spacewalks aimed at enhancing the station's capabilities. The crew's efforts exemplify the critical collaboration and ingenuity required for space exploration. NASA Flight Engineers Don Pettit and Nick Hague focused on advancing scientific understanding and ensuring the safety of future space missions. Pettit began his day collecting biological samples for storage in the station's science freezer, contributing to ongoing studies on human health in microgravity. He then turned his attention to the Combustion Integrated Rack, swapping out experiment samples to study flame behavior in weightlessness. These findings are exp...

Jan102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Rising Temperatures and Warnings: Latest Climate Research Highlights Urgent Action Needed

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

As global temperatures soared to record highs in 2024, the urgency to address climate change is intensifying. New research underscores how rapidly the planet is warming and reveals unexpected consequences of climate shifts, from ocean changes to wildfires and ecosystem transformations. Recent findings suggest Earth may have already reached 1.5°C of warming above pre-industrial levels, a critical threshold that could lead to irreversible climate impacts. A November 2024 study based on 2,000 years of atmospheric gas data from Antarctic ice cores indicates that warming hit 1.49°C in 2023. Unlike previous calculations, which used a baseline from 1850-1900, this analysis extends the pre-industrial baseline back to 13 CE, offering a broader historical perspective. The warming Atlantic Ocea...