Climatology

Using Seawater to Combat LA Fires is an Experiment Scientists are Monitoring Closely

Credit: PixabayFirefighters tackling the devastating wildfires that swept through the Los Angeles area in January 2025 faced challenges due to limited freshwater supplies.When conditions allow, experienced pilots operating aircraft known as Super Scoopers collect 1,500 gallons of seawater at a time, delivering it with pinpoint accuracy to combat the flames.Using seawater to fight fires...

Expert Warns of Water Contamination Threat in LA Following Wildfires

Credit: DepositphotosThe wildfires in the Los Angeles area have destroyed thousands of structures, many of which were homes, and firefighters are still working to control the infernos. Parts of Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, and other California communities are now left unrecognizable.As evacuation orders are lifted, residents returning to their homes should prioritize ensuring access...

2024 Officially Declared Hottest Year, Surpassing 1.5°C Limit

Flames and smoke from the Palisades Fire on 9 January 2025. Credit: PixabayThe year 2024 set a new global record as the warmest on record, marking the first calendar year where global temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.The announcement was made on Friday by the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the European Union's Earth observation...

How Santa Ana Winds Intensify California’s Wildfires

Credit: PixabayHurricane-force Santa Ana winds roared down the mountains near Los Angeles on January 7, 2025, driving wildfires into multiple neighborhoods and creating a harrowing spectacle.By January 9, thousands of homes and buildings, including multiple schools, had been destroyed, and at least five lives were lost. Authorities called for the evacuation of over 180,000...

Weather Whiplash Driving LA’s Wildfire Could Lead to Record-Breaking Costs

Firefighters battle fires razing beachfront homes along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu in the Palisades Fire. Credit: PixabayBy the next morning, flames had consumed 2,925 acres of the Pacific Palisades in what is being called Southern California's worst wildfire since 2011.Three additional fires have erupted in the region, including the Eaton Fire, which has...

Ancient Antarctic Ice Uncovers Spike in Wildfires During Past Climate Changes

Credit: PixabayMicroscopic bubbles preserved in ancient Antarctic ice have uncovered periods of increased global wildfires that align with abrupt climate changes.Although climate shifts are typically marked by temperature fluctuations, alterations in tropical rainfall, and methane spikes, the role of wildfires had remained unrecognized until now."We weren’t specifically searching for evidence of wildfires," explained lead...

Severe Winter Storm Hits Millions Across the US

Dense snow fall and wind reduce visibility on January 5, 2025 in Shawnee, Kansas. Credit: DepositphotosA powerful winter storm struck the United States on Sunday, with meteorologists alerting millions in the East to blizzard conditions and forecasting the heaviest snowfall in a decade for some areas.Over 60 million people are in the path of...

Google’s Weather Tool Outperforms Leading Forecasters by 97%

Credit: DepositphotosGenCast, an AI-driven weather prediction tool, generates highly accurate 15-day forecasts within minutes, offering both convenience for daily planning and life-saving warnings for extreme weather events.Despite modern meteorology's progress, predicting weather accurately remains difficult due to the complexity of analyzing numerous data points, especially for extended timeframes.Developed by Google DeepMind, GenCast leverages four...

Fossil Fuel CO2 Emissions Rise Once More in 2024

Credit: PixabayGlobal carbon emissions from fossil fuels hit a record high in 2024, according to the latest research from the Global Carbon Project. Fossil CO2 emissions are projected to reach 37.4 billion tonnes, a 0.8% increase from 2023. Despite the urgent need to cut emissions to combat climate change, researchers say there is no...

Hurricane Milton is Set to Hit Florida, with More Storms Predicted

Credit: PixabayFollowing an unusually calm August, the Atlantic hurricane season is intensifying. Hurricane Milton, now a Category 4 storm, is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday night, while the state is still recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene just under two weeks ago.According to experts speaking to Business Insider, these...