Synthetic tracers are useful in defining the chemically-heterogeneous tropopause in chemical transport models, especially where more traditional gradient-based tropopause methods may be lacking.
Climate Change
Earth’s Energy Imbalance is Growing Faster Than Expected
Satellite observation of the imbalance between incoming and outgoing radiation in the atmosphere, which causes global warming, shows growth beyond what climate models have predicted.
House Passes Trump’s Spending Bill, With Consequences for the Climate
On 3 June, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a 940-page spending bill that provides trillions of dollars in tax cuts, boosts the fossil fuel industry, and dismantles incentives for clean energy.
Warming Gulf of Maine Buffers Ocean Acidification—For Now
Scientists constructed a 100-year history of acidity in the Gulf of Maine. They expected coastal variability but were surprised by what they didn’t find: a strong anthropogenic signal.
The Mid-20th Century Winter Cooling in the Eastern U.S. Explained
A new analysis of historical jet stream behavior reveals that increases in jet stream waviness accounted for 55-71% of winter cooling in the eastern United States from 1958 to 1988.
Fatal landslides in April 2025
In April 2025, I recorded 41 fatal landslides that cost 107 lives. I’m somewhat behind with posting updates on global fatal landslides due to other workload pressures – please accept my apologies. Please be assured that I’m still collecting the data and that I will make a summary available as soon as I can. Somewhat […]
Proposed NOAA Budget Calls for $0 for Climate Research
In the latest move in a months-long attack on climate science funding, the Trump administration released a budget document on 30 June that calls for zero funding for climate research and the elimination of a slew of NOAA services, including the agency’s climate laboratories, regional climate data efforts, tornado and severe storm research, and partnerships with other institutions.
Un antiguo evento de calentamiento podría haber durado más de lo que pensábamos
Una nueva investigación sobre el Máximo Térmico del Paleoceno-Eoceno usó análisis probabilístico para entender mejor su duración y sobre cuánto tiempo podría afectar el calentamiento moderno al ciclo del carbono.
Landslides during periods of glacial retreat in Alaska
An excellent new paper (Walden et al. 2025) examines the occurrence of accelerated movement in rock slope landslides in Alaska as adjacent glaciers melt. The exceptional temperatures in recent days in both North America and Europe has once again highlighted the rate at which the climate is changing in response to anthropogenic increases in greenhouse […]
Precipitation Extremes Drive Swings in Lake Tahoe’s UV Exposure
An 18-year study reveals dramatic year-to-year variations in ultraviolet radiation penetration tied to Sierra Nevada precipitation cycles.