Laboratory experiments and grain-scale computer simulations during the past decade have led to a more universal understanding of flow-driven sediment transport across flows in oil, water, and air.
Land/atmosphere interactions
How Does Convection Work Over the Tropics?
A new conceptual framework on how convection works in the tropics helps advance understanding of the contrast between land and ocean and how the tropics will respond to climate change.
Extreme Summer Heat over Europe Is Predictable Week-to-Week
Forecasts made one to a few weeks in advance, known as “subseasonal to seasonal” predictions, show more skill in predicting extreme summer heat waves over Europe than spells of normal or cold weather.
The Urban Dry Island Effect
A study of the Yangtze River Delta shows how urbanization dries out the atmosphere.
Advancing Climate Forecasting
Better forecasts, new products: The World Climate Research Programme coordinates research aimed at improving and extending global climate forecasting capabilities.
What Causes Ecological Shifts?
A new information-processing framework helps researchers tease out the factors driving ecological shifts over short timescales.
Panama Study: Tallest Tropical Trees Died Mostly from Lightning
On Barro Colorado Island in the Panama Canal, scientists map lightning strikes and find that they kill mainly the loftiest trees, likely disturbing the forest ecology.
Antenna Towers Attract Additional Lightning Strikes
Atmospheric scientists evaluate the influence of human-made structures on lightning data.
Rise in Tornado Numbers per Outbreak May Not Be Tied to Warming
Scientists studying why previous research revealed a steadily increasing number of tornadoes in the United States per outbreak find an unexpected result.
Comparing Models for Soil Erosion Due to Wind
Researchers investigate the impact of vegetation on erosion.