Climate

Science & Society

Explainer: Weather and weather prediction

The sun and Earth combine to create the planet’s weather systems. And science is getting good at predicting what they’ll do.

Climate

Did Maria set another U.S. rainfall record?

Weather scientists are investigating whether Maria set another U.S. record for flooding rainfalls.

Climate

Scientists Say: Weather bomb

Weather doesn’t just affect the air. Huge storms can send waves of pressure through the Earth as well.

Climate

Here’s why Irma caused some coastal water to temporarily go missing

The first sign of an impending storm surge — and serious danger — may be the sudden, wholesale retreat of water from coastal beaches.

Climate

Five portraits of Hurricane Irma’s record-breaking fury

A series of remarkable images capture Hurricane Irma’s power and might — and the lessons they can teach scientists.

Climate

Picturing how many Great Salt Lakes Harvey dropped onto Texas

Harvey’s astounding rainfall shattered records. The numbers are so high that it can be tough to picture what they mean. Here we give it a try.

Climate

Hurricane Harvey proved to be a tornado master

Harvey and other hurricanes have spawned tornadoes — sometimes by the dozens. And these tropical cyclones don’t need the typical recipe to spin those twisters loose.

Microbes

Under Antarctic ice, microbes gobble up greenhouse gas

In a lake far beneath the Antarctic ice sheet, scientists have found bacteria that eat methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

Climate

Hurricane Harvey’s rains set U.S. record

Here are some of the issues that made this storm such an epic rainfall-producer, and why storms like it could become more common.

Science & Society

Analyze This: Seasonal hurricane costs have been rising sharply

Scientists study past hurricanes to help them predict future risks. Better predictions can help communities prepare for monster storms.

Climate

Climate change is shifting when Europe’s rivers flood

Climate change has been shifting when European rivers flood by weeks or even months. This is likely to have been impacts on cities, farms and ecosystems.

Earth

Explainer: Hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons

Hurricanes are some of the most destructive forces on the planet. Here’s how they form and why they are so dangerous.