The American Meteorological Society continuously publishes research on climate, weather, and water in its 12 journals. Many of these articles are available for early online access–they are peer-reviewed, but not yet in their final published form. Below are some recent examples of online and early-online research.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Observed Trends in Extreme Precipitation and Convective Intensity Under Global Warming
Journal of Climate
Intense rainfall events are occurring more frequently worldwide. While global warming is known to affect the intensity of the water cycle overall, we have less of a sense of how individual rainfall events are changing. This study of satellite observations shows that heavy rainfall events have increased in frequency since 1987, while moderate rainfall events have decreased in frequency, leading to a modest increase overall in the intensity of the average precipitation event.
Death Valley Illusion: Evidence Against the 134 °F World Record
Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society
World-record hot temperature may have been incorrectly measured. Researchers using historical records from nearby stations have calculated that the world record hottest near-surface air temperature of 134°F, recorded at Greenland Ranch, Death Valley, California on 10 July 1913, was likely inaccurate. They suggest that the true temperature was probably 14°F cooler than reported on that date.
The Role of the Weather in the Fate of Shackleton’s Endurance
Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society
Famous Antarctic near-disaster was precipitated by a highly anomalous winter. The ice-bound 1914-15 demise of the ship Endurance during Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition led to a famous feat of survival by its crew—yet in a different year, the Endurance might not have been trapped at all. Weather and climate records suggest that the expedition sailed into one of the most extensive years of ice coverage and persistent near-record cold temperatures in the early 20th century, with anomalous high pressure delaying ice breakup the following spring.
Future Impacts of Climate Change on Global Fire Weather: Insight from Weighted CMIP6 Multi-Model Ensembles
Journal of Climate
Fire weather is likely to expand and intensify this century. Using a new technique to reduce bias and uncertainty when deploying multiple Earth System models, researchers predict an overall increase both in magnitude and geographical expansion in the weather conditions enabling the ignition and spread of fires by the end of the century. At least 55% of fire-prone areas are expected to see a significant increase in fire weather conditions by 2040.
GOES-Based Trends in Blowing Dust Initiation Across Southwestern North America, 2001–2020
Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology
Identifying dust cloud hotspots. Researchers used high-resolution imagery from NOAA’s GOES satellites to identify airborne dust plumes and their origin points in the southwestern U.S. Analysis reveals a strong springtime peak in activity, regional hotspots such as northern Chihuahua, west Texas, and northwest Nevada, and elevated plume frequencies during major drought periods like 2002–2003 and 2011–2012.
Impact of Cold Wakes on Tropical Cyclone Rainfall under Global Warming
Journal of Climate
“Cold wakes” may increasingly dampen tropical cyclone rainfall. Tropical cyclone (TC) precipitation was initially predicted to increase with global warming. However, recent evidence suggests precipitation is decreasing within the active inner cores of TCs. This study examines cold wakes — sea-surface cooling following the passage of a cyclone — and finds that they appear to intensify with global warming. Their influence may partially explain the decrease in precipitation.
Investigation of Weather-related Aviation Accidents in Hawai‘i from 2003–2022
Weather and Forecasting
Subtle wind shifts — not severe weather — are the leading cause of fatal air accidents in Hawai‘i. Observations and machine learning simulations suggest that most weather-related aviation accidents in Hawai‘i take place during trade wind conditions and occur on O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, and Maui. The largest number of fatal accidents occur on trade wind days when a shearline is present. “This suggests that the most hazardous days for aviation in Hawai‘i are not necessarily those with the most severe weather, but those that subtly deviate from the familiar trade wind regime — conditions that can be easily overlooked,” say the authors.
You can view all research published in AMS Journals at journals.ametsoc.org.
About the American Meteorological Society
The American Meteorological Society advances the atmospheric and related sciences, technologies, applications, and services for the benefit of society. Founded in 1919, AMS has a membership of around 12,000 professionals, students, and weather enthusiasts. AMS publishes 12 atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic science journals; hosts more than 12 conferences annually; and offers numerous programs and services. Visit us at www.ametsoc.org/.
About AMS Journals
The American Meteorological Society continuously publishes research on climate, weather, and water in its 12 journals. Some AMS journals are open access. Media login credentials are available for subscription journals. Journals include the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, Weather, Climate, and Society, the Journal of Climate, and Monthly Weather Review.
Journal
Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society