Rivers in the sky are driving stronger and more predictable floods new study finds
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 26-Apr-2026 15:16 ET (26-Apr-2026 19:16 GMT/UTC)
A new study finds that the most intense and destructive rainstorms in Portugal, particularly those fueled by atmospheric rivers, are not the most chaotic, but among the most predictable. These events form within large, well-organized atmospheric systems that strengthen winds and channel moisture efficiently, producing significantly heavier rainfall while also creating clearer, more coherent signals in the atmosphere. As a result, the very storms that pose the greatest risk to infrastructure and public safety may also offer the best opportunity for earlier and more reliable forecasts.
Rapid ocean warming is likely to make tropical cyclone rainfall more intense and longer lasting, increasing flood risks in parts of the North Atlantic region.
A new study revealed that the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), a large-scale tropical disturbance that travels eastward through the tropics every 30–60 days, significantly influences climate conditions in Hawaiʻi. Their research showed that during active MJO phases, rainfall increases across the islands, especially on windward slopes. In contrast, suppressed MJO phases tend to produce drier conditions.
A simple change on the dinner plate could deliver a powerful climate impact. New research published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health shows that replacing meat and dairy with a low‑fat vegan diet that includes soybeans reduced diet‑related greenhouse gas emissions by 35%. For the average individual, that reduction is comparable to eliminating roughly 600 miles of driving each year.