Meteorology – The Conversation

It’s been a very warm and dry autumn for much of southern Australia – and winter looks set to be similar.

The northern lights have been interpreted in many ways down the centuries - from portents of political upheaval to signs of religious revival.

Analysis reveals some of NZ’s worst droughts occurred before 1950 – meaning recent experience may not reflect the full scale of future risk in a warming climate.

A meteorologist explains three essential components of NOAA hurricane data collection that forecasters everywhere rely on yet are being targeted for federal cuts.

The parasitic fungus sometimes called ‘Himalayan gold’ can provide a good living to villagers who collect it. But rugged terrain and a high risk of lightning strikes make it a dangerous option.

Much of the country is sweltering under extreme heat that was very well forecast. But seemingly minor factors can make a big difference to what happens on the day.

The northwest of Australia is one of only a few places in the world that experience tropical cyclones in the desert.

In 2009, the combination of a cyclone, atmospheric waves and warm moist air triggered a record-breaking heatwave. It’s happening again.

Pennsylvania logged 852 severe weather reports from March through June – more than double the 30-year average. A meteorologist explains what keeps the storms coming.

This week, unusually widespread thunderstorms are expected to bring rain, hail and intense winds to swathes of southern Australia. Here’s why – and what threat they can pose.

Large parts of the central and eastern U.S. have seen at least 50% more precipitation than normal. An atmospheric scientist explains why and what creates flash flood weather.

One long line of powerful winds can whip up dust storms, spread wildfires, spin up tornadoes and fuel blizzards – all at the same time across different states.

Media reports have suggested a “super” El Niño is looming. The problem is, these autumn forecasts are notoriously unreliable.

The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program has been particularly important for understanding when a hurricane is about to rapidly intensify, a dangerous situation for coastal communities.

Days of intense rain and snowmelt overwhelmed old dams and breached roads, forcing evacuations. Nearly half the counties in Michigan – often seen as a climate haven – were under a state of emergency.

A powerful storm hitting the West Coast combines these phenomena for a wet week of erratic weather, as a meteorologist explains.

Why ‘sensitive dependence on initial conditions’ makes predicting the future so hard.

If federal streamgages were bolstered by networks of cheaper monitors run by communities, the results could save lives.

Éowyn’s wind speeds are comparable with the most infamous storms of recent years and decades.