How to stay safe during heat waves – and the heat stroke warning signs to watch for

A public health researcher explains the signs someone is developing heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and what to do.

Brian Bossak, Professor of Public Health, College of Charleston • conversation
June 19, 2025 ~9 min

Coral reefs face an uncertain recovery from the 4th global mass bleaching event – can climate refuges help?

As baby corals float in the currents, they can expand their species’ range. But can they get to climate refuges fast enough to survive? A new study has good news and bad.

Noam Vogt-Vincent, Postdoctoral Fellow in Marine Biology, University of Hawaii • conversation
June 6, 2025 ~8 min


Storm damage costs are often a mystery – that’s a problem for understanding extreme weather risk

Forecasters already patch together very rough estimates, and ending NOAA’s ‘billion-dollar disasters’ list means less access to insurance data. Texas’ state climatologists explain why that matters.

William Baule, Research Assistant Professor in Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University • conversation
June 4, 2025 ~9 min

Extreme weather’s true damage cost is often a mystery – that’s a problem for understanding storm risk, but it can be fixed

Forecasters already patch together very rough estimates, and ending NOAA’s ‘billion-dollar disasters’ list means less access to insurance data. Texas’ state climatologists explain why that matters.

William Baule, Research Assistant Professor in Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University • conversation
June 4, 2025 ~9 min

California plan to ban most plants within 5 feet of homes for wildfire safety overlooks some important truths about flammability

Hedges and trees may actually reduce home exposure to radiant heat and flying embers, but they must be well maintained. Two scientists who study how plants burn explain.

Luca Carmignani, Assistant Professor of Engineering, San Diego State University • conversation
June 2, 2025 ~8 min

Hurricane season is here, but FEMA’s policy change could leave low-income areas less protected

Low-income neighborhoods have the hardest time recovering from disasters without help. FEMA used to require cities to pay attention to them, but that’s changing.

Shannon Van Zandt, Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University • conversation
May 30, 2025 ~8 min

For many island species, the next tropical cyclone may be their last

Species-rich islands are in the crosshairs of stronger storms as the climate crisis escalates.

David Jorge Pereira, PhD Candidate, Conservation Science, University of Birmingham • conversation
May 23, 2025 ~6 min

In 2025, Tornado Alley has become almost everything east of the Rockies − and it’s been a violent year

A storm scientist explains what’s been driving deadly tornado outbreaks and how tornado season has been changing.

Daniel Chavas, Associate Professor of Atmospheric Science, Purdue University • conversation
May 23, 2025 ~9 min


Forecasters expect a busy 2025 hurricane season – a storm scientist explains why and what meteorologists are watching

NOAA’s preseason forecast is the 30,000-foot view of what’s likely. Here’s what forecasters will be watching for over the weeks and months ahead.

Colin Zarzycki, Associate Professor of Meteorology and Climate Dynamics, Penn State • conversation
May 22, 2025 ~9 min

NOAA’s 2025 hurricane forecast warns of a busy season – a storm scientist explains why and what meteorologists are watching

The preseason forecast is just the 30,000-foot view of what’s likely. Here’s what forecasters will be watching for over the weeks and months ahead.

Colin Zarzycki, Associate Professor of Meteorology and Climate Dynamics, Penn State • conversation
May 22, 2025 ~9 min

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