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

What is a downburst? These winds can be as destructive as tornadoes − we recreate them to test building designs

Engineers use giant fans in the Wall of Wind test facility to study the destructive ways these powerful winds can interact with tall buildings.

Omar Metwally, Graduate Research Assistant, Extreme Events Institute, Florida International University • conversation
April 30, 2025 ~9 min


Two key ingredients cause extreme storms with destructive flooding – why these downpours are happening more often

Rising global temperatures increase the risk of extreme downpours, as a climate scientist explains.

Shuang-Ye Wu, Professor of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, University of Dayton • conversation
April 8, 2025 ~6 min

Why some storms brew up to extreme dimensions in the middle of America – and why it’s happening more often

Rising global temperatures increase the risk of extreme downpours, as a climate scientist explains.

Shuang-Ye Wu, Professor of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, University of Dayton • conversation
April 8, 2025 ~6 min

What causes the powerful winds that fuel dust storms, wildfires and blizzards? A weather scientist explains

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.

Chris Nowotarski, Associate Professor of Atmospheric Science, Texas A&M University • conversation
March 20, 2025 ~8 min

NOAA’s vast public weather data powers the local forecasts on your phone and TV – a private company alone couldn’t match it

NOAA operates fleets of satellites, sensors on airplanes and ocean-going buoys, as well as radar, providing the data used by weather forecasters nationwide – and freely available to anyone.

Kari Bowen, Atmospheric Scientist, Program Manager at CIRES, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Feb. 11, 2025 ~10 min

Will tornadoes and waterspouts thrive as Earth heats up?

Climate change is providing more fuel for violent storms – but twisters are complicated.

Jack Marley, Environment + Energy Editor, UK edition • conversation
Aug. 21, 2024 ~7 min

Waterspouts can be as dangerous as tornadoes on land – expert Q+A

The ocean is warming, providing ample fuel for destructive tornadic waterspouts.

Astrid Werkmeister, Knowledge Exchange Associate in Satellite Applications for Sustainable Development, University of Strathclyde • conversation
Aug. 21, 2024 ~9 min


Wildfires can create their own weather, including tornado-like fire whirls − an atmospheric scientist explains how

Fire-produced thunderstorms and tornado-like fire whirls are more common than anyone realized, as high-resolution satellite images and data now show.

Kyle Hilburn, Research Scientist in Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University • conversation
Aug. 1, 2024 ~7 min

Wildfires can create their own weather, further spreading the flames − an atmospheric scientist explains how

Fire-produced thunderstorms and tornado-like fire whirls are more common than anyone realized, as high-resolution satellite images and data now show.

Kyle Hilburn, Research Scientist in Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University • conversation
Aug. 1, 2024 ~7 min

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