How is snow made? An atmospheric scientist describes the journey of frozen ice crystals from clouds to the ground

There are an infinite number of paths an ice crystal can take before you touch it.

Alexandria Johnson, Professor of Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University • conversation
Feb. 26, 2024 ~6 min

Satellites are burning up in the upper atmosphere – and we still don’t know what impact this will have on the Earth’s climate

We know particles from spacecrafts are in the stratosphere. But what this means for the ozone layer or the climate is still unknown.

Fionagh Thomson, Senior Research Fellow in Space Ethics and Sustainability, Durham University • conversation
Feb. 23, 2024 ~7 min


Can technology clean up our air? An atmospheric scientist got a glimpse of the future

A surprising number of new consumer tech products promise to improve air quality.

Alastair Lewis, Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science and University of York, University of York • conversation
Jan. 15, 2024 ~6 min

What is a strong El Niño? Meteorologists anticipate a big impact in winter 2023, but the forecasts don't all agree

An atmospheric scientist explains how El Niño works, this year’s oddities and why this phenomenon doesn’t last long.

Aaron Levine, Atmospheric Research Scientist, CICOES, University of Washington • conversation
Oct. 12, 2023 ~8 min

As extreme downpours trigger flooding around the world, global warming's intensifying impact becomes more clear

There’s a rule of thumb that rainfall intensity increases by about 7% per degree Celsius as temperatures rise. But the increase is much higher in the mountains, scientists found.

Mohammed Ombadi, Assistant Professor of Climate and Space Sciences Engineering, University of Michigan • conversation
Sept. 19, 2023 ~7 min

As extreme downpours trigger flooding around the world, scientists take a closer look at global warming's role

There’s a rule of thumb that rainfall intensity increases by about 7% per degree Celsius as temperatures rise. But the increase is much higher in the mountains, scientists found.

Mohammed Ombadi, Assistant Professor of Climate and Space Sciences Engineering, University of Michigan • conversation
Sept. 19, 2023 ~7 min

Cloud seeding can increase rain and snow, and new techniques may make it a lot more effective – podcast

Cloud seeding – spraying materials into clouds to increase precipitation – has been around for nearly 80 years. But only recently have scientists been able to measure how effective it really is.

Nehal El-Hadi, Science + Technology Editor & Co-Host of The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation • conversation
May 4, 2023 ~7 min

Can rainbows form in a circle? Fun facts on the physics of rainbows

Each rainbow is personal – the rainbow you see isn’t exactly the same rainbow the next person sees. It’s all in the eye of the beholder.

Partha Chowdhury, Professor of Physics, UMass Lowell • conversation
April 24, 2023 ~6 min


Allergy season is getting more intense with climate change – we're creating better pollen forecasts to help

Rising temperatures mean longer, earlier pollen seasons, but a bigger problem is what more carbon dioxide will do to the amount of pollen being released.

Allison L. Steiner, Professor of Atmospheric Science, University of Michigan • conversation
April 20, 2023 ~8 min

Why tornadoes are still hard to forecast – even though storm predictions are improving

Researchers are turning to computer models, drones and other methods to improve tornado forecasting.

Chris Nowotarski, Associate Professor of Atmospheric Science, Texas A&M University • conversation
March 28, 2023 ~8 min

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