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How the Climate System Works
Department:August 2, 2016In 2015, glaciers across the globe, on average, continued to shrink for the 36th consecutive year.
Department:August 2, 2016Ocean heat storage has increased substantially since 1993, hitting a record high in 2015, according to the State of the Climate in 2015 report. Ocean warming accounts for over 90% of the warming in Earth’s climate system.
Department:August 2, 2016The global mean sea level in 2015 was approximately 7 centimeters (2.7 inches) above the 1993 average, making it the highest observed since the satellite altimeter record began in 1993. Regional variations highlighted the short-term influence of climate phenomena like the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the largest El Niño event since 1997/98.
Department:August 2, 2016Long-term warming and a strong El Niño contributed to the highest annual combined temperature for ocean and land since reliable records began in the mid-to-late 1800s.
Department:June 23, 2016Crack out the popcorn, sit back, and marvel over the decay of El Niño.
Department:June 16, 2016For much of the country, summer temperatures are somewhat sensitive to late-spring precipitation. It turns out that summer afternoons are way, way more sensitive than summer nights.
Department:June 15, 2016Human activities emit 60 or more times the amount of carbon dioxide released by volcanoes each year.
Department:April 21, 2016In this week's Beyond the Data blog, Deke Arndt explains the climate behind this spring's prairie fires.
Department:January 18, 2016Answers to some of the questions that readers frequently ask NOAA experts about El Niño and La Niña.
Department:November 6, 2015When it comes to what causes climate to vary over seemingly short distances, few things can compare to the influence of topography. This week in Beyond the Data, Jake Crouch talks about how climate scientists account for topography in interpreting climate patterns and trends.
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