The American Meteorological Society continuously publishes research on climate, weather, and water in its 12 journals . Many of these articles are available for early online access–they are peer-reviewed, but not yet in their final published form. Below are some recent examples.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Atmospheric and Insect Responses to a Total Solar Eclipse
Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society
Totality alters wind, insect behavior. The University of Alabama's Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets (FARM) observed "profound and rapid" changes in the atmosphere and airborne insect behavior during the 2017 U.S. total solar eclipse. The first instrument-based study to record such changes in fine detail before, during, and after totality observed substantial low-level atmospheric changes and a wind shift, and saw airborne insects descend, then reascend. Insect behavior during totality was markedly different from non-totality phases of the eclipse.
Heat Health Height Dependency in an Urban Environment
Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology
Children, pets are more exposed to urban heat stress due to their height–especially during the worst heat days. Due to heat radiating from surfaces, wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT, a measure of potential heat stress combining heat and humidity) in paved urban areas is greater at 0.5 m above the ground than at 1.5 m, according to a study of two Charleston, SC, locations. The authors found that "these differences were most pronounced when the health danger was extreme" and warned of "potential health impacts on vulnerable children and pets."
Urban Heat Island Effects in U.S. Summer Surface Temperature Data, 1895–2023
Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology
Urban heat island magnifies climate change impacts at many weather stations. Surface temperature measurements are often taken at urban or suburban locations, which experience magnified warming due to the urban heat island (UHI) effect. This study attempts to quantify the contribution of UHI to summer temperature trends, and suggests that–while the picture is very complicated–increased urbanization over time does have some impact. "The reporting and significance of suburban and urban temperature statistics (e.g. record high temperatures) should take into account urbanization effects, in addition to large-scale climate change, when those statistics are discussed," the authors suggest.
Cyclone Warning System in India: A journey of success over 25 years
Weather and Forecasting
Indian cyclone forecasting demonstrates pronounced improvement at saving lives. This study analyzed Tropical Cyclone Biparjoy, which hit the Gujarati coast in 2023, and found it very similar to 1998's Tropical Cyclone Kandla. While Kandla caused over 1,000 deaths in Gujarat, Biparjoy caused none. The authors attribute this difference in large part to the India Meteorological Department's improved ability to forecast the cyclone's genesis, track, intensity, landfall, associated heavy rain, winds, and storm surge with good lead time, and an associated active response from emergency managers.
Warming Stripes Spark Climate Conversations: from the ocean to the stratosphere
Weather and Forecasting
"Warming stripes" extended up and down to oceans and stratosphere. A U.K. and U.S. team has extended the ubiquitous " warming stripes ," illustrating temperature changes in locations across the world, to show how the temperatures humans experience interact with those in the oceans and upper atmosphere.
NOAA/NASA research spotlights
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is the parent agency of the National Weather Service. NOAA's research arm, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, is threatened with elimination under 2026 budget plans, as is much of the research that takes place at the National Air and Space Administration (NASA). To help reporters understand some of the research that takes place at NOAA and NASA, and with their funding, we are highlighting the additional recent publications below:
Improving severe weather decision-making in Alaska : Work at the National Weather Service's Arctic Testbed and Proving Ground in Anchorage has brought together stakeholders to develop a successful prototype of the Winter's Storm Severity Index (WSSI). A product thus far unavailable in the state, the WSSI shows forecasted impacts of severe winter storms in order to help emergency managers and other stakeholders make decisions.
Improving seasonal/subseasonal forecasts : Read about a recent gathering that highlights the applications of NOAA's seasonal and subseasonal forecasts (collectively known as seasonal forecast systems, or SFSs): weather/climate forecasts for weeks and months in advance). As noted, "The SFSs that are designed to assist in the protection of the U.S. economy and lives are in need of an update since they are based on physical models that are more than a decade old." The 2024 workshop helped advance NOAA's work on next-generation forecasts.
Understanding gamma rays and thunderstorms : The internationally collaborative ALOFT airborne campaign in July 2023 discovered that thunderstorms near Florida and Central America produce gamma rays far more frequently than previously thought–enough that the rays can be used to indicate the evolution of thunderstorms. The findings have implications for forecasting and aviation hazards.
Monitoring the air around us : The planetary boundary layer (PBL) is the atmospheric layer adjacent to the Earth's surface–i.e., the layer humans occupy. There is an urgent need for a global PBL observing system to understand its complex structures and interactions with our society and improve climate, weather, and air quality forecasting. This paper outlines the conclusions of a NASA study team working to advance such a system.
You can view all research published in AMS Journals at journals.ametsoc.org .
About the American Meteorological Society
The American Meteorological Society advances the atmospheric and related sciences, technologies, applications, and services for the benefit of society. Founded in 1919, AMS has a membership of around 12,000 professionals, students, and weather enthusiasts. AMS publishes 12 atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic science journals; hosts more than 12 conferences annually; and offers numerous programs and services. Visit us at www.ametsoc.org/ .
About AMS Journals
The American Meteorological Society continuously publishes research on climate, weather, and water in its 12 journals . Some AMS journals are open access. Media login credentials are available for subscription journals. Journals include the Bulletin of the American Meteorolocial Society , Weather, Climate, and Society , the Journal of Climate , and Monthly Weather Review .
