Author: Betty J. Rapp

Flooding may seem unlikely to impact your home, but the reality is far more concerning. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), floods are involved in 90% of all presidentially declared natural disasters in the U.S. Unfortunately, standard homeowners, condo, or renters insurance typically does not cover flood damage. This leaves your property vulnerable to significant financial loss in the event of a flood. Even if flood insurance is not mandated for your area, it’s worth considering as an essential safeguard to protect your home and belongings. With the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, flood insurance could provide…

Climate change might sound like a complex scientific term, but its impact touches every corner of our daily lives — from the weather we experience to the food we eat. In simple terms, climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, mainly caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels. These changes are happening faster than ever before, affecting ecosystems, communities, and economies around the world. But don’t worry — you don’t need a science degree to understand what’s going on. In this guide, we’ll break it all down in plain English. You’ll learn what climate change…

As you navigate through the app, it’s hard to miss the WeatherRadar, one of its most highly regarded features. This powerful tool provides a comprehensive array of weather data, all presented on a user-friendly map. With the WeatherRadar, users can seamlessly explore real-time weather conditions, as well as past and forecasted trends. Whether you’re tracking cloud cover, precipitation, storms, or temperature fluctuations, this interactive feature offers a dynamic and intuitive way to stay informed about changing weather patterns. Its accessibility and detailed visual representation make it a go-to resource for users seeking a clear and concise view of current and…

The global climate crisis demands urgent and innovative solutions, with carbon emissions standing as one of the primary culprits. To combat this escalating threat, carbon capture technologies have emerged as powerful tools in reducing atmospheric CO₂. These systems work by extracting carbon dioxide directly from industrial operations or the ambient air, then securely storing it to prevent further environmental harm. As nations strive to meet net-zero targets, understanding these technologies becomes crucial. From direct air capture to bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), each method offers unique advantages and challenges. In this article, we explore the top 10 carbon…

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are characterized by spiraling winds that converge towards their center, lifting moisture to form clouds and precipitation. These rainbands play a crucial role in global energy and water cycles and can cause significant flooding when TCs make landfall. Understanding how TC rainbands are organized is essential for improving forecasting systems and managing their impacts. Previous studies have focused on temporal changes and used shape metrics for classification, but these approaches often lack consistency and objectivity. Recent advancements in autoencoders, particularly convolutional autoencoders (CAEs), offer a more robust solution. CAEs excel in image clustering by learning local image…

Wildfire prevention is a critical issue, underscored by alarming statistics. The U.S. Forest Service reports that nearly 7.5 million acres are consumed by wildfires annually, with every state at risk. Tragically, human activity remains the leading cause of these devastating fires, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive prevention strategies.Among the various approaches to controlling wildfires, the most effective method is prevention at its source. Proactive forest and agricultural management plans, coupled with heightened public awareness and a shared sense of responsibility, play pivotal roles in reducing the frequency and severity of these disasters. By prioritizing prevention and fostering a collective…

As climate change accelerates, its impact on agriculture is becoming increasingly evident. Rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns disrupt every stage of the food supply chain—from farming and harvesting to transportation and storage. In Spain, severe flooding recently caused over €1 billion in damage to crops like oranges and persimmons. Meanwhile, drought conditions affecting nearly 60% of Brazil have driven arabica coffee prices to a 50-year high, reducing both supply and quality. These aren’t isolated incidents; they form a pattern of global disruption. As noted by The Guardian’s Heather Stewart, rising food costs intensify the vulnerability of developing nations, where…

Next-Gen Satellite Takes Off to Track Severe Weather Events” enhances forecasting with advanced imaging and real-As spring arrives, bringing warmer temperatures and longer days, nature begins to bloom across much of the United States. However, the season also brings an increased risk of severe weather, including tornadoes, large hail, flash floods, and damaging winds. With these heightened threats come a surge in weather alerts, primarily in the form of watches and warnings. While both signals of impending danger, they are distinctly different — particularly in terms of the actions you should take when the forecast takes a dangerous turn.Spring conditions…

A cutting-edge weather satellite, GOES-S (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-S), launched today, March 1, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at 5:02 p.m. EST (2202 GMT). Developed by Lockheed Martin and operated jointly by NOAA and NASA, GOES-S will monitor extreme weather events from a fixed position above the eastern Pacific Ocean. It is the second in a series of four advanced geostationary satellites designed to provide high-resolution, real-time imagery and atmospheric data. Together with GOES-East, already in orbit, GOES-S will enhance forecasting capabilities and improve early warning systems for severe…

Climate change is significantly intensifying drought conditions throughout California, placing the state in an increasingly vulnerable position. Prolonged periods of reduced precipitation and rising temperatures are depleting critical water resources, jeopardizing the availability of clean water for both residential consumption and agricultural production. This growing scarcity not only threatens California’s position as a leading agricultural producer but also amplifies the risk of catastrophic wildfires across parched landscapes. Additionally, the ecological impact is profound—many fish species, particularly those dependent on cold-water habitats, face declining populations, while broader wildlife ecosystems are disrupted. As the climate crisis deepens, California must confront urgent decisions…