Blogs Section
Thoughts on everything from climate modeling to energy policy.

Tell Me Why: We Need ‘Normals’ and Long-term Trends

Tell Me Why: We Need ‘Normals’ and Long-term Trends

What is “normal” when it comes to temperature and precipitation? The definition not only varies with location and time, but it changes from decade to decade. And it’s those decadal trends that interest climate scientists like Anthony Arguez. He explains the importance of “normals” in this version of Tell Me Why.… Read More

Tell Me Why: Climate Science Is So Important

Tell Me Why: Climate Science Is So Important

What’s seen from the sky can tell us a lot about what’s happening on Earth. Scientists rely on data gleaned from satellites for information on how our climate already has changed, and for clues on how it might change in the future. Scientist Jeff Privette tells us more in Tell Me Why.… Read More

Tell Me Why: Questions Swirl Around Climate & Tornadoes

Tell Me Why: Questions Swirl Around Climate & Tornadoes

Does a warming world affect the formation of tornadoes? The answer is one that scientists and researchers are trying to find. In this edition of Tell Me Why, climate scientist Deke Arndt explains why questions continue to swirl around any kind of connection between climate change and tornadoes.… Read More

Tell Me Why: The Climate Extremes Index Matters

Tell Me Why: The Climate Extremes Index Matters

The Climate Extremes Index, or CEI, tracks the highest and lowest 10 percent of extremes in a number of categories. As climate scientist Deke Arndt explains in this edition of Tell Me Why, the CEI contains critical information on how are climate is changing and what climate trends we may see.… Read More

Climate Central Leads 2012’s Climate Coverage

Climate Central Leads 2012’s Climate Coverage

Year-end numbers for media coverage of climate change were released Wednesday in an annual report by The Daily Climate, and while that coverage fell 2 percent, there were some interesting numbers. According to The Daily Climate’s archives, worldwide coverage by many major news organizations gave roughly the same amount of coverage this year as the… Read More

Extreme Weather 101: Climate Change and Precipitation

Extreme Weather 101: Climate Change and Precipitation

When it rains, it pours. That’s how we may want to think about the effects of climate change on precipitation. Scientist Tom Petersen and meteorologist Dan Satterfield explain the link between rainstorms and global warming in Extreme Weather 101.… Read More

Extreme Weather 101: Rising Temps & Snowstorms

Extreme Weather 101: Rising Temps & Snowstorms

Can a warming planet really play a role in big snowstorms? In Extreme Weather 101, scientist Jay Lawrimore and meteorologist Dan Satterfield detail how increased temperatures can affect the formation of snowstorms that can blanket and paralyze a city.… Read More

Extreme Weather 101: Drought & Our Changing Climate

Extreme Weather 101: Drought & Our Changing Climate

Drought has left huge swaths of the United States parched this year. Are these dry conditions simply a fluke, or something we many need to get used to in a warming world? Scientist Mike Brewer and meteorologist Dan Satterfield explain the connection between drought and a changing climate in our series Extreme Weather 101.… Read More