geophysics

In the late 19th century, explorations of the Arctic captivated Western society. At the time, the North Pole was unknown territory and many nations wanted to be the first to reach the region to confirm what it was like–was it frozen land…

Just as birders have field guides for identification when birding, there are guides on corals for observers as well. With over 6,000 known species, coral reefs are the largest biological origin structures on earth and are complex…

Your autumn days can include a free and spectacular show in the contiguous United States. Watch the sun temporarily cast a ringlike shadow upon the fall leaves as the annular eclipse path crosses from Oregon through Texas. Weather can be…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Program Office, the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS), and CAPA are conducting an international heat mapping campaign in 2023 that spans 18…

Key Points:Heat waves impacted much of the U.S. in July and brought record temperatures to parts of the Southwest. The region as a whole tied with 2003 as the warmest July on record.Much of the eastern U.S. has been consistently warmer…

July Highlights:Antarctica saw its third-consecutive month of record-low sea ice extent.July 2023 set a record for the highest monthly sea surface temperature anomaly (+1.78°F or +0.99°C) of any month in NOAA’s 174-year record.South…

The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) archives data collected by a variety of scientists and institutions. The partnership between NCEI and nonprofit organization Sail & Explore Association has improved and…

Taking a dip in the ocean is an age-old solution to cooling down when temperatures soar. But when the ocean is abnormally warm, it does more than make it uncomfortable for a swim. Marine heatwaves can have significant impacts on ocean…

 Here at NCEI, we aren’t just data—we are people. In our Humans of NCEI series, meet the awesome minds that manage one of the largest archives of atmospheric, coastal, geophysical, and oceanic research in the world. Get to know Katy…

In this installment highlighting the 40th anniversary of the Regional Climate Center (RCC) Program, we focus on the Applied Climate Information System (ACIS). This system, which simplifies climate data management, delivery, and analysis,…

Greenhouse gas concentrations, global sea level and ocean heat content reached record highs in 2022, according to the 33rd annual State of the Climate report.The international annual review of the world’s climate, led by scientists from…

The latest GOES satellite is designed to support our weather forecasting, magnetic field understanding, and space knowledge. NOAA’s GOES-T, the third of four advanced satellites, blasted into orbit on March 1, 2022, from Cape Canaveral,…

Here at NCEI, we aren’t just data—we are people. In our Humans of NCEI series, meet the awesome minds that manage one of the largest archives of atmospheric, coastal, geophysical, and oceanic research in the world. Get to know Monica…

The current multi-year drought across the West is the most extensive and intense drought in the 22-year history of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Precipitation deficits during the first three months of 2022, across parts of the western U.S.,…

If you live in the United States, you’ve probably experienced some type of drought over the past two decades. Drought impacts look different in different areas of the country and can range from water shortages and restrictions to crop…

With some of the world’s tallest peaks, Asia’s “the abode of snow” region is a magnet for thrill seekers, worshipers, and scientists alike. The imposing 1,400-mile Himalayan mountain range that separates the…

The global surface temperature for April 2022 tied with 2010 as the fifth highest for April in the 143-year NOAA record, which dates back to 1880. The year-to-date (January-April) global surface temperature was also the fifth warmest…

Temperature and precipitation averages and statistics are calculated every decade so we can put today’s weather into proper context and make better climate-related decisions. These 30-year averages, called “climate normals,” can be…

Here at NCEI, we aren’t just data—we are people. In our Humans of NCEI series, meet the awesome minds that manage one of the largest archives of atmospheric, coastal, geophysical, and oceanic research in the world. Get to know Juan…

The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) program is a joint effort between the National Weather Service, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Defense. ASOS serves as the U.S.'s primary surface weather observing…

Our world’s ocean is filled with a symphony of sounds, each with its own purpose. To better understand underwater sound within National Marine Sanctuaries, NOAA and the U.S. Navy co-led the Sanctuary Soundscape Monitoring Project,…

The global temperature for March 2022 was the fifth highest for March in the 143-year NOAA record, which dates back to 1880. The year-to-date (January-March) global surface temperature was also the fifth warmest such period on record.…

As scientific research has advanced and grown over time, the ocean has become an important research site for nations around the globe. Under international law, coastal states have the right to regulate and authorize marine scientific…

As any sailor will tell you, weather and ocean conditions are inextricably linked. Both influence the other. The weather affects the ocean in many different ways such as producing winds that drive ocean currents and create waves. But the…

NOAA and its partners have released the latest Regional Climate Impacts and Outlooks, which recap winter conditions and provide insight into what might be expected this spring.Winter Temperature RecapThe winter (December-February)…

What will happen as the ocean continues to rise? That’s a key question NOAA researchers and collaborators asked regarding sea level rise in four U.S. coastal metro areas. Using several sources of global and local information, a team…

 Courtesy of Deborah Riddle Here at NCEI, we aren’t just data—we are people. In our Humans of NCEI series, meet the awesome minds that manage one of the largest archives of atmospheric, coastal, geophysical, and oceanic research in the…

The world’s largest yearly conference for the weather, water, and climate science community takes place this week to further meteorological sciences. Our scientists and staff are participating in the virtual American Meteorological…

NCEI is the official archive for data collected by NOAA scientists, observing systems, and research initiatives. We manage more than 40 petabytes of data and information that spans the entire spectrum of Earth’s environmental systems and…

During summer months, regions around the world often experience heat waves. A heat wave over land surface is a period of above-normal hot weather lasting two or more days. But another kind of heat wave has the attention of scientists,…

During January, the average contiguous U.S. temperature was 31.0°F, 0.9°F above the 20th-century average, ranking in the middle third of the 128-year record and was the coolest January since 2014.The January precipitation total for the…

The global temperature for January 2022 was the sixth highest for January in the 143-year NOAA record, which dates back to 1880. According to NCEI’s Global Annual Temperature Rankings Outlook, it is virtually certain (> 99.0%) that…

Here at NCEI, we aren’t just data—we are people. In our Humans of NCEI series, meet the awesome minds that manage one of the largest archives of atmospheric, coastal, geophysical, and oceanic research in the world. Get to know Boyin…

To present their work and explore emerging research on the ocean, a number of our scientists and staff are attending the virtual 2022 Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM) from February 24 through March 4, 2022. This international meeting brings…

NCEI continues its partnership with the NASA DEVELOP Program, working with early-career scientists and university students. This nationwide program utilizes NASA Earth observations to address diverse environmental issues impacting…

During February, the average contiguous U.S. temperature was 33.8°F, 0.1°F below the 20th-century average, ranking in the middle third of the 128-year period of record. The winter (December-February) average contiguous U.S. temperature…

Globally, February 2022 was the seventh-warmest February in the 143-year NOAA record. The year-to-date (January-February) global surface temperature was the sixth highest on record. According to NCEI’s Global Annual Temperature Rankings…