As extreme weather forecasts improve, warnings struggle to get through

Before Hurricane Helene began devastating parts of the southeastern U.S., Amanda Wright had expected some rain and perhaps some flooding in the area around Knoxville, Tennessee, where she lives. It wasn’t until friends more than two hours away in Asheville, North Carolina, started posting warnings on Facebook that Wright realized how dangerous the storm could … Read more

How do you predict a solar storm? Space weather experts explain

For those who had the chance to see the aurora this weekend, it was quite a spectacular moment. But while seeing the Northern Lights is thrilling and exciting for us, the same coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and geomagnetic storms that make these light shows possible can also wreak havoc on some of the technology that … Read more

The BBC’s confusing weather forecast is nothing new, but AI could change everything

When the BBC’s weather map turned yellow this week, seeming to suggest a dose of Mediterranean sunshine just in time for the long weekend, viewers were stunned to discover that their sunbathing would have to take place in a less than tropical 15 degrees Celsius. “I think it’s very misleading,” says 43-year-old florist Vicky Laffey. … Read more

Space weather can make it difficult to predict satellite orbits. Here’s why that’s a problem

Satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) can deviate hundreds of kilometers from their expected trajectory when bad space weather hits. The problem affects the International Space Station, China’s Tiangong Space Station and many Earth observation satellites that need to get up close to our planet. Experts say this positioning uncertainty increases the risk of dangerous … Read more

Forget Hygge – think ‘Friluftsliv’ – why it’s always cold enough for quality winter activities

While just getting outside in the winter is enough to take advantage of the fresh air, why not take a cold dip, do some backcountry snowboarding or grab some snow polo to boost endorphins and energy levels? After years of pandemic lounging, many people are willing to not only get outside in the winter, but … Read more