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 is a selection of articles published early online recently. Some articles are open-access; to view others, members of the media can contact kpflaumer@ametsoc.org for press login credentials.
AMS POLICY STUDIES
The AMS Policy Program is excited to announce the release of two new studies:
Communicating Forecast Uncertainty (CoFU) 2: Replication and Extension of a Survey of the US Public's Sources, Perceptions, Uses, and Values for Weather Information explores the general public’s communication, use, understanding, and valuation of weather forecasts. It also estimates the dollar value of weather information to the U.S. public as over $100 billion.
Equity and Environmental Hazards: Intersections Across the United States and Associated Territories by Isabella Herrera provides an overview of key challenges and opportunities in communities across the United States and its associated territories at the intersection of weather, water, and climate (WWC) and equity, inclusion, and justice (EIJ).
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Stalling North Atlantic Tropical Cyclones
Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology
When cyclones “stall.” Tropical cyclones occasionally stop barreling forward and instead subject the same area to intense wind and rain for days at a time. The authors find an increasing incidence of stalling storms, although this may be due to improved observing systems. They also find that stalling tropical cyclones have a greater chance of becoming major hurricanes.
DEsert-oasis COnvergence Line and Deep Convection Experiment (DECODE)
Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society
Irrigation in a Chinese desert is a “storm generator.” The DECODE project investigated unusual weather in the Kubuqi desert surrounding China’s Hetao Irrigation District. They found that temperature differences between the desert and the vast irrigated area in the summer may generate an atmospheric boundary that creates thunderstorms. Investigators observed 13 such convective storms in the summer of 2022, including a tornado. This boundary may be responsible for a 2009 storm that killed 20 people thousands of miles away.
Irrigation Effects on Regional Circulation and Climate in the U.S. Great Plains: A Case Study
Journal of Climate
Irrigation makes Great Plains storms drop more rain. The frequency of dry summers on the U.S. Great Plains has decreased by 20% since 1960, while irrigation has sharply increased. A new modeling study links these two factors, finding that irrigation affects the regional atmosphere; the greater availability of water vapor increases the amount of rain falling during most storm events.
Extinguishing the Fiery Skies: The History and Modern Prospects of Lightning Suppression within Thunderstorms
Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society
Should we (re)consider taming lightning? New paper reviews experimental efforts in the 20th century to prevent the formation of lightning–for example, around the site of a rocket launch–and outlines their successes. Lightning danger remains the number one cause of launch delays and cancellations at NASA Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The authors suggest re-evaluating lightning suppression options in the 21st century, for purposes such as space launches and wildfire control.
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.
Journal
Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society