EurekAlert! News by Subject: Atmospheric Science

New research finds that a combination of extreme climate events, sea-level rise and land subsidence could create larger and deeper floods in coastal cities in future.

The study focused on Shanghai in China, which is threatened with flooding by large and strong typhoons, or tropical storms, producing storm surges and waves. To avoid disaster a major adaptation effort is required - which will almost certainly include raising defences and constructing mobile flood barriers, like those seen at the Thames Barrier in London. However, the team warn there is also the risk of “catastrophic failure” of defences due to rising water levels, especially due to the combination of subsidence, sea-level rise and higher surges during typhoons, as occurred in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Journal: One Earth

2-Dec-2025

Midlatitude atmosphere-ocean feedback reinforces the East Asian winter monsoon

University of Tsukuba
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers at University of Tsukuba and the Meteorological Research Institute have identified how atmosphere-ocean interactions in the midlatitudes reinforce the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM). During strong monsoon seasons, cold air outbreaks from the Eurasian continent cool the midlatitude western North Pacific (WNP). This oceanic cooling, in turn, alters atmospheric circulation in a manner that further intensifies the monsoon. The results underscore the importance of midlatitude feedback processes in driving winter climate variability over East Asia and provide insights that may improve the prediction of extreme weather events and enhance seasonal forecasting.

Journal: Geophysical Research Letters

1-Dec-2025

A new possibility for life: Study suggests ancient skies rained down ingredients

University of Colorado at Boulder
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A CU Boulder-led study finds that Earth’s early atmosphere could have produced key sulfur biomolecules essential for life, challenging long-held assumptions.

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

1-Dec-2025

FAU survey: Hurricane season ends, but weather woes push Floridians to move

Florida Atlantic University
Reports and Proceedings

A new FAU survey finds that 36% of Floridians have moved or are considering moving due to hazards such as hurricanes, flooding and extreme heat. Nearly a quarter of North Floridians say weather hazards have influenced their past moves and about 20% of respondents in the rest of the Peninsula south say they are considering a move at least in part due to weather hazards. More than 60% are concerned about stronger storms and flooding, and nearly half are concerned about homeowner’s insurance costs.

30-Nov-2025

Rapid changes in meteorological conditions govern how plants influence climate and air quality

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study shows that during drought, it’s not how hot or how dry it is that determines gas emissions from plants – but how quickly conditions change. This discovery reshapes our understanding of the relationship between drought, vegetation, and air pollution.

Journal: Science of The Total Environment

28-Nov-2025

Direct measurement techniques of aerosols’ optical properties (including absorption, scattering, extinction, and single scattering albedo) and chemical properties over the past 20 years

Science China Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

In a paper published in SCIENCE CHINA Earth Sciences, a team of researchers conducted a comprehensive review of direct measurement techniques for optical and chemical properties of atmospheric aerosols, as well as the impacts of aerosols on climate and environment, and health risks associated with exposure to high concentrations of ultrafine particles. It serves as a valuable reference for advancing future research and instrumentation development in the field of aerosol science.

Journal: Science China Earth Sciences