Weather

We’re closing out the year with a roundup of the science stories that stood out to our editors in 2024.

Better forecasting would help communities prepare for the extreme weather from atmospheric rivers that causes an average of $1 billion in damages a year on the West Coast

Dry weather and an extreme Santa Ana wind event have contributed to the explosive growth of the Franklin Fire in Malibu, Calif.

A man scouring Google Earth found a mysterious scar in the Australian outback. And now scientists know what caused it

High-energy electrons released by storms on Earth can threaten satellites and spacecraft

Every Atlantic hurricane that formed this year had higher wind speeds because of climate change. Two likely would have remained tropical storms without its influence

A major windstorm and an atmospheric river are set to unleash a “firehose” of precipitation from California to British Columbia

At dusk and dawn, the sky dances with three phases of in-between light

Observations from a retrofitted spy plane hint at a connection between powerful gamma-ray flashes and a thunderstorm’s lightning

Never-before-seen rainfall, record-breaking tornado outbreaks and wild wind acceleration defined Hurricane Milton

As Hurricane Milton barreled across Florida, it triggered dozens of tornadoes. Here’s how that process occurs

Without more funding, FEMA may be forced to restrict spending and suspend rebuilding projects