Weather and atmosphere

The term weather describes the state of the atmosphere at a given point in time and geographic location. Weather forecasts provide an estimate of the conditions we expect to experience in the near future and are based on statistical models of similar conditions from previous weather events. Temperature, amount and form of airborne moisture, cloudiness, and strength of wind are all different components of our weather. Severe weather events such as tornadoes, tropical storms, hurricanes, floods, lightning strikes and extremes of heat or cold can be costly and deadly. Knowing how to recognize threatening weather conditions, where to get reliable information, and how to respond to this information can help save lives. In addition to weather, NOAA also monitors and forecasts other atmospheric processes that effect our planet such as ozone levels, changing climate conditions, and variables outside Earth's atmosphere such as solar winds.

A satellite image of the Earth showing an abnormally warm area near the equator off the West Coast of South America.

El Niño and La Niña

By influencing global temperatures and precipitation, the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) significantly impacts Earth’s ecosystems and human societies. El Niño and La Niña are opposite extremes of the ENSO, which refers to cyclical environmental conditions that occur across the Equatorial Pacific Ocean. These changes are due to natural interactions between the ocean and atmosphere. Sea surface temperature, rainfall, air pressure, atmospheric and ocean circulation all influence each other.

Focus areas:

Education

Topics:

El Nino, La Nina, ENSO

weather

education

water

A satellite image of the Earth showing an abnormally warm area near the equator off the West Coast of South America.

A satellite image of Hurricane Humberto with a well-defined eye off the coast of the Southeastern United States.

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are one of nature’s most powerful storms. They produce strong winds, storm surge flooding, and heavy rainfall that can lead to inland flooding, tornadoes, and rip currents.

Focus areas:

Education

Topics:

weather

hurricanes

education

A satellite image of Hurricane Humberto with a well-defined eye off the coast of the Southeastern United States.

Two images of the sun from GOES-16 Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) on April 13, 2021. The image on the left was taken with a 171 Angstrom filter and the one on the right was taken with a 284 Angstrom filter. Different wavelengths of light capture different information about what is happening on the sun's surface and atmosphere. The GOES SUVI captures wavelengths in the ultraviolet spectrum.

Space weather

Did you know that there are storms always occurring in space? Not rain or snow, but winds and magnetic waves that move through space! This is known as space weather. Sometimes the impact of these storms can reach Earth or Earth's upper atmosphere affecting various technological systems including satellite-based positioning and navigation, high frequency radio communications, and the electric power grid. Rather than the more commonly known weather within our atmosphere (like rain, snow, heat, and wind), space weather can come in the form of radio blackouts, solar radiation storms, and geomagnetic storms caused by disturbances from the Sun.

Focus areas:

Education

Topics:

weather

education

space weather

water

Two images of the sun from GOES-16 Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) on April 13, 2021. The image on the left was taken with a 171 Angstrom filter and the one on the right was taken with a 284 Angstrom filter. Different wavelengths of light capture different information about what is happening on the sun's surface and atmosphere. The GOES SUVI captures wavelengths in the ultraviolet spectrum.

A tornado coming out of a dark storm cloud in a wide open field.

Tornadoes

A tornado warning has been issued and you are in the path of one of the 1,200+ tornadoes that hit the United States each year. How quickly can you get to a safe place out of the severe weather? Do you have a plan? Where would you go? Will you, your family, your students be safe?

Focus areas:

Education

Topics:

weather

education

tornadoes

water

A tornado coming out of a dark storm cloud in a wide open field.

A large, branched bolt of lightning.

Weather observations

Observing the daily weather is part of a regular routine for many of us, helping us decide what to wear and which activities we will do each day. Similar observations of atmospheric conditions are also required by meteorologists to develop those weather forecasts with which we are all familiar.

Focus areas:

Education

Topics:

weather conditions

weather

education

water

A large, branched bolt of lightning.

A photograph of a hilly beachfront landscape with heavy rainfall in the background.

Weather systems and patterns

Imagine our weather if Earth were completely motionless, had a flat dry landscape and an untilted axis. This of course is not the case; if it were, the weather would be very different. The local weather that impacts our daily lives results from large global patterns in the atmosphere caused by the interactions of solar radiation, Earth's large ocean, diverse landscapes, and motion in space.

Focus areas:

Education

Topics:

weather

weather conditions

education

water

A photograph of a hilly beachfront landscape with heavy rainfall in the background.