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Climate news and stories

Climate.gov news and features

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Heat.gov news and events

Size of 2016 Antarctic ozone hole is nearly average, as expected

October 26, 2016

Researchers release a weather balloon carrying an ozone sonde, a lightweight sensor, during the 2016 ozone hole research season at the South Pole.

4 ways the ozone hole is related to global warming, and 1 way it isn’t

October 20, 2016

An aurora and the Milky Way over South Pole Station in Antarctica on June 23, 2009.

The Climate Prediction Center’s Mike Halpert talks about NOAA’s Winter Outlook

October 20, 2016

U.S. winter temperature (left) and precipitation (right) outlooks for 2016-17.

Monthly record-warm streak ends, September 2nd warmest on record for globe

October 18, 2016

The year to date continues to be record warm

New England communities on watch as ocean warming drives lobsters north

October 12, 2016

Hanging lobster.

4 new billion-dollar disasters bump year-to-date total to 12

October 6, 2016

Lower 48 states experience 9th warmest September, 2nd warmest year to date

U.S. Coast Guard members rescue locals from flood water on their flat-bottom boats in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Aug. 14, 2016.

Carbon dioxide levels race past troubling milestone

September 30, 2016

Relentless rise of this greenhouse gas locks in a warmer future, scientists say

Measurements taken by NOAA scientists show carbon dioxide levels are now permanently above 400 parts per million — even at the South Pole, which is the last place on Earth to register the impacts of increasing emissions from fossil fuel consumption. This photo shows NOAA's South Pole Observatory in the distance.

New tool helps urban communities build resilience to climate change

September 30, 2016

Severe flooding in Nashville’s downtown in May 2010 demonstrated the need for cities and towns to plan more resilient buildings, transportation systems and other infrastructure. The Climate Resilience Toolkit provides cities and towns with new tools on the Built Environment to address this need.

When does the climate record say you can expect the season's first snow?

September 29, 2016

Birch branches covered with hoarfrost.

Honor those helping make America’s natural resources resilient to climate change

September 29, 2016

Volunteers help restore the Duwamish River by planting native vegetation at an Earth Day event at Codiga Park, Washington. April 2008.

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