NOAA Press Releases

Researcher earns international honor for discoveries on the role of atmospheric water vapor in climate change

January 23, 2012 Isaac Held, Ph.D., a senior research scientist with the NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in Princeton, N.J., will receive the prestigious BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award for his contributions to improved …

Satellites aid in the rescue of 207 people in 2011

January 23, 2012 In 2011, NOAA satellites were critical in the rescues of 207 people from life-threatening situations throughout the United States and its surrounding waters. The satellites picked up distress signals from emergency beacons carried by …

Improved way to estimate saltwater recreational fishing unveiled

Method improves accuracy of recreational fishing catch statistics January 25, 2012 Recreational fishing. (Credit: NOAA) NOAA today announced it has begun to use an improved method to estimate the amount of fish caught by saltwater anglers, which will allow …

Statement from Dr. Jane Lubchenco on the death of former NOAA Administrator Anthony J. Calio

January 26, 2012 Last week we were informed of the passing of former NOAA Administrator (1985-87) and physicist Anthony “Tony” Calio. Known for his strong leadership, Administrator Calio advanced the effort to modernize NOAA’s National Weather Service, …

Los Angeles declared StormReady and TsunamiReady

January 27, 2012 On January 27, the City of Los Angeles will be recognized by NOAA’s National Weather Service as StormReady® and the largest city in the nation to become TsunamiReady™. The nationwide voluntary community preparedness programs use a …

NOAA launches USS Monitor 150th anniversary website

January 30, 2012 Screen shot of new USS Monitor 150th Anniversary website. Website link (Credit: NOAA) NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries today launched a new website highlighting the 150-year history of the USS Monitor on the anniversary of the …

New satellite instrument for improved weather forecasts put into service

Commissioning of all instrumentation on America’s new Suomi NPP satellite nearly complete February 8, 2012 In this CrIS image the orange colors represent very warm sea surface temperatures, while magenta represents both very cold temperatures, as well as …

Risk of major flooding in spring is low for the first time in four years

Drought lingers in southern Plains and Southeast, expands in West and upper Midwest March 15, 2012 For the first time in four years, no area of the country faces a high risk of major to record spring flooding, largely due to the limited winter snowfall, …

BSEE and NOAA to complete Arctic oil spill response mapping tool

NOAA’s National Water Center coming to Alabama

February 21, 2012 Pictured here is an artist rendering of the completed National Water Center. High resolution (Credit: NOAA) Construction began today for NOAA’s National Water Center on The University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa, which will strengthen …

NOAA, NASA activate new satellite instrument to monitor health and recovery of Earth’s ozone layer

February 23, 2012 Artist rendering of the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite (NPP), which NASA launched on October 28, 2011 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. (Credit: NOAA) In the near future, NOAA scientists will begin using …

NOAA announces appointment to Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

February 24, 2012 The Commerce Department today announced the appointment of Francis D. “Dewey” Hemilright Jr. of North Carolina to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.  Under this appointment, Hemilright will serve on the council until August 10, …

Amount of coldest Antarctic water near ocean floor decreasing for decades

March 20, 2012 A layer of Antarctic Bottom Water colder than 0ºC (colors, with darkest blue areas having the thickest layer, and white none) covers the ocean floor around Antarctica (center, shaded grey).  Rates at which this layer is thinning during the …

Global temperatures in March make coolest March since 1999 even with U.S.’ record breaking warmth

U.S. Coast Survey's surveyors were pivotal in the Civil War Battle for New Orleans

March 27, 2012 Plan of Fort Jackson, 1862 Gerdes and his men surveyed and mapped the flotilla’s successful mortar bombardment of Fort Jackson. Download here. (Credit: NOAA Coast Survey sketch, from the Coast Survey historical collection) As the Civil War …

University of North Dakota professor receives NOAA's David S. Johnson award

March 27, 2012 Jianglong Zhang, Ph.D., an award-winning meteorologist and atmospheric scientist, will receive the prestigious NOAA David S. Johnson Award, which recognizes young scientists for their innovative use of environmental satellite data. (Credit: …

NOAA's coastal mapping program offers huge taxpayer benefits, report says

Economic study shows value of program to coastal economies March 28, 2012 NOAA collects aerial imagery used to improve the accuracy of shoreline data. Download here. (Credit: NOAA) For every dollar American taxpayers spend on NOAA’s National Geodetic …

New iPad, iPhone app helps mariners avoid endangered right whales

New iPad, iPhone app helps mariners avoid endangered right whales April 4, 2012 For the first time, mariners operating along the U.S. east coast can receive a visual display of all relevant right whale management initiatives and warnings via their iPad or …

Public invited to virtually join NOAA exploration of the Gulf, live from the seafloor

Exploration visits unexplored areas and gas seeps in northern Gulf of Mexico April 19, 2012 NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer conducts operations in the northern Gulf of Mexico. High resolution (Credit: NOAA) From today through April 28, the public can watch live …

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary hosts public meetings, seeks comment on sanctuary marine zones and regulations

April 19, 2012 NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is seeking public comment to guide a review of the sanctuary’s marine zones — areas set aside for specific uses — and regulations that will shape Florida Keys marine conservation for the next 20 …