Tag Archives: winter

Western US Sees Record Low Snowfall: What This Means for Winter Weather Trends

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Last weekend’s winter storm may have covered much of the country with significant snow and ice, but winter has yet to fully arrive in the Western United States. Several states are grappling with snow-induced drought.

According to Peter Goble, the assistant state climatologist, Colorado is experiencing its lowest snowfall amounts on record for this time of year. “All of our mountain ranges are well below normal,” he reported.

Utah is facing a similar predicament.

“We’re in uncharted territory right now, heading toward our lowest snowfall ever by February 1,” stated Kevin Perry, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Utah.

Scientists are increasingly alarmed about the implications for water supplies and wildfire risks later this year. Mountain snowpack in Western states serves as a crucial water source in spring and summer, directly impacting agricultural irrigation, wildfire dangers, and hydroelectric power generation.

Western snowpack data is sourced from the National Resource Conservation Service, which monitors more than 800 high-elevation monitoring stations across several mountain basins. Their measurements show that nearly all basins in the continental U.S. West are trending below average.

Only a few basins in the western United States are near average snow levels.
Natural Resource Conservation Services

While it’s not uncommon for some basins to fall below historical averages, it’s rare for nearly all Western regions to be facing snowfall deficits.

In Washington state, a recent climb to Mount St. Helens in mid-January revealed conditions resembling June rather than mid-winter, exposing large areas of volcanic rock near the crater’s rim.

The causes of the snow drought differ by region; however, unusually warm winter temperatures have resulted in more precipitation falling as rain rather than snow. Such was the case during a December atmospheric river storm in the Pacific Northwest.

“Washington, Oregon, California, and many Western states recorded their warmest December on record, leading to torrential rains and flooding not limited to mountainous areas,” mentioned Philip Mort, a professor at Oregon State University’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.

Currently, moisture flow has significantly diminished in the northwest.

In Utah, early seasonal rains during November and December melted lower-elevation snow, leaving the Wasatch Mountains looking heavily peak-laden, Perry noted.

“The high-elevation snowpack is relatively good,” said Perry, “but there’s a significant lack of low and mid-elevation snow.”

Colorado continues to experience hot and dry conditions.

“December 2025 was 9 degrees warmer than the statewide average and the warmest recorded since 1895,” Goble noted.

California’s snowpack, known for its boom-bust cycles, is looking better, especially in the southern Sierra Nevada, where several basins report above-average snowpack levels.

December 29th at Lake Tahoe in Glenbrook, Nevada.
Al Drago/Getty Images

However, immediate relief for the remaining areas thirsting for snow is unlikely.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center forecasts: Dry weather across much of the West for the next two weeks along with temperatures above average in the coming month.

Mort suggests that regions west of the Cascade Mountains might recover with a few significant storms later this winter or spring.

However, in most parts of eastern Washington and Idaho, “the story seems already written, making change unlikely,” he explains.

Scientists are grappling with measuring climate change impacts on snowpack, as rising temperatures alter precipitation patterns. Snowfall trends are also swayed by natural fluctuations. A 2024 study in *Nature* indicated that climate change is responsible for the snowpack decline across the Northern Hemisphere.

Mort’s data on the western United States indicates a dramatic decrease.

“The narrative becomes clearer and more somber,” he stated.

If low snow conditions persist, it will exacerbate already tense negotiations among seven Western states over the distribution of the Colorado River’s water, crucial for 40 million residents. River flows are diminishing due to prolonged drought and the fact that users are allowed to withdraw more water annually than is available.

Earlier this month, the Bureau of Reclamation released draft water management strategies supporting 5.5 million acres of agricultural and hydropower operations across California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

States are actively negotiating long-term strategies for managing the river’s water to prevent Lake Mead and Lake Powell dams from experiencing “dead pool” conditions that would halt downstream river flows. However, reports indicate that these negotiations have stalled.

“In the short term, a low snow year could heighten the urgency to finalize these agreements,” said Goble.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Study Indicates That Certain Snacks May Contribute to Winter Weight Gain

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Indulging in snacks rich in saturated fats during winter can mislead your body into accumulating more fat, as noted by recent findings.

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) have uncovered that the types of dietary fat we consume can affect how our bodies recognize seasonal changes.

“Our research indicates that the food you eat plays a crucial role in informing your body clock about the time of year,” stated Dr. Dan Levin, a postdoctoral fellow in neurology at UCSF, in a conversation with BBC Science Focus.

They discovered that consuming more saturated fat—found in red meat, butter, cakes, pies, and various baked goods—activates a protein named PER2, signaling your body that it’s summer and that it needs to store energy for the forthcoming colder months.

Conversely, consuming unsaturated fats (present in nuts, seeds, fatty fish, and vegetable oils) influences PER2 to make your body believe it’s winter, prompting it to utilize the energy from food.

These conclusions arose from experiments where the UCSF researchers simulated seasonal transitions by altering light and dark periods for mice.

During the experiments that mimicked spring and fall, mice were exposed to 12 hours of light daily, 20 hours during summer, and only 4 hours in winter.

As the faux winter nights extended, the mice, on a balanced diet, exhibited normal nocturnal behaviors, such as running on wheels as darkness fell.

However, the mice on a high-fat diet took longer to wake up and began their running routine much later after the artificial sunset, indicating a misalignment of their internal clock with the simulated light conditions.

The scientists then assessed the impacts of various dietary fats. Mice consuming a diet abundant in saturated fat were found to wake up several hours later than their counterparts before engaging in physical activity.

Saturated fats are solid at room temperature and are found in butter, fatty meats, and many baked goods – Credit: Getty Images

As a result, increased saturated fat consumption during these simulated winter conditions appeared to further disrupt the synchronization of the body’s internal clock with the light cycles.

Professor Levin emphasized that, despite being conducted on mice, the relationship between dietary fats and the body clock via the protein PER2 is likely relevant across different species.

“We believe that many insights gained from our mouse studies can be translated to humans,” he remarked. “I am eager to discover any disparities that may exist between species.”

How Our Bodies Prepare for Winter

For both wild animals and hunter-gatherers, adapting to seasonal changes is vital for survival, especially during prolonged, harsh winters when food is limited.

“In nature, fluctuations in water availability, light, and temperature dramatically alter the environment each season, compelling all organisms within the food chain to adjust,” noted Levine.

“For instance, one adaptation is for plants to produce more unsaturated fats, aiding their survival in cold, which causes both herbivores and carnivores to consume and store greater amounts of unsaturated fats.”

Thus, our bodies might be biologically programmed to anticipate higher intake of unsaturated fats as daylight hours shorten.

However, because we have access to the same food options throughout the year, many individuals often disregard this natural dietary shift.

We can indulge in our favorite saturated fat-laden foods year-round, but excessive consumption in the fall or winter can mislead your body clock into thinking it’s still summer.

“In modern society, foods high in saturated fats are abundantly available,” asserted lead author Professor Louis Ptacek, a UCSF neurologist, in BBC Science Focus. “Moreover, we often eat at ‘unnatural’ times due to light conditions. Generally, adhering to a consistent circadian eating schedule during daylight is healthier.”

Levin added that consuming seasonally appropriate foods might also be advantageous, suggesting a potential shift in fat sources throughout the year. However, he stated that further research is needed to validate this strategy.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Extreme Winter Weather Not Caused by Wavy Jet Streams

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Wavy polar jet streams can lead to icy storms extending further south

Images of the history of science / Alamy Stock Photos

Recent studies indicate that the increasingly erratic winter weather in the Northern Hemisphere is not solely due to more pronounced wavy polar jet streams.

The Arctic jet stream functions as a wind current that helps to maintain the balance between temperate and cold air in the Arctic region.

For over a decade, some researchers have engaged in discussions regarding the effects of the warm Arctic on the jet stream. This warming has reportedly intensified in winter, leading to severe storms that carry snow and ice much further south than usual.
However, doubts persist about this theory.

Testing this hypothesis has proven challenging due to limited satellite data and the natural fluctuations of the jet stream during winter.

Researchers like Erich Osterberg from Dartmouth University have sought to determine whether the recent behavior of the jet stream deviates from the long-term average.

Since satellite observations of the jet stream began only in 1979, researchers leveraged temperature and atmospheric pressure data extending back to 1901 to reconstruct the movement of polar jets across the United States throughout the 20th century.

They discovered that polar jets exhibited wave-like patterns during various periods, indicating that the current erratic behavior may not be unprecedented. In fact, at times, the winter jet stream was even more undulating than it is today. “What we’re observing with the jet stream now is not particularly unusual when you consider the broader context of the 20th century,” Osterberg states.

The winters in the Northern Hemisphere are becoming warmer and wetter, a trend emphasized by Osterberg even as climate change continues to provoke more severe storms and precipitation. “It’s evident that climate change is influencing extreme weather events significantly,” he remarks. “However, in the context of winter jet streams, these changes don’t appear to be a fundamental factor.”

Similarly, Tim Woolling from Oxford University highlights the importance of long-term data in identifying shifts in polar jet stream behavior, noting its significant variability in the short to medium term. “Utilizing extensive data records and diverse methodologies reveals that today’s North American winter jet patterns are not necessarily worse than in previous decades,” he explains.

Contrastingly, during the Northern Hemisphere summer, emerging evidence suggests that climate change has elevated tropical temperatures, leading to broader polar waves in warmer months. “In summer, it seems that the jet stream undergoes a fundamental shift in behavior, with larger waves leading to intense heat waves, droughts, and wildfires,” Osterberg adds. “This phenomenon appears to be linked to climate change.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Norovirus Vaccine Pills Guard Against Winter Vomiting Bugs

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Illustration of Norovirus Particles

J Marshall/Tribaleye Images/Alamy

In a few years, vaccine pills for norovirus that lower infection risk may become available, following promising trials where participants were deliberately exposed to the virus.

This highly contagious virus affects the stomach and intestines, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea, usually subsiding within a few days. “The economic impact is significant, with billions lost globally annually due to work absences and hospital visits,” stated Sarah Cady from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Shawn Tucker from the biotech company Vaxart in San Francisco and his team have developed an oral vaccine that appears to increase IgA antibody levels, which can block noroviruses from infecting cells.

The current study involves 141 individuals aged 18 to 49, with half receiving the vaccine pill and the others a placebo. One month later, all participants ingested a high dose of the Gi.1 strain of norovirus in liquid form during quarantine. “Typically, to infect someone in a real-world scenario, you need to introduce 10 to 100 virus particles; we used 1 million particles,” Tucker explained, ensuring a sufficient infection rate.

Results showed that 82% of the placebo group became infected, whereas only 57% of those vaccinated were infected.

“Most people seem interested in receiving the vaccine if it can reduce risks by [25 percentage points] and lessen debilitating symptoms,” said Cady, who was not part of the research.

Additionally, vaccinated participants expelled considerably less stool and viral particles compared to the placebo group. This indicates the vaccine may help slow the virus’s spread, but further testing is needed, according to Cady.

Another analysis suggested the vaccine possibly works by boosting IgA antibodies in saliva, intestines, blood, and nasal passages.

However, the duration of this protection remains uncertain. More research is required to explore its effects on young children and the elderly, who are particularly vulnerable to hospitalization, said Cady.

Most human-infecting noroviruses belong to two clusters known as GI and GII. Based on preliminary findings, Tucker believes the GI.1 vaccine will likely offer protection against other closely related GI variants. The team is also working on vaccines that could shield against both GI and GII viruses.

If everything progresses positively, Tucker anticipates the GI.1 vaccine could be released in two to three years.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Promising Norovirus Vaccine Pills Show Effectiveness Against Winter Vomiting Bug

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Impressions of Norovirus artists

Science Photo Library/Aramie

Early trials of the norovirus vaccine pill are committed to protecting against the infamous “winter vomiting” bug, and researchers say it could be used in a few years.

The virus is highly contagious and infects and causes the stomach and intestines Vomiting and diarrhea. Most people recover within a few days, but very young people and older people, especially going to the hospital, costing a considerable amount of medical care. “In the US alone, it’s 10 billion.[dollar]- A problem of one year.” Shawn Tucker At Biotech Company Vaxart in San Francisco, California.

This has spurred scientists to develop vaccines, but so far, efforts have failed. This is because previous attempts focused on developing injectable vaccines. This isn’t very good for producing protective antibodies in the intestines where the virus replicates. Tucker says.

To deal with this, Tucker and his colleagues Previously developed oral norovirus vaccines This will supply proteins to the intestines from the Gi.1 norovirus mutant. The first trials in adults under the age of 50 found that tablets can produce norovirus-specific antibodies in the intestines, but it is probably not a vaccine priority given that people in this age group generally recover easily from the virus.

Researchers are currently testing vaccines in people in the US between the ages of 55 and 80. The team gave 11 people the pills, while the other 22 took the placebo. About a month later, the researchers collected blood and saliva samples from the participants.

They found that people who took the vaccine had higher levels of IgA antibodies. These antibodies were increased by more than 10 times in the blood and about 7 times in saliva compared to samples just before vaccination. In contrast, the placebo group showed little change in antibody levels.

Importantly, antibodies are still present in people who took the pills, albeit at lower levels after 6 months, suggesting that they can provide permanent immunity. “The fact that they have this robust antibody response makes me hope that it can provide protection. [against infection]”I say Sarah Cady At Cornell University in New York. “In particular, the salivary antibody response is a way to get a snapshot of what’s going on in the intestines because of similar immune responses,” she says.

However, further research should investigate whether the vaccine actually prevents infection or reduces spread spread of norovirus, she says. The team wants to explore this.

Furthermore, this study focused only on one norovirus variant. “In the real world, there are a number of different strains you may encounter. The vaccine may not protect all of them,” says Caddy. In an unpublished study, researchers found that versions of vaccines containing both Gi.1 and Gii.4 norovirus variants (the latter currently surges in the UK) produce antibodies against multiple variations.

This suggests we may soon have norovirus vaccines, Tucker says. “If there’s no funding hiccups, if everything goes smoothly, the vaccine could be available in a few years,” he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

48 million years ago, Palm fossils in subwestern Canada suggest a winter without ice

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Tribal palm trees Trachycarpeae Fossilization analysis shows that it once flourished in Axiang Canada Phytris – Microscopic siliceous structures produced in specific tissues in many plant families – from the territory of the northwestern Canada.

Palm plant stones from the Eocene Giraffe Region (AQ) and modern plant stones extracted from Coryphoid Palm leaves Trachycarpus Fortunei. Image credit: Siver et al. , doi: 10.1093/aob/mcaf021.

“The palm is a monocot flowering plant of the Arecaceae family distributed primarily to tropical and subtropical regions around the world,” the University of Connecticut said. Professor Peter Siver And his colleague.

“It's a large family, with a particularly high variety of species, especially in Central and South America and Southeast Asia.”

“In general, the palms thrive in warm, wet conditions, so the majority of the species are found in rainforests.”

“There are significantly fewer species found in both Southern Europe and the southern regions of the United States, and families are completely lacking in more north latitudes.”

“In the southeastern US subtropical area, the palm is largely restricted to state coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico, and some inland along the Atlantic coast that stretches north along Florida. It's growing to Tennessee.”

“The majority of the palms are found in climates marked with both high average annual temperatures and high average annual rainfall, but several species can be found under cool, dry conditions.”

Professor Siver and co-authors discovered fossilized plant matter from a tree in Trachycarpeae in ancient lakebed sediments extracted from the area of the Giraffin Balite Pipe in Canada's northwest territory.

Four aquatic organisms, largely restricted to today's warm subtropical and tropical regions, were also found in the same sediments.

These 48 million years ago (early Eocene) fossils exhibit much warmer climates than previously thought, challenging the challenge of ice that first formed in the Northern Hemisphere.

“This discovery of palm fossils in the north provides clear evidence that the Arctic Circle was once iceless and has a climate similar to today's subtropical climate,” Professor Shiver said.

“These findings provide a window into past greenhouse conditions and help refine models to predict future climate change.”

In addition to confirming records of the northernmost palms during this period, the authors established that this evolutionary characteristic appeared in the early Eocene: linear arrays of plant matter in palm leaves., Fossilized Stegmata – Fossilized Stegmata were also recorded.

The presence of multiple warm, adaptive aquatic species further strengthens the support of this prehistoric Arctic region's lush, temperate ecosystem.

“Our research contributes to a broader understanding of the extent and timing of ice formation in the Earth's climate history, particularly during the Cenozoic era,” the researchers said.

“Restructuring these past environments will give scientists valuable insight into how ecosystems respond to long-term climate change.”

Survey results It will be displayed in the journal The Anniversary of Botany.

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Peter A. Shiver et al. Palmphytris in sub-Western Canada means ice-free winter in the late Eocene period 48 million years ago. The Anniversary of BotanyPublished online on February 10th, 2025. doi:10.1093/aob/mcaf021

Source: www.sci.news

Essential Winter Running Gear to Conquer the Cold

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If you’re tempted to give up running or hit the gym in the winter, think again. Whether you’re heading out for some fresh air and sunshine on a crisp blue-sky day, or blowing away cobwebs in the rainy darkness after work, running outdoors can make winter more bearable.


A few changes to your outfit and some clever accessories can help you stay warm, dry, and safer. Not all of the following are required. It depends on where you’re going, how far you’re going, and what time of day you’re going. Everything featured is unisex or has versions for women and men.

best winter running gear

protective headgear

Arc’teryx Norvan balaclava

£65 at Arc’teryx

Buff reflex DryFlx beanie hat

£21.07 on Amazon

£21.95 in buff

Wearing proper headgear can save you a run when the wind is blowing strongly or the temperature is very cold. The Arc’teryx Merino Balaclava can be worn around the neck, pulled up over the mouth, or as a balaclava that wraps around the ears and forehead. The top is open for ventilation. If you want full head coverage, you can also wear a Buff beanie. Both are highly reflective, breathable, and quick drying.

chest light

Provis chest light

£29.99 at Provis


£34.99 on Amazon

Wearing a chest light gives you the chance to see bikes, cars, and people long before they can reach you in the dark. This is especially important in areas without street lighting. It has super-bright 500 lumen front and backlights (white full, half, or low beam on the front, slow blinking red on the back), and a USB rechargeable battery that lasts 3 hours. The elastic, adjustable strap has Proviz 360 reflectance, which creates a dazzling shine when the light hits it.

bone conduction headphones

Shokz OpenPro2 headphones


£169 at Shokz



£169 on Amazon

If you can’t live without music or podcasts while running, but don’t want to lose awareness of your surroundings in the dark, bone conduction headphones are the perfect solution. Sound is conducted through the temporal bones at the sides and bottom of the skull, so you can hear cars, bikes, and people while immersing yourself in listening. This also eliminates the problem of earphones falling from sweaty ears.

If you’ve never tried it before, you’ll be amazed at the magic of hearing music as clearly as if it were through earphones. The sound quality on this wireless pair is great.

backpack cover

Provis backpack cover

£34.99 at Provis


£45.50 at Decathlon

If you’re a running commuter, you could buy a high-vis reflective backpack for those dark mornings and evenings, but this reversible cover is an inexpensive hack that you can slip over your existing backpack and enjoy its benefits. With its high reflectance, it lights up your body like a Christmas tree. Keeps the bag and its contents dry even when it rains.

technical base layer

love bridge line Long sleeve base layer for women

£59.99 on sports shoes



£59.99 at Base Camp Gear



love bridge line men’s long sleeve base layer

£59.99 on sports shoes


£60 on Amazon

Layering is key when running in the winter. A good quality technical baselayer and midlayer for the first few miles, combined with a running jacket (see below) if it’s wet or very windy, will keep you warm and sweat-free. can. You can delete either of the top two if you wish.

These baselayers are designed for mountain running, but are equally useful for urban runs. It’s made from breathable fabric with small vents in well-placed locations to quickly wick away sweat and moisture, and a deep chest zipper if you get too hot.

running jacket

asics metalan mens waterproof jacket

£142.99 in sports shoes


£151 at Asics


ASICS Metalan Women’s Waterproof Jacket

£120 at Sports Direct


£151 at Asics

If you’re going for a short 20-minute run in the rain, you can probably do without a running jacket. However, if you’re running long distances, a flexible, breathable technical running jacket is a wise investment for rainy and windy days.

This well-designed jacket packs into its own chest pocket, making it easy to store away when you don’t need it. It’s completely waterproof, so you can go out even during long downpours. It also switches around the bottom and hood to create a seal around the body. It’s also made from 50% recycled materials. A good running jacket will last for years if properly cared for.

running gloves

Limb Maze Runner gloves

£22.95 at Outdoor Action


£25.50 at Mountain Warehouse

Sealskins Wolferton running gloves

£40 at Sealskins

Cold hands and feet can ruin your winter run. Even if your face and body are hot, the wind will keep your hands cold. Regular gloves are cumbersome and make your hands sweaty, but running gloves are breathable and flexible.

These Extremities gloves feature superior insulation and reflective details. Sealskinz are water-repellent and have nifty retractable mittens that you can wear over your fingers on especially cold days. Both are touchscreen compatible, so you can keep your gloves on while using your smartphone.

warm socks

Sealskins Hillgay running socks

£18 at Sealskins


£18 on Amazon

For the other extremities, merino running socks will keep your feet comfortable without overheating and will quickly wick away moisture if they get wet. These are thicker than summer socks and reach mid-calf. In winter you can’t bare your ankles.

tracker device

Tile Pro

£34.99 on Tiles


£27.99 on Amazon

Running before and after work inevitably means running in the dark, but this Tile Bluetooth tracker gives you some peace of mind. Tile has partnered Life 360 is a safety app that shows your loved ones exactly where you are, so you can now use tiles to discreetly trigger SOS alerts. Press the button three times and your contacts will be asked to confirm their location. and Gold or Platinum membership Life360 allows you to dispatch emergency services to your exact location.

The tiles are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, so you can run with them or shove them in your pocket, and they have a range of 500 feet. Adding tiles can also save you tons of time spent looking for your keys or phone before heading out for a run.

hybrid running shoes

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Is it necessary to wear sunscreen year-round, even in the winter months?

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UV levels decrease as you get closer to the polar regions during the winter, but does that mean you need to use less SPF?

John Bower/Alamy

This article is part of a special issue that explores important questions about skin care. Check out the entire series here.

Even if you live far from the equator, you're often told to apply sun protection factor (SPF) lotion year-round to prevent premature skin aging and wrinkles. But is this backed by solid science?

just 13.5 percent According to one study, one in every U.S. adult uses SPF cream as part of their daily routine. This is obviously a problem in the summer when the sun is at its brightest. Although we may not show any signs of burns, UV rays can penetrate deeper layers of the skin and cause damage. This not only causes wrinkles, but can also lead to skin cancer. People who wear sunscreen are at much lower risk.

Photoaging is a cumulative effect that accumulates over decades

However, the further north or south you are in latitude, the weaker these rays become in winter, so you need to balance the benefits of SPF with the cost. Brian DiffieProfessor Emeritus of Photobiology at Newcastle University in the UK points out. Using SPF in winter can cause vitamin D deficiencyfor example. SPF can also have an environmental cost, with some studies showing that SPF can end up in the ocean and its constituent chemicals can be absorbed by corals and other marine life, potentially harming them. Shown.

Diffie using past climate records The calculation method is…

Source: www.newscientist.com

The Winter Solstice: Everything You Need to Know About the Shortest Day of the Year

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As temperatures drop, winter officially begins on Saturday.

Learn about the winter solstice, the start of astronomical winter, and the shortest day of the year.

What is the winter solstice?

The winter solstice marks the start of astronomical winter, different from the meteorological winter based on the calendar.

In middle school science class, you may have learned that the Earth rotates around the sun in a large circle and on its axis, creating day and night. The axis tilt causes varying sunlight amounts in the northern and southern hemispheres throughout the year.

The winter solstice refers to the moment when half of the Earth is furthest from the sun, resulting in the shortest day of the year. It also signals an increase in sunlight for the next six months.

When is the winter solstice?

In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice falls on December 21st, this year it is on December 21st. The summer solstice occurs around June 21st.

For people on the equator, their winter solstice is in June, and summer solstice in December.

What is the vernal equinox?

There are two vernal and autumnal equinoxes each year.

During the spring equinox, the sun is directly above the Earth’s equator, bringing equal sunlight and darkness.

The spring equinox in March marks the astrological end of winter, while the autumnal equinox in September marks the end of summer.

When is the next astrological seasonal change?

After the winter solstice, expect astronomical seasonal changes on specific dates:

Vernal Equinox (Spring): Thursday, March 20, 2025, 5:01 a.m.

Summer Solstice: Friday, June 20, 2025, 10:42 p.m.

Autumnal Equinox (Fall): Monday, September 22, 2025, 2:19 p.m.

Can you see the winter solstice?

As the winter solstice approaches, the sun’s orbit sets lower in the sky, resulting in longer shadows. On the day of the solstice, the shadow will be the longest of the year at noon.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

How do microorganisms get ready for winter?

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As the Earth continues its journey around the sun, plants and animals in the northern hemisphere prepare for the onset of autumn in September and the coming winter. Humans rely on calendars to tell us the seasons, but other creatures use changes in the weather and amount of sunlight to signal that winter is approaching. For example, long-lived trees often retain their leaves until the days get shorter, even if an early snowstorm signals the arrival of winter.

Plants and animals have complex proteins and sophisticated memories that allow them to decide when to prepare for cold weather. Bacteria and other microorganisms are also vulnerable to winter cold, so we need to prepare for harsher weather. However, because microorganisms have simple ecology and short lifespans, it is difficult to detect seasonal changes.

Some microorganisms can sense sunlight hours. A group of these microorganisms known as cyanobacteria can predict the beginning and end of your day. Cyanobacteria use three Kai proteins called KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC to track time by sensing the light and dark times of the day. photoperiod. A team of researchers at Vanderbilt University wanted to test whether cyanobacteria’s ability to sense photoperiods could also allow them to sense seasonal changes.

The scientists grew cyanobacterial cells on a nutrient-filled dish for eight days under varying photoperiods. Some cells grow in summer-like days with 16 hours of daylight, others grow in winter-like days with 8 hours of daylight, and some cells grow in winter-like days with 12 hours of mid-day light. The scientists took cells from each photoperiod condition and placed half of them in a bucket of ice at 32°F (0°C). The halves are placed in a closed, temperature-controlled chamber. incubator at 86°F (30°C) for 2 hours. Cells were then returned to the dish at 86°F (30°C) and left to grow for 5 days.

The scientists calculated the survival rate in each photoperiod condition by comparing the number of cells that could grow from an ice bucket and an incubator. They reasoned that if cells could recognize that shorter days meant winter was coming, they might become more tolerant of the cold and fewer would die in ice buckets. Scientists found that cyanobacterial cells grown under short photoperiods were two to three times better at surviving at freezing temperatures than cells grown under longer photoperiods.

The researchers also wanted to investigate whether the cold tolerance of cells grown in short photoperiods was due to a sense of photoperiod. So they removed the Kai protein from the cells and repeated the experiment. These cells had the same survival rate of approximately 35% regardless of the length of the photoperiod in which they were grown. By comparison, cells containing the Kai protein had a 75% survival rate when grown under winter photoperiods and 25% survival when grown under summer photoperiod conditions. The scientists concluded that these cyanobacteria sense the days getting shorter and respond by preparing for the colder weather.

Next, the scientists wanted to understand how cells prepare for cold weather. They knew that some cells can change the composition of fat in their cell walls to maintain their physical structure when the temperature drops. By chemically extracting the fats present inside the cells using chloroform, methanol, and water, the researchers investigated whether the same changes in cell wall fats occur in cyanobacteria grown under winter photoperiods. was tested. They measured the amount of different fats in the cells using a device called a mass spectrometer. Through this analysis, the scientists demonstrated that cyanobacteria grown under shorter photoperiods also increased the amount of fat in their cell walls that made them more cold resistant.

The researchers concluded that because cyanobacteria can sense seasonal changes, this ability probably evolved long ago and may be active in other microorganisms as well. The research team hopes that by studying cyanobacteria and their ability to sense photoperiods, scientists can learn more about how ancient organisms felt the seasons. Researchers say that because algae sense photoperiods and can threaten aquatic habitat during algal blooms, researchers are trying to understand the relationship between photoperiods and how algae adapt to the seasons. By understanding this, he suggested, it may be possible to control algal blooms and protect aquatic habitats.

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Source: sciworthy.com

Survival of Endangered Frogs Boosted by Winter Sauna Treatment for Fungal Disease

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Green and gold bell frogs in an artificial hotspot shelter

Anthony Waddle

One of Australia’s most endangered amphibians can fight off a deadly fungal infection with the help of a naturally heated shelter that researchers are calling a “frog sauna.”

The disease, chytridiomycosis, has wiped out about 100 species of frogs, toads and salamanders worldwide.

Green and gold bell frog (Litoria aureaThe fungus was once widespread along the south-eastern coast of Australia, but its range has shrunk by 90 percent, and although other factors such as habitat loss are also at play, chytrid is thought to be the greatest threat to the endangered species.

It has long been known that warm temperatures suppress fungal infections, and many frog species, including the Japanese bush frog, are susceptible to the disease in winter when it’s hard for them to stay warm, especially when it’s hard to find a warm place.

To learn more, Anthony Waddle The researcher, from Macquarie University in Sydney, and his colleagues studied two groups of captive frogs that were intentionally infected with chytridiomycosis over the winter.

The first group was provided with bricks with holes in them in an unshaded greenhouse shelter where temperatures rose to nearly 40°C (104°F), while the second group was provided with bricks in a shaded greenhouse shelter where temperatures rose to 35°C (95°F).

Frogs that were given warmer shelter had 100 times fewer chytrid spores on their skin than other groups.

Although chytrid has difficulty growing above 28°C (82°F), warmer temperatures appear to activate the frogs’ immune systems, Waddle said.

“Using shelter to survive is like a vaccination for the frogs,” Waddle says, “and we’ve shown that firefly frogs can develop resistance after heat has cleared their infection, potentially making them 22 times more likely to survive future infections in cold environments.”

Although the researchers have only tested the shelter on one species at this stage, they believe the technology could be used with other animals threatened by chytrid fungus, as long as they seek out natural warmth when it’s cold. Waddle says there are at least six Australian animal species that could benefit from the technology.

Importantly, these thermal shelters are easy and inexpensive to set up: “All you need is a small vegetable greenhouse from the hardware store and a few bricks, and it will only cost about $60-70. [Australian] “It will cost a few hundred dollars to build,” Waddle said, “and I can envision people putting them in their backyards to help the frogs through the winter.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Winter causes Mars’ largest volcano to freeze

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View of the frost on Mount Olympus

ESA/DLR/Free University of Berlin

As winter mornings dawn on Mars, the summits of the planet’s largest volcanoes are covered in frost — another indication of the presence of water on the Red Planet.

We already know that Mars has large deposits of ice in the form of polar ice caps and possibly buried beneath the surface near the equator, but scientists have yet to observe surface water anywhere else on the planet.

Now, Admas Valantinus Valantinas, of Brown University in Rhode Island, and his colleagues found frost, which appears to form only in the mornings during the Martian winter, near the summits of volcanoes in the Tharsis region, including Olympus Mons, one of the solar system’s largest volcanoes. “This is really exciting, because it not only shows how dynamic the Martian water system is, but also that water could be found in varying amounts basically everywhere on Mars,” Valantinas says.

He and his team used a color camera on the European Space Agency’s Trace Gas Orbiter, which studies the Martian atmosphere, to take morning photographs of the icy volcano’s summit and found widespread blue frost. They calculated the surface temperature and found that it was too hot for carbon dioxide to freeze, and that similar-looking frozen carbon dioxide was not the cause.

Ice could form from gases erupting from volcanoes, but if so, do Valantinas and his team expect to see it year-round? Instead, the fact that it only appears during the colder parts of the year makes it more likely that the frost is the result of water vapor in the atmosphere freezing.

Knowing where ice forms on the Martian surface, especially from atmospheric processes, is crucial for accurate weather forecasting, he said. Susan Conway A researcher at the University of Nantes in France, she says we know that polar ice flows into the atmosphere, but we don’t know where it goes. “This is a really cool observation, because now we actually know where it goes.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Winter life around the Great Lakes is changing due to a shortage of ice.

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Some fish species’ reproduction, shoreline erosion, and weather patterns are all at risk due to lower ice levels. This includes changing the amount of lake-effect snow that falls on nearby communities.

Research shows that the maximum annual ice area trended downward at a rate of approximately 5% for each decade from 1973 to 2023. For more information, visit NOAA’s research page.

Due to poor ice conditions, ice fishermen are turning to inland waters as their seasons on Lake Superior are impacted. Joe Friedrichs said, “In the Duluth area, their seasons don’t exist, and that definitely impacts their ability to get on the ice.”

As of Thursday, only 3.4% of the northern Great Lakes region was covered in snow. Visit the National Operational Hydrological Remote Sensing Center for more information.

With the lack of snowfall and above-normal temperatures, businesses that rely on snow activities are taking a hit. John Silliman of Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply said, “People aren’t coming to ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile anymore.”

The region is experiencing the warmest winter on record, and meteorologists predict this trend will continue into spring with higher than normal temperatures. Visit AccuWeather for more details.

The National Climate Prediction Center’s outlook suggests that the Great Lakes region will continue to experience higher than normal temperatures until early spring. This raises concerns about wildfire risk, particularly in parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Learn more from the National Interagency Fire Center.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Guide to Viewing the 2024 Snow Moon: Witness the Final Full Moon of Winter

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The upcoming full moon in February 2024, known as the snow moon, will be the second one of the year. Despite being a micromoon this month, it signifies the end of winter and the coming of spring.

Wondering when is the best time to witness this full snow moon in the UK? How close is the micromoon? And the current constellation of the moon? Here is everything you need to know about the full moon in February 2024.

If you want to enjoy a clear night sky, explore our beginner’s guide to astronomy. To get familiar with some unique constellations, this guide is the perfect starting point.

Interested in capturing beautiful moon photos? Check out our practical moon photography guide that is filled with expert advice from astrophotographers and even BBC Night Sky presenter Pete Lawrence. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, we have tutorials to suit your needs.

When will we see the snow moon in 2024?

If the skies are clear, the snow moon will be visible in the early morning and evening on February 24, 2024, across the UK, US, and other parts of the world.

The peak illumination of the full moon in February will happen at 12:30 PM GMT. For viewers in the UK, this means that the moon will be fully illuminated during the day when it is below the horizon. However, it will still appear “full” when it rises at night and for a few days after.

In London, the Snow Moon will rise in the east-northeast on February 24 at 5:27pm GMT and set in the west-northwest at 7:32 a.m. on February 25th.

In New York, the Snow Moon will rise in the east-northeast on February 24 at 5:55 pm ET and set in the western sky at 7:18 am on February 25th.

In Seattle, the Snow Moon will rise in the east-northeast on February 24 at 6:07 pm PST and set in the west at 7:40 a.m. on February 25th.

What’s unique about the 2024 Snow Moon?

This year’s Snow Moon is special for two reasons. First, it falls on the day before the moon reaches its apogee, making it the smallest full moon of the year. Secondly, it coincides with the Lunar New Year celebrations, including the Lantern Festival.

On February 24th, National Tortilla Day is also celebrated in the US, giving you another reason to toast the full moon with chips and dip.

When is the best time to view the 2024 Snow Moon?

The best time to observe the snow moon is in the evening of February 24th, just after sunrise, or before moonset on the morning of February 24th. The moon will be closest to full illumination and low on the horizon in both cases.

In London, the moon will set at 7:21 a.m. GMT on the morning of February 24th, offering a picturesque sight low on the horizon. And if you wait until evening, the moon will rise at 5:27pm GMT on February 24th, just after sunset.

The Earth’s counterclockwise rotation means that the moon will appear to move across the sky from left to right in the Northern Hemisphere and from right to left in the Southern Hemisphere at a rate of 15 degrees per hour.

Why is February’s full moon called the snow moon?

February is one of the coldest months of the year in the Northern Hemisphere due to the cooling effects of winter and the sun’s lower angle. The snow moon gets its name from the significant snowfall experienced in the US, Canada, and Europe during this time.

What constellation is the moon in?

On February 22nd, the Moon will be in Cancer, and by the full moon, it will have moved into Leo, situated between Regulus and Keltan. Three days later, the moon will shift to Virgo, followed by Libra from March 1st.

Is the snow moon a supermoon?

No, the February 2024 snow moon is not a supermoon, as it will be a micromoon. Supermoons occur when the moon is closest to Earth, known as perigee, making it appear larger and brighter in the sky.

How far away is the moon?

During apogee on February 25, the moon will be 406,312 km (252,470 miles) away from Earth, making it the smallest full moon of 2024. The farthest point of the moon from Earth will be on October 2, 2024, at 406,516 km (252,597 miles) during a new moon.

What causes a full moon?

A full moon occurs when the side facing Earth is fully illuminated by the sun, as the Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon. This alignment, known as “syzygy,” only lasts for a moment but signifies a full moon in the lunar cycle.

The moon’s cycle lasts about 29.53 days, with the full moon marking the midpoint. The sun and moon balance each other during a full moon, with the moon appearing full all night but technically only being “full” for a brief moment.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Powerful winter storm causes historic California palm tree to fall into ocean

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Refugio State Beach, Calif. — Severe storms that hit California have caused damage in some parts of the state. the most iconic tree.

A majestic palm tree that normally flanks Refugio State Beach just north of Santa Barbara has fallen over the past few days. Images show how a huge 100-year-old tree fell into the sea and was completely uprooted.

Local officials say multiple factors caused the trees to fall. Years of coastal erosion were combined with powerful storm surges and supersaturated soil from a series of atmospheric rivers that brought heavy rain and high winds across the state.

“When the ground becomes saturated, the trees begin to fall, and both eucalyptus and palm trees fall over because the ground becomes too wet for their roots to hold in the ground.” Santa Barbara Craig Vanderswag, chief of the County Fire Battalion, told NBC News.

California State Parks Channel Coast District Superintendent Dena Bellman said officials have tagged several more trees on the coast as at high risk of falling, especially with the new heavy rains hitting California. Ta.

Due to this threat, the park is currently temporarily closed to the public.

The dramatic footage is a symbol of the power of these atmospheric rivers, which climate experts say is growing stronger as the planet's temperature rises.

Los Angeles received 75% of its annual average precipitation in the first three weeks of February alone. The city has received more rainfall than Seattle, New Orleans and Miami, and is about 2 inches away from setting a record for the wettest February.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Upgrade Your Winter Sleep with “Paleo Lighting”

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It’s that time again. The clocks have turned back and many of us are reaching for SAD lamps, vitamin D supplements, and carb-heavy one-pots to get us through the long, dark winter nights. But perhaps there is another way to welcome the change of seasons.

What happens if you embrace the darkness? Darkness at the right time and in the right amount helps our bodies rest and heal, optimizes cognition and mental health, and lowers the risk of various diseases.

That’s because our circadian rhythm, or internal body clock, is triggered not only by light, but also by the lack of light. “To optimize your sleep, you need to make it as dark as possible and have as few distractions as possible,” he says. Professor Victoria RevellHe researches circadian physiology at the Surrey Sleep Research Center.

“We know that constantly disrupted sleep impacts health. It’s associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, increased cancer risk, and more.”

In 2022, researchers at Northwestern University discovered: Exposure to even moderate light during sleep can negatively impact cardiovascular function (Light stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, increases morning heart rate, and causes insulin resistance).

In another study at Harvard University, blood sugar levels rise When exposed to light at night. Artificial sources of blue light, such as smartphones and similar devices, are thought to have the same stimulating effect on our bodies as sunlight.

Research on this is still inconclusive, but in one 2017 study, researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder took groups of volunteers away from city lights and camping without smartphones or flashlights. I went. The only additional lighting allowed was a campfire.

As a result of the research, Camping trip 'reset' volunteers' biological clocks, people sleep and wake up according to their circadian rhythms. Like many animals, humans' natural sleep-wake cycle evolved in sync with our day and night patterns.

And just as morning light stimulates alertness and supports immune function and mental health, your body also responds to darkness. (For example, melatonin, also known as the Dracula hormone) is produced by the pineal gland in direct response to darkness.

In a Colorado study, campers started producing melatonin two hours earlier. “Melatonin is involved in opening the 'sleep gate,'” Revell says. “It's the beginning of the process of relaxing and preparing for sleep.” It’s also the subject of research into a variety of health conditions.

Although the picture is incomplete, higher levels of melatonin are associated with a lower risk of heart disease and certain cancers. If you suffer from a lack of darkness, switching to permanent dark mode is also not a solution.

Studies have shown that night shift workers and people confined to darkness are at higher risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. In other words, we need both light and darkness, and we need them at the right time.

Some researchers say the solution is a kind of “paleoillumination” – living like our ancestors by making the most of sunlight during the day and keeping it dark at night. suggests. As night approaches, how about a lightbulb moment?

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com