Why are auroras different colors? 🌌 Auroras—called the aurora borealis in the Northern Hemisphere and the aurora australis in the Southern Hemisphere—occur in part of Earth's upper atmosphere, in a layer called the thermosphere.

Do you want to learn more about how tsunamis work? Take our “The Science of Tsunamis” course to discover what makes tsunamis and how the waves can travel around the world. 🔎 Preview the course: www.comet.ucar.edu/course-info-... ✅Take the course: learn.meted.ucar.edu#/online-cour...

To prevent collisions of satellites and other "space junk," we need to predict the weather in space, just like we predict the weather on Earth. Join the NSF NCAR Explorer Series (virtually or in-person) to learn more about how researchers do that: https://edec.ucar.edu/events/space-debris

Join Us Today! 1-2 PM (MT) 💧David Yates, Scientist VI, NSF NCAR: 💧Integrated Water Systems 🌎 RAL Seminar Series - Explore, Learn, Connect 🌎 Watch Live: ral.ucar.edu/live

NSF NCAR and @swri.org researchers have created an AI-enabled forecasting tool that is a first step toward forecasting space weather weeks in advance, instead of just hours. Learn more: https://news.ucar.edu/133059/new-research-takes-first-step-toward-advance-warnings-space-weather

Come join us at the CSU Little Shop of Physics Open House💫 This event is FREE and open to the public, welcoming curious minds of all ages! 🗓️ Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm 📍CSU Lory Student Center, Fort Collins, CO

🌟 Registration is open for the 2026 Improving Scientific Software (ISS) Conference! Hosted by the UCAR Software Engineering Assembly, join us April 6–9, 2026 in Boulder, CO (or virtually) as we explore “Maintaining the Joy of Software Development.” More information: sea.ucar.edu/iss/2026/

Curious about clouds? 🔎☁️ With our free Field Guide to Clouds app, you can identify different types of clouds, learn what they can tell us about the weather, and test your cloud knowledge with quizzes! Search "Field Guide to Clouds" in the Apple or Google Play store or scied.ucar.edu/apps/cloud-g...

📆 SAVE the DATE! We are excited to announce that Dr. Baoqiang Xiang will be speaking on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 11:00am MT regarding "How predictable are North American summer heat extremes on the subseasonal timescale?" cpaess.ucar.edu/news/cpaess-...

Today is National Science Day, a day to celebrate curiosity, discovery, and the science that helps us understand the world around us. From weather patterns and Earth's interconnected systems to the Sun and space weather, science helps explain how our planet works.

Our researchers have compiled the first nationwide inventory of emissions from structure fires in the wildland-urban interface. The inventory lays the groundwork for communities to be more prepared for and resilient to the impacts of smoke. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4rOBgeu

🌎 Explore, Learn, Connect - RAL Seminar Series 🌎 💧Integrated Water Systems: Translating Physical Climate Science into Practical Water Management Solutions at Global, Regional & Local Scales 💧David Yates, Scientist VI, NSF NCAR 💧WED, FEB 25, 1-2 PM (MT) Free Hybrid Event ral.ucar.edu/events/2026/...

Fires that burn buildings in the wildland-urban interface create more air pollution, according to work led by @ncar-ucar.bsky.social and co-authored by CIRES scientists @earthlabcu.bsky.social, @cu-esiil.bsky.social & @cugeography.bsky.social. Read more from NSF NCAR

✈️ 🚗 ❄️ Happening tonight! Weather on the Move: Understanding Weather Hazards for Cars, Trucks, & Drones, a free, in-person lecture & conversation at Bambei Brewing, 7-8 PM MST in Superior, CO. Featuring NSF NCAR RAL's Brittany Welch. Details edec.ucar.edu/events/winte...

🌟Congratulations, George McCabe - DTC PROUD Award winner!🌟 His initiative, technical leadership, & commitment to excellence consistently go beyond expectations, establishing George as a cornerstone of DTC software development & profoundly deserving of this recognition. 🤩 dtcenter.org/news/george-...

Final reminder for our February 19th virtual teacher professional development session "Innovations in Road Weather Science!" Hosted by NSTA, this session dives into how scientists use weather data, modeling, and emerging technologies to better understand road conditions and improve traffic safety.

Mark your calendars for an in-person Explorer Series event at Bambei Brewing on February 17th. Come listen to Dr. Brittany Welch talk about how NSF NCAR research can keep cars, trucks, and drones safe in hazardous weather. No registration required. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4kmIt2V

How does a supercomputer help further research? At the @ncar-ucar.bsky.social-Wyoming Supercomputing Center (NWSC), high-performance computing systems support data visualization, weather forecasting, and other critical space and Earth system research.

Smarter winter road forecasts mean safer travel for everyone.❄️🚘 Pikalert® delivers road-level hazard guidance & treatment recommendations that help transportation agencies act earlier, respond smarter, & use resources more efficiently.➕Learn more! ral.ucar.edu/solutions/be...

New published paper by @ncar-acom.bsky.social scientist Ren Smith at Geophysical Research Letters: "Reduction of Global #Sulfate #Aerosol Concentration and Corresponding #Radiative Effects From Recent #Chinese #Emission Reduction" agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/... #emissions #SO4 #SO2

We’ve got a new dataset that’s hi-res and research ready: MESACLIP. Researchers used two supercomputers to create the MESACLIP dataset which features the Earth system in unprecedented detail, including snow cover and sea surface temperatures. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4rBK9bg

NSF NCAR researchers will go to the ends of the Earth to collect data. The SCARGO project is wraps up this week, but for the last couple of months, the SCARGO instrument has been hitching a ride on flights to the South Pole to collect data on the Southern Ocean. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4auVMLB

Join Us Today! 2-3 PM (MT) 🌆 Aaron Alexander, Postdoctoral Researcher, UW Madison presents: 🌆 Current Plans & Future Heat Extremes: Modeling Nature-Based Solution Impacts on Urban Eco-hydrometeorology in Milwaukee, WI 🌎 RAL Seminar Series - Explore, Learn, Connect 🌎 Watch Live: ral.ucar.edu/live

📢 AI-driven global weather prediction model output is now available in NSF Unidata! We're pleased to announce AI-driven global weather prediction model output in NSF Unidata datastreams thanks to a partnership with NOAA and NWS. Learn more: https://bit.ly/45HHDYt

That’s a wrap for #AMS2026! 🌟 We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and learn alongside such an inspiring and supportive community. See you next year in Denver. Until then, please reach out and continue to connect with us! NSF NCAR RAL • Science Serving Society • ral.ucar.edu

Our Sun is a very active place! ☀️ Scorching, swirling plasma and shifting magnetic fields create stunning solar phenomena, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections that drive solar storms. Solar activity also changes over time, cycling between a minimum and a maximum about every 11 years.

Last day of #AMS2026 - don’t miss it. ✅ Explore our full schedule today and connect with us to learn more about the latest DTC research bridging research and operations. Join our DTC Team members: Man Zhang, Louisa Nance, Molly Smith, and Kathryn Newman!

Let's finish strong #AMS2026! 🌟 Please join us today and keep the conversations going! ral.ucar.edu/ams2026

Join Scott Landolt Today! 12-2 CST at the NSF NCAR Exhibit Booth #119 & learn more about our Transportation Meteorology Applications Program-TMAP #AMS2026 Let's Chat! ➕ Discover more about our Research to Advance Global Transportation Safety & Efficiency with Tailored Weather Tools ral.ucar.edu/tmap

Join us at #AMS2026 to learn about one of NSF NCAR’s signature initiatives, the Convergence Science Program. We're bringing together the community to overcome barriers and advance what is possible for convergence and translational science for our community. https://bit.ly/4k5b24J

Here's to an excellent Wednesday #AMS2026 ✅ Hope you can join us! • Dustin Swales 9:15-9:30, 352A lnkd.in/dYJzPxv4 • Will Mayfield 15-16:30, Hall B3 lnkd.in/d5zrv_TK • Jeff Beck 17:45-18, 371A lnkd.in/dVPVkWcw dtcenter.org

🌎 Explore, Learn, Connect - RAL Seminar Series 🌎 🌆 Current Plans & Future Heat Extremes: Modeling Nature-Based Solution Impacts on Urban Eco-hydromet in Milwaukee 🌆 Aaron Alexander, Postdoctoral Researcher, UW-Madison 🌆 Wed, Feb 4, 2026 | 2-3 PM (MT) | Free Hybrid Event ral.ucar.edu/events/2026/...

#AMS2026 Wednesday - We're already halfway! 🌟 Let's keep rolling, take a look at today’s lineup and connect with us. ral.ucar.edu/ams2026

Noon today at #AMS2026! Join our Kimberly Fewless to learn more about the NSF NCAR Convergence Program, along with colleague Julie Demuth at the NSF NCAR Exhibit Booth #119. Let's Chat! ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA...

Check out our full #AMS2026 schedule today! ✅ Join us to discuss the latest DTC research: "Empowering Earth system science & predictions by developing model testing & evaluation solutions that bridge research & operational communities." ams.confex.com/ams/106ANNUA...

Are you at #AMS2026? Come chat with NSF Unidata staff members at the UCAR booth (#119 in the exhibit hall) from 9:45am - noon this morning. We'll also be there from 3:00-6:00pm, and from 1:00-6:00pm on Wednesday. Check our schedule for times: buff.ly/NIXTDSe

Happy Tuesday! 🌟 #AMS2026 is underway, and the conversations are just getting started. Check out our Tuesday lineup and connect with us! ral.ucar.edu/ams2026

Today (Jan. 27) at 5:30 PM in Room 362C and virtually, I will be presenting about the @dtc-community.bsky.social METplus verification package and how it helps bridge research and operations! 🌎🌤️📊 #AMS2026

Want to learn more about the latest advances in the Model Evaluation Tools (METplus) system? ✅ Join Christina Kalb today at #AMS2026 • Expanding Verification Capabilities: New Advances in the METplus System • MON 17:30 - 17:45 (CST), 342F

Welcome to #AMS2026! 🌟 We’re excited to connect - check out our Monday lineup and join the conversations. ral.ucar.edu/ams2026

Weather nerds unite! 👊🦸‍♀️⚡️ We're so thrilled to be in Houston for #AMS2026. We hope you'll swing by our booth during the Exhibit Hall Opening Reception tonight and say hi! We can't wait to see you. Check out our events and presentations: https://bit.ly/4a9S0Xn

Excited to be heading to Houston next week for #AMS2026! 🌟 Join us as we present our latest research. Stay tuned for daily highlights and explore our full presentation schedule. Looking forward to great conversations and connections! ral.ucar.edu/ams2026

In 1964 under the shadow of the Flatirons, ground was broken on Table Mesa for the Mesa Lab site! The NSF NCAR Archives meticulously restored and housed the video reel of the groundbreaking silent film, which can be viewed on YouTube! https://www.archives.ucar.edu/exhibits/ncar-timeline

Join Us Today! 1-2 PM (MT) 🌀 Jennifer DeHart, Research Scientist, Colorado State University presents: 🌀 Radar Synthesis Tools for Real-Time Hurricane and Heavy Rainfall Analysis 🌎 RAL Seminar Series - Explore, Learn, Connect 🌎 Watch Live: ral.ucar.edu/live

Looking for ways to connect science with real-world problem solving in the classroom? Join us for a free, virtual professional development session, hosted by NSTA, exploring technology and innovations in road weather science. 📆Feb. 19, 2026 🕔 5:00–6:00 pm MST 💻 Virtual

Are you familiar with the NSF NCAR Explorer Series? 🤔 The series brings world-class research to students, educators, and the public through free presentations, videos, and participatory science initiatives. Check out this recap from last year and stay tuned for details about 2026 events!

🌎 Explore, Learn, Connect - RAL/EOL Joint Seminar 🌎 🌀 Radar Synthesis Tools for Real-Time Hurricane and Heavy Rainfall Analysis 🌀 Jennifer DeHart, Research Scientist, Colorado State University 🌀 Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | 1-2 PM (MT) | Free Hybrid Seminar ral.ucar.edu/events/2026/...

🌎 Explore, Learn, Connect - RAL Seminar Series 🌎 🌐 Towards More Accessible, AI-Enabled Urban Land Surface Modeling 🌐 Zhonghua Zheng, Asst. Prof. Data Science & Environmental Analytics, University of Manchester, United Kingdom 🌐 TH, Jan. 22, 2026 | 3-4 PM (MT) | Hybrid ral.ucar.edu/events/2026/...

Four years ago, the underwater Hunga Tonga volcano 🌋erupted causing an explosive event that could be seen from space. Our researchers were among 159 scientists from 21 countries who published a report looking at the eruption’s far-reaching effects. Check out the report: https://bit.ly/4qUIaOW

👏 ✈️ “The snow machine provides a controlled laboratory environment where we can reliably & more accurately test deicing fluids any time of the year.” Scott Landolt, NSF NCAR RAL. Full Story: news.ucar.edu/133015/let-i... ➕ Learn more about our Aviation Weather Research 🛩️ ral.ucar.edu/impacts/avia...