The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is the part of the U.S. Department of Commerce that studies and forecasts the weather, oceans, and climate. It runs the National Weather Service, operates satellites and research ships, charts coasts, and manages fisheries and marine resources. Forecasters, researchers, mariners, and emergency managers use its data.
People usually bring questions about how forecasts and severe weather alerts work and what weather terms mean. Others ask how to get warnings, how climate findings are produced, and how the agency supports emergency response and coastal communities.
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The National Climate Assessment sits somewhere between a scientific triumph and a political punching bag. Required by law, written by hundreds of experts, and reviewed by…
Over the Fourth of July weekend in 2025, a catastrophic flood tore through the Texas Hill Country, leaving an indelible scar on Kerr County. In the…
In 1970, the United States government created the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to unify its weather, climate, and ocean programs. President Richard Nixon envisioned…
Our planet's climate is changing faster than at any point in modern history. As we look ahead to the next ten years, understanding these changes will…
Precipitation percentages describe a chance of rain or snow. Their time window, expected amount and location explain what the forecast means for outdoor plans.
How the National Weather Service uses a watch to mean dangerous weather is possible and a warning to mean it is happening, and what to do when each is issued.
The National Weather Service's Winter Storm Severity Index (WSSI) provides a way to understand not just if winter weather is coming, but how significant…
Weather spotter training connects volunteers with the National Weather Service. Local enrollment, reporting instructions and safety shape how to participate.
This guide explains how to sign up for weather alerts, which systems work best for different situations, and how to make sure you never…
