Experts from a variety of disciplines are joining forces to improve how severe-weather warnings are crafted and communicated. The "Weather-Ready Nation" initiative comes on the heels of a year packed with U.S. weather disasters.

Amid day-to-day weather forecasts and seasonal outlooks, there's a no-man's-zone of uncertainty one to two months out. A phenomenon called the Madden-Julian Oscillation may hold the key to better predictions in this intermediate period.

The effects of a warming climate on hail are largely unknown, as global climate models are too coarse in resolution to simulate hailstorms in detail. But a new modeling study now tackles this subject, looking at the future of hail in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains over the coming decades.

New research led by NCAR scientist Thomas Galarneau provides an in-depth analysis of two extreme weather events whose connection may come as a surprise: Russia’s intense heat wave in summer 2010 and the heavy rains that occurred simultaneously in Pakistan.

New research from NCAR is helping wind energy developers determine the best potential sites for capturing wind. Energy companies can lose money if they install turbines where winds are either too low to generate much power or so high that the turbines often need to be shut down to avoid damage.