College of Science

There are many factors that play a role in whether or not it rains, and UA researchers say human activity such as cultivating agricultural fields may be one of them.

The UA's hurricane forecasting model, known for its accuracy, is calling for fewer hurricanes in the Atlantic this year. Researchers are predicting four hurricanes, two of which will be major — those reaching Category 3, 4 or 5. Last year brought six major hurricanes, including Irma and Maria (each a 5).

An international scientific team that includes UA geoscientist Christopher Harig reports that a sharp uptick in the loss of Antarctic ice since 2012 is contributing to rising seas.

Oceanographer Joellen Russell is collecting big data in the Southern Ocean to tell us more about the Earth and its climate. In the coming weeks, a UANews series, Fast Forward, will examine the convergence of the digital, physical and biological worlds. This is the first story. With UANews video.