Articles

Last month’s massive snowstorm in the Sierra Nevada followed a dry start to winter. Such extremes in precipitation may become the norm.

Using remote-sensing data and machine learning, a team from NASA and beyond finds that switching to lower-intensity crops can reduce water consumption in California’s Central Valley by 93%, but this requires adopting uncommon crop types.

A potent storm pushed snowpack levels above normal across Colorado.

Seasonal flow variability is decreasing as climate change alters Earth’s systems, creating challenges for water management.

The Surface Water and Ocean Topography satellite provides a new view of water on land, at the coast, and in the ocean.

With better infrastructure and “spongy” green spaces, urban areas have made progress but should be soaking up way more free stormwater.

Global temperatures last year were around 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 degrees Celsius) above the average for NASA’s baseline period (1951-1980).

The burst of turquoise and tan hues in Alaskan waters is in stark contrast to the snowy shoreline.

First survey of season shows snow at 25% of historical average, with brown patches of vegetation across Sierra Nevada.

With above-average reservoir levels, El Niño, and a dry start to the water year, California is preparing for flood or dry conditions in the months ahead.

California's Department of Water Resources encourages groundwater recharge to maximize capture of upcoming storm runoff.

Atmospheric rivers have pummeled the region, resulting in the deaths of two people in rushing floodwaters.

Snow lingered on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa after a storm brought copious precipitation to the island chain.

A warm, moisture-laden weather system soaked western Washington and Oregon.

The Alaskan city received record snowfall in November 2023.

Record rainfall associated with Hurricane Hilary in August 2023 created a large temporary lake in Death Valley.

The NASA/USAID SERVIR program is helping Asia adapt to changing rainfall patterns.

California's annual rainy season now begins a month later than it did just 60 years ago, shifting from November to December. The results are consistent with climate models that predict drier autumns for California in a warming climate.

Water is critical for the arid, underserved Navajo Nation. Carlee McClellan, Navajo hydrologist, is working with WWAO to deliver a space-based solution for monitoring water availability. 

Planet Earth should be named Planet Water, with 70% of its surface covered in ocean. Yet the freshwater that sustains our lives is a precious resource. NASA is at the forefront of monitoring it from every angle.

A new web tool designed by WWAO scientists could help the Navajo Nation anticipate and respond to drought. The latest maps give insight into the moderate to severe drought conditions affecting much of the area.

On the Navajo Nation, access to drinking water is limited. Over 40 percent of homes lack running water. The community is hit by frequent, pervasive drought. WWAO is developing a new drought tool that, with the help of satellite data, will enable Navajo water managers to hone in on drought severity and better manage the water they have.

In one of the driest places on Earth, a thousand-year rain event delivered 75 percent of the yearly average precipitation in just three hours.

Record-breaking rain brought devastating flash floods and landslides to the central U.S. at the end of July 2022. Climate change makes extreme precipitation and weather more likely.

Four years after California emerged from a severe multi-year drought, the state’s precipitation and lake levels are among their worst since the 1970s. The deepening drought is seen in satellite images of the state’s two largest reservoirs.