NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research NOAA Research provides the research foundation for understanding our planet. Visit www.research.noaa.gov to learn more about why NOAA Research matters.

NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) or "NOAA Research" provides the research foundation for understanding the complex systems that support our planet. Working in partnership with other organizational units of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a bureau of the Department of Commerce, NOAA Research provides better forecasts, earlier warnings for natural disasters and a greater understanding of the Earth. Our role is to provide unbiased science to better manage the environment, nationally and globally. Visit https://www.noaa.gov/stay-connected/social-media-commenting-policy to learn more about our social media commenting policy.

Last week, NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory and partners completed research and operational fli...
09/15/2026

Last week, NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory and partners completed research and operational flights for Hurricane Lowell.

The G-IV aircraft flew over the storm center to gather inner core data, perform Tail Doppler Radar (TDR) analysis, and deploy dropwindsondes.

There was a suite of ocean instruments in the area including drifters, argo floats, gliders, and wave buoys, allowing scientists to measure surface waves, water temperature, salinity and atmospheric conditions.

Collection of this data allows for further understanding of air-sea interactions within the storm and further our understanding of hurricanes and advance forecasting!

09/10/2026

🌍 Earth experienced its warmest August on record! 🌎

Our latest global report for August 2026 is now available. Here are the key takeaways:

▶️ August was the warmest on record for the globe, eclipsing the previous tied records of 2023 and 2024 by 0.14°F (0.08°C). The three-month season was also record-warm.

▶️ Global sea surface temperature reached an all-time high in August.

▶️ El Niño conditions persisted during the month, driving record-high temperatures across vast areas of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

▶️ Global land surface temperature was near-record warm for August and June–August.

▶️ The Northern Hemisphere experienced its warmest summer, while the Southern Hemisphere had a near-record warm winter.

▶️ The Arctic and Antarctic had a below-average sea ice extent.

▶️ Global tropical cyclone activity was above average with 19 tropical storms.

In honor of Swap Ideas Day, tell us about your record warm August and read the full report here: https://bit.ly/Global202608

09/10/2026
09/10/2026
In the past, abyssal plains were commonly viewed as “ocean deserts” of little value to explorers or scientists. As deep-...
09/10/2026

In the past, abyssal plains were commonly viewed as “ocean deserts” of little value to explorers or scientists. As deep-sea exploration technologies have advanced and we’ve learned more about the abyssal ocean, researchers have discovered that abyssal plains are far more interesting than they first seemed.

A wide range of animals survive there: some burrowing through the sediment, others swimming or crawling above it. Some regions where sediment builds up slowly feature polymetallic nodules that took millions of years to form. Abyssal plains have also been identified by recent research as one of the deep-sea habitats most in need of further study.

Learn about abyssal plains: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/ocean-fact/what-are-abyssal-plains/

09/09/2026

Will you be in the Washington, D.C. metro area on Saturday 9/26?
Come to NOAA: Centuries of Science— A Pop-Up Experience!
See some of NOAA’s most impressive artifacts, participate in hands-on activities, and more!
Learn more and register at https://noaa.gov/nhw2026!

NOAA has dispatched Saildrones into the center of the strengthening El Niño in the eastern Pacific Ocean. During the 4 m...
09/04/2026

NOAA has dispatched Saildrones into the center of the strengthening El Niño in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

During the 4 month mission, the Saildrones will gather data at one-minute intervals, gaining additional information between existing ocean sensors. The data they collect allows scientists to map out the boundaries or fronts between the warm tropical water and normally cool water.

Scientists will also compare collected data to observations captured by satellites, moorings, floats, and other autonomous platforms to ensure consistency.

Learn more about this El Niño mission: https://research.noaa.gov/noaa-dispatches-saildrones-to-probe-the-engine-of-el-nino/

Each year, researchers at NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and the Cooperative Institute for Great Lak...
09/03/2026

Each year, researchers at NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research monitor and track harmful algal blooms using field observations and advanced technologies. Together, these efforts help scientists better understand bloom development, toxin levels, and potential impacts on communities, which improves abilities to warn people about bloom conditions. Learn more about Great Lakes harmful algal blooms: https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/blog/2026/09/03/understanding-great-lakes-harmful-algal-blooms-from-monitoring-to-forecasting-health-risks/

Image: satellite view of the August 9, 2026, Lake Erie harmful algal bloom (HAB) shows the bloom’s extent, captured by the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-3 Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI).

09/03/2026

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