National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported record-high global temperatures in April 2024 and is involved in various initiatives including weather forecasting, marine operations, and youth empowerment programs.
April 2024 Climate Records
In April 2024, Earth experienced significant climate anomalies. The month was the warmest April on record globally, marking the 11th-consecutive month of record-high global temperatures. The average global temperature in April 2024 was 2.38 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th-century average. South America had its warmest April on record, while Europe recorded its second warmest April. These data points highlight unusual and concerning global warming trends.
NOAA Weather Service Alerts in Omaha, Nebraska
On April 26, 2024, NOAA's National Weather Service issued an unprecedented 48 tornado warnings in Omaha, Nebraska, the most ever issued in a single day by the local office. This event was part of a broader weather pattern in April 2024, during which the U.S. experienced more than 100 tornadoes and instances of heavy snow. These figures underscore the extreme weather conditions experienced in the country during this period.
U.S. Temperature Trends Early 2024
The first four months of 2024 resulted in the period becoming the fifth-warmest on record for the United States. The average U.S. temperature from January to April 2024 was 43.0 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperature records indicate ongoing shifts in climate patterns and contribute to understanding broader environmental changes.
NOAA's RAP-Chem Weather and Air Quality System
The RAP-Chem is a next-generation weather and air quality forecasting system developed by NOAA. This system uses sophisticated models to account for the influence of pollen, dust, and smoke on weather patterns. Since the summer of 2022, the Global Systems Laboratory at NOAA has been developing the first pollen forecast of its kind in the U.S., integrating these forecasts into RAP-Chem.
Marine Operations Center-Atlantic in Newport
NOAA is constructing a new Marine Operations Center-Atlantic facility on Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island, with partial funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. This new facility, expected to be completed by 2027, will feature a pier accommodating four large vessels and a floating dock for smaller vessels. This development is part of NOAA's commitment to enhancing marine operations and research capabilities.
NOAA's Young Changemakers Fellowship
NOAA's Young Changemakers Fellowship program is a year-long initiative aimed at empowering high school students. The fellowship includes an expenses-paid kick-off summit in Washington, D.C., a $800 participation stipend, and up to $750 for action project funding. The program is open to students from the United States, U.S. territories, and tribal nations, providing opportunities for youth engagement in environmental and scientific initiatives.