Weather Means Business

🥵 Second Warmest October Ever for Earth

NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information released its October Global Climate Report on Wednesday. October 2024 was the 2nd warmest October on record for Earth at 2.38F (1.32C) above the 20th century average. Antarctic sea ice extent was the 2nd lowest on record, and Arctic sea ice extent was the 4th lowest on record. As a whole, global sea ice extent was the smallest in the 46 year record at 1.25 million square miles below average. Global tropical cyclone activity was near average with 11 named storms. The Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent in October was also near average. According to NCEI, there is >99% chance that 2024 will rank as the warmest year ever on record.

National Centers for Environmental Information

☁️ Microplastics Found to Impact Weather and Climate

A new study suggests that microplastics in the air may affect weather and climate by producing clouds in conditions where they would otherwise not form. Clouds typically form when water vapor sticks to tiny floating particles such as dust and turns into liquid water droplets or ice crystals. Microplastics were shown to have the same impact, but produce ice crystals at temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius warmer than droplets without microplastics. The increase in clouds can lead to an increase in rain or snowfall in some areas. An increase in clouds can also reflect incoming sunlight from the Earth, which has a cooling effect. Clouds can also absorb radiation from the Earth’s surface and have a warming effect. In the study, scientists found microplastics present in Antarctic deep seas, the summit of Mount Everest, and in fresh Antarctic snow.

Miriam Freedman and Heidi Busse, PBS via The Conversation

💰 Weather Means Business

The Weather Company released a reported highlighting the crucial role of weather and climate intelligence in shaping business resilience, growth, and competitive edge. As temperatures warm and weather patterns become more volatile, it is more vital than ever for businesses to rethink their strategies when navigating weather and climate challenges. According to the report, 75% of executives say that weather has had a moderate or high impact on their business across all functions, with 100% agreeing that weather intelligence helps them gain a competitive edge. Businesses that successfully harness weather intelligence can expect revenue boosts of up to 10%, along with significant cuts in operating costs. 78% of executives say that incorporating advanced weather analytics into their decision-making processes could enhance their ability to anticipate and respond to market fluctuations and help them be better at their jobs.

The Weather Company, PR Newswire

Have you followed us on social media yet?

We are on social media under our sister product’s name, ForecastWatch. We’ll keep you up-to-date on our latest newsletters, reports, and services, and of course have a little fun. If you haven't already, give us a follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Bluesky, and Threads!