Depletion of Antarctic ozone is a more important factor than increasing greenhouse gases in shifting the Southern Hemisphere jet stream in a southward direction, according to researchers at Penn State.

"Previous research suggests that this southward shift in the jet stream has contributed to changes in ocean circulation patterns and precipitation patterns in the Southern Hemisphere, both of which can have important impacts on people's livelihoods," said Sukyoung Lee, professor of meteorology.

Research Unplugged continues its fall season of lively community discussions with Penn State researchers with a program this Thursday, Oct. 18, by Jenni Evans on "Stormy Weather: Hurricanes, Monsoons and Global Climate Change."

Two meteorologists who contribute to Penn State's long-running Weather World show have been nominated for an Emmy by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Throughout the continental 48 states, the 2011-12 winter has been oddly mild. While past winters in Pennsylvania and other hardy winter regions have delivered a few warm, sunny days each year like previews of spring, they usually have been surrounded by more seasonally appropriate temperatures, freezing and below. This year it seemed that very cold days were the minority, and most states had little snow.

Michael Mann and David Pollard, both scientists in Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, have been elected as Fellows of the American Geophysical Union for exceptional contributions in original research in climate change.

As electricity costs continue to skyrocket, executives around the country are searching for ways to reduce energy consumption and increase sustainability. At Penn State, a University-wide team has invested in software called BigFix to enable more efficient power management of computers. The software is part of an overarching systems management initiative that could reduce Penn State's power bill by about $800,000 annually.

Four Penn State Beaver faculty members recently authored, co-authored, and presented research publications and papers. The four are C. Chris Wu, Talha Harcar, Kay Wijekumar, and Anthony J. Sadar. Read the full story for more information, or to contact the authors.

Greg Ferro, an undergraduate meteorology major in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, has traded in a weather station for a classroom. Although he isn't graduating until May, he already has his dream job lined up. "I've always had an interest in teaching," said Ferro. "In my sophomore year, I recall taking a picture on my cell phone of a Teach for America sign on the Hub lawn and sending it to my dad with the text message, 'this is what I want to do after Penn State.'"