
Andrea Thompson
Andrea Thompson is an associate editor at Scientific American, where she covers sustainability, energy and the environment. Prior to that, she was a senior writer covering climate science at Climate Central and a reporter and editor at Live Science, where she primarily covered Earth science and the environment. She holds a graduate degree in science health and environmental reporting from New York University, as well as a bachelor of science and and masters of science in atmospheric chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Latest articles by Andrea Thompson

Cold Air Invasion Coming: What’s the Role of Warming?
By Andrea Thompson published
The polar vortex is sending cold air to the East again. Research continues into role warming might play.

What A Warming World Means for Major Snowstorms
By Andrea Thompson published
A warming world could mean interesting changes for major snowstorms, like the nor'easter this week.

2015 Begins With CO2 Above 400 PPM Mark
By Andrea Thompson published
Atmospheric CO2 levels have already passed the 400 ppm mark in 2015, and it's only January.

Fate of Earth’s Ice Comes Further Into Focus
By Andrea Thompson published
The melting of Earth's polar ice came into starker relief in 2014, with real implications for sea level rise.

2014 Set for Record Hot; Record Cold Thing of the Past
By Andrea Thompson published
2014 is even more likely to become the warmest year on record, with record cold years a thing of the past.

2 Years On: Sandy Inspires Storm of Climate Research
By Andrea Thompson, Brian Kahn published

Hot News: 2014 On Track to Become Warmest Year
By Andrea Thompson published
The "odds are good" that 2014 will be the warmest year in the books, fueled by record ocean warmth.

September Was Warmest on Record, NASA Data Shows
By Andrea Thompson published
September 2014 was the warmest September since 1880, update NASA data shows.

Where Is El Nino? And Why Do We Care?
By Andrea Thompson published
El Niño still hasn't emerged, but forecasters give it a two-thirds chance of forming by the end of the year.

Warming Air Was Trigger for Antarctic Ice Shelf Collapse
By Andrea Thompson published
The spectacular 2002 collapse of Antarctica's Larsen B ice shelf was caused by surface melting.

El Nino Watch: 6 Months and Still Counting
By Andrea Thompson published
El Niño, which has been anticipated to form since March, has yet to arrive but is still expected.

Why Hurricanes Are So Rare in Hawaii
By Andrea Thompson published
A persistent high pressure ridge and cooler ocean waters typically keep Hawaii from seeing any hurricanes.

Odds of El Niño Drop; Still Expected to Form
By Andrea Thompson published
The chances of an El Niño forming by winter have dropped to 65 percent, still double the normal odds.

No Record, But Arctic Sea Ice Will be Among 10 Lowest
By Andrea Thompson published
Arctic sea ice extent won't reach a record low this year, but it is still declining and could place in the top

Why Do We Care So Much About El Niño?
By Andrea Thompson published
The obsessive attention to the state of the latest El Niño comes from the major global impacts it can have.

What’s Behind Super Typhoon’s Rapid Intensification?
By Andrea Thompson published
Rammasun looked ragged after its trip over the Philippines, but became a Super Typhoon before hitting China.

Six Months In and Sizzling California Sets Record
By Andrea Thompson published
January-June 2014 was the warmest first half to a year ever in California, helping fuel the state's drought.

Arthur Becomes 1st Hurricane of 2014, Threatens NC
By Andrea Thompson published
Arthur is now the first hurricane of the 2014 season. It is expected to hit North Carolina as a Category 2.

New Report Puts Price Tag on Climate Change in U.S.
By Andrea Thompson published
A new report by the Risky Business Project quantifies the impacts of climate change on the U.S. economy.

A New Spin on Mapping U.S. Tornado Touchdowns
By Andrea Thompson published
Where are U.S. tornadoes most common? New maps of twisters by latitude and longitude show clearly.

Global Warming Playing a Role in Australia’s Record Heat
By Andrea Thompson published
A late fall warm spell in Australia extends a period of record warmth influenced by global warming.

Rain! Storm Heads for Southern Plains, Won’t End Drought
By Andrea Thompson published
Rains are finally heading for drought-stricken parts of the Southern Plains, but they won't bust the drought.

How Low Will Summer Sea Ice Go? Ponds May Hold Key
By Andrea Thompson published
The spring melt of Arctic sea ice is underway, but what summer's minimum will be is hard to predict.
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