Dusty air blowing across the Pacific from Asia and Africa
plays a critical role in precipitation patterns throughout the drought-stricken
western U.S. Today, a scientist will present new research suggesting that the
exact chemical make-up of that dust, including microbes found in it, is the key
to how much rain and snow falls from clouds throughout the region. This
information could help better predict rain events, as well as explain how air
pollution from a variety of sources influences regional climate in general.