By: Lenna Gonya
Air masses carry with them the characteristics of whatever part of the country in which they form. These systems form over specific areas, usually where the land is relatively level and the wind is calm. Known as source regions, these areas may produce air masses...
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What is the difference between weather and climate?
By: Leigh-Ann Andersen
In today’s world, with the constant discussions regarding global warming and climate change, the terms ‘weather’ and ‘climate’ are often used interchangeably. Though these two words are closely related, and can describe many similar phenomena, they are not the same. The best...
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By: Douglas Chappell
You’ve heard the old saying, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute and it will change.” Changing weather is so common it’s used as a metaphor. “His temperament changes like the weather.” So why is everyone...
How severe weather is identified and tracked
By: Eric Puravs
Severe weather is identified and tracked in many different ways. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has centers for tracking severe storms in Norman, Oklahoma and Miami, Florida which gather and analyze the observations of weather stations to predict the areas where severe weather...
By: Lenna Gonya
Back in the days before modern meteorology, predicting severe weather was pretty much a hit and miss science. While many trained weather experts were able to estimate and predict the arrival of hurricanes or blizzards due to changes in barometric pressure, wind velocity and direction...
Distance of lightning: Determining the distance of a thunderstorm
By: Jillian Jacobs
Quickly estimating the distance of a thunderstorm is relatively simple. After you see the flash of lightning (either the familiar zigzag or a sudden flash of light), count off the seconds until you hear the thunder, then divide that number by five. The result is...
By: Cameron Scott
Imagine living in a place so cold that you don't dare take a breath without a scarf and balaclava to protect you, because the air would freeze your lungs. Just imagine living in a place where your spit crackles and turns to frost in the...
By: Cameron Scott
Everyday life in many mountain towns would be completely impossible without avalanche control. Major roads and rail links would have to be shut down every winter and for most of the spring and fall as well. Recreational skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and climbing would be out...
Anatomy of a low pressure area
By: Perry McCarney
The lowest and densest portion of the Earth's atmosphere is called the troposphere. It extends from the surface of the world's seas to between 8 and 18 kilometres (5 to 11 miles) above the Earth's surface depending on latitude (distance from the equator); closer to...
By: Marisol Dayton
On December 26, 2010, snow fell from Florida to Maine. Atlanta received three inches, North Carolina eight, places like Boston had over two feet, and even parts of Florida saw snow flurries. And that was only in December! What can the southern regions expect in...
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