Monthly Archives: September 2012

Did we hit record for 90-degree days?

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Weather Guys Editor

Though it isn’t unprecedented to get another day above 90 degrees this late in the year (the all-time latest such day in Madison’s history is Oct. 14, 1975), it is very likely our run at the record of 90-degree days in a season will end at 39 — agonizingly one day shy of the record 40 set in 1955. Continue reading →

Category: Climate
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What is the Beaufort scale?

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Weather Guys Editor

The Beaufort scale is a method of estimating wind speed based on the general condition of the surface of a large body of water with respect to wind waves and swell. This scale allows sailors to estimate the wind speed just by observing the state of the sea surface. Continue reading →

Category: Meteorology
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What’s so funny about climate change?

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Weather Guys Editor

In his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney jokingly upbraided his opponent for campaigning on climate change and the impact it’s having on the planet. Continue reading →

Category: Climate
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What is the source of energy for hurricanes?

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Weather Guys Editor

Hurricanes are large weather engines, and any engine needs energy to run.

The secret energy source of a hurricane is the large latent heat of water. Air over the tropical oceans is drier than you might think. Although both the air and water may be warm and calm, evaporation can take place because the air is not at 100 percent relative humidity. Continue reading →

Category: Tropical
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