Monthly Archives: December 2019

What is freezing fog?

Just before Christmas the region was visited by the curious winter phenomenon known as freezing fog. Freezing fog simultaneously covers the landscape with an ephemeral coating of rime ice while testifying to the curious chemical properties of water. Fog, like … Continue reading

Category: Uncategorized

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Why don’t the latest sunrise and earliest sunset match up with the winter solstice?

The winter solstice has the shortest daylight hours of the year and will occur at 10:19 p.m. CST on December 21, 2019.

On that day we have our shortest day and longest night of the year in terms of daylight. It’s the astronomical moment when the sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Seasons

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How did fall temperatures locally compare with the northern hemisphere?

As we have reported several times over the years, the evidence is clear that over the entire Northern Hemisphere winter temperatures have been systematically warming over the past 70 years.

We base that conclusion on measuring the extent of air with a temperature of 23 or colder at the 850 millibar level, which is located about 1 mile above sea level. Such a measure can equally be made in the autumn months. Continue reading

Category: Climate, Seasons

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What is the most snow Madison has received in one day?

What a storm!

Tuesday is the 29th anniversary of the greatest 24-hour snowfall ever in Madison.

Like most storms, this one had humble origins, but, by a conspiracy of meteorological circumstances, quickly grew into a historic monster. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Severe Weather

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