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What is a November gale?
A gale is a sustained wind between 39 mph and 54 mph. Gales are usually caused by large differences in the air pressure between a low pressure system and a strong high pressure system. Gale winds are common in November on the Great Lakes.
This week marks anniversaries of some strong November gales in the Great Lakes region. The most famous of these include the White Hurricane (Nov. 7-10, 1913), the Armistice Day Blizzard (Nov. 11, 1940), the Edmund Fitzgerald Storm (Nov. 9-10, 1975) and the storm Nov. 10-11, 1998. Continue reading
Does lightning travel from the sky downward or ground upward?
Lightning is a huge electrical discharge that results from vigorous motions that occur in thunderstorms.
Lightning can travel from cloud to cloud, within the same cloud, or between the cloud and ground. In-cloud lightning discharges are more common than cloud-to-ground discharges and are not as hazardous. Cloud-to-ground is the best known type of lightning and it poses the greatest risk. Continue reading
Category: Meteorology, Phenomena, Severe Weather
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Are the Arctic and Antarctic warming at the same rate?
Global warming is occurring. We know this through scientific observations and our understanding of atmospheric physics and chemistry. We understand that human activities associated with burning fossil fuels is a primary forcing function. While global warming is occurring, observations indicate that rate of warming varies by region.
The Arctic and Antarctic are geographic opposites, and not just because they sit on opposite ends of the globe. The land-sea arrangements are different. Antarctica is a continent surrounded by water; the Arctic is basically a water body surrounded by land. Continue reading
Does the federal shutdown impact weather forecasting?
Weather forecasts provided by the government will continue during the shutdown. The National Weather Service (NWS) and other National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) agencies provide essential services; therefore, most NWS federal forecasters are considered emergency employees and are required to work without pay during the shutdown.
While NWS will continue their life-saving essential work, some weather and climate data feeds and public-facing services will have limited or no access to researchers and the public. According to a NWS webpage announcement, “Due to the government shutdown, all public National Weather Service activities, including tours and other outreach activities, have been canceled or postponed until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience. The NWS will continue to provide critical forecast, watch, and warning information to protect life and property throughout the shutdown.” The National Hurricane Center (NHC) will also continue to provide hurricane updates and forecasts. There are a few “non-essential” fields in NOAA that are not operating during the shutdown, including some active research. Continue reading
Category: Meteorology, Weather Dangers
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How are fall colors impacted by our weather?
The most vibrant fall color will occur on years with ample moisture in the summer and dry, clear weather in the fall. Extreme heat and moderate-to-severe drought may negatively affect the fall foliage season.
In summer and spring, leaves are green because they contain chlorophyll, which reflects green light more than other colors. Other colors are absorbed by chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Continue reading
