Archives
Categories
WeatherGuys Links
Category Archives: Weather Dangers
How could we be in a fire danger this early in spring after all the winter snow?
This 2022-23 winter — December through February — was exceptional in that it was Wisconsin’s wettest meteorological winter on record, and those records go back to 1895.
The state also experienced significant snowfall in March. When the snow slowly melts into the soil, it provides needed water for plant growth. Continue reading
Category: Climate, Seasons, Weather Dangers
Comments Off on How could we be in a fire danger this early in spring after all the winter snow?
Comments Off on How could we be in a fire danger this early in spring after all the winter snow?
How is air pollution measured?
There are different sources of air pollution, including human-generated emissions from the burning of fossil fuel, as well as natural sources such as wildfires, volcanic eruptions and dust storms.
Particle pollution is referred to particulate matter (PM) and is made up of small, suspended solid or liquid particles. The amount and density of pollutants in the air are converted into an Air Quality Index (AQI). An AQI of less than 50 is considered safe, while unhealthy conditions have an AQI above 100. The chemical composition of the pollutant can also be a health concern. Continue reading
How are storm warnings defined?
Weather watches and warnings are issued by the National Weather Service under specific weather conditions. A watch means that you should be aware that a weather hazard may develop in your area. A warning message is when the hazard is … Continue reading
What is the difference between mist and fog?
Both a mist and a fog are water droplets suspended in the atmosphere in the vicinity the earth’s surface that affect visibility.
They both differ from a cloud only in that the base of a fog or a mist is at the earth’s surface, while a cloud’s is above the surface.
The difference between a mist and a fog is associated with the atmospheric visibility. A fog and a mist are both composed of microscopic water droplets or wet hygroscopic particles suspended in the air. Particles cause light to be refracted and reflected in many directions, reducing visibility. Continue reading
What is an atmospheric river?
Atmospheric rivers are relatively narrow regions in the atmosphere — typically 250 to 375 miles wide and well over 1,000 miles long.
These sky rivers transport water vapor outside of the tropics to mid-latitude and polar regions. We estimate that 90% of Earth’s north to south water vapor transport is done through atmospheric rivers. Continue reading
