Monthly Archives: September 2017

What’s up with all the wild weather?

Another week of destructive weather around our country culminated in the passage of Hurricane Maria over the island of Puerto Rico on Wednesday of last week. Some of the rainfall totals from automated stations on the island were of truly biblical proportions.

Though still subject to verification and a check on accuracy, 12.20 inches of rain fell in one hour at Gurabo Abajo, one of several stations on the southwest side of El Yunque, the high mountainous area in the northeast. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Seasons, Tropical

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When does fall begin?

Even the least observant person has probably recognized by now that the days are growing shorter.

In fact, on Friday at 3:02 p.m., we will reach the autumnal equinox and the night will be as long as the day for the first time since late March. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Seasons

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What are the leading threats from hurricanes?

With all the news about hurricanes over the past couple of weeks we’ve been asked a lot of questions about the various threats posed by these storms.

Hurricane Harvey is a clear example of the damage that long-duration heavy rains can inflict. Hurricane Irma provides an example of the destructive power of the winds associated with these storms. Continue reading

Category: Severe Weather, Tropical, Weather Dangers

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Why is lightning white?

Lightning is a huge electrical discharge.

Static charges form in a storm composed of ice crystals and liquid water drops. Turbulent winds inside the storm cause particles to rub against one another, causing electrons to be stripped off, making the particles either negatively or positively charged. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Phenomena, Severe Weather

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