Monthly Archives: December 2020

What were the memorable U.S. weather events of 2020?

The year 2020 will be noted for some memorable and record-breaking weather.

This year saw the most active and seventh-costliest Atlantic hurricane season on record. There were 13 hurricanes, six major hurricanes and 12 storm systems that made landfall in the U.S., causing 409 deaths and more than $40 billion in damages. Hurricane Laura was the strongest land-falling U.S. hurricane of the season; it hit the Louisiana coast with 150 mph winds and higher than 15 feet of storm surge. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Severe Weather

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What and when is the winter solstice?

The winter solstice — in Latin, sol or “sun” and stice, “come to a stop” — is the day of the year with the fewest hours of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere. This year it occurs at 4:02 a.m. Monday. … Continue reading

Category: Seasons

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What created season’s first snowstorm?

Even if you are not a particular fan of winter weather, it is hard to deny that there is something about the first snow of the season. In fact, British author J.B. Priestley expressed its transcendent nature beautifully when he … Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Seasons

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Q: Who was Verner Suomi?

Verner Suomi was born on Dec. 6, 1915, and became a professor at UW-Madison. He is known as the “Father of Satellite Meteorology” because of his historic role in defining that field of study. In the late 1950s, he and … Continue reading

Category: History, Meteorology, Uncategorized

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