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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
How has weather forecasting improved, assuming it has improved?
Weather forecasting is a science that has drastically improved over the last 50 years. Modern weather forecasting goes back to the mid-20th century, when meteorologists began using numerical weather prediction (NWP) computer models to simulate atmospheric processes. These models rely on physics and mathematical equations to represent the behavior of the atmosphere.
Studies have shown that a five-day weather forecast today is as accurate as a one-day forecast was in 1980. Today, three-day predictions of a hurricane path are more accurate than the 24-hour forecasts of the 1970s and 1980s. In addition, today’s forecast is easily accessible on your smart phone. Continue reading
Category: Uncategorized
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Why is fog more common in the early morning?
Fog can occur any time of day throughout the year. In southern Wisconsin, fog is most frequent in the morning, between about 6 and 8 a.m.
Fog formation is the result of two primary processes. First, the air is cooled to the dew point, and the relative humidity reaches 100%. When the air temperature is the same as the dew point temperature, condensation of the atmospheric water vapor occurs forming fog droplets. Another method of fog formation requires water to evaporate from the surface into the air, increasing the relative humidity until condensation occurs. Continue reading
