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Does meteorological science have an impact on public policy?
One key piece of the world’s evolution toward nuclear sanity during the height of the Cold War was motivated by growing understanding of a fundamental meteorological phenomenon: the development of what’s now known as upper-level frontal systems.
The first atomic bomb was tested on July 16, 1945, in New Mexico, ushering in the nuclear age. Over the next decade and a half, continuously bigger bombs were tested in our atmosphere and oceans. Most of these bombs were exploded in the Earth’s stratosphere under the assumption that the air never mixed downward into the troposphere, where we all live. Continue reading
Is there any trace of winter left in the Northern Hemisphere?
We have made reference a few times in this column to the areal extent of cold air over the Northern Hemisphere as a measure of wintertime severity, that is, the geographic reach of air of a certain temperature.
Specifically, we have reported on the 23-degree air at 1 mile above the ground (where the atmospheric pressure is just 85 percent of its near-surface value). By mid-July it is impossible to find air that cold at that elevation in the Northern Hemisphere. Continue reading
Category: Meteorology, Seasons
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What is the difference between a ‘warning’ and a ‘watch’?
The difference is that a weather watch indicates that hazardous weather may occur, while a warning is issued when hazardous weather is occurring, is about to occur or has a very high probability of occurring.
A warning indicates that conditions pose a threat to life or property, and people in the area of the warning should take action to protect themselves. A watch is intended to provide people with enough time to set safety plans in motion for possible hazardous weather. Continue reading
Category: Severe Weather, Weather Dangers
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How do you stay safe from lightning?
There is no place outdoors that is completely safe during a thunderstorm, so the saying goes, “When thunder roars, go indoors!”
The safest thing to do is to get inside a safe building or vehicle. A safe building is one that is covered with a roof, walls and floor, and has plumbing or wiring. Stay away from metal and electrical equipment, including computer, plumbing and faucets. Keep away from windows and doors, and don’t hang out on a porch to watch the lightning storm. Continue reading
When is Wisconsin’s tornado season?
Tornadoes can happen in just about any location and at any time, although the chances of having one in late fall and winter are small.
For example, there have been only six tornadoes in Wisconsin during the month of November, and Wisconsin has never recorded a tornado in February.
On average, there have been 21 tornadoes touch down in Wisconsin in a year, with a record 62 tornadoes in 2005. For the 20-year period between 1991 and 2010, there was an average of nine tornadoes in the month of June. Continue reading
