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What are gravity waves?
Picture a rock thrown into a lake on a calm day. That is an excellent example of what a gravity wave looks like.
Ripples migrate from where the rock hits the water, causing an up and down motion along the water’s surface. As we get farther away from the point where the rock hit the water, the waves dampen, becoming less defined. Continue reading
What is happening with ocean temperatures?
Scientists record global ocean temperatures using satellite observations. Since mid-March, the global average sea surface temperature has been more than 70 degrees, a record high temperature. This indicates rapid warming, which is associated with global warming and ocean circulations.
El Niño and La Niña are climate patterns in the Pacific Ocean. Normally, the trade winds blow west along the equator, moving warm water from South America toward Asia. To replace that warm water, cold water rises from the ocean depths — a process called upwelling. That means cold water rises to the surface near South America. Continue reading
What causes April showers?
The weather this past week in Madison has been very interesting.
On at least three occasions we experienced a mix of precipitation types — with snow, hail, graupel and rain in various combinations. Continue reading
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?
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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
