Category Archives: Meteorology

How do radars see tornadoes?

Posted on April 25, 2022 by WeatherGuys Editor

A weather radar consists of a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter emits pulses of radio waves outward in a circular pattern. Precipitation scatters these radio waves.

“Reflectivity” is the amount of transmitted power returned to the radar and measured by its receiver. The intensity of this received signal indicates the intensity of the precipitation.
Measuring the time it takes for the radio wave to leave the radar and return tells us how far away the storm is. The direction the radar is pointing locates the storm. Continue reading →

Category: Meteorology, Phenomena, Severe Weather

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More April snow?

Posted on April 18, 2022 by WeatherGuys Editor

The snow showers that visited our area on Thursday afternoon represented the fourth time snow had been in the air in Madison this month of April.

These showers were associated with the development and passage of a strong and sprawling cyclone that brought blizzard conditions to a number of locations in North Dakota and Montana from Tuesday night into Thursday. The town on Glenburn, North Dakota, received 30.5 inches of snow as of Thursday morning, with 30 to 36 inches variously reported around Minot. Continue reading →

Category: Meteorology, Seasons, Severe Weather

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What was that stuff that fell on Wednesday and Thursday?

Posted on April 11, 2022 by WeatherGuys Editor

Last Wednesday and Thursday many locations in southern Wisconsin experienced snow squalls in which the falling precipitation was momentarily quite intense.

This event was an example of shallow convection — as opposed to the deep convection of summertime thunderstorms. Continue reading →

Category: Meteorology, Seasons, Severe Weather

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Where in the U.S. are the most weather warnings issued?

Posted on March 28, 2022 by WeatherGuys Editor

Certain meteorological conditions may pose threats to life and property. Under these conditions, the National Weather Service (NWS) issues advisories, weather watches and weather warnings.

A weather watch informs us that current atmospheric conditions are favorable for hazardous weather. When the hazardous weather will soon occur in an area, a warning is issued. Weather watches and warnings are issued for a wide variety of hazardous weather, including tornadoes, hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, winter storms, high wind speeds and flooding. Continue reading →

Category: Meteorology, Severe Weather

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Is it Spring Time?

Posted on March 21, 2022 by WeatherGuys Editor

Spring marks the transition from winter to summer. In astronomical terms, the date that marks the spring in the Northern Hemisphere is the vernal equinox. This year the spring equinox occurred on at 10:33 a.m. Sunday. This is the first … Continue reading →

Category: Climate, Meteorology, Seasons

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