Category Archives: Meteorology

What is a fire cloud?

With the raging fires in Australia, you may have heard news reports of pyrocumulus, or fire clouds.

In Latin, pyro means “fire” and cumulus means “pile up.” Cumulus is a type of cloud that is common in Wisconsin, particularly in summer. Cumulus clouds are those puffy white clouds with tops that have a cauliflower appearance. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Phenomena, Severe Weather, Weather Dangers

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Why don’t the latest sunrise and earliest sunset match up with the winter solstice?

The winter solstice has the shortest daylight hours of the year and will occur at 10:19 p.m. CST on December 21, 2019.

On that day we have our shortest day and longest night of the year in terms of daylight. It’s the astronomical moment when the sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Seasons

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What is the most snow Madison has received in one day?

What a storm!

Tuesday is the 29th anniversary of the greatest 24-hour snowfall ever in Madison.

Like most storms, this one had humble origins, but, by a conspiracy of meteorological circumstances, quickly grew into a historic monster. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Severe Weather

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How was the 2019 hurricane season?

The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, which ends on Nov. 30, will go down as the fourth-most active hurricane season on record.

There were 18 named storms and 20 tropical cyclones in total, although many were weak and short-lived, especially late in the season. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Tropical

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Why does fog form over the lake?

The recent cold weather was accompanied by interesting fog over the open water of our lakes.

Fog is essentially a ground-hugging cloud, composed of tiny liquid water droplets. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Phenomena

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