Category Archives: Phenomena

What is the status of the ozone hole?

Ozone occurs about 18 miles above the Earth’s surface.

Ozone is both caused by and provides protection from damaging ultraviolet energy emitted by the sun. The development of an atmospheric “ozone layer” allowed life to move out of the oceans and onto land.

The amount of ozone in the atmosphere is routinely measured from satellites. Typically, the Antarctic ozone hole has its largest area in early September and lowest values in late September to early October. This year it was measured to be one of the largest and deepest in recent years, covering just over 9 million square miles. Continue reading

Category: Phenomena, Seasons

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What is a waterspout?

There are two types of waterspouts: fair weather waterspouts and tornadic waterspouts.

A fair weather waterspout is a whirlwind that forms beneath a cumulus cloud and over water. It’s generally not associated with thunderstorms.

A fair weather waterspout develops on the surface of the water and moves upward. Before you see the waterspout, you may see a funnel cloud hanging from the bottom of the cumulus cloud. A waterspout forms as the rotating funnel draws up water. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Phenomena

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How does weather affect fall colors?

Astronomical fall began on Sept. 22.

Climatologists consider fall as the months of September, October and November. The fall season is also associated with pumpkin patches, fresh apples and beautiful foliage. Continue reading

Category: Phenomena, Seasons

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Does the ozone hole occur over both poles?

The ozone hole refers to the appearance of very low values of ozone in the stratosphere.

The winter atmosphere above Antarctica is very cold. It occurs typically high over the continent of Antarctica, during the Southern Hemisphere’s spring. The cold temperatures result in a temperature gradient between the South Pole and the Southern Hemisphere middle latitudes, which results in strong westerly stratospheric winds that encircle the South Pole region. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Phenomena, Seasons

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What is mud rain?

Mud rain is rain that contains a noticeable concentration of particles of sand or dust. The soil can be of local origin or it can originate from very distant regions. As rain falls through the dust layer, the raindrops collect … Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Phenomena

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