Category Archives: Phenomena

Do volcanic eruptions impact climate and weather?

There are some spectacular photographs and videos of the recent eruption of Calbuco in Chile. The impact of the eruption on our weather and climate depends on how explosive the eruption and how much sulfur dioxide is in the volcanic plume.

Eruptions can lead to cooler temperatures in the mountain’s vicinity. As the ash cloud enshrouds nearby regions, it will reduce the amount of solar energy reaching the surface and thereby reduce the daytime temperatures. Continue reading

Category: Climate, Phenomena, Weather Dangers

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Why does the wind adversely affect over-the-air television transmission?

Why does the wind adversely affect over-the-air television transmission? Continue reading

Category: Phenomena, Severe Weather

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Why was part of the sky green on Tuesday night?

Why was part of the sky green on Tuesday night? Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Phenomena

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What are geomagnetic storms?

Our sun is an active star that has storms. Sometimes the sun ejects a cloud of gas, called a coronal mass ejection or CME. CMEs are often associated with solar flares, and it takes about two to three days for the charged particles in this gas to reach Earth. Earth’s magnetic field deflects these particles toward the North and South Poles.

Unfortunately, solar electrons and protons from CMEs collide with the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere and can stir up electromagnetic storms in the Earth’s magnetosphere. These geomagnetic storms can result in the Northern Lights but also disrupt satellite-based navigation, communications, air travel, power grids and even pipelines. A geomagnetic storm in March 1989 shut down the Hydro-Quebec electric grid in Canada, leaving people without electricity. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Phenomena

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What happened during last week’s lunar eclipse?

What happened during last week’s lunar eclipse? Our recent lunar eclipse, visible in Madison at 5:25 a.m. Wednesday, resulted from the Earth being directly between the sun and the moon, thereby casting a shadow on the moon. The degree of … Continue reading

Category: Meteorology, Phenomena

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