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Was the February 23 snowstorm in the Northeast really unusual?
The northeast United States experienced a once-in-a-generation storm on Feb. 23-24. It would take too much space to list all the remarkable snowfall records that were set during this event, though mentioning a couple is both irresistible and instructive.
Southeast Massachusetts and most of Rhode Island were hardest hit by both the snow and winds associated with this event. T.F. Green International Airport at Providence, Rhode Island, ended up with 37.9 inches of snow — its all-time two-day and single-day records — and suspended all operations on Feb. 23. Hurricane-force wind gusts were widespread in the region, with Wellfleet, Massachusetts recording a peak gust of 98 mph. Continue reading
Category: Meteorology, Seasons, Severe Weather
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What is a mesonet and what are they used for?
The term “mesonet” is a blending of the words “mesoscale” and “network.”
In meteorology, “mesoscale” refers to weather events that range in size from about one mile to about 150 miles. Mesoscale events last from several minutes to several hours. Thunderstorms, snow squalls and wind gusts are examples of mesoscale events. A mesonet refers to a network of collectively owned and operated automated weather stations that are installed close enough to each other and report data frequently enough to observe mesoscale meteorological phenomena. Continue reading
Why don’t trees freeze and burst in the winter like cold pipes?
When liquid water freezes, it expands as the water molecules spread out to form a solid crystalline lattice. If the freezing water is contained in a closed vessel, such as a metal pipe, it can press hard on the sides as it expands, causing the container to burst.
Trees contain water that is transported throughout the tree by the phloem and xylem, which we can think of as pipes.
Continue reading
Will the recent the groundhog predictions come true?
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means there will be six more weeks of winter. On the other hand, Jimmy the Groundhog in downtown Sun Prairie did not see his shadow at sunrise during the 78th annual Groundhog Day Prognostication, which per tradition means we are due for an early spring. Which to believe?
We don’t put stock in either. Continue reading
Why are viruses more common in Winter?
Colds and the flu are caused by viruses, not by cold wintery conditions. Viruses such as rhinoviruses, which cause the common cold, and influenza viruses spread from person to person through respiratory droplets or physical contact, regardless of the temperature outside.
However, weather and climate do play a role in why colds and the flu are more common in winter though. The colder temperatures associated with winter affect how viruses behave in the environment. Winter’s colder temperatures and lower humidity help viruses survive longer and spread more easily. Research studies show that many respiratory viruses survive longer and remain infectious for extended periods of time in cold, dry environmental conditions.
Dry air also causes tiny droplets released when people breathe, talk, cough, or sneeze to evaporate quickly. These droplets evaporate quickly, creating smaller particles that stay suspended in the air longer and travel farther, increasing the chance that others will inhale them.
Winter’s low humidity can dry the lining of one’s nose and throat. This reduces the effectiveness of mucus, which normally traps viruses and helps move them out of the airways.
In cold weather, social events tend to be indoors, bringing us in close contact with others. This increases the chance of the spread of a virus.
Preventive measures such as vaccinations, good hygiene practices, and wearing masks in crowds help to reduce the risk of viral infections. Improving indoor ventilation and maintaining adequate humidity during winter can also reduce transmission risk. Cold weather can be challenging for people with existing respiratory conditions such as asthma. Continue reading
