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Category Archives: Severe Weather
How hard do weather forecasters work?
In the wake of a remarkable, but not perfect, forecast of a paralyzing blizzard that affected the Northeast last week, one may wonder how much effort is expended by an individual forecaster.
Since it takes only a minute or two to deliver a forecast on the evening news, it is easy to mistakenly view the process as taking very little effort or care. Continue reading
Are ‘atmospheric rivers’ and the ‘Pineapple Express’ related?
Last week, central and southern California got hit with a substantial rain event, welcome news for a severely drought-stricken area that has not seen heavy rains in many months.
A high-profile element of the storm system that affected the region was a so-called “atmospheric river,” or the local variant of this feature sometimes known as the “Pineapple Express.”
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Category: Meteorology, Severe Weather
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What is a ‘panhandle hooker,’ and why is it called that?
A panhandle hooker, also called a Texas hooker, is a name for a storm that forms in the panhandles of Oklahoma or Texas. These storms bring interesting weather to the Midwest and Great Lake regions. The weather system gets its … Continue reading
Category: Meteorology, Seasons, Severe Weather
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What is a funnel cloud?
A funnel cloud gets its name from its shape — it is a funnel-shaped protuberance from the base of a thunderstorm.
It is composed of water droplets and is often associated with a supercell storm. The funnel cloud often has rotation, and when it does, it’s a harbinger of possible severe weather. Continue reading
What is the difference between a ‘warning’ and a ‘watch’?
The difference is that a weather watch indicates that hazardous weather may occur, while a warning is issued when hazardous weather is occurring, is about to occur or has a very high probability of occurring.
A warning indicates that conditions pose a threat to life or property, and people in the area of the warning should take action to protect themselves. A watch is intended to provide people with enough time to set safety plans in motion for possible hazardous weather. Continue reading
Category: Severe Weather, Weather Dangers
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