Tag Archives: Heat

What is a Heat Wave?

Heat waves are caused by very hot, stagnant air masses. Regions that suffer under intense hot spells are usually dominated by a surface high-pressure system with a mid-tropospheric ridge aloft . . . Continue reading

Category: Phenomena
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What is the Midwest’s hottest summer on record?

Though it has been hot and humid lately in southern Wisconsin, this summer has been relatively mild compared to previous summers.

Since June 1 in Madison, the daily average temperature has been . . . Continue reading

Category: Climate
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What is the Heat Index?

The heat index, or apparent temperature index, indicates how hot it feels. It is expressed as a function of air temperature and the relative humidity. . . Continue reading

Category: Meteorology
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What is a Heat Burst?

Heat bursts are sudden, usually dramatic increases in the surface temperature, often accompanied by strong winds, that sometimes occur in the vicinity of a thunderstorm. Though they are not an everyday occurrence, they are not exceptionally unusual either . . . Continue reading

Category: Phenomena
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What is with the Humidity?

As the spring finally comes after a cool second half of April, it is not only the temperature that rises but also the humidity. Humidity is a measure of the amount of invisible water vapor that is in the air. Continue reading

Category: Meteorology
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