How much do you know about snow?
Did you know that:
And because snow is so fun (at least for some of us), it makes a great reason to get out with the kids and enjoy the wintery white stuff! Building snow houses, making snow sculptures, and creating snow paintings are just a few ideas to have some snow fun!
Old ship logs are giving scientists a look back at how the weather was centuries ago!
These 18th-century ship logs are now being used to reconstruct how weather patterns were 250 years ago and give us some insight into how much our climate has changed since then. These log books are now being transferred into a digital form for easier access.
Of course, any look back at the changes our world climate has undergone over hundreds of years is going to spark a debate about global warming. Every debate has at least 2 sides.
There are 2 climate scientists who disagree on the matter:
- Dr. Richard Anthes says we are responsible for warmer global weather.
- Dr. William Gray thinks the computer models are wrong about global warming and that cooler temperatures are in our future.
There are many terms and phrases used when discussing weather and meteorology. Many you may have heard before. In fact, some of these terms (sleet, hurricane, lightning, barometer) you've probably heard of since your youngest years and easily understand.
Other terms, however, you may not have heard of, or perhaps you realize that you never really knew what they meant. This is especially true for "regional" terms -- weather words used frequently in one part of the country, but not very often in another.
One such example is Indian Summer.
Let's briefly explore here what an Indian Summer is...
Continue reading: What Is An Indian Summer?
While it's been fall for only a few weeks, snow has already been falling throughout parts of the United States.
For those regions, making snowmen and skiing are already becoming part of the routine, while any appearance of snow is still several weeks away for the majority of the country.
If any snow happens to fall on your lawn, why not make some now sculptures! Don't forget these important snow sculpture tools:
- Shovel
- BBQ tools and utensils
- Trowel
Okay, now are you ready to see the best snowman pictures ever?!
Before Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Andrew, and Charley, the United States had another major hurricane that stole the headlines, destroyed cities and towns, and claimed the lives of many Americans.
Hurricane Hugo, which made landfall near Charleston, South Carolina as a major hurricane, struck the Southeastern United States on September 22, 1989. The devastation was widespread. but the U.S. was not the only nation to experience the lashes of Hurricane Hugo.
Hurricane Hugo was a destructive Category 5 hurricane that struck Guadeloupe, Montserrat, St. Croix, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, and North Carolina in September of the 1989 Atlantic hurricane season, killing 109 people and leaving nearly 100,000 homeless. Source
See what the total impact of Hurricane Hugo was after it made landfall...
Continue reading: Hurricane Hugo: 20 Years Later
Can you imagine a Halloween without pumpkins? It's possible for some.
There has been news from various parts of the country about a cool summer and early, cold temperatures this fall ripening pumpkins before they're supposed to be harvested for Halloween.
I read elsewhere of this same problem happening. Luckily, the farmers interviewed said the "quality" of the pumpkins will be normal, but sizes may be smaller."
While the pumpkins may be a little smaller this autumn, the foliage colors are going to be as bright as ever! Did you know what makes fall colors so bold?
Fall is a special time of the year. For many, it represents Mother Nature's last hurrah before the white hues and biting freezes of the winter set in. For others, fall means harvest time.
Fall also is synonymous with the scent of cinnamon; colors of red, orange, and yellow; and scenes of pumpkin carving and wreath making.
Whatever fall means to you, the autumn season is a wonderful time to get together with your kids.
Here are 4 fun ways that you can enjoy the fall colors with your children...
Continue reading: 4 Ways To Enjoy Fall Colors With Kids
Did you know that you really can feel the weather in your bones? At least, that's what some people are saying when they relate certain aches and pains in the body to weather changes.
While science has yet to validate the claims, some doctors believe their patients really are feeling this pain. Some joint aches have been associated with low pressure and high humidity, according to one doctor.
While some in the science community dismiss that one can really feel the weather in his or her bones, it is true that weather does seem to affect our minds, bodies, and souls. For example dreary, cold weather can lead to depression. Heat can make us irritable. Sunny days can make us feel happier.
But more work neds to be done to confirm if this is all consistently true.
Did you know there are two types of sunblock? I did not know that until I read an interesting article by the Univeristy of California which reports the two major types of sunblock are:
And here are a few "little-known facts" about sunblock:
Hurricanes are major storms which have sustained winds of at least 74 miles-per-hour (mph) and form over oceans.
While all hurricanes mean potential harm to people and property, not all hurricanes are of equal strength. Some are relatively weak. Others create damage of catastrophic proportions.
Thankfully, we can usually get an idea as to how much damage and how many people to evacuate before a hurricane actually makes landfall. One of the best ways to assess a hurricane's strength and potential damage is to use the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale to help make preparing for hurricanes and evacuating from hurricanes more efficient.
Here's some fascinating information about the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, how it works, and the types of damage that can result from each of the 5 hurricane categories...
Continue reading: 5 Hurricane Categories & Damage Strengths
How To Build A Snow House Or Snow Fort With Kids