Have you ever heard about the heat index? It's basically the summer version of the wind chill factor. When a weatherperson mentions the heat index on the news, they're talking about how hot it feels outdoors. … [Read more...]
Weather 101
Remember Global Cooling? See Why Global Warming Scientists Now Refute That Theory
Global cooling and saving our ozone layer were 2 of the major environmental issues I was taught during my school lessons when I was a kid. Within a few years, governments had pretty much banned the use of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in aerosol cans, industrial applications, and other arenas where CFCs were common. While the ozone layer and notorious ozone hole appear to be on a long but steady road to recovery in the future, the talk of global cooling has thawed into a … [Read more...]
El Nino Weather Facts: How El Nino Affects Us & Why We Should Care
Most of us have heard about El Nino, but some people have no idea what it means or what it does to our weather. I vividly remember the El Nino weather effects of 1997-1998 -- the event brought storms, record rainfall, and warmth across much of the contiguous United States. During the El Nino event of 2015-2016, record-warm weather blanketed the eastern half of the U.S. while the western regions saw rain and snow, with a reversal of that pattern taking shape for the latter part of the … [Read more...]
Thundersnow (a.k.a. Snow Lightning & Thunder) – When, Where & Why Does It Happen?
Have you heard of thundersnow? Or, should I say... Have you heard thundersnow? Thunder snow is an alarming phenomena that occurs when lightning (which causes thunder) strikes during a snowstorm. Many people don't usually associate lightning with snowstorms -- which is not surprising. After all, thundersnow is relatively rare. … [Read more...]
Names Of Clouds – See What Different Types Of Clouds Look Like & What Those Cloud Formations Mean For The Weather
As you may have noticed, there are many different types of clouds. Some are high up in the sky, thin, and wispy. Others are large, puffier, and closer to the ground. There are some clouds that are blankety, appearing to cover most -- if not all -- of the sky. But what are the names of clouds? And what do they mean for the weather? … [Read more...]
How The UV Index Scale Works & How To Use UV Index Reports To Avoid A Sunburn
One of the best tools to help you assess your risk of getting a sunburn is the UV index scale. I've come to learn that the UV index is just as important to pay attention to as any other part of the weather forecast on TV or online. But what, exactly, is the UV index scale and why should it matter to you? … [Read more...]
Where Is Tornado Alley? Here’s What You Need To Know
Wondering if you live in Tornado Alley or not? Tornado Alley isn't an official region, per se. It's a name that many people, including meteorologists, have used over the years to describe a huge swath of land spanning from northern Texas to Canada, centering around Oklahoma and Kansas. That's where powerful tornadoes touch down with high frequency as the weather warms during the late spring and early summer. … [Read more...]
You Want Tornado Facts? Here Are 20 Interesting Things About Tornadoes I Bet You Didn’t Know
Knowing some basic tornado facts can help keep you safe during the months of spring and early summer, when tornadoes are most common in many areas of the United States. That's when tornado season is at its peak, though twisters can occur any time during the year. Tornadoes are complex weather phenomena, as are the storms that produce them. There's much about tornadoes that meteorologists are still trying to understand about them so they can better forecast when and where they'll … [Read more...]
Ice Quakes, Ice Booms & Other Mysterious Winter Weather Phenomena… Should We Be Worried?
Have you heard a loud boom outside recently? If you're experiencing extremely cold winter weather, then you might be hearing ice quakes -- also called frost quakes. What's an ice quake? Scientifically known as a cryoseism, an ice quake (or frost quake) is a rare but surprising phenomenon that is caused when water seeps into the ground and then quickly freezes and expands, cracking the ground around it. … [Read more...]
What Is Lake Effect Snow & How Does It Form?
If you live anywhere in the Great Lakes area of the United States, then lake effect snow is something you likely experience throughout the colder parts of the year. Lake effect snow is most common among the eastern and southern shorelines of the Great Lakes, which include Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Superior -- names often memorized by the popular mnemonic "HOMES." The combination of the warm water temperatures along with the much colder air blowing in … [Read more...]
