Spring weather brings April showers -- leading to May flowers! But there are many other wonderful things about springtime besides refreshing rain and beautiful blooms. Just like summer offers swimming weather, fall brings colorful foliage, and winter ushers in snow, there are some amazing phenomena generally unique to spring that you're sure to love. … [Read more...]
What’s A Sandstorm? Cool Facts About Dust Storms + Amazing Sandstorm Videos
Have you ever been caught in a sandstorm? If so, you probably would've known it. Strong winds... blackout conditions... dust everywhere. … [Read more...]
Fun With Snow Crystals, Snowflakes & Falling Snow
Winter brings cold temperatures, ice, and -- yes -- lots of snow to most people living in the United States. So what do you do with all the white stuff cold weather sends your way? Have fun with it! Let's look at the many ways you can have fun with snow crystals. Find Pure Delight With Snow Crystals! If you're faced with having to shovel 3 feet of snow off your driveway, you're probably laughing at the idea that one can have much fun with snow. Of course, ridding the … [Read more...]
See Why An Overpass DOESN’T Make A Good Tornado Shelter!
You've probably seen the famous tornado movie where a film crew was chased by a tornado and they wound up taking shelter under a Kansas highway overpass. … [Read more...]
How Hot Is Lightning Temperature? The Answer May Shock You!
So, how hot is lightning? Believe it or not, lightning temperature readings are nearly off the charts. At around 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, lightning is actually hotter than the surface of the sun! Lighting Fun Fact: Around the world, lightning strikes about 1,000 times a second. Still, even if lightning hit your car, you will be safe, as long as you are protected within a fully enclosed vehicle (not a convertible or golf cart). Check out this video to see a single lightning … [Read more...]
What Is Heat Lightning?
You've probably seen heat lightning -- those far off flickers of light miles away up in the clouds. But did you know that heat lightning is really just ordinary lightning that is too far away for you to hear thunder from? True! Lightning doesn't ordinarily travel well beyond 10 to 12 miles, but you can easily see lightning flashes up in the clouds from over 50 miles away. That's why you can't always hear thunder when you see heat lightning. So why do we call it heat lightning? The answer is … [Read more...]
Hurricane Rita 5 Years Later: Photos & Videos Of The Aftermath
Believe it or not, September 23 and September 24 mark 5 years since the landfall of one of the strongest hurricanes on records -- and we're not talking about Hurricane Katrina. Let's look at some devastating facts about Hurricane Rita: Hurricane Rita was the 4th-strongest Atlantic hurricane currently on record. Rita became the 3rd Category 5 Atlantic hurricane in 2005. Sustained winds in the storm reached as high as 180 MPH. 120 people died in the storm. Damages from Hurricane … [Read more...]
Early Arrival Of New England Fall Colors: A Sign Of Climate Change?
New England fall colors are arriving in usual bold fashion in the mountain regions. But what does it mean when colorful fall foliage begins arriving early? Is it a sign of climate change? While early fall color might seem like a thing of beauty, some scientists think it may be an indication that trees are responding to climate change. Changes in long-term weather patterns, such as very hot summers and drought, can cause stress in trees, and that can result in the appearance of early … [Read more...]
Saving Our Ozone Layer: Phasing Out R22 Air Conditioning Refrigerant, Incandescent Light Bulbs & More
Have you heard about the phase out of R22 air conditioning & the need for R22 replacement refrigerants (freon) lately? Well, here's what that's all about... it's called the Montreal Protocol. The Montreal Protocol regulates substances that deplete the Earth's ozone layer -- like incandescent light bulbs and R22 freon. R-22 is the refrigerant that has been most commonly used for decades in household air-conditioning systems, and the name is a reference to its chemical … [Read more...]
How To Avoid Getting Struck By Lightning Whether You’re Inside Or Outdoors
Getting struck by lightning is no joke. Here's what happens when people and lightning converge. Being struck by lightning is a serious -- and sometimes deadly -- reality for hundreds of people in the United States each year. Don't become a statistic. Protect yourself. … [Read more...]
