‘Weather’ Archives
Devastating Hurricanes
Devastating Hurricanes Violent winds, driving rain, killer waves. These are the hallmarks of a hurricane,also called cyclones or typhoons, hurricanes are giant storms prowling the world’s tropical seas. An average hurricane releases as much energy in a day as the explosion of half a million small atomic bombs. Hurricanes form in the Summer [...]
Climate and Weather
Climate and Weather Climate is what you expect weather is what you get. Climate and weather together they are among the most influential forces on Earth. One can influence where and how we choose to live, the other often determines what we do, where we go and what we wear each day. Climate refers to the average weather conditions of a place [...]
Global Weather Problems
Global Weather Problems Summary: Natural changes in the climate are probably to blame for the unusual weather conditions in many parts of the world, according to climatologists. In recent days there have been floods in Central Europe, parts of Russia, the Philippines, India and China. But the exact cause is leading to much debate amongst [...]
Snowfall
Snowfall Measurement Uncertainties Measurements of snowfall are very difficult and hardly satisfactory. In many countries automatic weather measurements are being made at in lieu of human observations (e.g. in the USA at most airports (1)). No automatic measurement of snow is yet replacing the manual observations carried out previously. Yet [...]
Water Vapour
Can warmer air 'hold' more water vapour? It is only a rough shorthand to say that cold air can hold less than warm air, as elegantly pointed out by Alistair Fraser at his website and by Craig Bohren in his popular book Clouds in a glass of beer(1). Removal of the air (i.e. of the gases other than water vapour) makes no difference to the process [...]
Frost Prediction
Frost Prediction There are several methods of predicting the occurrence of frost (1). Many involve an empirical relationship to the dewpoint temperature Td. For instance, in Victoria (Australia) frost is reckoned possible if Td is less than 6' C, and probable if it is below 0' C. In the latter case, if in addition the wind is southerly, and [...]
The Deadly Truth
Lightning: The Deadly Truth You may have heard the expression "lightning never strikes the same place twice." But that is one of the many lightning stories that scientists say are not true. Lightning kills more people each year than snowstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes. In fact, among natural disasters, only floods take more lives than [...]
Weather Balloon
Weather Balloon Weather balloon, balloonused in the measurement and evaluation of mostly upper atmospheric conditions (see atmosphere). Information may be gathered during the vertical ascent of the balloon through the atmosphere or during its motions once it has reached a predetermined maximum altitude. Today, atmospheric information is most [...]
It’s Raining Cats & Dogs
It's Raining Cats & Dogs We have all heard the expression "it's raining cats and dogs." There are several theories about this rainfall saying. It is possible that the word cat is derived from the Greek word 'catadupe' meaning 'waterfall.' Or it could be raining 'cata doxas,' which is Latin for 'contrary to experience,' or an unusual fall of [...]
