Category Archives: Basic Meteorology
What is a Supercell?
[caption id="attachment_3058" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Supercell (click to enlarge)[/caption] A Supercell is a severe thunderstorm with a deep, persistently rotating updraft (a mesocyclone). Supercell thunderstorms are the largest, most severe class of thunderstorms. It has been argued that there are really…
What is the difference between a winter storm watch, warning, and advisory?
Winter Storm Warning: Take Action! A winter storm is imminent or occurring. If you hear a warning, immediately go home or shelter in place until it is safe to travel again. If you are home, bring in pets and plan…
How Tornadoes Form
The formation of a tornado can be broken down to three stages: 1) low level horizontal spin, 2) updraft tilting, and 3) vertical rotation. Stage 1 (Low Level Horizontal Spin) Before thunderstorms develop, winds change direction and increase in speed…
Tornado Facts
Although tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, they are found most frequently in the United States. In an average year, 1,2000 tornadoes cause 60-65 fatalities and 1,500 injuries nationwide. Learn How Tornadoes Form | Criteria for a Tornado…
The Life Cycle of Thunderstorms
Did you know that 1,800 thunderstorms occur at any moment around the world?? That is 16 million a year!?? So what causes thunderstorms? Thunderstorms need three things to develop: Moisture: To form clouds and rain Unstable air: Warm air that…
The Ultraviolet (UV) Index Scale
The Ultraviolet Radiation Scale or UV Index scale represents the risk of sun exposure and steps to protect yourself from UV radiation are listed below [caption id="attachment_2202" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Ultraviolet (UV) Index Scale[/caption] UV Index 0 to 2 (Low)…
What is ultraviolet (UV) radiation?
The American Cancer Society (cancer.org) describes exposure ultraviolet (UV) radiation as a major risk factor for most skin cancers. Sunlight is the main source of UV rays. Tanning lamps and beds are also sources of UV rays. People who get…
2014 Eastern Pacific Hurricane Names | 2014 Eastern Pacific Tropical Cyclone Reports
Hurricanes are named alphabetically from a predetermined list beginning the letter "A" through "W", excluding names that begin with "Q" or "U." A storm is first named by the National Hurricane Center when the system becomes a tropical storm and…
How is wind chill calculated (wind chill formula)
The wind chill temperature is calculated using the following formula: Windchill (F) = 35.74 + 0.6215T - 35.75(V^0.16) + 0.4275T(V^0.16) Where: T = Air Temperature (F) V = Wind Speed (mph) ^ = raised to a power (exponential) More about…
