How do hurricanes affect the hydrosphere is a fascinating question. Heat from the sun makes ocean water warmer, creating water vapor by evaporation. When water vapor condenses, heat is released, helping fuel storms. Storms have a massive impact on coastal communities. How Hurricanes Form Hurricanes impact all these spheres. Atmospheric patterns are so complex that…
Why does the sky turn yellow on some evenings? Every evening, the sun sets again. Sometimes it’s overcast and there is nothing to see. But on other occasions, a truly beautiful pallet of colors covers the sky. Which factors are at play to create these amazing colorful skies? And why does the sun even set…
The correct answer to what happens if a car gets struck by lightning ranges from “nothing much” to “Wow! What a mess my car has become. Lightning is electricity, and it’s important to note that electrical energy reacts differently to different mediums. When lightning strikes a car some of the electrical energy may be conducted…
Landscapes are shaped by the elements and processes of our earth. What is the role of the wind in all this, and how does wind cause weathering? Wind weathering is much more than just some dunes in the desert. It can take place far outside deserts, it can cause harm and damage and can even…
It may look like a map of the art museum or the subway, but it’s actually a map of the weather. Actually, those colored shapes provide information about weather conditions, and specifically air masses. An air mass is a large section of air with a fairly consistent humidity and temperature. Air Mass Definition An air…
Have you ever thought about how hurricanes are named—or why hurricanes have names at all? Decades ago, meteorologists determined that it’s safer to name tropical storms and hurricanes, because it helps people remember and communicate about storms more effectively. Read on to learn all about how hurricanes are named. The History of Naming Storms According…
The meaning of the words isolated, scattered and widespread is a common source of confusion in weather forecasting. Let’s clear the air. National Weather Service Terms These terms are based on the work of the National Weather Service (NWS). The precipitation probability or probability of precipitation (POP), refers to how likely it is that measurable…
