Weather Archives - Kidsville News

Citizen Science

Are you interested in actually participating in the science? Well, citizen science may just be for you! Citizen science is a form of open collaboration in which anyone can take part in the scientific process to address real-world problems. You can help by taking real-time weather observations, alerting officials about severe or winter weather occurring where you are and contributing to NOAA research using an app on your phone. Citizen science involves everyday people and plays a vital role in protecting lives and property. A citizen science project, such as the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS), can involve hundreds or even millions of people collaborating towards a common goal. One of the largest citizen science projects relating to weather, CoCoRaHS, (www.cocorahs.org/) is a nationwide community-based network of volunteers who measure and help map precipitation like rain, hail and snow. There are over currently over 12,000 volunteers nationwide, and their precipitation reports are used by many organizations interested in weather and climate conditions. NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory has a similar program, the Meteorological Phenomena Identification Near the Ground (mPING), (https://mping.nssl.noaa.gov/), where you can report the type of precipitation you are experiencing at any given time or location. mPING volunteers can spend a little or a lot of time making and recording ground truth observations using the mPING project website or mobile phone app. Another way you could become a citizen scientist is through the National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Program (www.nws.noaa.gov/om/coop/). This program consists of over 8,700 volunteers who take observations where they live, work and play. The NWS depends on these volunteers who are committed to taking observations at the same location for a long period of time. Some of these volunteers have been taking observations for over 50 years. NWS provides the training, equipment and maintenance; you provide daily data. Data from the program supports warnings and forecasts and helps build a long-term weather history for an area. This program has existed since 1890 and is one of the few programs that measures snowfall and its water equivalent. All these citizen science efforts are already advancing our understanding of weather and climate while providing fun and educational opportunities for everyone to participate in the process of scientific discovery. We invite you to check out these and other opportunities and try your hand at citizen science noaa.gov

Weather

What Causes Wildfires

Wildfires are fires that happen in wooded areas and can start from lightning or from people who do not carefully handle flames. Winds, dry plants and leaves on the ground can spread a fire very quickly. One type of wind phenomenon that spreads wildfires easily is called the Santa Ana winds. These strong, hot winds typically blow through the mountain passes in southern California. Santa Ana winds can easily exceed 40 miles per hour, are warm and dry and can quickly make wildfires spread, especially under drought conditions. There are many ways you can help prevent wildfires. When you are camping, make sure your fire is built in a location where it can be easily contained, away from loose brush or other items that could easily catch fire and spread the flames. Make sure that you are never far away from the fire once it is lit, and always have water on hand. Don’t burn on windy days! Before leaving the fire, pour water over the ashes, even if it already looks like it is out. All it takes is one ember catching nearby brush or grass on fire to start a wildfire. Did you know that wildfires can also harm you in multiple ways? Smoke from the wildfires can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. When smoke is impacting your area, make sure to keep your doors and windows closed and turn off your air conditioner. If you spot a wildfire, you should walk or drive away from the fire immediately and call 911 to report it. Weather conditions and the type of ground cover can make the fire change direction quickly, so it is important to stay far away from the fire. If you live in an area that is near woods, it is important to have a plan of action and emergency supplies in case a fire starts, and to always listen to officials when a wildfire is happening in your area. To learn more about fire forecasts and wildfire safety and prevention, check out the NWS Wildfire Safety Page. Also, visit Firewise Communities to learn all about all of the risks of wildfires and how to be prepared for a wildfire.

Weather

Weather | What Makes A Hurricane

Hurricanes are one of the most destructive weather hazards around. Most people know that hurricanes are dangerous, but do you know how they are made? It’s hard to believe, but big and powerful hurricanes start off as just a few thunderstorms in the middle of the ocean! Hurricanes only need a few ingredients to grow from a group of thunderstorms into a hurricane. The first ingredient is the warm ocean, at least 80°F. Vapor from the warm water rises into the atmosphere, which then condenses, causing heat to be released into the atmosphere and the air to be lighter. As the warm air continues to rise, more air moves in near the surface to take its place, which causes strong winds. The next ingredient is local winds. They need to blow in the same direction and at the same speed from the ocean surface to the top of the atmosphere. Finally, all this needs to happen away from the equator, due to a phenomenon called the Coriolis Effect, which describes how air moving toward the equator and the poles curves due to the Earth’s rotation. The Coriolis Effect is what makes hurricanes spin, and there is no Coriolis Effect near the equator. If the thunderstorms over the ocean have these things, they can start to grow into a hurricane! Those thunderstorms, called tropical disturbances, start to cluster together, drop in air pressure and become a tropical depression. Wind speeds in a tropical depression are only about 38 mph. As the Coriolis Effect makes the tropical depression spin, it becomes a tropical storm. This is like a mini hurricane, and its winds are 39-73 mph. As it continues to spin, it takes more energy from the warm ocean water below and grows stronger until it is a hurricane. If it keeps growing and getting stronger, major hurricanes can reach wind speeds of 111 mph or faster. That’s as strong as a tornado. The National Hurricane Center has said that it’s rare to get all the ingredients together. Lucky for us, not all thunderstorms or tropical storms become a hurricane. For more information on hurricanes, visit Tropics Intro and Hurricanes.

Weather

Weather October 2020

To get to a place on land, you use a road or highway. But did you know that there are highways for the sea, too? One of them is the Alaska Marine Highway System, which ships use to transport people and vehicles to coastal communities on a year-round basis. It covers about 3,500 miles from Bellingham, Washington, to Dutch Harbor, Alaska. How long is that? Well, from Miami to Seattle is a little more than 3,000 miles. To complete this route safely, ship captains rely on accurate weather predictions from the National Weather Service. Marine forecasters focus on wind (both speed and direction) and waves, as well as hazardous weather and reductions to visibility, since these are most dangerous to ships. Forecasters use data collected by floating weather sensors together with satellite imagery and computer models to produce a forecast. Ship captains receive these vital forecasts instantly by satellite, helping to keep them out of danger. And if they have questions about a forecast, they can call the National Weather Service office that issued the forecast to get additional information to keep them safe. The job of marine forecasters is to “protect life and property” from the ravages of the sea. Captains appreciate being able to call a forecaster, for powerful storms can develop over waters like the Gulf of Alaska at any time of year. Imagine trying to stay afloat in hurricane-force winds with waves 20 feet high. Caught in a storm without a name, you’re helpless as your ship plunges into troughs and is threatened by towering black waves. And if your ship capsizes, you won’t survive long in the freezing waters. With storms this dangerous, you’d want all the weather information that you could get, which is why the job of marine forecasters is so vital. They help keep travelers safe on the Alaska Marine Highway System and other waters. Weather on the open ocean can be unforgiving and capable of sinking any ship. Next time you’re on a highway, be thankful that it’s made of land and not water!

Kids

Weather September 2020

Fall can be an exciting season, as we go back to school and anticipate fun fall events such as Halloween and Thanksgiving. But fall also brings dangerous weather hazards, and it’s important to be aware of that. Let’s look at some of the fall weather hazards. Drought is a normal feature of our climate. Caused by a lack of rain or snow over an extended period, it can happen nearly everywhere. In some cases, drought can develop relatively quickly and last only for a short period of time, exacerbated by extreme heat and/or wind. If the area you live in is affected by drought, it is important to be vigilant. Conserve water by taking shorter showers, practice fire prevention by not burning trash or brush and follow instructions from local officials. Flooding is caused by heavy rain. During a flood, water levels and the rate at which the water is flowing can quickly change, so it’s important to get to higher ground if a Flood Warning is issued. Never walk into floodwaters — it only takes a few inches of flowing water to knock you off your feet. Hurricanes are a dangerous weather hazard that often occur in the fall. If you live in an area that can be affected by hurricanes, it’s important that your family has an emergency supply kit that includes at least three days of food and water per person. To find out more about what your family should put in their emergency supply kit, visit www.ready.gov/kit Wildfires are another weather hazard to watch out for in the fall. Wildfire smoke can harm you in multiple ways. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. If you spot a wildfire, you should walk or drive away from the fire immediately and call 911 to report it. Wind can be a danger as well, as strong storms with whipping winds commonly impact the U.S. during the cooler months. Each year there are reports of trees and power lines that have been knocked over and homes that have been damaged. Trim trees and shrubs and repair loose siding or shutters around your home well in advance of a storm. When a High Wind Watch or a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued, secure outdoor items such as patio furniture, sports equipment and trash cans, as even the most common items become dangerous objects when picked up and carried by the wind. Winter hazards also can appear as early as the fall. When cold weather hits, it’s important to dress properly. Bundling up in layers and staying dry is one of the best things you can do to stay safe and avoid getting hypothermia. Make sure your pets avoid prolonged exposure to the cold as well. Make sure they have a warm, dry place to rest with plenty of food and water. This is just a small sample of the many weather dangers we face in the fall. For more information about fall weather hazards, please visit The National Weather Service’s Fall Safety.

Weather

Weather – July 2020

Have Fun at the Beach, but Stay Safe! The summer months are the perfect time for a beach trip. However, it’s important to know the facts about beach safety when planning your next trip — the ocean can be dangerous if you’re not prepared. Many beaches use warning flags to indicate dangerous conditions. When going to the beach, be on the lookout for signs that indicate what the different warning flags mean. In this way, if you see a warning flag being used, you can know what to look out for. However, not all beaches use warning flags, and the warning flags may be different from beach to beach. One of the beach’s biggest dangers are rip currents. Rip currents are narrow, powerful currents of water that are found at the nation’s surf beaches. They can quickly carry you away from the shore and even cause drowning. Each year, over 100 people in the United States die due to rip currents. If you get caught in a rip current the best thing to do is not swim against the current, relax and float. If possible, escape the current by swimming in a direction toward the shoreline. If unable to escape the current, face the shore and call or wave for help. The chance of drowning at a beach with lifeguards is very small (a chance of 1 in 18 million). Rip currents aren’t the only danger in the water — waves can also be dangerous. Plunging waves are the most dangerous type of breaking waves. They can easily slam your body into the ocean floor. Many spinal and head injuries are caused in this way. Surging waves can also be dangerous as they can easily knock you over as they rush up and back down the beach. Even small waves can be dangerous. REMEMBER: STAY DRY WHEN THE WAVES ARE HIGH! When the waves aren’t high and you’d like to enjoy some time in the water, it’s always important to enter the feet first. Don’t dive in head-first because if the water is shallow, you can cause serious injuries if your head hits the bottom. Heat and sun safety are two other things to keep in mind when at the beach. It’s important to always wear sunscreen to protect yourself against UV exposure when you’re going to be in the sun for an extended period of time. You’ll also want to make sure that you stay hydrated. Additionally, it helps to wear lightcolored clothes, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Lastly, always pay attention to the weather. If a thunderstorm is approaching, immediately take shelter indoors or in a hard-topped vehicle to avoid being struck by lightning. Beach activities are the second greatest cause of lightning fatalities. So now you know a few good tips to help make your trip to the beach a safe one! For more information about beach safety, visit http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/beach_hazards.html

Weather

What Makes Lightning?

We’ve all experienced thunderstorms and lightning. When lightning ashes and strikes the ground, it can be both an amazing and scary experience. But have you wondered how lightning forms? Scientists have wondered this as well. The primary theories involve something called “charge separation” (we’ll get to that shortly), which leads to the generation of an electric eld within a thunderstorm. Also, recent studies suggest that the production of ice, hail and semi-frozen water drops in a thunderstorm are essential to the creation of lightning. First, you cannot have lightning without electricity! All matter in the universe is made up of particles, and these particles all contain an electric charge, which can either be positive, negative or neutral. The most common building block of matter is the atom, which is made up of particles called protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons have a positive charge, neutrons a neutral charge and electrons a negative charge. Normally, atoms contain the same number of protons and electrons, which results in a neutral charge. Now that we have a basic understanding of electric charges, let’s talk about how thunderstorms result in charge separation. The inside of a thunderstorm is a very turbulent environment, with strong updraft and downdraft winds regularly occurring very close to each other. Because of this, ice, hail and semi-frozen water drops get tossed around all over the inside of the thunderstorm. As a result, the top of the thunderstorm ends up containing an overall positive charge while the thunderstorm’s bottom becomes negatively charged. This is charge separation. Because electricity generates between positive and negative charges, the charge separation causes an electrical field to be generated inside of the thunderstorm. This electrical field creates lightning within the thunderstorm, but it’s not yet enough to cause lightning to strike the ground. When it comes to electric charges, opposites attract. erefore, the massive buildup of negative charge near the base of the thunderstorm can eventually create a lot of positive charge on the ground below it. e buildup of positive charge on the ground can then interact with the buildup of negative charge at the base of the thunderstorm, and the eventual interaction between those positive and negative charges is what we see as lightning. That’s what we know about how lightning is formed. So now the next time you see a lightning strike, you’ll also know the science behind it. But don’t forget that lightning is very dangerous as well. If there’s a thunderstorm happening outside, you should be inside.

Weather

Weather – April 2020

Derecho Do you know what a derecho is? Derechos are widespread, long-lived windstorms with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. The phenomenon was discovered and named by Dr. Gustavus Hinrichs, a German immigrant living in Iowa. Derecho (pronounced like “deh- REY-cho” in English) is a Spanish word which means “direct,” or “straight ahead.” This relates to the type of destruction that derechos can cause, as their damage patterns occur along generally straight lines. This is known as “straight-line wind damage.” Derechos often occur within storms that have a curved shape when viewed on radar. These are called “bow echoes” because their curved shape resembles an archer’s bow. Derechos come from either one strong bow echo or a series of bow echoes. If the bow echo (or a series of bow echoes) travels more than 250 miles or produces wind gusts of 58 mph or more, it is classi ed as a derecho. Several well-known derechos have occurred over the past few decades. On March 12, 1993, a strong low-pressure system dubbed the “Storm of the Century” formed in the Gulf of Mexico and produced a serial derecho that swept across Florida and Cuba. The “Right Turn” derecho a ected North Dakota July 12, 1995, with winds of 91 miles per hour that knocked down over 5 million trees and damaged many buildings. On May 8, 2009, the “Super Derecho” storm caused damage from Kansas to Kentucky, with winds measuring 90 miles per hour and widespread ooding. On June 29, 2012, there was a major derecho event which a ected Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, D.C., Maryland and New Jersey, causing widespread damage and millions of power outages. This storm helped popularize the term “derecho” with the public. So, what can you do to keep yourself safe? If a derecho is headed your way, the National Weather Service will issue a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. You are most vulnerable to a derecho outdoors or in a vehicle. If a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued, take shelter inside and stay away from windows. It’s a good idea to have a disaster supply kit ready as power outages are very likely with derechos. Your kit should include food and water, flashlights and batteries, a spare battery for your cellphone, a rst-aid kit, a list of emergency contacts and a battery-powered weather radio. If you’re planning to spend time outside, check the forecast before heading out to see if there are any storms on the way. In fact, it’s a good idea to check the forecast each day after waking up in the morning, so that you’ll always be prepared. Your forecast is always available on www.weather.gov, or you can check with your local NWS forecast o ce.

Weather

Weather- March 2020

What Is The Atmosphere You may have heard people mention the atmosphere before. But do you know what it is? The atmosphere is a layer of gases that surrounds the earth. It contains the air we breathe and all the weather that you see, and it also protects us from outer space. The atmosphere is made up of many kinds of gases. ere are four gases that are the most common: nitrogen, oxygen, argon and carbon dioxide. You’ve probably heard of oxygen – it’s what we breathe. Oxygen is nearly 21 percent of the atmosphere. Nitrogen is about 78 percent of the atmosphere and is used by living things that need it to make proteins. The other two most common gases, argon and carbon dioxide, are each less than 1 percent of the atmosphere. ere are many other gases as well, but they make up an even smaller percentage of the atmosphere. The atmosphere stretches out thousands of miles above the earth and consists of ve layers. The first layer, the troposphere, begins at the earth’s surface and is between four and 12 miles high. The difference in height depends on the location on earth – near the equator, the troposphere is the highest, while it is lowest at the poles. e troposphere is where almost all weather occurs. On top of the troposphere is the next layer, the stratosphere. It goes up to about 31 miles above the earth. is layer is hotter than the troposphere, and the temperature increases along with the height. Above the stratosphere is the mesosphere, which reaches to about 53 miles above the earth. is layer of the atmosphere protects us from meteors falling down to Earth. This is because the gases in this layer are much denser, which causes meteors to slow down and burn up. e next layer up is the thermosphere, also known as the upper atmosphere. is layer extends to about 375 miles above the earth. Above that is the exosphere, which reaches up to 6,200 miles above the earth. A er that is outer space. Water is continuously circulated between the earth and the atmosphere. is is known as the hydrologic cycle. Water repeatedly moves from the ground to the atmosphere and back again. The hydrologic cycle consists of five main processes: evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation and runoff. Evaporation is when liquid changes into a gaseous form known as water vapor. Water evaporates, rising up into the atmosphere. Transpiration is similar to evaporation, except it occurs with plants. Condensation is when water vapor transforms back into liquid in the atmosphere. is o en appears as clouds. Precipitation is when the tiny condensation particles grow too large, and then fall back down to earth — also known as rain. When the water falls back down to earth, some is absorbed into the ground, and the rest is known as runo , which forms lakes and rivers. Eventually, some of the water in these lakes and rivers evaporates, beginning the process all over again. For more information on the atmosphere and other cool weather facts, check out the Jetstream, the National Weather Service’s online school for weather, located at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/index.html

Kids

WEATHER – FEBRUARY 2020

The Myth, the Legend, the Polar Vortex The polar vortex is coming! When you hear weather forecasters talk about winter’s blast of cold air you may have heard the term “polar vortex.” e term refers to unusually cold weather. But do you know what the polar vortex actually is? The term polar vortex refers to cold air that is almost always circling around the earth’s poles. This air mass is usually associated with cold temperatures and winter weather. Normally, the polar vortex stays centered around the earth’s North and South Poles, at an altitude of roughly 10 miles up. e polar vortex usually stays there, kept in place by a circular current of air called a jet stream. When a low-pressure system is strong, the jet stream moves at high speeds (sometimes greater than 100 miles per hour), keeping the polar vortex in place. Sometimes, however, the low-pressure system and jet stream weaken, causing the cold air to drift away from the poles. The polar vortex found above the North Pole is sometimes responsible for extremely cold weather here in the United States. When the low-pressure system weakens, the cold air contained in the polar vortex drifts southward, and we get to experience that cold arctic air for ourselves. While the polar vortex has been happening for a long time, the term was only recently popularized. In January 2014, cold air from the northern polar vortex drifting southward, causing record lows in the United States. Even places as far south as Florida experienced Arctic air, and parts of Canada and the Midwestern United States had temperatures even colder than Alaska! At the time, weather forecasters describing the phenomena popularized the term polar vortex. Cold air from the polar vortex has a ected the United States many times before that, notably in 1977, 1982, 1985, and 1989. ere was also another recent incident in December 2016, where temperatures dropped between 20 and 30 degrees below normal. The United States isn’t the only place that can experience cold weather associated with the polar vortex. e polar vortex can also cause parts of Europe and Asia to experience Arctic air. Not all cold air is caused by the polar vortex, though. What the polar vortex does cause is significant drops in temperature. When that happens, it’s important to bundle up. Wear at least three layers of clothes, a hat and gloves. Limit the time that you spent outside to prevent hypothermia. Check your local weather forecast on Weather.gov so you can know what to expect. For more information about cold weather safety, visit:National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather.gov

Category - Weather

Citizen Science

What Causes Wildfires

Weather | What Makes A Hurricane

Weather October 2020

Weather September 2020

Weather – July 2020

What Makes Lightning?

Weather – April 2020

Weather- March 2020

WEATHER – FEBRUARY 2020

Categories