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326 Questions

Last Answer on December 24, 2019

How long does it take for the water cycle to happen?

Asked by Ms. Muise's 3rd graders about 10 years ago

Excellent question...and a very difficult one to answer. If we followed a raindrop from the a cloud to a puddle after a rainstorm and it evaporated right away we could say the cycle was only a few hours. A raindrop that fell in the southern Rocky Mountains might travel underground to the Rio Grande River and then the the Gulf of Mexico and evaporate there could take weeks or more. Very good question...great thinkers in your class! Keep up the good work!

1040 Votes

I'm a pilot and trying to learn to read the clouds. I often see cumulus clouds in the summer here in Indiana. Sometimes the bottoms are a little gray and the bottoms are often fairly flat, instead of being puffy like they are everywhere else. Why?

Asked by sampsont over 10 years ago

Great question. The bottom of the cloud is the point where the water vapor in the warmer rising air cools to the point where it condenses (kind of like the condensation out the outside of a glass of water with ice) and turns into a visible water droplet. The darker gray is an area of higher moisture and less sunlight gets through. Happy flying!

1037 Votes

1.) What is the hardest thing about being a meteorologist?
2.) What are personable qualities that you think are important to have to be a meteorologist?
3.) How do you become a meteorologist?
4.) Is there any skills that a meteorologist should have?

Asked by Monkeyangelgirl about 11 years ago

Great questions. I'll answer as a television meteorologist. A National Weather Service meteorologist or someone in research or private industry would have much different answers.

1. The most difficult thing lately is the increasing number of places to put weather information and the 24 hour nature. TV, website and social media mean there is little "off" time.

2. Good time management, the 5:00 news starts right at 5:00! Able to explain things simply. Enjoy visiting with people.

3. There are a number of good colleges that offer degree programs in Meteorology.

4. Good math and science skills/interest are a big help.

Thanks!

1033 Votes

How do you tell when a hurricane or tornado hits??

Thanks you for using your time!!!

Asked by Danica over 10 years ago

Not sure I understand the question, Danica. Both are characterized by strong wind.

1033 Votes

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I have a question about global wind patterns. I understand the Coriolis Effect and its effect of turning winds in the northern hemisphere to the left. Why, then, do the Prevailing Westerlies in the northern hemisphere turn to the RIGHT?

Asked by Melinda over 11 years ago

Great question, Melinda. In addition to the Coriolis Effect there is vertical motion known as a Hadley cells, rising and sinking air, creating something of a "loop". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadley_cell Hope that helps Thanks!

1032 Votes

What makes the wind strong

Asked by Sam over 9 years ago

The pressure gradient between high and low.

1029 Votes

I'm not scientifically knowledgeable, but I've wondered why California and the southwest with the major drought problem couldn't siphon ocean water into Death Valley and the Salton Sea, let it evaporate and come down as rain?

Asked by flcfly@gmail.com over 10 years ago

Creative thinking. Probably a huge cost to transporting that water but even if you could get it there the prevailing atmospheric winds would carry the water vapor to east, away from the areas that need it. Keep thinking!

1028 Votes

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TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

How long does it take for the water cycle to happen?

I'm a pilot and trying to learn to read the clouds. I often see cumulus clouds in the summer here in Indiana. Sometimes the bottoms are a little gray and the bottoms are often fairly flat, instead of being puffy like they are everywhere else. Why?

1.) What is the hardest thing about being a meteorologist?
2.) What are personable qualities that you think are important to have to be a meteorologist?
3.) How do you become a meteorologist?
4.) Is there any skills that a meteorologist should have?

How do you tell when a hurricane or tornado hits??

Thanks you for using your time!!!

Also on Jobstr...

I have a question about global wind patterns. I understand the Coriolis Effect and its effect of turning winds in the northern hemisphere to the left. Why, then, do the Prevailing Westerlies in the northern hemisphere turn to the RIGHT?

What makes the wind strong

I'm not scientifically knowledgeable, but I've wondered why California and the southwest with the major drought problem couldn't siphon ocean water into Death Valley and the Salton Sea, let it evaporate and come down as rain?

TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

How long does it take for the water cycle to happen?

I'm a pilot and trying to learn to read the clouds. I often see cumulus clouds in the summer here in Indiana. Sometimes the bottoms are a little gray and the bottoms are often fairly flat, instead of being puffy like they are everywhere else. Why?

1.) What is the hardest thing about being a meteorologist?2.) What are personable qualities that you think are important to have to be a meteorologist?3.) How do you become a meteorologist?4.) Is there any skills that a meteorologist should have?

How do you tell when a hurricane or tornado hits?? Thanks you for using your time!!!

Also on Jobstr...

I have a question about global wind patterns. I understand the Coriolis Effect and its effect of turning winds in the northern hemisphere to the left. Why, then, do the Prevailing Westerlies in the northern hemisphere turn to the RIGHT?

What makes the wind strong

I'm not scientifically knowledgeable, but I've wondered why California and the southwest with the major drought problem couldn't siphon ocean water into Death Valley and the Salton Sea, let it evaporate and come down as rain?

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1.) What is the hardest thing about being a meteorologist?
2.) What are personable qualities that you think are important to have to be a meteorologist?
3.) How do you become a meteorologist?
4.) Is there any skills that a meteorologist should have?

How do you tell when a hurricane or tornado hits??

Thanks you for using your time!!!