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326 Questions

Last Answer on December 24, 2019

what does a person have to do to become a meteorologist?

Asked by randall about 9 years ago

Hi, Randall. There are a number of colleges that offer degrees in meteorology. It would be helpful to know what you are more interested in since schools lean differently. Research, operational forecasting, broadcasting and private consulting are all options. I highly recommend internships so you can get a feel for each area. Good luck!

970 Votes

Hi I’m from Sheppard middle school i’ m in 6th grade and I’m doing essay and I’d like to get information about layers of the atmosphere if you know anything about it and how this helps us stay safe .

Asked by Kassy over 8 years ago

Hi, Kassy. I would start here: https://scied.ucar.edu/atmosphere-layers

Those folks are experts and you can also do a web search for "layers of the atmosphere". Good luck!

970 Votes

Winds seem to flow along an isobar, but pressure changes between them. Why don't the winds flow in the direction of changing pressure rather than along lines of constant pressure?

Asked by Hal almost 8 years ago

Hi, Hal. Uneven heating of the atmosphere helps create air pressure differences. Mother Nature tries to equalize the imbalance and air moves from high to low. Since the earth rotates the air is subject to Coriolis force and the air is deflected from moving perpendicular to the isobars. Thanks! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coriolis_force

970 Votes

Is Hurricane Irma only considered a hurricane at the eye, or center, of the storm and beyond that only a tropical storm? So, for example, hurricane Harvey didn't hit Houston, a tropical storm did?

Asked by Kim Harris about 9 years ago

Hi, Kim. Nope. The maximum sustained winds of any part of the storm (mostly likely near the eye) determine the designation of the entire storm. Harvey hit peak strength at Category 4 as it came ashore near Rockport, TX and the center never did cross Houston.

968 Votes

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Should the lacrosse fields be cleared of kids if you hear thunder and see lightening? Our couches seem to be relying on apps on their phone to decide. I always heard if you see lightening get off the field.

Asked by Stacey Marshall about 9 years ago

Absolutely, yes. The field should be cleared. Not doing so is irresponsible. If you can hear thunder you can be struck and lightning can travel many miles from a storm. Also wait at least 15 minutes after the last thunder before returning to play.

966 Votes

Hello. I would like to know the cause of all of the abnormal January 2019 rain and freezing temperatures in Yuma Az. and the area this year. Neither is normal for this area even during the dead of winter. What is the cause of this?

Msully

Asked by Msully53 over 7 years ago

Hi. Thanks for the question. "Abnormal" or "normal" is a tricky question sometimes. I usually prefer to use "average" since that is a closer description of what is used in the climate data. Specific to your question, this year is one where the overall patter is favoring storm systems, developed and driven across the country by the jet stream, moving in to the desert southwest from the Pacific, and the cooler weather is caused by that same pattern favoring cooler air toward Yuma.

964 Votes

why is there more precipitation in Northern California than in Southern California?

Asked by girlstarsccr over 7 years ago

Tricky question because there is a difference between weather, day-to-day, and climate, long-term. California weather is driven in large part by the jet stream atmospheric currents at mid-latitudes which is affected by many things like El Niño, even sunspot cycles. That changes daily, weekly, monthly and so on. Local features like terrain can affect rainfall for a particular site too. So reasons for more precipitation in a given year can be different than over a longer period of time. Broadly speaking, latitude has a lot to do with it. Thanks!

963 Votes

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what does a person have to do to become a meteorologist?

Hi I’m from Sheppard middle school i’ m in 6th grade and I’m doing essay and I’d like to get information about layers of the atmosphere if you know anything about it and how this helps us stay safe .

Winds seem to flow along an isobar, but pressure changes between them. Why don't the winds flow in the direction of changing pressure rather than along lines of constant pressure?

Is Hurricane Irma only considered a hurricane at the eye, or center, of the storm and beyond that only a tropical storm? So, for example, hurricane Harvey didn't hit Houston, a tropical storm did?

Also on Jobstr...

Should the lacrosse fields be cleared of kids if you hear thunder and see lightening? Our couches seem to be relying on apps on their phone to decide. I always heard if you see lightening get off the field.

Hello. I would like to know the cause of all of the abnormal January 2019 rain and freezing temperatures in Yuma Az. and the area this year. Neither is normal for this area even during the dead of winter. What is the cause of this?

Msully

why is there more precipitation in Northern California than in Southern California?

TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

what does a person have to do to become a meteorologist?

Hi I’m from Sheppard middle school i’ m in 6th grade and I’m doing essay and I’d like to get information about layers of the atmosphere if you know anything about it and how this helps us stay safe .

Winds seem to flow along an isobar, but pressure changes between them. Why don't the winds flow in the direction of changing pressure rather than along lines of constant pressure?

Is Hurricane Irma only considered a hurricane at the eye, or center, of the storm and beyond that only a tropical storm? So, for example, hurricane Harvey didn't hit Houston, a tropical storm did?

Also on Jobstr...

Should the lacrosse fields be cleared of kids if you hear thunder and see lightening? Our couches seem to be relying on apps on their phone to decide. I always heard if you see lightening get off the field.

Hello. I would like to know the cause of all of the abnormal January 2019 rain and freezing temperatures in Yuma Az. and the area this year. Neither is normal for this area even during the dead of winter. What is the cause of this?Msully

why is there more precipitation in Northern California than in Southern California?

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Hello. I would like to know the cause of all of the abnormal January 2019 rain and freezing temperatures in Yuma Az. and the area this year. Neither is normal for this area even during the dead of winter. What is the cause of this?

Msully