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Last Answer on December 24, 2019

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 almost 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.

725 Votes

Why is it that when the clouds obscure the sun wind starts blowing, and then when the sun comes out again the wind dies down?

Asked by Stephanie almost 7 years ago

Thanks, Stephanie. Not always directly related. The wind is caused by differences in air pressure. Mother Nature likes things to be in balance so she moves air from high pressure toward low pressure. The pressure differences are caused by uneven heating of the earth by the sun and the ground heats unevenly as the clouds come and go. Hope that helps.

725 Votes

Is there a name for the period of silence between the lightning strike and the thunder clap?

Asked by Shane Chuvalas over 6 years ago

Great question! Not that I know of. The delay in hearing thunder is because light travels faster than sound. The lightning causes the air to heat and expand rapidly and that shockwave is the thunder. The visible flash gets to you faster. If you were standing right next to the bolt (not recommended) you would see and hear at the same time. Thanks!

723 Votes

Hi, weather teacher here. My students ask me this question, and I've tried researching to no avail. When naming clouds, how come sometimes the root comes before the name and sometimes after (example: nimostratus vs. cumulonimbus)

Asked by Melinda about 7 years ago

Excellent question, and honestly I don’t have an answer, but I know who does. Check out the Cloud Appreciation Society. They will know, and if they don’t they will like the question enough to find out. Let me know! https://cloudappreciationsociety.org/

723 Votes

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722 Votes

Will there be rain in Houston January 18 & 19, 2019?

Asked by eric_atd almost 7 years ago

Hi, Eric. A bit too far out to tell. Generally forecasts are pretty accurate 3-5 days out. By 5-7 days many of the main weather features are well forecast but the timing often changes a bit. Thanks!

721 Votes

I ive in Michigan and we have winds up to 60 miles per hour today And they have been blowing for about 5 hours but no storms the sky is clear blue with a few clouds. so where are the winds come from

Asked by Debra over 7 years ago

There is a strong low pressure area to your east. Mother Nature likes for things to be in balance. Think of low pressure as a valley, high pressure as a hill. She is moving air from the hill to fill the valley. The bigger the hill, the deeper the valley, the faster the air moves to fix the imbalance and the stronger the wind blows. Great question, thanks.

720 Votes

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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

Why is it that when the clouds obscure the sun wind starts blowing, and then when the sun comes out again the wind dies down?

Is there a name for the period of silence between the lightning strike and the thunder clap?

Hi, weather teacher here. My students ask me this question, and I've tried researching to no avail. When naming clouds, how come sometimes the root comes before the name and sometimes after (example: nimostratus vs. cumulonimbus)

Also on Jobstr...

Also have you ever been featured in a blooper?

Will there be rain in Houston January 18 & 19, 2019?

I ive in Michigan and we have winds up to 60 miles per hour today And they have been blowing for about 5 hours but no storms the sky is clear blue with a few clouds. so where are the winds come from

TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

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 it that when the clouds obscure the sun wind starts blowing, and then when the sun comes out again the wind dies down?

Is there a name for the period of silence between the lightning strike and the thunder clap?

Hi, weather teacher here. My students ask me this question, and I've tried researching to no avail. When naming clouds, how come sometimes the root comes before the name and sometimes after (example: nimostratus vs. cumulonimbus)

Also on Jobstr...

Also have you ever been featured in a blooper?

Will there be rain in Houston January 18 & 19, 2019?

I ive in Michigan and we have winds up to 60 miles per hour today And they have been blowing for about 5 hours but no storms the sky is clear blue with a few clouds. so where are the winds come from

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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