All articles tagged with #meteorology
Weather scientists explain that what people call “ice bombs” are megacryometeors—large chunks of ice that form in certain high-altitude clouds and can survive to reach the ground, sometimes falling from apparently clear skies. The explainer covers how these rare ice bodies form, how often they occur, notable incidents, and practical safety notes for when unusual ice precipitation happens.
Scientists observe heat spikes and the rapid onset of UK heatwaves, driven by a warmer baseline, drier soils and shifting wind patterns, with marine heatwaves around the UK boosting land temperatures. While these factors help explain sharper heat increases, experts caution it isn’t yet proven that spikes are becoming more frequent, though the potential for hotter, faster heatwaves raises health risks and underscores a warming climate.
Researchers mounted a UV camera on a modified minivan to capture the ultraviolet corona emitted by trees during thunderstorms for the first time. The team observed 41 bursts in sweetgum and loblolly pine across the U.S. East Coast, with each burst emitting billions of photons at around 260 nanometers. This real but previously unobserved glow could influence forest health and atmospheric chemistry and may play a role in thunderstorm electrification, suggesting such coronae occur across forests worldwide.
Moscow logged almost 92 mm of precipitation by 29 January 2026—the most in about 203 years—producing snow drifts up to 60 cm, disrupting trains and traffic as the city faced its heaviest snowfall in generations; officials cited deep cyclones and sharp fronts, with January described as unusually snowy and Kamchatka also experiencing a major snowstorm earlier this month.
A significant winter weather threat looms for north Georgia this weekend as Arctic air collides with Gulf moisture, likely delivering a long duration of freezing rain with possible sleet and snow; temperatures will stay below freezing, and most areas could see 1–2 inches of precipitation (3+ inches in isolated spots) by Saturday into Sunday, though exact amounts remain uncertain.
Forecasters warn North Georgia could see a wintry mix this weekend as cold air from the north meets tropical moisture from the south; timing remains uncertain with rain, freezing rain, and snow possible, and meteorologists will monitor conditions hour by hour, with the main window envisioned for late Saturday into Sunday.
Al Roker has created 'Weather Hunters,' an educational animated series for PBS Kids that explores weather phenomena and earth science through the adventures of a family of weather investigators, aiming to inspire curiosity and understanding about nature among children.
A South Florida meteorologist warned that staff shortages at the National Weather Service, caused by federal budget cuts and layoffs, could impact the accuracy of hurricane forecasts this season, raising concerns about preparedness in hurricane-prone regions.
Researchers in Catalonia have used CT scans to study the internal structure of giant hailstones from a 2022 storm, revealing new insights into their growth and formation. This non-destructive method showed that hailstones can have irregular internal structures despite appearing spherical externally, and that their cores are often off-center. These findings challenge previous assumptions and could improve future storm predictions, although the technique is costly and some anomalies remain unexplained.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season ended with unexpected patterns, featuring early activity and strong late storms, but a quiet peak period. Researchers are examining factors like ocean temperatures and climate patterns such as La Niña and the Madden Julian oscillation to understand these anomalies. Climate change likely intensified storms like Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused significant damage. Despite fewer storms than predicted, the season was still extremely active, with climate change contributing to the severity of the hurricanes.
A significant lake-effect snow event is expected to impact the Great Lakes region, as a cold air mass from Siberia collides with the unusually warm waters of the lakes. This meteorological phenomenon is anticipated to produce heavy snowfall starting in the upper Great Lakes and moving to the lower Great Lakes, with effects lasting into early next week.
Meteorologists are closely monitoring a tropical rainstorm named Sara in the Caribbean, which is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane by next week, potentially impacting Florida. The storm is predicted to travel between Cuba and Mexico before turning north, with significant risks of flash flooding and strong winds. The National Hurricane Center reports a 90% chance of Sara developing into a low-pressure system soon, and an Air Force Hurricane Hunter is set to investigate. While multiple scenarios exist, one likely path shows Sara hitting Florida, marking the state's fourth hurricane this season.
Four tropical storms are currently active near the Philippines, posing potential threats to the region. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely to assess the impact and necessary precautions.
Meteorologists are monitoring a low-pressure system in the western Caribbean that could develop into a named storm, potentially becoming 'Sara,' as the hurricane season nears its end. The system's future path and impact remain uncertain, with a possibility of moving into the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Rafael, a rare November storm, is expected to make landfall in the southern US this weekend. Currently a tropical storm, Rafael is projected to strengthen into a Category 1 or 2 hurricane as it moves through the Caribbean, affecting Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and western Cuba with heavy rain and flooding. The storm is anticipated to weaken before reaching the US Gulf Coast, potentially impacting areas from the Florida panhandle to eastern Louisiana with rough seas and coastal flooding. Meteorologists caution that the storm's path could shift, affecting its impact on the US.