What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather describes the conditions of the atmosphere over a very short period of time. The main examples of weather conditions would be the current temperature, the cloud cover, and precipitation level. In contrast, climate describes the changes in the atmosphere during some period of time where the main characteristics would be the levels of temperature (normal, high, or low) and rainfalls.
Describe an arctic air mass. What is it? Where and how does it form? How does it change as it moves south?
The arctic air mass is an example of frigid and dry air that is very cold and it forms in Northern Canada and Siberia. The arctic air forms when the high pressure becomes stationary due to lack of winter solar radiation, the abundant ice cover, and continuous emission of earth’s radiation, while the air becomes colder. As it moves to the south, the arctic air mass modifies into polar air.
Define the dryline in the United States. What is it? Where does it form? How does it move? What happens when it moves?
The dryline in the United States is the imaginary convergence zone where two different airs (moist air and dry air) meet each other. By this action, the moist air flows off the Gulf of Mexico and separates from the eastern part of the country, while the dry air flows off of semi arid high plateau regions of Mexico and separates from the western part. The dryline moves eastwards during the afternoon and at night it retreats towards the west. Tornadic thunderstorms can be formed when the dryline moves; especially when it moves to the east.
Describe the atmosphere during sleet and during freezing rain.
Sleet is composed of rain and partially melted snow and the frozen raindrops bounce when they impact the ground. Sleet occurs when the temperature is lower than freezing point, but is softer and translucent. Freezing rain, on the other hand, begins as snow but with its specific characteristic as super coiled raindrops that were frozen because of the impact of very cool surfaces. It is found on a narrow band of a cold side of a warm front where temperatures are below the freezing point.
What is a storm surge? What causes it? How does it affect those living on the coast?
A storm surge is the rising of the sea level; this rising is caused by the low pressure, high waves and winds that are associated with hurricanes. It can also cause significant flooding. A storm surge is mostly caused by strong winds that push water towards the shore, by central pressure of a hurricane, and, finally, by ocean waves that contribute to overall storm surges in the long run. Storm surges seriously affect the coastal regions and cause steady flooding, houses damage, and steamed boats and cars to the sea.
What is the difference between a microburst and a tornado? How is the damage to property different?
A tornado is a rotating type of air that is, in contact with the ground, raises up forming a thunderstorm; while a micro bust is a wind with a fan-out pattern that is stronger than a tornado. Damages caused by the two, tornado and microburst, are significant; however, during a tornado, trees fall down in different directions and in a cyclonic pattern, in contrast, during a microburst, trees fall in a diverging pattern.
Why does Florida not reach 100 degrees often, but Nebraska reaches 100 degrees many times each summer?
Florida does not often reach 100 degrees because it keeps mildly cool since it has winds that come from the ocean and the gulf. On the other hand, Nebraska reaches 100 degrees since there is too much sunlight during the day and no cold fronts coming from the Northeastern regions of the US.
What should you do when a tornado is coming towards your house? What about a hurricane?
In order to be saved from potential tornado damages, one should look for a safe place in the house on the ground that will prevent the possibility of falling objects from the walls. When facing a hurricane, one should ensure that all the windows and doors are fixed in order to fastly avoid the possible destruction by a hurricane very fast.
Favorite atmospheric phenomena and why?
My favorite atmospheric phenomenon is the greenhouse effect. This is the natural process where the atmosphere traps the earth’s solar energy and, as a result, warms up the Earth. It is my favorite phenomenon since it involves amazing facts of how the sun’s energy is trapped in the atmosphere and being puzzled at the same time. This process makes it more intriguing and I want to learn more about it.
Bonus: Would you ask a Meteorologist about an earthquake?
Yes, I would ask a Meteorologist this question because it is important to know about the earthquake and how it was engendered. With the derived knowledge, in the future, I will be able to detect an earthquake and to protect myself and other people from the dangers of it; as well as I will be prepared when it suddenly hits.