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326 Questions

Last Answer on December 24, 2019

There was a video two months or so ago on weather.com that showed temperatures in the southeast would be below normal this summer. Well that video was totally wrong because in NC weather.com says the average temperature in June is 84 degrees but it

Asked by Ricky almost 11 years ago

Hi, Ricky. There isn't a great deal of skill on long range forecasts of that nature. That said, summer is still pretty young. Still time to verify and as of this writing, it looks cooler in the east heading into July. Thanks!

1024 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!

1017 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.

1016 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!

1015 Votes

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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!

1012 Votes

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!

1012 Votes

Is it possible that with so many people stuck on the highway trying to evacutat the hurricanes that was enough to change the air temp and so the hurricane's path?

Asked by Natalie over 9 years ago

Interesting thought, Natalie. Hurricanes are driven by atmospheric patterns that cover hundreds of miles. Since even several highways are small in comparison not enough heat would be generated. Fun question. Thanks.

1009 Votes

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TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

There was a video two months or so ago on weather.com that showed temperatures in the southeast would be below normal this summer. Well that video was totally wrong because in NC weather.com says the average temperature in June is 84 degrees but it

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?

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

Thanks you for using your time!!!

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?

Also on Jobstr...

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?

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?

Is it possible that with so many people stuck on the highway trying to evacutat the hurricanes that was enough to change the air temp and so the hurricane's path?

TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

There was a video two months or so ago on weather.com that showed temperatures in the southeast would be below normal this summer. Well that video was totally wrong because in NC weather.com says the average temperature in June is 84 degrees but it

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?

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

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?

Also on Jobstr...

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?

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?

Is it possible that with so many people stuck on the highway trying to evacutat the hurricanes that was enough to change the air temp and so the hurricane's path?

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

Thanks you for using your time!!!

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?