Ask a TV Meteorologist anything

326 Questions

Last Answer on December 24, 2019

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!

955 Votes

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!

951 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 almost 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.

949 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.

947 Votes

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Once a Tornado warring expires due to weakening or the threat has moved is that extra five or ten minutes them looking at the storm trying to see if it was accurate scans and re development and/or something behind it?
Should I remain in shelter?

Asked by Daniel over 7 years ago

Great question. National Weather Service folks take the tornado expirations very seriously and would most likely issue an extension for any risk. That said, rotation could certainly increase again. An extra five of ten minutes would be a reasonable course of action. I highly recommend a radar app called RadarScope for your phone. It allows you to locate yourself on the map and animate radar so you can see if a storm is moving toward or away from your location. Thank, Daniel.

946 Votes

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.

945 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!

944 Votes

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TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

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 .

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

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?

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

Also on Jobstr...

Once a Tornado warring expires due to weakening or the threat has moved is that extra five or ten minutes them looking at the storm trying to see if it was accurate scans and re development and/or something behind it?
Should I remain in shelter?

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.

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

TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

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 .

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

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?

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

Also on Jobstr...

Once a Tornado warring expires due to weakening or the threat has moved is that extra five or ten minutes them looking at the storm trying to see if it was accurate scans and re development and/or something behind it? Should I remain in shelter?

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.

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

Once a Tornado warring expires due to weakening or the threat has moved is that extra five or ten minutes them looking at the storm trying to see if it was accurate scans and re development and/or something behind it?
Should I remain in shelter?