With the arrival of Spring, major holiday celebrations arrive (e.g., Passover, Easter). With the arrival of spring, major, large-scale storminess often arrives, as well. While we may think that major storms are most likely in the middle of winter, it isn’t the cold weather that sets the stage for such
Read DetailsAcross the South, this Sunday morning, Jan. 8, 2017, folks were pulling out their winter clothing. Temperatures that plunged to below freezing levels across Texas and much of the Gulf Coast east to the western Florida Panhandle on Saturday morning did so again this morning. However, today, the sub-freezing
Read DetailsThe other day, I wrote about the arrival of a strong cold front in south Florida. That front arrived with a significant chill down. Low temperature readings, this Saturday morning (Dec. 31, 2016), were in the 40’s across many areas of southwest Florida. Even with relatively light north winds, wind
Read DetailsOnce a strong Pacific cold front barrels through south Florida later today, attention will shift to windier weather and much chiller temperatures. The combined effect of wind and temperature will contribute to unusually low wind chills for the area. Wind chill is a measure of heat loss from exposed skin.
Read DetailsLast week, I reported on south Florida’s record warmth and indicated that more records were likely to be broken. This week, I get to report that several south and central Florida locales have again set some warm temperature records. A total of seven occurred in the three-day period encompassing Christmas.
Read DetailsSouth Florida experiences “cool front” passages fairly often during the chillier months of the year. These bring wind shifts (winds northerly and northwesterly, quickly turning to northeasterly), and a modest drop in temperatures and a more significant drop in dew point temperatures. In summer months, very weak “cool fronts” occasionally
Read DetailsAbout a week ago, the first of the autumn season Canadian air masses made its way into south Florida. As advertised, that air mass dropped dew points into the 50s and 60s and allowed nighttime temperatures across the area to “plummet”…To read the entire feature, click here. Originally published 10/10/14
Read DetailsBrrrr and ahhhhh! Finally, a Canadian air mass with a punch has invaded the eastern and central U.S. After months of hot and humid weather in many places from Texas northward into the Plains states and from the Plains into the Middle Atlantic, a cool and dry air mass has
Read DetailsMeteorologists monitor air mass movements and transitions because these are often a clue to impending weather events. An air mass is a large volume of air that has similar characteristics across its areal extent. Typically, frontal formations and movements…To read the entire feature, click here. Originally published 04/27/14
Read DetailsThe “Born Loser” comic strip on Mar. 15, 2014 said it all. The cartoon starts with an, “Oh, no…what’s the matter” panel (Fig. 1). It ends with a…well, take a look and see the full cartoon. For many in the eastern half of the U.S., the cartoon’s message may be
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