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326 Questions

Last Answer on December 24, 2019

I live in southern Missouri on a south facing ridge and have lived here since 2006. It seems that this year, beginning in February and continuing thru today(4/10/16) the strong winds have been relentless Why is that? Thank you.

Asked by Anne about 10 years ago

The general storm pattern favors that this year, Anne. Air flows clockwise and toward the center of a low pressures area, so storms to your west, which some have been, produce a south wind.

1091 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 almost 11 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!

1090 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.

1090 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.

1088 Votes

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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 over 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!

1086 Votes

Are you chummy with other meteorologists in your market? Is there really all that much difference between the way each of you gives the weather for the same region?

Asked by FB over 11 years ago

Some cities are more competitive than others but in general I think we are usually friendly with each other. I had lunch with a competitor a few weeks ago. And, to beat that, I married one of the meteorologists from a competing station when we met at a live event! Sometimes managements frown on hanging out with "the enemy". We all draw from the same sources of forecast data. The differences can come from time spent in the market, preference for one computer forecast model over another in a given situation and overall experience. Usually the biggest differences will come during bigger events, like a snow storm or tropical weather, or there is no agreement among the different computer forecasts. Great question, thanks!

1081 Votes

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!

1081 Votes

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TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I live in southern Missouri on a south facing ridge and have lived here since 2006. It seems that this year, beginning in February and continuing thru today(4/10/16) the strong winds have been relentless Why is that? Thank you.

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!!!

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?

Also on Jobstr...

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?

Are you chummy with other meteorologists in your market? Is there really all that much difference between the way each of you gives the weather for the same region?

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?

TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I live in southern Missouri on a south facing ridge and have lived here since 2006. It seems that this year, beginning in February and continuing thru today(4/10/16) the strong winds have been relentless Why is that? Thank you.

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!!!

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?

Also on Jobstr...

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?

Are you chummy with other meteorologists in your market? Is there really all that much difference between the way each of you gives the weather for the same region?

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?

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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?