Ask a TV Meteorologist anything

326 Questions

Last Answer on December 24, 2019

Hello. My boss has asked me to find out the amount of snowfall in a 5 day span in January 2016. Any idea on how can I get this info?

Asked by Erin about 7 years ago

Hi, Erin. I’d go to weather.gov (not .com). Click on your area of the map and it will take you to the local National Weather Service office and you’ll see phone and email on the bottom. Good luck.

640 Votes

On the East Coast, specifically the Allegheny mountains, are the prevailing winds necessarily from the west? Which is to ask: Is the leeward size of those mountains generally on the east, or rather on the west, as the Atlantic ocean is so close?

Asked by Mrs. Mills about 6 years ago

Hello, Mrs. Mills. Broadly speaking the leeward side of the Allegheny Mountains would be the eastern side, closer to the coast. At any given moment the windward side of anything is that facing the wind. In general terms the broad atmospheric flow is west to east across the United States. Here is a good definition on Wikipedia. Thanks. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windward_and_leeward

639 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 over 7 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.

638 Votes

which population is mostly affected by natural disaster?

Asked by sidy badiane almost 7 years ago

Interesting, and pretty broad question. Probably little out of my area. Maybe look to some US government resources like FEMA? Thanks.

637 Votes

Also on Jobstr...

Sitcom Writer

Is reality TV here to stay?

Personal Stylist & Life Coach

What's the difference between a life coach and a therapist?

Help Desk Technician

Are people appreciative when you help them or do they just treat you like a support monkey?

It seems to me that cold outbreaks can be predicted well in advance and are almost always accurate (sadly). This is in contrast to rain and snow. What is it that makes their prediction so reliable?

Asked by docjmcg2 about 6 years ago

Great question. A cold air event, like the current one, is a good bit less complicated than rain or snow. With a precipitation forecast there are more factors at play. In general a forecast gets fuzzier the further out it time you go. Broadly speaking the forecast starts with data gathered from weather balloons launched twice a day from about 900 sites around the world. That sounds like a big number but when you consider the size of the earth, and how much of it is covered by water, which is hard to launch a balloon from, that data is pretty sparse. The goal of the balloons is to take a snapshot of the atmosphere at a given moment. It is a fuzzy picture. Think of putting that fuzzy picture on a copy machine. The copy is fuzzier, then make a copy of a copy and so on. So the further out in time the more errors or changes that enter the forecast. Stay warm!

636 Votes

Do you ever get hate for wrong forecasts? (i.e emails, calls, texts, social media messages, letters, etc)

Asked by Afjafjeklafefj0923487323423423423423423423423432423 about 6 years ago

There is a lot of that out there these days, especially on social media. I’m pretty lucky, doesn’t happen too often. Busted snow forecasts seem to be the worst. I’m in Texas so not as big a problem. Thanks!

635 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 over 7 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.

635 Votes

Showing 197 - 203

Show All

123 More Answers by TV Meteorologist

Last 7

26 27 28 29 30 31

...

Next 7 Answers

TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Hello. My boss has asked me to find out the amount of snowfall in a 5 day span in January 2016. Any idea on how can I get this info?

On the East Coast, specifically the Allegheny mountains, are the prevailing winds necessarily from the west? Which is to ask: Is the leeward size of those mountains generally on the east, or rather on the west, as the Atlantic ocean is so close?

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?

which population is mostly affected by natural disaster?

Also on Jobstr...

It seems to me that cold outbreaks can be predicted well in advance and are almost always accurate (sadly). This is in contrast to rain and snow. What is it that makes their prediction so reliable?

Do you ever get hate for wrong forecasts? (i.e emails, calls, texts, social media messages, letters, etc)

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.

TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Hello. My boss has asked me to find out the amount of snowfall in a 5 day span in January 2016. Any idea on how can I get this info?

On the East Coast, specifically the Allegheny mountains, are the prevailing winds necessarily from the west? Which is to ask: Is the leeward size of those mountains generally on the east, or rather on the west, as the Atlantic ocean is so close?

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?

which population is mostly affected by natural disaster?

Also on Jobstr...

It seems to me that cold outbreaks can be predicted well in advance and are almost always accurate (sadly). This is in contrast to rain and snow. What is it that makes their prediction so reliable?

Do you ever get hate for wrong forecasts? (i.e emails, calls, texts, social media messages, letters, etc)

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.

Login

Forgot Your Password?

Register