I've been a broadcast meteorologist on television since the early 1990's. Happy to answer any questions about the weather or local TV news. Yes, I often wear sneakers on set just out of view of the camera.
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!
Sounds like this is a matter of degree, Anthony (not temperature). Any system that causes snow or other inclement weather can generically be called a storm, not just a "big" one. I wouldn't let it get to you.
Was very interested in the sky as a kid but never really thought it was a career until I was in my 20s. Always loved broadcasting and started in radio. Became friends with another television meteorologist who got me started in a college meteorology program and the more I learned the more I liked. So, broadcasting yes. Meteorology came later. Thank for asking, Caleb. Hope you're doing (or will do) something you love!
Interesting question. It really doesn't form that way. Starts as very small cloud droplets and as they get heavier they'll start to fall. Friction with the air would also break up any large areas of water. Thanks, Cherry!
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I think that is mostly perception, Billie. Great question. Tornadoes that hit cities will drive more news coverage and attention. Also, relative to a region, for example, a city is relatively small. I regularly drive the highways of Oklahoma and Texas and there is a lot of empty space in between cities. Region of the country matters as well. New York City is a relatively large area in a region that has fewer tornadoes. Dallas/Fort Worth is a large area in an area that sees more tornadoes, the odds of the city are higher because of the greater frequency of tornadoes in that part of the country. There really isn't any research I know of that points to cities being more or less likely to be hit relative to the atmosphere. If you really want to dive into some data you can visit this website. Thanks! https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/climate-information/extreme-events/us-tornado-climatology
Great question! Not that I know of. The delay in hearing thunder is because light travels faster than sound. The lightning causes the air to heat and expand rapidly and that shockwave is the thunder. The visible flash gets to you faster. If you were standing right next to the bolt (not recommended) you would see and hear at the same time. Thanks!
Hi, Gina. Interesting question. Might be a little outside my area, perhaps an electrician or power company could weigh in. From personal experience, the house behind us was directly hit some years ago. Did damage their entire system but nothing to the houses on either side (in Texas they are often as close as 15ft. There are lightning protection systems (lightning rods) available for homes. If you are looking for help with a specific case there are “forensic meteorologists” who help with court and insurance cases.
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