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.
Interesting question with a possible complicated answer. The easiest data point to look at is probably dewpoint, which is the amount of water vapor in the air. Obviously it is cooler at night because there is no incoming sunlight. Overnight the heat from the day radiates out to space and the air cools. The temperature will never fall below the dewpoint and when that number is reached the air is considered saturated. So the dewpoints are likely higher in Kansas as opposed to Colorado. Moisture travels northward from the Gulf easier across the plains as opposed to the higher elevations in the mountains. So check the dewpoint. Thanks!
For the most part the sun doesn't directly heat the air. It heats the ground which then reradiates that energy in the form of longer wave radiation which heats the air. The strongest heating occurs midday when the sun is highest in the sky. At that point the sunlight is traveling through the least amount of atmosphere as opposed to earlier or later in the day. So there is a short lag between maximum sun angle and the time is takes the air to heat up. Thanks, Tommy. Hope that makes sense.
Yes, the center of our building is concrete reinforced. Different stations have different setups but most of us know where we will go it the station is under threat. A few colleagues have had close calls. At home we have an underground shelter. Hope you have a plan in place. Thanks!
Great question. The answer is somewhat personal choice. A severe thunderstorm is defined by 1 inch hail and/or winds of 58 mph or greater. Those things can certainly break windows and cause damage. Absolutely be inside. We try our best to provide substantive warnings and information but if you ever feel threatened by the weather by all means don’t wait for us and take cover!
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My interest in the sky didn’t really develop until I was in my 20s. Don’t think I really knew that meteorology was a possible career when I was a kid. A lesson for parents and those around kids to watch for interests and feed them. Thanks for asking.
Hi, Craig. Europe weather and climate is pretty far out of my area of expertise. You might have better luck with the UK Met Office. Good luck. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/
Hi, Ginger. I’m unfamiliar with “pron”. We’re taught to think of air in parcels sometimes because it helps to visualize the atmosphere and how it will react to influences. Like a hot air balloon will rise as long as the inside air is warmer than the surrounding air. So a parcel of dry air can have specific effects, as can a parcel of moist air. If you’re still curious you could contact your local NWS office and weather.gov. The person you listened to was likely a forensic meteorologist, you could do a web search. Thanks!
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