And we’re back!!

On this episode we head to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and see how PennDot tries to stay ahead of inclement weather. Then, in the Weather Watch Top 5, we reveal which Severe Weather Outbreak made our number 3 spot on the list! We also visit the Mythbreakers to see how they are helping one group of friends stay out of the path of a deadly storm. All this and more on the latest episode of Weather Watch!

From Astronomy Picture Of The Day; February 27, 2013: Asperatus Clouds Over New ZealandWitta Priester What kind of clouds are these? Although their cause is presently unknown, such unusual atmospheric structures, as menacing as they might seem, do not appear to be harbingers of meteorological doom. Known informally as Undulatus asperatus clouds, they can be stunning in appearance, unusual in occurrence, are relatively unstudied, and have even been suggested as a new type of cloud. Whereas most low cloud decks are flat bottomed, asperatus clouds appear to have significant vertical structure underneath. Speculation therefore holds that asperatus clouds might be related tolenticular clouds that form near mountains, or mammatus clouds associated with thunderstorms, or perhaps a foehn wind — a type of dry downward wind that flows off mountains. Such a wind called the Canterbury arch streams toward the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The above image, taken above Hanmer Springs in Canterbury, New Zealand, in 2005, shows great detail partly because sunlight illuminates the undulating clouds from the side.
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From Astronomy Picture Of The Day; February 27, 2013:

Asperatus Clouds Over New Zealand
Witta Priester

What kind of clouds are these? Although their cause is presently unknown, such unusual atmospheric structures, as menacing as they might seem, do not appear to be harbingers of meteorological doom. Known informally as Undulatus asperatus clouds, they can be stunning in appearance, unusual in occurrence, are relatively unstudied, and have even been suggested as a new type of cloud. Whereas most low cloud decks are flat bottomed, asperatus clouds appear to have significant vertical structure underneath. Speculation therefore holds that asperatus clouds might be related tolenticular clouds that form near mountains, or mammatus clouds associated with thunderstorms, or perhaps a foehn wind — a type of dry downward wind that flows off mountains. Such a wind called the Canterbury arch streams toward the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The above image, taken above Hanmer Springs in Canterbury, New Zealand, in 2005, shows great detail partly because sunlight illuminates the undulating clouds from the side.

(via wigmund)

Cricket Thermometer!

Did you know that a chirping cricket could give you an estimate of the outside temperature?

A crickets chirp speed depends on how warm it is outside. Warmer weather leads to faster chirping, and cooler conditions will slow it down. You can use this to your advantage!

Here’s how:

Fahrenheit:

  • Count how many chirps you hear in 14 seconds. You may want to do this a couple of times to get the best average.
  • Add 40 to your average, and this should tell you what the approximate temperature is in Fahrenheit.  

Celsius:

  • Count how many chirps you hear in 25 seconds. Again, doing this a couple times will give you a good average to go by.
  • Divide your average by 3.
  • Add 4.  You now have the approximate temperature in Celsius. 

 

Source: scientificamerican.com

Millersville University’s Weather Watch is back for a Third season! On this episode: we learn what makes a Weather Ready Nation. Then, in the Weather Watch Top 5, we start our count down to the number 1 Severe Weather Outbreak. Also, we tell a Tale of A Superstorm, in our Hurricane Sandy Retrospective. All this and more on this season debut episode of Weather Watch!

On this episode of Weather Watch… we conclude our countdown of the Top 5 Northeast Snowstorms. Then our team travels to the ‘sweetest place on Earth’ to find out how Hersheypark rides out the storm. Finally, we talk to our winter weather experts to find out what this upcoming winter season has in store for our region. All this and more, on the season 2 finale of Weather Watch!

staff:

We have been absolutely and gratefully overwhelmed by the positive response to the Hurricane Sandy fundraiser we sponsored in partnership with Tumblr pal Brandon Stanton of Humans of New York. In terms of donations, attention, and good will from the Tumblr community, you have exceeded our wildest expectations once again. We’d like to thank every one of you for contributing, liking, reblogging, or mentioning the campaign to a friend. We’d also like to send a huge thank you to George Takei for his kindness and surprise support for the cause.

All of the $318,530 we’ve raised during the past 10 days will be going to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. If you’re just hearing about this relief effort now and would still like to contribute, you can do so here. 

Thank you all so much again!