WHOTV.com » Weather Whys

WEATHER WHY: Greenish Skies Ahead of Storms

Megan Salois — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:51:00 +0000

Have you ever noticed the sky appears greenish ahead of a storm? Eric P. asks why skies sometimes appear greenish when a storm with heavy rain, hail or even tornadoes approaches.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin found that the greenish hue most often appears during storms at sunset. They found the red light of sunset illuminates the blue light scattered between the cloud and it’s water droplets resulting in a greenish sky.

WEATHER WHY: May Snow

Megan Salois — Sun, 12 May 2013 13:26:01 +0000

Before May 2nd and 3rd, we not seen snow in Central Iowa during May in a long time! Megan answers Kala’s question and tells us about the last May snow event.

WEATHER WHY: Jagged Lightning

Megan Salois — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:53:55 +0000

Megan explains why lightning appears jagged as it lights up the sky.

WEATHER WHY: Tornado Alley

Megan Salois — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:50:43 +0000

Arielle answers Ms. Danielson’s 6th Grades class’ question: What is different about the Midwest that makes it Tornado Alley?

WEATHER WHY: Thundersnow

Megan Salois — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:33:03 +0000

Thundersnow is relatively rare but can be a neat weather phenomenon to experience. Cheyenne wants to know what exactly is thundersnow and how is it possible that there can be thunder when it’s snowing.

WEATHER WHY: Sunlight on the Equinox

Megan Salois — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:00:34 +0000

A viewer asks why we had 12 hours and 10 minutes of sunlight on the spring equinox, instead of exactly 12 hours. Megan explains that the equinox is actually based on the time from the center of the sun rising over the horizon to the center of the sun setting over the horizon. Sunrise and sunset times are based on the sun’s first appearance over the horizon. This plays a part in the extra minutes of sunlight on the equinox. Refraction also plays a part. As the light refracts through our atmosphere, we see the sunlight a few minutes before the sun actually rises above the horizon.

WEATHER WHY: Wind Direction with Height

Megan Salois — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:22:27 +0000

Meteorologist Megan Salois explains why clouds don’t always move in the same direction as the wind you feel.

WEATHER WHY: Winter Precipitation

Megan Salois — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:21:05 +0000

Megan explains how the temperatures in the atmosphere affect the type of precipitation that falls in the winter.

WEATHER WHY: Storm Movement & Jet Streams

Megan Salois — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:57:57 +0000

Jack wants to know how a storm in Russia can go on to impact the weather in the United States. Megan explains the jet stream and how areas of low pressure can move along it, eventually impacting the weather on the other side of the globe.

WEATHER WHY: Nor’easters

Megan Salois — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 22:49:45 +0000

A major blizzard impacted the Northeast U.S. in early February. It was caused by a storm called a Nor’easter. Grace emailed Megan to ask what a Nor’easter is. Megan explains why we won’t see a Nor’easter in Iowa.

WEATHER WHY: Exposure to Dangerous Wind Chills

Megan Salois — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 22:06:09 +0000

Mandi asks if being exposed to dangerous wind chill for too long can kill a person. Megan answers.

WEATHER WHY: Tornados in Winter

Megan Salois — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 23:08:59 +0000

During the rare January thunderstorms we experienced Monday January 28th, Bobbi emailed Megan this question:

“Tonight, we have heavy rain along with thunder and lightning. Is a tornado possible during the winter months?”

WEATHER WHY: Can a Wind Chill Below Freezing Cause Ice to Form?

Megan Salois — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 22:35:19 +0000

Even though it feels like it’s below freezing, ice won’t form when the wind chill is below 32 degrees and the temperature is above 32 degrees. Megan Salois answers Corey E’s weather question.

WEATHER WHY: Frost

Megan Salois — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:31:53 +0000

Ever wonder why some mornings there is frost on your windshield but not on other mornings? Megan answers what causes that frost to form.

WEATHER WHY: Why is Snow White?

Megan Salois — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 21:04:51 +0000

Meteorologist Megan Salois explains why snow is white.

WEATHER WHY: Snow-Rain Ratio

Megan Salois — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 14:21:58 +0000

Megan Salois explains the snow to rain ratio and why it is not always the same.

Weather Why: What is a Winter Storm Watch?

Megan Salois — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 14:18:49 +0000

Megan Salois explains the differences between a winter storm watch, warning and blizzard watches and warnings.

WEATHER WHY: El Nino & La Nina

Megan Salois — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 12:56:44 +0000

Megan Salois answers Abby F.’s question, “What is the difference between El Nino and La Nina and how do they affect Iowa weather?”

WEATHER WHY: Tropical Storm vs Post-Tropical Storm

Megan Salois — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 14:26:04 +0000

Meteorologist Megan Salois answers Ryan F.’s question about the difference between a tropical storm and a post-tropical storm.

WEATHER WHY: Indian Summer

Megan Salois — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 12:40:37 +0000

Meteorologist Megan Salois explains what qualifies as an “Indian Summer”.