Noctilucent Clouds: A rare atmospheric phenomenon
Have you ever seen noctilucent clouds (NLC)? These may be the most unusual and rare clouds you may ever see. Noctilucent clouds are to normal …
Types of convective clouds – from fair-weather clouds to thunderstorms
Convection forms distinct types of clouds. Convective clouds are divided into two types (genera): cumulus and cumulonimbus. Each successive kind and species displays more vertical …
An early Spring wave is forecast for the U.S. and Canada next week, with a cold surprise lurking for early March
The latest forecasts show an early taste of warmer Spring-like weather will come next week over North America. A high-pressure ridge will spread into the …
Thunderstorm basics: Understanding the power of nature
In this section, we will take a general look at the thunderstorms. What is a typical thunderstorm? We will examine its essential components and how …
Back-sheared anvil: The role of wind shear in shaping cumulonimbus anvil
A back-sheared anvil is the expression for a cumulonimbus anvil that spreads against (upwind) into relatively strong winds (jet stream) aloft. Anvil vs. wind …
Frigid Arctic cold returns next week: A large part of the U.S. heads back into deep freeze
Active Polar Vortex above North America takes no break. Next week, its southern lobe will generate another significant, frigid cold Arctic Blast from Canada into …
Understanding overshooting top in thunderstorms
Overshooting tops develop on thunderstorms that have powerful updrafts. Overshooting tops typically develop on Cumulonimbus capillatus incus clouds. The updraft punches through the equilibrium level …
February-April Snowfall Predictions: The merging of La Niña and the Polar Vortex effects over the U.S. and Canada
The latest snowfall predictions for the February-April 2025 period show that the recent burst of the La Niña will impact the weather patterns and snowfall …