Weather Observation Blog
What are the Benefits of Rain Water Harvesting?
You’ve probably seen the rain barrels sitting behind your neighbor’s shed and wondered why they even care about capturing the rain. Here’s why they do it. Read More…
Why is Autumn Called Fall? Is there a Difference?
Autumn or Fall? Both are commonly used to describe the season between summer and winter? Which term came first and is there a difference? Read More…
Weather History Lookup
Have you ever wondered what the temperature was on a specific day in the past? Can you remember if it rained on your wedding day or what the weather was like the day you turned 16? Read More…
Can Animals Predict the Weather?
I’m sure you’ve heard the old wives’ tales about different animals knowing when a storm is coming. We cover some of the more popular ones in this blog post. Read More…
Ice Pillars: What Causes This Light Pillar Phenomenon?
During times of extreme cold temperatures, ice pillars provide a beautiful light display over a city. Find out more about what causes this phenomenon. Read More…
Thermal Wear Recommendations…
It’s that time of year where we need to start thinking about temperatures changing. Winter is upon us. I’m going to do a 3-part series on the best thermal wear.
Best Thermal Clothing: Women – Men – Socks
What To Wear When The Temperature is…30 Degrees
Need Some Weather-Related Gift Ideas?
We discuss and cover the top weather gifts of this holiday season for adults, kids, and all weather geeks out there. If you’re looking for help, check this post out. Read More…
How Do You Measure Snow Accurately?
As we come to that time of year where the snow will be falling again, let’s talk about the right way to measure snowfall. Follow these steps to get the most accurate readings Read More…
Why Does Rain Make You Tired?
Have you ever noticed that you’re always tired on rainy days? Why is that? Well, there’s a reason and we’ll cover it in this blog post. We’ll also learn a few ways to try and overcome that sleepiness. Read More…
What is a Heat Wave?
Heat waves cause more deaths than floods and hurricanes combined, but what are they and how can we avoid becoming a victim? Not only do heat waves affect humans, but they also affect the environment. Read More…
How to Build a DIY Emergency Car Kit
It’s important to carry some kind of emergency car kit, especially during the winter months and/or if you drive a clunker! Read more to see how you can make your own “do it yourself” car kit for less. Read More…
Protect Your Car From Hail Damage
Hail causes nearly $2 billion per year in property and crop damage. How can you protect your car from getting hit even if you don’t have a garage? Read more for some tips & tricks we found from around the web. Read More…
Top 10 Weather Observer Books
So you want to be a better weather observer, but not sure where to start? If this blog isn’t doing enough for you, you can always try reading some of these books. Here are some of my favorites. Read More…
Let’s Discuss Heat Lightning…
Namely, is heat lightning a real thing? If so, what causes it to form and can you be struck by it? The myth out there says that it’s formed by heat and humidity in the air. How could that be possible without a storm? Read More…
What is NOAA Weather Radio?
Find out what a NOAA weather radio is and why you need one. NOAA has provided this subscription free service to everyone so we can get real-time local weather alerts during a storm. Find out how to take advantage of it. Read More…
Do Storm Glasses Really Work?
A storm glass is a weather instrument that has been around for centuries, made popular by Admiral Robert Fitzroy in the 19th century. But, do storm glasses really work to predict weather? Read More…
WX – An Abbreviation For Weather
Did you know that WX is the abbreviation for weather? If so, you’ve probably wondered why. There is no “X” in the word weather. See the history behind the abbreviation and where it’s used today. Read More…
What is Freezing Fog & How It’s Different from Frozen Fog
Freezing fog is a unique weather phenomenon that we don’t see often, but should be extremely cautious about when we do. Although they sound like the same thing, there is a difference between freezing and frozen fog. Read More…
Weather vs. Climate
What’s the difference between weather and climate? Many folks think they are the same thing. There is a difference and there are several reasons why we want to measure both the climate and the weather. Read More…
Daily Weather Observations
Have you ever considered recording daily weather observations? It can actually be quite fun and also educational for kids or students to learn a bit about the weather. Why keep records? How can I find past records? Read More…
What is a Mesonet?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s NWS mesonet has fixed and mobile weather observing stations approximately every 5km spatially and every 15 minutes temporally. Read More…
Weather-Ready Nation: Is Your Community Storm Ready?
The National Weather Service is working towards building a Weather-Ready Nation. The voluntary StormReady program assists in community preparedness for extreme weather situations. Read More…
How does Lightning Detection Work?
Have you ever been curious about how lighthing detection devices work? Lightning detectors pick up on EMPs emitted by the lightning strikes. They can be measured to count the number of strikes and locate the direction. Read More…
What Makes a Thunderstorm “Severe”?
Not all thunderstorms are considered severe. Then, what constitutes a severe thunderstorm? Well, one of three criteria must be met. What are they and does it really matter if a storm is called severe? Read More…
Winter Weather Preparedness & Safety Tips
As winter fast approaches once again, we thought it would be a good time to cover some winter weather safety and preparedness tips. Read More…
Hurricane Hunters Fly Directly Into the Storm
The Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, AKA the “Hurricane Hunters”, fly directly into the eye of the storm…on purpose! Tasked with gathering vital weather data, they have flown through some of the biggest storms in history. Read More…
What is Weather STEM?
Weather STEM was launched in 2014 to initiate a more interactive way to teach kids STEM material in grades K-12. They utilize live weather data in an exciting manner to keep the attention of students. Read More…
How to Become a Trained Weather Spotter
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a trained weather spotter? We have a full step by step guide, including links to scheduling certified training classes. Come check out how you can help provide valuable assistance. Read More…
Wind Chill and Heat Index
Wind chill and heat index are Apparent Temperatures, or perceived temperatures. This is how the temperature “feels”. They are actually calculations that include not only temperature, but also wind and humidity. Read More…
Weather Observation Blog
Welcome to our weather observation blog. Thanks for visiting! We look forward to sharing some of our favorite tips, product reviews, and other weather-related articles.
