What is El Niño?
By: Christina Loren
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
An interesting meteorological phenomenon that dictates weather conditions for a given area is the influence of coastal winds on ocean currents. In the open ocean surface currents are directly impacted by global wind patterns. Simply stated, El Niño describes a change in trade wind patterns leading to unusually warm ocean currents in the Pacific Ocean. This alteration in surface ocean temperature has a tendency to create extreme weather changes, specifically between October through March, with peak conditions from December through February. Some of the impacts typically associated with El Niño are a lack of precipitation for parts of Indonesia and Australia and the development of strong storms packed with ample moisture that tend to aim at California and areas in the southwestern United States. Although these effects are characteristic of a strong El Niño pattern, there is no guarantee that this year's event will produce the flooding rain we saw in 1997-1998 in California. In the same way that no two storms are the same, no two El Niños are the same either. There are other atmospheric variables at play that will likely influence how this year's rain season will pan out. Nonetheless, I would be willing to bet that El Niño will at the very least provide the state of California with average rainfall for the 2015-2016 rainy season.
Labels: Christina Loren, christinaloren, Currents, Drought, El Nino, El Niño, Flash Flood, Flooding, Heavy Rain, Meteorology, Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 12:27 PM,
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How do Meteorologists Forecast the Weather?
By: Christina Loren
Sunday, August 02, 2015
The forecast is a function of a multitude variables that all need to be taken into account in order to assess what future weather conditions will occur. Current and expected temperature, dew point, humidity, barometric pressure, approaching storms, etc. all need to be investigated in order to predict what will happen next. There are a number of different methods that can be used to generate an accurate weather forecast, however this is entirely dependent on the experience level of the forecaster and the amount of data that is available to him/her. I have found that the persistence method of forecasting is most valuable in California, pending that there are no approaching storm systems or substantial changes in moisture content on the horizon. The persistence method is based on common sense. If there are no drastic changes in temperature, dew point, humidity, barometric pressure, etc. in the forecast from one day to the next, the weather conditions will likely end up being very similar both days. This approach works great in California in the Spring and Summer.
Labels: Christina Loren, Forecast, Meteorologist, Meteorologist Christina Loren, Meteorology, microclimate, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 7:57 AM,
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The Science Behind the Classification of Rain vs. Drizzle
By: Christina Loren
Saturday, August 01, 2015
Meteorological Terminology 101 from Meteorologist Christina Loren: The difference between rain and drizzle is actually dependent on the size of the water droplet falling from the sky. The truth is, this is common sense and most people know what the difference is in rain and drizzle. What you may not know however, is that there are concise parameters that differentiate between the two scientifically.
Labels: Christina Loren, Drizzle, Meteorologist Christina Loren, Meteorology, Rain, Science, Terminology
posted by Unknown @ 11:06 PM,
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Startling Drought Impact Pictures from Oroville, California
By: Christina Loren
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Water conservation in California is critical and these pictures from Lake Oroville in Nor. Cal demonstrate why. The farming industry is feeling tremendous pressure from the drought and parched land is becoming more common in the golden state after four consecutive years of below average rainfall.
Labels: California, Christina Loren, Conservation, Drought, Meteorologist Christina Loren, Meteorology, Oroville, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 1:22 PM,
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New Jersey Fog Rattles Beach Goers, Appears as Approaching Tsunami
By: Christina Loren
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Fog rolling in off the ocean in the town of Sea Girt, New Jersey paints an ominous picture for those on the beach at the time. The shape and color of the fog bank appear as an approaching tsunami and more than a few nerves were rattled as the fog bank approached the coastline. This is caused by high pressure compressing warm air down to the much cooler ocean surface. The warm air condenses over the cool ocean and resultantly creates a thick blanket of fog.
Frightening Fog Tsunami Terrifies Jersey Shore
Labels: Christina Loren, Fog, High Pressure, Meteorology, New Jersey, Ocean, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 9:52 AM,
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Christina Loren Does Some Extreme-Weather Educating
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Meteorologist Christina Loren helps an 8-year-old boy overcome his fears on tornadoes by explaining the science behind the weather phenomena and how to stay safe when severe weather happens.
Labels: Christina Loren, Extreme Weather, Meteorologist Christina Loren, Meteorology, Thunderstorms, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 11:30 AM,
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