The Beauty of Science: Why Autumn Leaves Burst With Color
By: Christina Loren
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Fall color is gradually becoming more conspicuous in California as summer swiftly comes to a close. Vivid reds, oranges, yellows, and purple hues of changing leaves will paint beautiful natural scenery from September through November, although peak color only lasts for around one to three brisk weeks.
Hours of Daylight Over Cooler Weather
Contrary to what some may think, the reason why leaves change color in autumn is predominantly the product of available daylight hours as opposed to changing weather patterns. Picture worthy foliage is caused by changes in the process of photosynthesis which means, “putting together with light.” Chlorophyll is a chemical that makes photosynthesis happen and responsible for the green color of leaves. As days get shorter in the fall there is less available sunlight for the production of chlorophyll, which slows and eventually stops. Resultantly stunning fall colors are gradually uncovered before leaves wither and fall off of trees. Variables like temperature, wind, cloud cover, and soil conditions widely influence color intensity and duration of the foliage exhibit although they are not the main cause for the metamorphosis.
Not All Trees Have Changing Leaves
There are two primary types of trees: evergreens and deciduous trees. Evergreens stay true to their designation and hold on to their green color all year long. Meanwhile deciduous trees shed their leaves annually in the fall and then in the spring they grow back as days get longer. Deciduous trees are often called ‘broadleaf’ trees because instead of thin needles, they have larger and wider leaves making for a substantial surface for the photosynthesis process.
Peak Fall Color
Lake Tahoe: Late September through October
Napa Valley: Mid-October through early November
Big Sur: Late October
Yosemite: Mid-Late October
Big Bear Lake: Mid-October through early November
Labels: Autumn, Christina Loren, Fall Color, Foliage, Photosynthesis, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 1:14 PM,
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What is the 'Blob' in the Pacific Ocean?
By: Christina Loren
Saturday, September 05, 2015
You may have recently read snippets online or heard brief mentions on television of the warm 'blob' in the Pacific Ocean. The 'blob' refers to an unusually warm area of water in the Pacific that spans from Baja Mexico all the way up the west coast of North America, extending into the Gulf of Alaska. Ocean temperatures are running around 3- 4.5º F warmer than average in this sprawling area and the abnormality is linked to unusual weather conditions occurring on the west coast. You may recall that last winter we received a fair amount of rainfall in the Bay Area, but Tahoe saw very little snow. This occurred because most of the weather systems that moved over Northern California had ample moisture, but were too warm to produce heavy snowfall. This phenomenon can likely be attributed, at least in part, to the 'blob' in the Pacific Ocean.
In addition to atypical weather patterns, the 'blob' is also producing difficulties for marine life since this area of warmer than average water is lacking critical nutrients. Typically this area is known for "coastal upwelling" which helps to churn up phytoplankton necessary for the food chain of marine mammals from the depths of the ocean. Normal upwelling is not taking place in this area of warmer, stagnant water and it is in turn nutrient poor. With the combination of a developing El Niño and the 'blob' it looks like the 2015-2016 rainy season could be one for the record books, particularly in Southern California.
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| Areas of red indicate the 'blob' of warmer than average water in the Pacific Ocean that was identified in 2013. It extends from Alaska to Mexico and will likely persist through 2015. |
Labels: Blob, California, Christina Loren, El Nino, ENSO, Forecast, Pacific Ocean, Rain, Snow, Tahoe, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 2:05 PM,
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A Simple Explanation of How Hurricanes are Named
By: Christina Loren
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Tropical storms and hurricanes are capable of devastating large populations and destroying wide swaths of property. Although the National Hurricane Center does the heavy lifting of forecasting and tracking tropical cyclones in the United States, they are not responsible for the names that these powerful storms receive. Instead, the World Meteorological Organization is in charge of naming tropical storms and hurricanes. Tropical depressions do not get names unless they strengthen and develop and meet certain criteria. Simply stated, a storm must have max wind speeds of 39 mph or more around a closed center of circulation in order to reach tropical storm strength and receive a name. If max winds reach 74 mph or more around a closed low, the storm is then upgraded to a hurricane.
During hurricane season it is not uncommon for multiple tropical cyclones to occur at the same time. Assigning names to these powerful systems helps to eliminate confusion and eases keeping tabs on the track and intensity of each storm. That is why the WMO creates a list of names in alphabetical order that can be repeated after a six year interval. However, when a storm is exceptionally destructive, such as Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Andrew, the name is retired.
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| Hurricane Irene August 20, 2011 - August 28, 2011 |
Labels: Andrew, Christina Loren, christinaloren, Hurricane Season, Hurricanes, Katrina, Named, NHC, Tropical Storms, Weather, WMO
posted by Unknown @ 1:28 PM,
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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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What is the Difference Between Weather and Climate
By: Christina Loren
Monday, August 03, 2015
The distinction that separates climate and weather is time. Climate is an average measure of weather for a specific location over a long period of time, typically 30 years or more. Weather describes the short-term changes in atmospheric conditions like temperature, humidity, wind, and rainfall for a defined area. There are certain parameters that must be met over a long duration of time in order to classify an area as a desert. For example, desert climates typically receive less than 10 inches of rain per year.
Here in California we are dealing with mandatory water restrictions due to four consecutive years of below average rainfall. What is interesting is that drought conditions may improve dramatically next year as we are noticing good signs for a strong El Nino in the Pacific Ocean. This is significant because with a strong El Nino there is a high likelihood of heavier than average rainfall for the upcoming rainy season in California.
Labels: Christina Loren, Climate, Desert, El Nino, humidity, Meteorologist Christina Loren, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 4:46 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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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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Rich Lieberman Refers to Christina Loren as "Star Meteorologist"
Friday, July 24, 2015
RICH LIEBERMAN 415 MEDIA
Labels: 415 Media, Christina Loren, Meteorologist, Rich Lieberman, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 9:21 PM,
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Christina Loren Post from Rich Lieberman
RICH LIEBERMAN 415 MEDIA
Labels: Christina Loren, Meteorologist, Rich Lieberman, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 9:19 PM,
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Rich Lieberman Report on Christina Loren
RICH LIEBERMAN 415 MEDIA
Labels: Christina Loren, Meteorologist, Rich Lieberman, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 9:15 PM,
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Christina Loren Forecast: Warm Temps and a Few Showers
Thursday, July 23, 2015
The various microclimates of the Bay Area make for a difficult forecast from time to time. Meteorologist Christina Loren reports on Warm Conditions with a few light showers on the way for the Bay Area.
Labels: Bay Area, Christina Loren, Forecast, Meteorologist Christina Loren, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 1:36 PM,
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Christina Loren Forecast: Mild May Afternoon
The Bay Area has over 45 distinct microclimates. Meteorologist Christina Loren established a comprehensive forecast in order to give everyone in the vast population a precise look at what weather to expect as well as the overall weather story of the day.
Labels: Forecast, Meteorologist Christina Loren, microclimate, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 1:26 PM,
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Christina Loren Forecast: Mild with Mist and Drizzle
Christina Loren Forecast: Mild with Mist and Drizzle from Christina Loren on Vimeo.
Meteorologist Christina Loren Updates the weather forecast for San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.
Labels: Bay Area, Christina Loren, Meteorologist Christina Loren, microclimate, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Vimeo, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 1:16 PM,
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Pleasant Thursday; Showers Return to Forecast Video
Meteorologist Christina Loren reports on pleasant weather in the forecast for the entire Bay Area. For more videos from Christina Loren check out her Google+ page:
Christina Loren Google+
Christina Loren's Forecast
Christina Loren Google+
Christina Loren's Forecast
Labels: Christina Loren, Forecast, Meteorologist Christina Loren, microclimate, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 11:47 AM,
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Christina Loren's Forecast: Unseasonably Warm Temperatures Continue
Meteorologist Christina Loren reports that unseasonable warmth is expected in the Bay Area. Normal weather for any particular climate is gauged by taking a daily average climatologically from the overall monthly temperatures. Temps rarely hit the exact average on any date, however it is a valuable tool for measuring how much above or below temperatures are running on any given day.
Labels: Average, Forecast, Meteorologist, Meteorologist Christina Loren, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 11:42 AM,
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Christina Loren Does Some Extreme-Weather Educating
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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Christina Loren Forecast
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Christina Loren Forecast from April 28 from Christina Loren on Vimeo.
Meteorologist Christina Loren Updates the weather forecast for San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.
Labels: Christina Loren, Forecast, Meteorologist Christina Loren, microclimate, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Weather
posted by Unknown @ 9:57 PM,
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