Climate science
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We know that hurricanes are more likely to develop when ocean temperatures are warmer than normal and when the winds high above the surface are weak. That information helps scientists make predictions about how active a hurricane season is likely to be, especially because El Nino usually increases the winds and La Nina or neutral…
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I received a comment today from one of our UGA Extension agents about the weekly rainfall map in the Georgia Crop Progress Weather and Condition Report. She said that she had received a note from one of the producers in her area complaining that the map did not catch the area of low precipitation near…
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Our planet Earth will be farthest from the sun in its annual orbit on Saturday, July 4 at 7:35 am EDT. This is called aphelion and it comes in the middle of Northern Hemisphere summer and Southern Hemisphere winter. The distance of the earth from the sun has very little to do with our temperatures…
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According to recent news articles, two lightning flashes set new records of more than double the old records. One of the lightning bolts in Brazil was 440 miles long according to satellite images,a new record for length. A second bolt in Argentina set a new record for duration of over 16 seconds long. You can…
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Have you ever looked at a map of the North Atlantic and wondered why there is an area in the North Atlantic Ocean that is getting cooler instead of warmer? Well, you are not alone. Scientists have been trying to understand this area for years. In the past it has been attributed to a slow-down…
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The frequency of hurricane activity at any specific location is something that I get asked almost every year, including this one. This question has special import this year with the impending Republican National Convention which was recently moved to Jacksonville, FL during August 24-27. So you might wonder what the chances are of having a…
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Those of us who study climate know that agricultural methods that promote healthy lands can also help absorb carbon and improve our atmosphere as well as save farmers money. In a rare bill that has gained acceptance from both Republicans and Democrats, Congress is attempting to recognize this by trying to pass a bill which…