Climate science
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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…
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The Little Ice Age (LIA) was a historical period and climatic phase that overlapped with the late-medieval and early modern periods, and was characterized by a cold climate that is often associated with a reduction in solar activity. The LIA increasingly interests historians – academic and popular alike, and they have tied the LIA to the…
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A “blocking” weather event is a persistent area of high pressure which can sit over an area for a long time period, blocking or shifting the movement of weather systems through the area. This commonly results in hot, dry weather in the area of blocking high pressure but can also result in catastrophic flooding in…