Myth: Ring Around the Moon

Myth: Ring around the moon means that snow or rain will be on its way.

Result: This myth is mostly true.

The Science: The ring around the moon, like the one you see above, is formed by the moonlight shining through very small water droplets or ice crystals located very high in the troposphere. These very small water droplets and ice crystals are usually associated with cirrus clouds. Cirrus clouds are very thin, high clouds. These high, thin clouds can be located out in front of an approaching storm system. While this is not 100% true I can say, the brighter the halo around the moon, the greater the chance of precipitation. So next time the moon is out, look up and see if you can see the halo!

Happy Monday Everyone!!


Photo From:
home.hiwaay.net

La Grande Weather Service

Just thought I would take a break from weather facts and tell you a little more about myself. I am currently a forecaster at La Grande Weather Service. I dabble in a little bit of everything with them. In the winter, I forecast for Anthony Lakes Ski Area, and now in the summer time I am forecasting fire weather for Northeastern Oregon.

This weather service is based in La Grande, Oregon. They provide various types of forecasts for the residents of Northeast Oregon. Their goal is to supply the rural communities of Northeast Oregon with accurate weather forecasts. This is critical especially in the summer months with the dangers of wild fires. This is why the company has just developed a new fire weather model to help them in forecasting the fire dangers in Northeast Oregon. Check out this new model or LGWS forecasts at the LaGrandeWeatherService.com or email the Meteorologist in Charge, for more info.

Lightning Safety Awareness Week!

I'm sure you have heard this before... When you hear or see lightning, seek shelter immediately. Lightning is not something to mess around with. One strike of lightning has enough power to run a light bulb for a year. And on top of how much power it generates form one strike, lightning is 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit!  

I'll give you a small lesson on lightning. It all starts with a Cumulonimbus cloud (Thunderstorm cloud) has different charges within the cloud. There are protons or a positive charge at the top of the cloud. And there is electrons or a negative charge at the bottom of the cloud. Then the ground is mostly positively charged. The opposite charges within the cloud and on the ground creates lightning. This lightning will actually pass through a channel that was made through the air multiple times. Which is why you see multiple flashes of light sometimes. Lightning also looks for the shortest distance to the opposite charge which is why tall buildings and trees are struck by lightning more often then something lower to the ground.


Photo/ Info From:
nws.gov
britannica.com
theatlantic.com 

Myth: Wearing metal on your body attracts lightning.

Myth: Wearing metal on your body (jewelry, watches, glasses, backpacks, etc.), attracts lightning.
 
Answer: While metal is a conductor of electricity, wearing metal does not increase your chances of being struck by lightning.

The Science: Isolation, height and a pointy shape are the biggest factors when lightning finds the easiest path to the ground. So wearing jewelry virtually has no effect on whether you get struck by lightning. However, metal fences, bleachers and metal railings are probable not the best thing to be by when a lightning storm hits.  

Photo From:
psychoactif.blogspot.com

Myth: If Trapped Outside And Lightning Is About To Strike, I Should Lie Flat On The Ground

Myth: If Trapped Outside And Lightning Is About To Strike, I Should Lie Flat On The Ground.
 






Answer: Please don't! Continue moving to your shelter or crouch down.

The Science: When lightning strikes the ground the electric currents travels along the top of the ground, and the this electric current can be deadly over 100 feet away. Look at the picture above, this is picturing a ground lightning strike. While lying flat on the ground gets you as low as possible, it increases your chance of being hit by a ground current. The best thing if you cannot reach a shelter would be a combination of being low and touching the ground as little as possible. Meteorologist call this the 'lightning crouch': put your feet together, squat low, tuck your head, and cover your ears.

Photo/ Info From:
srh.noaa.gov

Myth: Open Your Windows When A Tornado Is Coming

Myth: Opening your windows when a tornado is coming will equalize the pressure in your house. If you do not open your windows, they will shatter from the intense pressure. 

Answer: This is quite false.

The Science: Although there are many forces at work when a tornado is formed, your windows would have to endure at least 100 to 200 mph winds surrounding the vortex of the tornado to experience the extreme low pressure of a tornado. With that being said, please keep your window close during a tornado threat. Tornadoes are know for throwing large debris that can be very dangerous like the piece of wood that is sticking out of the building above, so opening your window will only allow more debris to enter your home.

I hope everyone is having a lovely Monday!

Photo From:
stormchaser.ca

Myth: Manure Piles Smell Stronger Just Before It Rains

Myth: Ditches and manure piles have a more potent smell just before it rains.

Answer: Yes, they do in fact!

The Science: Believe it or not, a foul smell in the air can be an inkling of whether precipitation is in the near future or not. Does it smell like compost? Or does a manure pile smell more than it usually does? When a storm system is approaching, plants will release their waste which can make it smell like compost. Swamps will also release gasses, in loom of an approaching storm, which can lead to unpleasant smells. Plants, swamps, and manure piles do this because of the pressure drop from the approaching storm.


Photo From:
gardeningknowhow.com

Myth: If March comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion.

Myth: If March comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion. This basically means that if there are harsh temperatures and bad weather in the beginning of March, then by the end of the month things should be better. 
 

Answer: There is not a sufficient amount of evidence to say this myth is true.  

The Science: March has such variable weather, from snow storms to 70 degree weather, that makes it hard to put the data behind the truth of this myth. The ever changing weather of March is what holds this myth true in some years and not in others. Basically, it is just the luck of the draw. This myth is simply more of a rhyme then fact.     

Photo From:
schools.msd.k12.or.us

Myth: Tsunamis are One Big Giant Wave

Myth: Tsunamis are one big giant wave.

In honor of this week being National Tsunami preparedness week!! I thought I would do a myth buster for your lovely Monday morning!

Answer: No way! The picture above is not real!

The Science:  A tsunami is a series of low, fast and long ocean waves that can be caused by and earthquake or a sudden displacement of water. And most of the time the wave moves in all directions. Basically, just think of a tsunami as a wave that keeps on coming, not a huge tall wave. It's like a flood from the ocean or bay. I know that's not very scientific, but it is the only way I can think to explain it. The picture below is an actual picture from Japan.


Info/Picture:

baghdadbythebaysf.com

telegraph.co.uk

Flood Safety Awareness Week

Thought I would inform you all that it is Flood Safety Awareness Week. It floods somewhere in the United States or its territories nearly every day of the year. Flood waters have caused about 8 billion dollars in damage in the past 30 years as well as claiming about 100 lives per year. That is more then hurricanes and tornadoes! Being prepared in advance and knowing a few flood safety tips will help you and your family survive a flood if it happens in your area.

Know your risk! Ask yourself, Do you live in a flood prone area? If you are not sure contact your local National Weather Service office and find out. Knowing this information is very important!

Do you live by a river? If so it might be a good idea to visit and maybe even book mark the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS). This service forecast how high the flood waters will be across the United States.

The most important thing I can tell you is if a road way is covered by water, DO NOT TRY TO GO THROUGH! Driving is actually the biggest killer when it comes to Flood Waters.



These are just a few tips to help you prepare for a flood. For more information, please visit The Flood Safety Awareness website at www.floodsafety.noaa.gov

Knowing your flood risk, how to prepare for and actions to take before, during, and after a flood can save you time, money, and even your life. 

Photo and Info From:
Noaa.gov

Myth: No weather is ill, if the wind is still

Myth: There will be no "bad" weather, if the wind is still.

Answer: Mostly True.

The Science: Still or calm winds are usually found towards the middle of a high pressure system or air mass. While precipitation is usually found near the boundaries of air masses.  This is why if the winds are calm or still that there shouldn't be any precipitation. However, there is always that chance that it could be wrong.

Side note, there is no "bad" weather or "good" weather. Weather is just weather, people just associated rain with "bad" weather and sunshine with "good" weather. 


Photo From:
mansfieldnewsjournal.com

Myth: Thunderstorms and Tornadoes Always Move From East to West

National Severe Preparedness Week

This week is the National Severe Preparedness Week! In order to get you all ready for the storm season, I thought I would theme this week's blog posts as "Severe Weather". We will be starting off your Severe Preparedness Week with a myth buster about thunderstorms and tornadoes!

Myth: Thunderstorms and Tornadoes Always Move From East to West

Answer: Sometimes True. Man, if this was always true my job would be so easy!

The Science: Atmospheric conditions dictate where, and how a storm will form and move. Tornadoes and Thunderstorms can move in ANY direction!


Photo From:
physicalgeography.net

Myth: When Dew Is On The Grass, Rain Will Never Come To Pass

Myth: If there is a morning dew on the grass then there will be no rain that day.

Answer: This myth is partly true.

The Science: Dew forms on the grass when the temperature cools to below the dewpoint. This usually occurs when there is a clear night sky. If these clear skies continue into the daytime hours then there will be no rain, however, we all know that weather can change fairly quickly and rain could move in. Don't you just love weather?


Photo From:
i674.photobucket.com

Myth: Leaves know when rain is coming

Myth: When leaves show their undersides, be very sure that rain betides. Well, if that was confusing basically it says that when a trees leaves turn upside down, rain is on it's way.


Result: Yes, for the most part this is true.

The Science: The leaves are reacting to the changes in humidity, which then soften the leave stalks making the leaves turn "upside down". Poplar trees are actually very good at predicting whether rain will be coming.

 Photo From:
fotoplatforma.pl

Myth: Woolly Caterpillars Can Predict the Harshness of Winter

Myth: The Woolly Caterpillar is claimed to predict the harshness of  the impending winter weather. These caterpillars have black and brown banding in their back. The folklore states that more black than brown indicates a harsh, cold winter while more brown than black points to a mild winter.



Results: There is not enough evidence to make this myth true. There haven't been enough studies to make a link between Woolly Caterpillars and harshness of winter.

The Science: Although there is not enough research done on this particular topic. One entomologist, Mike Peters, from the University of Massachusetts stated that the brown hairs on this caterpillar is due to its age.  

Photo From:
organicgardening.com

Info From:
almanac.com

Myth: If a Groundhog Sees His Shadow...

Myth: If a groundhog sees his shadow on Groundhog's Day (February 2), the weather will remain cold for six more weeks. If he doesn't see his shadow then there will be an early spring. It's that time of year, it is Groundhog's Day (again) and in light of this I thought it would be nice to dig around the myth that is associated with this day.
 
Answer: There is a very slim truth to this myth, however, Mr. Punxsutawney Phil cannot forecast your weather for the next six weeks.

The Science: During the winter if you can see a clean crisp shadow then it is likely cold outside, due to a cold dry air mass that is likely overhead. On the other hand if it is cloudy outside, hence no shadow, then there is likely a warm moist air mass overhead. This is what the myth is based on, but we all know that it could be cloudy and snowy, which is why this myth is not really true.

Fun Facts about Groundhog Day: This is the first week in February, the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. 

So why do we take a rodents advice on the weather? Well, in the olden days they would watch for hibernating animals, like the groundhog, to come out of hibernation as a sign that winter was coming to an end. 

So how did this all start? Back in the 1800's some people of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania went out looking for groundhogs on February 2nd, Candlemas Day.  Candlemas Day is a Christian holiday that marks Mary's ritual purification. It was even believed by early Christians that if the sun came out on Candlemas Day then winter would last for six more weeks. Anyway, the people of Punxsutawney made looking for groundhogs a tradition on this day, and in 1887 it became an official event in the town.





Photo/Info From:
mnn.com
infoplease.com
facebook.com

Myth: Moist Air is Heavier Then Dry Air

Myth: Moist air is heavier then dry air. We assume moist, humid air to be heavier because we, humans, feel more weighted down when the dew point temperatures are high. This is because if the sweat on our bodies can't evaporate, then our bodies can't cool and in term feel weighted down by the air around us.


Answer: False. Dry air is HEAVIER then moist air.

The Science: Well this sound just outrages doesn't it! But hold on let me explain.  Moist air is lighter because moist air which contains water molecules displace the nitrogen and oxygen molecules that exist in dry air. Nitrogen and Oxygen molecules are heavier than a water molecule, so more water molecules and less nitrogen and oxygen molecules, in a defined space would actually make the moist air lighter then dry air.

So next time someones says ugh the air is so heavy today, because it is humid outside you can tell them that actually it is lighter than usual!

Happy Monday! Hope you enjoy the picture of Lenticular Clouds over Mt. Rainier in Washington State.

Picture by: astronet.ru
Info From: poultryventilation.com

Myth: Crickets can tell the Temperature

Myth: By Counting the amount of times a cricket chirps, this will then correlate to the current temperature outside.

Result: Yes! Crickets may not always have the exact temperature but they are usually within one or two degrees of the current air temperature.

The Science: The frequency of the cricket chirp can be correlated to the current temperature. The more frequent you hear the chirp outside the warmer it is. To get a rough estimate of the current temperature by the frequency of cricket chirps. First count how many chirps you hear in a 15 second time span. Then take that number and add 37 to it. This will give you the temperature outside. If you aren't a math wiz just count how many chirps you hear in 15 seconds and put that number into the Cricket Converter courtesy of NOAA and it will do the math for you! Who said bugs weren't smart?!

Photo From:
littleoldhouse.blogspot.com

Myth: Don't Touch a Lightning Victim

Myth: When lightning strikes a person, you should not touch them cause you will be electrocuted too.

Result: This is so false! Please go and help them!!

Scientific Reason: The human body cannot store electricity. If someone near you is stuck by lightning, it is perfectly safe to touch them and give them first aid.

Photo From:
msnbc.msn.com

Info From:
noaa.gov

Myth: Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice

Back to Monday Myth busting!! Today's myth is about the dangers of lightning.

Myth: Lightning never strikes the same place twice.

Result: This myth is not true. In fact, the Empire State Building get struck about 100 times a year by lightning (noaa.gov).

Reason: First I'll tell you a small background on lightning. A Cumulonimbus cloud (Thunderstorm cloud) has different charges within the cloud. There are protons or a positive charge at the top of the cloud. And there is electrons or a negative charge at the bottom of the cloud. Then the ground is mostly positively charged. The opposite charges within the cloud and on the ground creates lightning. This lightning will actually pass through a channel that was made through the air multiple times. Which is why you see multiple flashes of light sometimes. Lightning also looks for the shortest distance to the opposite charge which is why tall buildings and trees are struck by lightning more often then something lower to the ground. 


Hope you have a wonderful week! Happy Monday!

Photo From:
theatlantic.com 
britannica.com