Download Category: Weather Alert Radios - Weather Tips

Weather.LifeTips.com
Category: All About Clouds
Subcategory: Cloud Facts
Tip: How do clouds get around?
Clouds move with the wind. High cirrus clouds are pushed along by the jet stream,
sometimes traveling at more than 100 miles-per-hour. When clouds are part of a
thunderstorm they usually travel at 30 to 40 mph.
Tip: Just floating along ....
Clouds form when air is heated by the sun and rises. As the air climbs it continues to
slowly cool until a saturation point is reached and the water droplets condense, forming
the cloud. As long as the cloud remains warmer than the air around it (cold air is heavy)
the cloud will not actually float, but it will fall so slowly it will appear to be floating in the
air.
Tip: Making it rain .....
Man has long sought methods by which to somehow exercise control over the weather.
While that hasn't happened yet, man has found ways to help Mother Nature. In the late
1940s scientists discovered that dropping dry ice granules through super-cooled clouds
could produce precipitation. However, cloud seeding is not a reliable technique for
producing rain.
Tip: What exactly are clouds, anyway?
Clouds are visible masses of liquid water droplets that are suspended in the
atmosphere above the surface of the Earth. They form as a result of condensation of
water vapor. Clouds can form near warm and cold fronts, where air flows up the sides of
mountains and cools as it rises, and where warm air travels over a colder surface.
Category: Answer User Questions
Subcategory: Answer User Questions
Tip: Tornado Formation
A tornado is formed when warm air that is holding a lot of moisture comes in contact
with air that is dryer and cooler. Warm air rises, so there is a sharp updraft in some
thunderstorms. When a tornado forms, the warm moist air meeting with cooler air
sometimes causes a "spin." When there is visible rotation, a wall cloud is formed. A
tornado is not always formed with this rotation, but about 30% of the time a tornado will
be produced.
Category: Atomic Projection Clocks
Subcategory: Atomic Clocks
Tip: Are atomic clocks radioactive?
So-called “atomic” clocks (really radio-controlled clocks and watches) are not
radioactive.
Tip: How far does the radio signal reach?
Operated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and located in Fort
Collins, Colorado, the radio signal is effective in the continental United States and some
parts of Canada and Mexico. It has an approximate range of 2,000 miles.
Tip: What are atomic clocks?
Atomic clocks and watches aren't really atomic despite what their name suggests. The
clocks are actually radio-controlled timepieces that are reset daily via radio signal from
Fort Collins, Colorado. The term “atomic” is coined from the fact the time transmitted by
the government radio signal comes from the official U.S. atomic clock.
Subcategory: Weather Projection Clocks
Tip: A bit of projection clock history
Projection clocks were first invented in the early 1900's and were known then as
“Ceiling Clocks” for the fact they projected an image of the old-fashioned clock dial and
hands onto a ceiling. A patent was filed in the United States in 1940 regarding a method
of projecting an enlarged image of the clock hands and numerals onto a ceiling or wall.
Since that time, modern technology has allowed projection clocks to a convert to digital
status.
Tip: Beam me up
Depending on the distance the base unit is from the ceiling or wall, the projected time
(or temperature) will appear anywhere from four to ten inches in height! The farther the
clock is away from the ceiling or wall, the larger the image will appear.
Category: Barometer Information
Subcategory: Measuring Air Pressure
Tip: A Bit of History
Evangelista Torricelli, an Italian mathematician and physicist, invented the barometer in
1643. He had also served as an assistant to astronomer Galileo. Torricelli discovered
that the variation of the height of mercury from day to day was caused by changes in
atmospheric pressure.
Tip: Barometers 101
A barometer is an instrument used for predicting weather changes by measuring air
pressure.
Tip: Measuring up ....
Barometers use a measurement method termed millibars. To convert millibars to
inches, multiply by 0.02953. To convert inches to millibars, multiply by 33.86.
Tip: Movement
Barometric pressure seldom changes more than an inch or so at any given time so you
should not be concerned if it does not seem to move for long periods of time.
Barometric pressure also remains somewhat unchanged during very hot weather.
Tip: New Heights
The height to which the mercury rises in the glass tube of a barometer is directly
proportional to the atmospheric pressure. This is usually measured in inches of
mercury.
Tip: Where Does It Go?
Many people believe a barometer must be placed on an inside wall to obtain accurate
readings. However, it really makes no difference where the barometer is placed
– there may be a slight temperature difference but air pressure is the same
inside as well as outside.
Category: Hurricanes
Subcategory: Some interesting tidbits ...
Tip: Are hurricanes deadly?
A massive hurricane devastated Galveston, Texas on Sept. 8, 1900. Reports estimated
that as many as 8,000 to 12,000 people died when the city, built on a sand bar and not
more than nine feet above sea level, was inundated with a four-foot tidal surge and
winds of more than 100 mph. Almost all buildings in the city were either damaged or
swept into the sea.
Tip: How are hurricanes classified?
The severity and intensity of a hurricane determines how it is classified. The
Saffir-Simpson Scale rates hurricane strength in categories based upon the potential
damage a hurricane may cause. Category 1: Minimal damage, wind speeds from 74 to
95 mph. Category 2: Moderate damage, wind speeds from 96 to 110 mph. Category 3:
Extensive damage, wind speeds from 111 to 130 mph. Category 4: Extreme damage,
wind speeds from 131 to 155 mph. Category 5: Catastrophic damage, wind speeds
above 155 mph.
Tip: Preparing for an oncoming hurricane
An emergency weather alert radio is an invaluable tool if a hurricane threatens your
local area. Evacuation instructions, important emergency announcements and other
critical information will be broadcast along with updated storm locations. Check with
your local emergency management office for additional instructions about how to
prepare for a hurricane.
Category: Measuring Rainfall
Subcategory: Weather Rain Gauges
Tip: Cable or Wireless?
Rain gauges come in both wireless and cabled versions. The Oregon Scientific
RGR122 Cable Free Long Range Rain gauge, for example, has an effective range of
300 feet, transmitting the signal back from the collector to a base unit. Cabled rain
gauges from Oregon Scientific and La Crosse are affordable and can be placed around
30 feet from a base unit.
Tip: Catching the Rain
Rain gauges collect and measure the rain. Rain is caught in a funnel on top of the rain
gauge and runs down into a measuring cylinder below where the rainfall amount is
recorded. The information is then sent back to a base unit where the amount of
precipitation is digitally displayed.
Tip: Some Interesting Numbers
An inch of rain is just what it sounds like - one inch of water. Did you know that one inch
of rainfall produces 4.7 gallons of water per square yard or 22,650 gallons of water per
acre? Now that's a lot of rain!
Tip: Types of Rain Collectors
Standard rain buckets (or collectors) gather falling precipitation and have to be manually
emptied. A self-emptying rain gauge dumps the accumulated rainfall at predetermined
intervals. Some units even come with outdoor temperature sensors.
Category: Preparing for Severe Weather
Subcategory: Weather Radios and You
Tip: Should you own a weather alert radio?
Receiving advance warning about approaching dangerous weather situations is many
times the key to surviving severe storms. NOAA broadcasts warnings and alerts for all
types of hazards that are valuable information for homeowners, at the office, and for
campers, hikers, boaters, people traveling and just about anyone who could be affected
by severe weather.
Category: Tornadoes
Subcategory: Interesting tornado tips
Tip: What part of the year do tornadoes usually hit?
Tornado season usually occurs between March and August every year, but twisters
have been reported even during the winter months. The tornado season never really
ends, however - it just slows down!
Tip: Would a weather radio warn me about a tornado?
If you live or are traveling in tornado country, then the answer is a resounding “Yes!” to
owning a weather alert radio. Emergency weather alert radios can be lifesavers and
come in portable or tabletop models, operate on batteries or an AC adapter, and even
can be powered with a cigarette lighter adapter. External antennas are available to
boost reception range and many modern weather alert radios also incorporate strobe or
emergency warning lights.
Category: Tsunamis
Subcategory: Facts about the Big Waves
Tip: Are all tsunamis huge in size?
Not really. Tsunamis comes in a wide variety of sizes, everything from the massive
major disaster to small waves that you might not even notice happening.
Tip: What causes a tsunami?
A tsunami is caused by a large disturbance in the ocean that vertically displaces water.
Such disturbances include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides or other
methods.
Tip: What's the biggest tsuanmi ever recorded?
The Japanese village of Sanriku was hit by a massive tsuami in 1986. The wave was
estimated to be more than seven stories high, killing 26,000 people.
Tip: Where do tsunamis usually occur?
Almost 80 percent of all tsunamis occur in the Pacific Ocean.
Category: Types of Weather
Subcategory: Hail, sleet, thunder and more!
Tip: Frost
No, it's not a shortened nickname for Frosty the Snowman or Jack's last name! Frost is
ice that forms on surfaces by the condensation of atmospheric water vapor when
temperature of the surface is less than 32 degrees F. Frost is often seen as a light,
slippery coating of ice, normal during those frequent chilly winter mornings.
Tip: It's foggy out!
Fog is usually associated with fair and calm weather. Fog, simply put, is when droplets
of water vapor become suspended in the air near the ground. Fog is created when the
temperature of air and the dew point of air become the same or nearly the same. The
most visible sign of fog is no visibility or reduced visibility! People sometimes refer to fog
as “clouds at ground level” which can be an accurate description. Many different
weather combinations can result in fog but the main factor for fog to form is saturated
air.
Tip: What is a dust devil?
No, it's not a character in a Bugs Bunny cartoon. A dust devil is an atmospheric
whirlwind that looks a lot like a small tornado. You've probably seen many dust devils as
they're fairly common in residential and business areas. Dust devils result from
superheated air located near hot ground rising into colder air above. Dust devils mostly
just swirl across fields or parking lots, kicking up leaves and causing a commotion. For
the most part, dust devils are harmless.
Tip: What is lightning?
Lightning is generally associated with thunderstorms and is one of several forms of
visible electrical discharge produced by a storm.
Category: Weather Alert Radios
Subcategory: Information on Weather Radios
Tip: How do weather radios differ from regular radios?
Emergency alert weather radios do not broadcast constantly. Instead, weather alert
radios operate in standby mode until an emergency weather alert is transmitted from
NOAA. The weather radio then “wakes up” to sound an alert tone and broadcast the
emergency message.
Tip: How many transmitters does NOAA utilize?
NOAA emergency weather alerts are sent out from more than 900 stations across the
country. Each state has a varying number of transmitters and each transmitter has an
effective range of approximately 40 to 50 miles. For example, Louisiana has 11
transmitters located around the state, Kansas has 19, Florida has 30 and Texas has 61.
For a complete list of states and station locations, go to www.nws.noaa.gov and find the
All Hazards section.
Tip: What accessories are available?
Various accessories are available for selected models of emergency alert weather
radios. Some of the weather radios can utilize AC/DC adapters, cigarette lighter power
adapters, external antennas, flashing alert lights or a strobe light, especially valuable for
the hearing-impaired.
Tip: What is SAME technology?
Many emergency alert weather radios now utilize S.A.M.E. digital technology that allows
you to localize emergency broadcasts. Weather radios featuring S.A.M.E. (Specific Area
Message Encoding) receive the same warnings and broadcasts as regular NOAA radios
but also allow you to program it with a six-digit code to adjust reception to monitor only
specific counties rather than an entire regional broadcast area.
Category: Weather and Your Body
Subcategory: Some helpful hints and information
Tip: To eat more or less?
Weather does, in fact, affect your appetite. People living in cold climates that spend
considerable time outside tend to burn more calories each day just to keep warm.
Tip: What are SPF ratings?
The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is advertised on all suntan lotions. The SPF number
translates into how long you can say in the sun versus how long you would have been
able to stay without sunscreen protection.
Tip: Winter can be depressing
More than 35 million people in the U.S. may experience Seasonal Affective Disorder
(SAD). Many people refer to SAD sufferers as having the “winter blues.” Researchers
believe a lack of sunlight may be one cause of the problem while SAD may also be
genetic. The affliction can be treated with light therapy or travel to sunny areas of the
globe.
Category: Weather equipment and terms
Subcategory: What´s this?
Tip: A scale for measuring the wind
Many weather instruments use the Beaufort Wind Scale as the method of estimating
and reporting wind speeds. The scale was developed by Sir Francis Beaufort in the
early 1800s for the British Royal Navy.
Tip: What does a thermometer do?
Simply put, thermometers measure changes in temperature. Bulb thermometers
operate on a basis that liquid changes its volume relative to its temperature; other
thermometers tell you the temperature in the furnace, how high your fever is or room
temperature.
Category: Weather Monitoring Stations
Subcategory: Weather Station Instruments
Tip: Are weather stations affordable?
Weather stations are affordable pieces of high-tech equipment. Remember, however,
that price is really a state of mind – what some people term expensive, others
may term a bargain. Weather stations are just like any other products on the market
where the consumer picks and chooses options. Weather stations can range in price
from $175 all the way up to more than $1,000 depending on what accessories and
sensor packages are desired.
Tip: Do all weather stations provide the same data?
Most weather stations offer basic features such as monitoring outside temperature and
humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction and measuring rainfall
amount. The more advanced versions of weather stations offer additional features such
as moon phase, dew point, ultraviolet sensor, soil and leaf wetness accessories and
much more.
Tip: Do weather stations include an atomic clock?
Radio-controlled clocks set to official U.S. government atomic time and updated daily by
radio signal from Fort Collins, Colorado are features included on many weather stations
– but atomic clocks are not standard features on all weather stations by any
means.
Tip: Is weather watching a hobby?
Weather watching has rapidly become an informative, yet fun, hobby for many people.
For others, keeping a close eye on changes in the weather is an important safety
concern, especially in areas of the country affected by sudden storms, snow, hurricanes
or other dangerous weather events.
Category: Weather Products
Subcategory: Fun Weather Accessories
Tip: Atomic time for your wrist
Keeping time has never been so easy – and stylish – with Casio's line of
Wave Ceptor and G Shock Atomic Watches. Combining state-of-the-art technology with
a sleek, modern appearance, the attractive and affordable timepieces automatically
reset daily via radio signal to within one second of official U.S. government time.
Tip: How slim is the Slim Shot camera?
This fascinating little digital camera is only about the size of a credit card yet it takes
amazing photographs! The camera weighs a mere 1.2 ounces yet packs 8MB of internal
memory while fitting perfectly in a pocket. The Slim Shot camera stores approximately
26 fine quality photos at VGA (640x480) resolution and recharges while connected to
your PC or Mac.
Tip: Watching that blood pressure
Interested in eliminating those special visits to the doctor's office just to have your blood
pressure checked. There are several products now available that allow you to monitor
your own blood pressure with a portable, non-evasive and battery-operated unit. These
affordable, reliable units are handy to have!