what is a snow squall

What are Snow Squalls?

TWSE Explains

It happens every winter. Drivers are caught off guard by icy roads and a sudden wind gust, the arrival of cold air, and a burst of snow so heavy you can't see the car in front of you. It's called a snow squall and is more common than people think.

Fairbanks Alaska from the University of Alaska Fairbanks

The Top 10 Coldest US Cities

TWSE Explains

Not a big fan of the heat? Can't wait for the first snowfall? If you like cold weather here in the US, all you have to do in most cases is move north. All but one of the coldest cities in the US are found in the Upper Midwest, where frequent Arctic blasts make winters more brutal than the rest of the country, with some of the coldest temperatures outside of Alaska!

downtown Chicago windiest us cities

10 Windiest US Cities

TWSE Explains

Chicago is called "America's Windy City." It earned this nickname because of its windy winters. However, is Chicago the windiest city in America? To find out, we compiled data on the 10 windiest cities in the US. The results might surprise you.

Image of Dealth Valley. Th record death valley temperature has come into question over its accuracy.

Why the Record Death Valley Temperature is Likely Bogus

TWSE Explains

Death Valley, located in the Mojave Desert of Eastern California, is no stranger to extreme heat. This scorching locale is ...

tropical depression

Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, and Tropical Depressions

TWSE Explains

Mother Nature can be both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Among her most powerful and destructive forces are tropical cyclones, which manifest ...

Hurricane Florence in 2018 during an above average atlantic hurricane season

What is a Hurricane Watch?

TWSE Explains

Hurricanes are among the most powerful and destructive natural disasters in coastal regions and island communities. These massive tropical storms ...

tropical storm watch - satellite of tropical storm nicole

What is a Tropical Storm Watch?

TWSE Explains

Coastal regions are no strangers to tropical storms, which, although not as powerful as hurricanes, can still pose significant risks ...

realfeel temperature

What is the RealFeel Temperature?

TWSE Explains

Weather forecasts provide valuable information about the expected temperature and weather conditions. However, the actual temperature can sometimes differ from ...

microburst

What is a Microburst?

TWSE Explains

Weather is a complex and fascinating subject, with numerous phenomena occurring all around the globe. One such event, a microburst, ...

Many common household cleaners emit volatile organic compounds.

What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)?

TWSE Explains

Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, impact air quality, human health, and the environment. These compounds, which include an array of ...

what is carbon monoxide? Image of a carbon monoxide alarm

What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?

TWSE Explains

Carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas, poses a silent yet deadly threat to the safety and well-being ...

what is radon

What is Radon?

TWSE Explains

Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, has been a growing concern for homeowners, renters, and public health experts. Colorless, tasteless, ...

what is a superbloom? Picture of a california superbloom of wildflowers.

What is a Superbloom?

TWSE Explains

In the arid deserts and valleys of the Western United States, a rare and magnificent natural event occasionally graces the ...

outflow boundary shelf cloud

What is an Outflow Boundary?

TWSE Explains

An outflow boundary is a meteorological term that refers to the boundary between two air masses created by a thunderstorm's downdraft. If you've ever stood outside during a thunderstorm and felt the cool rush of air preceding a storm, you've experienced an outflow boundary.

Graphic showing el nino in terms of departures from the average sea surface temperature of the Pacific.

What is El Niño?

TWSE Explains

El Niño is returning this year, with significant effects expected for our weather in 2023. El Niño’s return comes after ...

Cook Strait New Zealand windiest places on earth

What is the Windiest Place on Earth?

TWSE Explains

In a previous blog, we talked about the windiest cities in the United States. However, there are far windier places on our planet. That got us thinking: what is the windiest place on Earth? It turns out that there are places far windier than Chicago, the nation's windy city.

rain in hawaii, one of the wettest us states

The Top 10 Wettest US States

TWSE Explains

Most of the United States has a temperate climate, meaning extremes in temperature and precipitation aren’t too common. However, in ...

view of Miami beach in Florida, the warmest state in the US

The 10 Warmest States in the US

TWSE Explains

Some people hate the cold. We understand that (although we’re big fans of snow). So where should you move if ...

Tornado forming over open countryside field

When Does Tornado Season Start in the United States?

TWSE Explains

Do you know when tornado season starts in the United States? Many people don't realize that tornadoes can occur at just about any time of the year, especially across the southern Plains and Southeastern United States.

huntingdon beach, california - states with the best weather

The 10 States With the Best Weather Year Round

TWSE Explains

Some people like the change of seasons. But others of us would much rather have dependable nice weather day in ...

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