Archives: Weather Phenomena

The Weather Station Experts team of writers explains the various weather phenomena the United States experiences.

Types of Fronts

Ed Oswald

Ever wonder what the types of fronts you see on the weather map mean? As part of our continuing weather education series, we thought an explainer would be helpful.

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 three straight years of La Niña conditions in the tropical Pacific, what climatologists call a “triple dip.” Typically events last less than a year: this La Niña event started in ... Continue reading

What is an Atmospheric River?

TWSE Explains

Our atmosphere is constantly in motion. Weather systems are transported around the globe by this motion, with a narrow band of stronger winds called the ‘jet stream‘ providing much of this motion, which lies between cold and warm air masses.

Atmospheric Rivers Now Have a Global Scale Like Hurricanes

Ed Oswald

When we talk about hurricanes, we often refer to their category rating. It allows us to compare storms to one another, even when they occur in different parts of the world. While atmospheric rivers have a similar scale, up until recently, it was only used for events affecting the US ... Continue reading

What is a Polar Vortex?

Ed Oswald

Winter 2020-21 didn’t turn out as many thought. Most long-range forecasters thought La Niña would lead to a mild and uneventful winter. My weather station read 62 on Christmas Day in Pennsylvania! Well, the polar vortex had other plans.

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.

What is the Jet Stream?

TWSE Explains

The jet stream is a narrow band of strong winds in the upper levels of Earth’s atmosphere, and it blows from west to east and provides a corridor for storms to follow as they circumnavigate the globe. Jet streams form along the boundaries of warm and cold air, and the wiggles of the jet stream play a large part in the weather you experience.