Tag Archive
Answers: heating, cooling degree days
Q: Several years ago, you wrote a short article for USA TODAY about heating degree days. I have depended on that article, and its links, to monitor the heating and cooling degree days in my area. Now, I cannot access this article any longer through a USA TODAY search and I'd really like to have access to it. I would... »
Answers: Hurricane rainbands
Q: Cross-cut figures of hurricanes show a structure like a jelly roll turned on end and sliced through the middle. Are these rings all connected in a continuous spiral or are they multiple rings? (I suspect they are continuous.) Also, how do they develop in the evolution of a hurricane? That is, why isn't the hurricane just a big homogeneous storm?... »
Answers: Finding wind data
Q: What is your favorite source for near real time surface wind visualizations in the mid Atlantic region. I need the information for balloon flight planning in the field. Curt, Falls Church, Va. A: I’ve yet to find any really good visualizations for surface winds because none show the winds in any real detail. That said, best that I've found are NWS... »
Answers: Aircraft altimeter errors
Q: Can you help me understand in very simple terms altimeter error when flying from high to low pressure areas and from low to high areas? I am studying it but its just not clicking.—Mark, Noblesville, Ind. A: To answer your question I'll begin with some basic information about aircraft altimeters and then use the diagram below to help you see... »
