Articles

Chasing Sprites
February 28, 2023
Chasing Sprites

George Preoteasa recounts his adventure with sprite photographer Paul Smith, capturing elusive sprite images during storms while enjoying the company of like-minded individuals and experiencing the beauty of open fields, clear night skies, and new places.

By George Preoteasa
2023 Winter Season... Won't Soon Be Forgotten
February 25, 2023
2023 Winter Season... Won't Soon Be Forgotten
Top 10 U.S. Weather Events of 2022
February 25, 2023
Top 10 U.S. Weather Events of 2022
What is Reality? Trends in US Sever Weather
February 24, 2023
What is Reality? Trends in US Sever Weather
Hurricane Ian: Reflections, Lessons Learned, & its Legacy
February 24, 2023
Hurricane Ian: Reflections, Lessons Learned, & its Legacy
Why We Should Care About Climate Change: Communicating The Risks
February 24, 2023
Why We Should Care About Climate Change: Communicating The Risks
You Say "Sleet", I Say "Snow Mixed With Rain"
February 22, 2023
You Say "Sleet", I Say "Snow Mixed With Rain"

A discussion by AMS Weather Band Maestro Bob Henson on the terminology and distinctions of winter precipitation, such as snow, sleet, graupel, and ice pellets Bob highlights the importance of accurate reporting and recording of precipitation types in understanding and analyzing winter storms.

By Bob Henson
May 15, 2022 Mammatus and Lightning Story – "The War of the Worlds"
February 16, 2023
May 15, 2022 Mammatus and Lightning Story – "The War of the Worlds"

Brad Nelson, a seasoned meteorologist with 18 years of storm chasing experience, has witnessed incredible weather phenomena, including striking lightning and captivating mammatus clouds.

By Brad Nelson
July 8, 2020 EF4 Tornado Story
February 13, 2023
July 8, 2020 EF4 Tornado Story

Meteorologist Brad Nelson and Melanie Metz witnessed an explosive updraft develop into an EF-4 tornado while storm chasing near Fergus Falls, Minnesota, which caused significant damage.

By Brad Nelson
Interview: Understanding the Science of Uncertainty
February 10, 2023
Interview: Understanding the Science of Uncertainty

BAMS recently spoke with Tim Palmer about his new book, The Primacy of Doubt: From Quantum Physics to Climate Change, How the Science of Uncertainty Can Help Us Understand Our Chaotic World.

Tags: Interview, Readings, BAMS
In Search of Drought
February 7, 2023
In Search of Drought

Brandi Gamelin of Argonne National Laboratory discusses recent research that employs vapor pressure deficit (VPD) rather than precipitation as a method to forecast drought in the United States.

Tags: Parcels, BAMS
Readings - In Brief
February 3, 2023
Readings - In Brief

Three books are presented for your consideration. Introduction to the Physics and Techniques of Remote Sensing (Third Edition) discusses the use of remote sensing for a variety of sciences and studies. Atmospheric Evolution on Inhabited and Lifeless Worlds explains how atmospheric evolution can determine a planet's habitability. Beyond Carbon Neutral: How We Fix the Climate Crisis Now presents strategies for addressing climate change with tools currently in place. 

Tags: In Brief, Readings, BAMS
Mariama Feaster
February 1, 2023
Mariama Feaster

Mariama Feaster, graduate research assistant at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, on how her undergraduate experience helped shape the direction of her career goals.

Tags: Clear Skies Ahead, BAMS
Laser-Focused on Space Weather
January 31, 2023
Laser-Focused on Space Weather

Postdoctoral student Peiyun Shi conducts unique research - with space weather implications - on magnetic reconnection and utilizes a laser-based diagnostic to probe plasma.

More Than A Scientist: Samuel Larsen
January 26, 2023
More Than A Scientist: Samuel Larsen

Q&A with Samuel Larsen, Xcel Energy Data Scientist and member of the AMS Board on Early Career Professionals.

Tags: BAMS, More Than A Scientist
Fine-Tuned Mountain Forecasting
January 23, 2023
Fine-Tuned Mountain Forecasting

Forecasting weather in mountainous regions can be hindered by complex topography, placing lives in danger. An apparent temperature forecast based on a high-resolution simulation may be helpful in mitigating risk of hypothermia and other dangers in such hazardous locations.

Have You Ever Heard of a Weather Conference?
December 22, 2022
Have You Ever Heard of a Weather Conference?

Are you eager to immerse yourself into the weather, water, and climate field? Explore opportunities at the AMS 103rd annual meeting in January 2023. Stay tuned for shared recorded presentations of interest from the 2023 Annual Meeting.

By Amber Liggett
William Turner IV
December 19, 2022
William Turner IV

William Turner IV, a Ph.D. student in atmospheric sciences at the University of California, Davis, on his decision to pursue a doctoral degree and the process that involved.

Tags: Clear Skies Ahead, BAMS
150 Years of Monthly Weather Review
December 12, 2022
150 Years of Monthly Weather Review

In 1873, the U.S. War Department began producing a monthly report on the weather. Now it's in its 150th year of publication!

By David M. Schultz
From the Ground Up: An Operational Meteorologist's Vision for the NWS
December 8, 2022
From the Ground Up: An Operational Meteorologist's Vision for the NWS

Ken Graham shares his career path, memorable experiences and new priorities for NOAA's National Weather Service.

Accounting for Lakes
December 6, 2022
Accounting for Lakes

By including monthly surface area information for specific bodies of water for the years 1984–2015, ReaLSAT (Reservoir and Lake Surface Area Timeseries) shows how lakes and reservoirs have changed over time, which will aid the study of how a changing climate is impacting bodies of fresh water.

The 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season: A Highly Abnormal Average Season
November 30, 2022
The 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season: A Highly Abnormal Average Season

In this webinar, Phil Klotzbach discusses how active the season was, notable storms and impacts, and controversial topics such as the value of the Saffir-Simpson scale and the Cone of Uncertainty.
 

Chapter Spotlight
November 28, 2022
Chapter Spotlight

The Northern Vermont University Lyndon student chapter attended the 47th Annual Northeastern Storm Conference in Burlington, Vermont.

Hurricanes: An Eye on the Future
November 22, 2022
Hurricanes: An Eye on the Future

The second annual event of the “Eye Towards the Sky” speaker series covers hurricanes and the effects of a warming atmosphere on their intensity and frequency.

How Blue Can A Blue Norther Be?
November 22, 2022
How Blue Can A Blue Norther Be?

Temperature swings can be subtle, stunning, or somewhere in between, depending in large part on what you’re used to. In a moist tropical climate, like the one that prevails over much of Hawai’i, the typical difference between nighttime lows and afternoon highs may be less than 20°F.

By Bob Henson