# data[].attributes.body
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=89

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is a drought?
A drought is when there is a lack of precipitation over an extended period of time, usually a season or more, resulting in a water shortage for some activity, group, or environmental sector. Its impacts result from the interplay between the natural event (less precipitation than expected) and the demand people place on water supply, and human activities can exacerbate the impacts of drought.

What causes a drought?
Drought has many causes. It can be caused by not receiving rain or snow over a period of time. If you live in a place where most of the water you use comes from a river, a drought in your area can be caused by places upstream from you not receiving enough moisture. There would be less water in the river for you and other people who live along the river to use. People can also play a big role in drought. If we use too much water during times of normal rainfall, we might not have enough water when a drought happens.

Can scientists predict if a drought is going to happen?
No! Studies conducted over the past century have shown that meteorological drought is never the result of a single cause. It is the result of many causes including, global weather patterns, high pressure, the tropical outlook and other global-scale variables.

Are there places in the United States that experience drought?
Yes! The Western United States is experiencing an exceptional and extreme drought at this time. To see the map, Click Here to see the current U.S. Drought Monitor.

What was the Dust Bowl?
Of all the droughts that have occurred in the United States, the drought events of the 1930s are widely considered to be the "drought of record" for the nation. The 1930s drought is often referred to as if it were one episode, but it was actually several distinct events occurring in such rapid succession that affected regions were not able to recover adequately before another drought began. The term Dust Bowl was coined in 1935 to describe the drought-affected south central United States in the aftermath of horrific dust storms. Although it technically refers to the western third of Kansas, southeastern Colorado, the Oklahoma Panhandle, the northern two-thirds of the Texas Panhandle, and northeastern New Mexico, the Dust Bowl has come to symbolize the hardships of the entire nation during the 1930s.

How bad was the drought in the Dust Bowl years?
In the 1930s, drought covered virtually the entire Plains for almost a decade. The drought's direct effect is most often remembered as agricultural. Many crops were damaged by deficient rainfall, high temperatures, and high winds, as well as insect infestations and dust storms that accompanied these conditions. The resulting agricultural depression contributed to the Great Depression's bank closures, business losses, increased unemployment, and other physical and emotional hardships. Although records focus on other problems, the lack of precipitation would also have affected wildlife and plant life, and would have created water shortages for domestic needs.

What was the Black Sunday Dust Storm?
The 1930s were times of tremendous hardship on the Great Plains. Settlers dealt not only with the Great Depression, but also with years of drought that plunged an already-suffering society into an onslaught of relentless dust storms for days and months on end. They were known as dirt storms, sand storms, black blizzards, and "dusters." It seemed as if it could get no worse, but on Sunday, the 14th of April 1935, it got worse. The day is known in history as "Black Sunday," when a mountain of blackness swept across the High Plains and instantly turned a warm, sunny afternoon into a horrible blackness that was darker than the darkest night. Famous songs were written about it, and on the following day, the world would hear the region referred to for the first time as "The Dust Bowl."

How does a drought affect our lives?
Drought affects our lives in many different ways because water is such an important part of so many of our activities. We need water to live, and animals and plants do too. We need water to grow the food we eat. We also use water for many different things in our lives, like washing dishes, cooking, bathing, and swimming or river rafting. Water is also used to help make the electricity we use to run the lights in our houses and the video games you may like to play. When we don't have enough water for these activities because of a drought, many people and many different things will be affected in many different ways.

How can we help if we're in a drought?
One of the easiest steps we can take to help mitigate the impacts of drought is conserving water. If we use water wisely at all times, more water will be available to us and to plants and wildlife when a drought happens. We can lose a lot of water doing simple everyday tasks. Did you know that turning off the water while you brush your teeth can save more than 100 gallons of water a month? If you have a leaky faucet, the drips can add up to 300 gallons of wasted water a month.

What are the different types of drought?
There are four basic approaches to measuring drought: meteorological, hydrological, agricultural, and socioeconomic. The first three approaches deal with ways to measure drought as a physical phenomenon. The last deals with drought in terms of supply and demand, tracking the effects of water shortfall as it ripples through socioeconomic systems.

Meteorological drought is defined usually on the basis of the degree of dryness (in comparison to some "normal" or average amount) and the duration of the dry period. Definitions of meteorological drought must be considered as region specific since the atmospheric conditions that result in deficiencies of precipitation are highly variable from region to region. For example, some definitions of meteorological drought identify periods of drought on the basis of the number of days with precipitation less than some specified threshold. This measure is only appropriate for regions characterized by a year-round precipitation regime such as a tropical rainforest, humid subtropical climate, or humid mid-latitude climate.

Agricultural drought links various characteristics of meteorological (or hydrological) drought to agricultural impacts, focusing on precipitation shortages, differences between actual and potential evapotranspiration, soil water deficits, reduced groundwater or reservoir levels, and so forth. Plant water demand depends on prevailing weather conditions, biological characteristics of the specific plant, its stage of growth, and the physical and biological properties of the soil. A good definition of agricultural drought should be able to account for the variable susceptibility of crops during different stages of crop development, from emergence to maturity.

Hydrological drought is associated with the effects of periods of precipitation (including snowfall) shortfalls on surface or subsurface water supply (i.e., streamflow, reservoir and lake levels, groundwater). The frequency and severity of hydrological drought is often defined on a watershed or river basin scale. Although all droughts originate with a deficiency of precipitation, hydrologists are more concerned with how this deficiency plays out through the hydrologic system. Hydrological droughts are usually out of phase with or lag the occurrence of meteorological and agricultural droughts. It takes longer for precipitation deficiencies to show up in components of the hydrological system such as soil moisture, streamflow, and groundwater and reservoir levels. As a result, these impacts are out of phase with impacts in other economic sectors.

Socioeconomic definitions of drought associate the supply and demand of some economic good with elements of meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural drought. It differs from the aforementioned types of drought because its occurrence depends on the time and space processes of supply and demand to identify or classify droughts. The supply of many economic goods, such as water, forage, food grains, fish, and hydroelectric power, depends on weather. Because of the natural variability of climate, water supply is ample in some years but unable to meet human and environmental needs in other years. Socioeconomic drought occurs when the demand for an economic good exceeds supply as a result of a weather-related shortfall in water supply.

Aquifer - an area that contains large amounts of water under the surface of the earth.

Climate - day-to-day weather over a longer period of time. Climatology is the study of climate.

Climograph - a graph that shows monthly average temperature and precipitation for some location.

Dam - a structure built across a river to hold back water for a variety of reasons, including protecting areas from floods, storing water, and generating power.

Desalination - the process of removing salts and other minerals from seawater so that it can be used for drinking water.

Drought - less rainfall than is expected over an extended period of time, usually several months or longer. Or, more formally, it is a deficiency of rainfall over a period of time, resulting in a water shortage for some activity, group, or environmental sector.

Drought Index - a numerical scale that scientists use to describe the severity of a drought. Scientists take many kinds of data (like streamflow, rainfall, temperature, and snowpack) and "blend" it into a single number, called a drought index value, to make it easier to understand the drought conditions of a particular area. Drought indices are one type of drought indicator.

Drought I ndicator - a way to look at one or more variables, such as precipitation, to describe available water in soil or hydrologic systems. It may be a record of a single measurement, such as rainfall at a particular rain gauge. It may also be a complex index. Drought indices (indexes) are a subset of drought indicators.

Dust Bowl - an area of the U.S. Plains that included parts of Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. The term was coined in the 1930s, when dry weather and high winds caused many dust storms throughout the United States, but particularly in this area.

Erosion - a process that wears the earth's surface away, causing soil to move from one place to another. It's a natural process, but human activities can make it worse.

Groundwater - water that is found underground in spaces in soil, sand, or rocks.

Hydroelectricity - electricity created by channeling water through turbines in power stations located below dams.

Irrigation - an agricultural practice that involves providing water to crops through pipes, ditches, or streams.

Mitigation - actions that we can take before, or at the beginning of, drought to help reduce the impacts of drought. Mitigation includes actions as diverse as drought planning, implementing land use practices that increase the organic content and water-holding capacity of soil, and designing agricultural policy that doesn't encourage short-term economic gains at the expense of long-term productive capacity. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change uses mitigation to mean reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses.

Reservoirs - water that's collected and stored in natural or manmade lakes.

Submarginal Farmland - lands with nutrient-poor soils and/or soils that have been damaged by poor cultivation practices.

Water Banking - a water management strategy that temporarily transfers water from those who are willing to lease it to those who are willing to pay to use it.

Water Recycling - reusing treated wastewater for purposes like agricultural and landscape irrigation. It's also referred to as water reclamation or water reuse.

Xeriscaping - a type of landscaping around homes and businesses that uses a limited amount of water.

Click on the chart to make larger!

Click Here to see the current U.S. Drought Monitor!

Lesson Plan: Here is a lesson plan on water conservation.

Lesson Plan: Here is a lesson plan on how drought affect agriculture.

Science Fair Project Ideas: Here is a complete list of science fair project ideas. Discover the science behind the weather that impacts us every day.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What is a drought? A drought is when there is a lack of precipitation over an extended period of time, usually a season or more, resulting in a water shortage for some activity, group, or environmental sector.

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=58

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is a hurricane?
A hurricane is a huge storm! It can be up to 600 miles across and have strong winds spiraling inward and upward at speeds of 75 to 200 mph. Each hurricane usually lasts for over a week, moving 10-20 miles per hour over the open ocean. Hurricanes gather heat and energy through contact with warm ocean waters. Evaporation from the seawater increases their power. Hurricanes rotate in a counter-clockwise direction around an "eye" in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise direction in the Southern Hemisphere. The center of the storm or "eye" is the calmest part. It has only light winds and fair weather. When they come onto land, the heavy rain, strong winds and large waves can damage buildings, trees and cars.

How do hurricanes form?
Hurricanes only form over really warm ocean water of 80°F or warmer. The atmosphere (the air) must cool off very quickly the higher you go. Also, the wind must be blowing in the same direction and at the same speed to force air upward from the ocean surface. Winds flow outward above the storm allowing the air below to rise. Hurricanes typically form between 5 to 15 degrees latitude north and south of the equator. The Coriolis Force is needed to create the spin in the hurricane and it becomes too weak near the equator, so hurricanes can never form there.
Hurricane Tracking Charts
Atlantic Ocean
Eastern Pacific

What is storm surge?
Storm surges are frequently the most devastating element of a hurricane. As a hurricane's winds spiral around and around the storm, they push water into a mound at the storm's center. This mound of water becomes dangerous when the storm reaches land because it causes flooding along the coast. The water piles up, unable to escape anywhere but on land as the storm carries it landward. A hurricane will cause more storm surge in areas where the ocean floor slopes gradually. This causes major flooding.
As you watch the storm-surge animations, notice the effect that the physical geography of each coastline has on storm surge. Also, note the waves on top of the ocean's surface. Wind, waves, and sea-level rise all contribute to storm-surge damage.

Shallow-Water Coastline

Deep-Water Coastline

With technology the way it is, there are computer models that allow forecasters to predict the amount of storm surge that will affect a coastal area. These are called Slosh Models and take into account a storm's strength, its path, how the ocean shallows, and the shape of the land. Then it calculates how much storm surge a hurricane will probably cause.

When does hurricane season start?
The Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, but most hurricanes occur during the fall months. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season is from May 15 to November 30. (Below is a graphic that shows you when hurricanes are most active across parts of the world.)

Who names hurricanes?
From 1950 to 1952, tropical cyclones of the North Atlantic Ocean were identified by the phonetic alphabet (Able-Baker-Charlie-etc.), but in 1953 the US Weather Bureau switched to women's names. The rest of the world eventually caught on, and naming rights now go by the World Meteorological Organization, which uses different sets of names depending on the part of the world the storm is in. Around the U.S., only women's names were used until 1979, when it was decided that they should alternate a list that included men's names too. There's 6 different name lists that alternate each year. If a hurricane does significant damage, its name is retired and replaced with another.
Atlantic Hurricane Names
Eastern Pacific Hurricane Names

What is the difference between a hurricane and a typhoon?
Nothing except geography. Tropical storms occur in several of the world's oceans, and except for their names, they are essentially the same type of storm. In the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Eastern Pacific Ocean, they are called hurricanes. In the Western Pacific Ocean, they are called typhoons. In the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and Australia, these types of storms are called cyclones.

Who are the "Hurricane Hunters"?
The brave "hurricane hunters" work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Each mission lasts about ten hours, with the crews passing four to six times through the storm. The planes carry radar, sophisticated computers, and weather instruments that determine characteristics such as temperature, air pressure, wind speed, and wind direction inside the hurricane. The crews also release instruments that measure temperature, air pressure, and wind at different levels as the devices drop through the hurricane toward the ocean. By mission's end, NOAA can warn everyone in the hurricane's path. Below is a photo of the hurricane hunters taking measurements inside Hurricane Katrina.

What is coastal beach erosion?
Coastal beach erosion is the wearing away of land, the removal of beach or dune sediments by wave action, tidal currents, wave currents, or drainage. Waves are generated by storms, wind, or hurricanes and can cause coastal erosion. This may take the form of long-term losses of sediment and rocks, or merely the temporary redistribution of coastal sediments.

TROPICAL STORM WATCH - Tropical Storm conditions with sustained winds from 39 -74 mph are possible in your area within the next 36 hours.

TROPICAL STORM WARNING - Tropical Storm conditions are expected in your area within the next 24 hours.

HURRICANE WATCH - Hurricane conditions with sustained winds of 74 mph or greater are possible in your area within the next 36 hours. This WATCH should trigger your family's disaster plan, and protective measures should be initiated. Especially, those actions that require extra time such as securing a boat and leaving a barrier island.

HURRICANE WARNING - Hurricane conditions are expected in your area within 24 hours. Once this WARNING has been issued, your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.

COASTAL FLOOD WATCH - The possibility exists for the inundation of land areas along the coast within the next 12 to 36 hours.

COASTAL FLOOD WARNING - Land areas along the coast are expected to become, or have become, inundated by sea water above the typical tide action.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY - A small craft advisory is a type of warning issued by the National Weather Service, most frequently in coastal areas. It is issued when winds have reached, or are expected to reach within 12 hours, a speed marginally less than that which is considered gale force, usually 25-38 mph.

Click Here to see if there are any active warnings in your area.

Tropical Wave - A low pressure trough moving generally westward with the trade winds.

Tropical Disturbance - An organized area of thunderstorms that usually forms in the tropics. Typically, they maintain their identity for 24 hours and are accompanied by heavy rains and gusty winds.

Tropical Cyclone - A generic term for any organized low pressure that develops over tropical and sometimes sub-tropical waters. Tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes are all example of tropical cyclones.

Tropical Depression - An organized area of low pressure in which sustained winds are 38 mph or less.

Tropical Storm - A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained wind speeds that range from 39 to 73 mph.

Hurricane - A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of at least 74 mph.

To learn more about hurricanes, Click Here to watch a variety of videos teaching you the ins and outs of nature's fury. I would like to give a special thanks to Pinellas County Emergency management for putting these instructional videos together.

BEFORE A HURRICANE: Have a disaster plan and a pet plan ready. Before a storm threatens, contact your veterinarian or local humane society for information on preparing your pets for an emergency. Board up windows and bring in outdoor objects that could blow away. Make sure you know which county or parish you live in and know where all the evacuation routes are. Prepare a disaster supplies kit for your home and car. Include a first aid kit, canned food and a can opener, bottled water, battery-operated radio, flashlight, protective clothing and written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water. Have a NOAA weather radio handy with plenty of batteries, so you can listen to storm advisories. Have some cash handy as well, because following a hurricane, banks and ATMs may be temporarily closed. Make sure your car is filled with gasoline.

DURING A HURRICANE: Stay away from low-lying and flood prone areas. Always stay indoors during a hurricane, because strong winds will blow things around. Leave mobile homes and to go to a shelter. If your home isn't on higher ground, go to a shelter. If emergency managers say to evacuate, then do so immediately.

AFTER A HURRICANE: Stay indoors until it is safe to come out. Check for injured or trapped people, without putting yourself in danger. Watch out for flooding which can happen after a hurricane. Do not attempt to drive in flooding water. Stay away from standing water. It may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines. Don't drink tap water until officials say its safe to do so.

Stay alert to storm advisories by using your NOAA weather radio.

Enact your family disaster plan.

Map out your route. Use travel routes specified by local authorities.

Do not get on the road without a place to go.

Fill your car with gasoline.

Enact your pet plan. Before a storm threatens, contact your veterinarian or local humane society for information on preparing your pets for an emergency.

Bring your disaster supply kit. Make sure you include important documents. Have enough food and water for at least 3 days. Bring flashlights for emergency lightning, since it's likely that there will be power outages and most places will be running on backup power.

Secure your home before leaving. Board up windows and glass doors, anchor loose objects or bring them inside and lock your doors.

Have some cash handy. Following a hurricane, banks and ATMs may be temporarily closed.

Notify your family and friends of your plans.

WHEN EVACUATING:

If possible, evacuate to the home of either friends or family in a non-vulnerable area within your county or parish.

Next, try a hotel.

As a last result, go to a public shelter. Remember, shelters are not designed for comfort and do not usually accept pets.

Here is a list of what what you will need for 3 to 5 days if you chose to stay at your home during a hurricane.

Drinking Water Battery-operated Weather Radio

Canned Food Portable Alarm Clock

Manual Can Opener Extra Batteries

Extra Prescription Medicine Flashlights

Eating Utensils Rope

First Aid Kit Hammer and Nails

Trash Bags Duct Tape

Cash Extension Cords

Pillows and Blankets Tarp

Sleeping Bags Mosquito Repellent

Water Jugs Cleaning Supplies

As far as tools are concerned, the following are a must. Remember, power tools may be useless for several days after a storm.

Hand Saw (8 or 10 point)

Claw Hammer

Shovel

Push Broom

Screw Drivers

Limb Saw (pruning saw)

Vice Grips

Utility Knife

Cotton Work Gloves

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on learning about hurricane safety. In this activity, Owlie teaches kids about hurricanes and quizzes them about what they learned. Note: This is a PDF file, so you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on understanding hurricanes. Students will learn how wind speed increases the height and why higher waves occur in shallower water. This activity is for grades 6-8.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on elementary reading comprehension. This lesson contains a broader vocabulary, more hurricane facts, and more thought-provoking writing prompts. It works well for grades 3-5. Note: This is a PDF file, so you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great interactive lesson plan on allowing kids to create their very own hurricane. It lets you try to create ideal hurricane conditions by changing the winds, latitude, moisture, and sea temperature. It even keeps score! This is a great activity for 5-8th graders.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great interactive lesson plan that lets kids aim a hurricane. It lets you move the hurricane symbol, high pressure symbol and low pressure symbol to track your very own hurricane. Sometimes your hurricane will make landfall, other times it misses the U.S. all together. It lets kid understand how important the setup of weather impacts where hurricanes go.

Suck An Egg Into A Bottle Experiment: Here is an experiment that shows how pressure is created in our atmosphere by sucking an egg in a bottle. This is a very cool experiment!

Make Your Own Barometer I Experiment: Here is an experiment that allows the kids to make a barometer.

Make Your Own Barometer II Experiment: Here is an experiment that allows the kids to make a barometer.

Create Evaporation Experiment: Here is an experiment that shows kids how evaporation takes place.

Science Fair Project Ideas: Here is a complete list of science fair project ideas. Discover the science behind the weather that impacts us every day.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What is a hurricane? A hurricane is a huge storm! It can be up to 600 miles across and have strong winds spiraling inward and upward at speeds of 75 to 200 mph. Each hurricane usually lasts for over a week, moving 10-20 miles per hour over the open ocean.

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=66

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
How does rain form?
Water droplets form from warm air. As the warm air rises in the sky it cools. Water vapor (invisible water in the air) always exists in our air. Warm air holds quite a bit of water. For example, in the summer it is usually very humid. When enough of these droplets collect together, we see them as clouds. If the clouds are big enough and have enough water droplets, the droplets bang together and form even bigger drops. When the drops get heavy, they fall because of gravity, and you see and feel rain.

What causes rain?
When clouds develop or rain occurs, something is making the air rise. Several things can make this happen. Mountains, low-pressure areas, cold fronts, and even the jet stream.

How big are raindrops?
Raindrops are much smaller than we think! They are actually smaller than a centimeter. Raindrops range from 1/100 inch (.0254 centimeter) to 1/4 inch (.635 centimeter) in diameter.

How fast do raindrops fall?
Not including wind-driven rain, raindrops fall between 7 and 18 miles per hour (3 and 8 meters per second) in still air. The range in speed depends on the the size of the raindrop. Air friction breaks up raindrops when they exceed 18 miles per hour.

What is virga?
Virga is an observable streak of water drops or ice particles falling out of a cloud and evaporating before reaching the ground.

What is a monsoon?
A monsoon is a seasonal wind, found especially in Asia that reverses direction between summer and winter and often brings heavy rains. In the summer, a high pressure area lies over the Indian Ocean while a low exists over the Asian continent. The air masses move from the high pressure over the ocean to the low over the continent, bringing moisture-laden air to south Asia. During winter, the process is reversed and a low sits over the Indian Ocean while a high lies over the Tibetan plateau so air flows down the Himalaya and south to the ocean. The migration of trade winds and westerlies also contributes to the monsoons. Smaller monsoons take place in equatorial Africa, northern Australia, and, to a lesser extent, in the southwestern United States.

What are sinkholes?
Sinkholes are pits in the ground that form in areas where water gathers without external drainage. As water drains below ground, it can dissolve subterranean caverns, particularly in areas where the bedrock is made of water-soluble evaporate rocks such as salt or gypsum or of carbonate rocks such as limestone or dolomite. Most of the time, sinkholes form gradually. Occasionally, though, the collapse is sudden. Those sudden sinkholes are often the ones that open up and swallow cars, homes and streets.

What are the different types of sinkholes?
Geologists divide sinkholes into three types. The first is a dissolution or solution sinkhole. In this type of sinkhole, there is little soil or vegetation over the limestone or other bedrock. Water from rain and runoff slowly trickles through crevices in the bedrock, dissolving it. As a result, a depression gradually forms. Dissolution sinkholes sometimes become ponds if the depression gets lined with debris, trapping water inside. Dissolution sinkholes happen slowly and are generally not dangerous, but one that becomes a pond can drain suddenly if water makes it through the protective bottom layer.

The second type of sinkhole is a cover-subsidence sinkhole. These sinkholes happen in areas where sand covers the bedrock. The sand filters down into openings in the rock, gradually causing the land surface to sink. Continued erosion increases the size of the depression. Like dissolution sinkholes, cover-subsidence sinkholes happen slowly.

The most dangerous type of sinkhole is a cover-collapse sinkhole. In these cases, the bedrock is covered by a layer of clay. Beneath this ground cover, however, water dissolves an underground cavern. Gradually, ground sediments begin to erode, or spall, into the cavern from the bottom. The ground continues to crumble from beneath until only a thin layer remains between the surface and the underground opening. When that layer collapses, the sinkhole opens up suddenly, swallowing any structures on top.

How do you measure rain?
Rain gauges provide the most accurate method of measuring rainfall at a single geographic point. To have operational value, the rain gauge report must be available in real time, and automated reporting networks are increasing. Real-time rain gauge networks are most useful for flash flood detection when WSR-88D rainfall estimates can be compared with the actual rain gauge values to determine the accuracy of the radar estimate.

What is a flood?
Flooding is an overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods can happen during heavy rains, when ocean waves come on shore, when snow melts too fast, or when dams or levees break. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. They can occur quickly or over a long period and may last days, weeks, or longer. Floods are the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters.

What is a flash flood?
Flash floods are the most dangerous kind of floods, because they combine the destructive power of a flood with incredible speed and unpredictability. Flash floods occur when excessive water fills normally dry creeks or river beds along with currently flowing creeks and rivers, causing rapid rises of water in a short amount of time. They can happen with little or no warning.

Where and when do floods occur?
Flooding occurs in every U.S. state and territory, and is a threat experienced anywhere in the world that receives rain. In the U.S. floods kill more people each year than tornadoes, hurricanes or lightning.

How much water is needed for your car to float away?
A mere 2 feet of water can float a large vehicle or even a bus. This is why you should never drive through flooded roads. Just 6 inches of rapidly moving flood water can knock a person down.

What areas are at risk from flash floods?

Densely populated areas are at a high risk for flash floods. The construction of buildings, highways, driveways, and parking lots increases runoff by reducing the amount of rain absorbed by the ground. This runoff increases the flash flood potential. Sometimes, streams through cities and towns are routed underground into storm drains. During heavy rain, the storm drains can become overwhelmed and flood roads and buildings. Low spots, such as underpasses, underground parking garages, and basements can become death traps.

Areas near rivers are at risk from flash floods. Embankments, known as levees, are often built along rivers and are used to prevent high water from flooding bordering land. In 1993, many levees failed along the Mississippi River, resulting in devastating flash floods. The city of New Orleans experienced massive devastating flooding days after Hurricane Katrina came onshore in 2005 due to the failure of levees designed to protect the city.

Dam failures can send a sudden destructive wall of water downstream. In 1889 a dam break upstream from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, released a 30-40 foot wall of water that killed 2200 people within minutes.

Mountains and steep hills produce rapid runoff, which causes streams to rise quickly. Rocks and clay soils do not allow much water to infiltrate the ground. Saturated soil also can lead rapidly to flash flooding. Vacationing or recreating along streams or rivers can be a risk if there are thunderstorms in the area. A creek only 6 inches deep in mountainous areas can swell to a 10-foot deep raging river in less than an hour if a thunderstorm lingers over an area for an extended period of time.

Dry soil can produce flooding when very intense rainfall occurs. In the West, most canyons, small streams and dry arroyos are not easily recognizable as a source of danger. A wall of water 10-15 feet high can scour a canyon suddenly.

Ice jams and snowmelt can help cause flash floods. A deep snowpack increases runoff produced by melting snow. Heavy spring rains falling on melting snowpack can produce disastrous flash flooding. Melting snowpack may also contribute to flash floods produced by ice jams on creeks and rivers. Thick layers of ice often form on streams and rivers during the winter. Melting snow and/or warm rain running into the streams may lift and break this ice, allowing large chunks of ice to jam against bridges or other structures. This causes the water to rapidly rise behind the ice jam. If the water is suddenly released, serious flash flooding could occur downstream. Huge chunks of ice can be pushed onto the shore and through houses and buildings.

How do I know how severe a flood will be?
Once a river reaches flood stage, the flood severity categories used by the National Weather Service include minor flooding, moderate flooding, and major flooding. Each category has a definition based on property damage and public threat.

Minor Flooding-minimal or no property damage, but possibly some public threat or inconvenience

Moderate Flooding-some inundation of structures and roads near streams. Some evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations are necessary.

Major Flooding-extensive inundation of structures and roads. Significant evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations.

What were some of the worst floods in U.S. history?
The worst flood in U.S. history resulted from a dam break upstream from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on May 31, 1889. Although ample warnings were given, they were disregarded by many townspeople, and 2,200 residents died.

Hurricane Katrina, a Category 4 hurricane along the eastern LA-western MS coastlines in August 2005, resulted in severe storm surge damage (maximum surge probably exceeded 25 feet) along the LA-MS-AL coasts, wind damage, and the failure of parts of the levee system in New Orleans. Inland effects included high winds and some flooding in the states of AL, MS, FL, TN, KY, IN, OH, and GA. Preliminary estimate of well over $100 billion in damage/costs and more than 1200 fatalities.

On February 26, 1972, the Buffalo Creek Dam located in southern West Virginia collapsed sending a black wave of water through one coal mining town after another, and killing more than 100 people. 4,000 people were left homeless.

On July 31, 1976, a storm in northern Colorado dumped a foot of rain into the Big Thompson Canyon producing a raging torrent of water 19 feet high and resulting in 145 deaths.

What is radar?
Radar is an electronic instrument, which determines the direction and distance of objects that reflect radio energy back to the radar site. It stands for Radio Detection and Ranging. This is what meteorologists use to see rain or snow.

What is Doppler Radar?
Doppler Radar detects precipitation intensity, wind direction and speed, and provides estimates of hail size and rainfall amounts. Doppler Radar gives forecasters the capability of providing early detection of severe thunderstorms that may bring strong damaging winds, large hail, heavy rain, and possibly tornadoes. Combined with satellites, radar gives forecasters the ultimate tools to provide accurate forecasts and advanced severe weather warnings.

How does Doppler Radar work?
Doppler Radar gets its name from the Doppler Effect. Have you ever listened to a train whistle as it was coming toward you? You probably noticed that the pitch of the whistle changed as the train passed you and moved away. This change in the frequency of sound is called the Doppler Effect. Doppler Radar measures the changes in the frequency of the signal it receives to determine the wind.

What is NEXRAD Radar?
The National Weather Service has installed a new type of Doppler Radar called NEXRAD Radar. NEXRAD stands for Next Generation Radar. This radar produces many different views of storms and rain that allows meteorologists to determine if a storm could be severe.

What are WSR-88D radars?
They graphically display detected precipitation on a map. Radar can show the location of the intense rainfall cores, and estimate the duration of rainfall. Radar can also track the evolution of storm systems over time. Forecasters are able to watch existing storm cells intensify, and see when new cells begin to develop. Animation of radar provides specific information on the movement of storm systems and helps in the assessment of the flash flood threat.

Currently, the NWS uses products developed for WSR-88D radars to aid in issuing flash flood statements, watches, or warnings. One product estimates one-hour precipitation accumulation to assess rainfall intensities for flash flood warnings, urban flood statements and special weather statements. Another product estimates accumulated rainfall, continuously updated, since the last one-hour break in precipitation. This product is used to locate flood potential over urban or rural areas, estimate total basin runoff and provide rainfall accumulations for the duration of the event.

FLOOD WATCH - means that an overflow of water from a river is possible for your area.

FLASH FLOOD WATCH - means that flash flooding is possible in or close to the watch area. Flash Flood Watches can be put into effect for as long as 12 hours, while heavy rains move into and across the area.

FLOOD WARNING - means flooding conditions are actually occurring in the warning area.

FLASH FLOOD WARNING - means that flash flooding is actually occurring in the warning area. A warning can also be issued as a result of torrential rains, a dam failure or snow thaw.

URBAN and SMALL STREAM ADVISORY - means flooding of small streams, streets and low-lying areas, such as railroad underpasses and urban storm drains is occurring.

Click Here to see if there are any active warnings in your area.

BEFORE A FLOOD: Have a disaster plan and prepare a disaster supplies kit for your home and car. Include a first aid kit, canned food, can opener, bottled water, battery-operated radio, flashlight, protective clothing and written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water.

DURING A FLOOD: Move to a safe area quickly. Move to higher ground, like the highest floor of your home. Avoid areas subject to sudden flooding like low spots and canyons. Avoid already flooded areas. If a flowing stream of water is above your ankles stop, turn around and go the other way. Do not attempt to drive through a flooded road. The depth of the water is not obvious and the road may be washed away. If your car stalls, leave it and seek higher ground. Rapidly rising water may engulf the car, pick it up and sweep it away. Kids should never play around high water, storm drains or viaducts. Be cautious at night, because its harder to see flood dangers. If told to evacuate, do so immediately.

AFTER THE FLOOD: Always, boil drinking water. Electrical equipment should be checked and dried before used.

Mudslides occur during periods of intense rainfall or rapid snowmelt. They usually start on steep hillsides, liquefy and accelerate down the hill. The debris flow ranges from watery mud to thick, rocky mud that can carry large items such as boulders, trees and cars. On average, mudslides cause 25 to 50 deaths each year. Always listen to the radio and television for the latest information and instructions for your area.

BEFORE INTENSE STORMS: Have a disaster plan. Become familiar with the land around you. Find out if you're in a mudslide prone area.

DURING INTENSE STORMS: Stay awake and alert. If you live in mudslide prone areas, consider leaving if it safe to do so. If you can't, go to the highest level of your home. Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking each other. Be alert especially when driving. Watch the road for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks and other indications of a possible debris flow.

DURING A MUDSLIDE: Quickly move out of the path of the mudslide. If you can't escape, curl into a tight ball and protect your head.

AFTER A MUDSLIDE: Stay away from mudslide areas. Check for injured or trapped people near the mudslide, without directly entering the area. Watch out for flooding which can happen after a mudslide. Check the foundation of your home, chimney and surrounding land for damage.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on learning about precipitation. In this activity, kids will use a weather map to answer questions about precipitation falling across the country. Note: This is a PDF file, so you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Make It Rain Experiment: Here is a great experiment on making rain. In this experiment, kids learn about condensation.

What's In The Rain Experiment: Here is an experiment that lets kids see what's in the rain. It shows kids that there are particles in the air and when it rains they get to see them up close.

Make A Rain Gauge Experiment: Here is an experiment that allows a kids to make their very own rain gauge.

See A Raindrop Experiment: Here is an experiment that allows you to see a raindrop. In this experiment, kids will preserve raindrops, so they can measure to see how big they really are.

Water Cycle Experiment: Here is an experiment that teaches kids about our water cycle. This experiment shows what happens to the water in our creeks, streams, rivers, lakes and oceans.

The Doppler Effect Experiment: Here is an experiment that teaches kids what the Doppler Effect is. They can learn how the Doppler Effect works and why Doppler Radar is such as important tool in weather forecasting.

Suck An Egg Into A Bottle Experiment: Here is an experiment that shows how pressure is created in our atmosphere by sucking an egg in a bottle. This is a very cool experiment!

Make Your Own Barometer I Experiment: Here is an experiment that allows the kids to make a barometer.

Make Your Own Barometer II Experiment: Here is an experiment that allows the kids to make a barometer.

Create Evaporation Experiment: Here is an experiment that shows kids how evaporation takes place.

Science Fair Project Ideas: Here is a complete list of science fair project ideas. Discover the science behind the weather that impacts us every day.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How does rain form? Water droplets form from warm air. As the warm air rises in the sky it cools. Water vapor (invisible water in the air) always exists in our air. Warm air holds quite a bit of water. For example, in the summer it is usually very humid.

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=62

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
How is snow formed?
Snow is commonly formed when water vapor undergoes deposition, which is when water vapor changes directly to ice without first becoming a liquid, high in the atmosphere at a temperature of less than 32°F and then falls to the ground.

What are snowflakes?
Snowflakes are made of ice crystals. Each snowflake is six-sided and made of as many as 200 ice crystals. Snowflakes form in clouds where the temperature is below freezing. The ice crystals form around tiny bits of dirt that has been carried up into the atmosphere by the wind. As the snow crystals grow, they become heavier and fall toward the ground.

Why is snow white?
Bright snow blinds us with its gleaming white color because it reflects beams of white light. Instead of absorbing light, snow's complex structure prevents the light from shining through its lattice formation. A beam of white sunlight entering a snow bank is so quickly scattered by a zillion ice crystals and air pockets that most of the light comes bouncing right back out of the snow bank. What little sunlight is absorbed by snow is absorbed equally over the wavelengths of visible light thus giving snow its white appearance. So while many natural objects get their blue, red, and yellow colors from absorbing light, snow is stuck with its white color because it reflects light.

How do blizzards form?
A blizzard is a long-lasting snowstorm with very strong winds and intense snowfall. You need three things to have a blizzard; cold air at the surface, lots of moisture, and lift. Warm air must rise over cold air.

What are snow squalls?
Snow squalls are brief, intense snow showers accompanied by strong, gusty winds. Accumulation may be significant. Snow squalls are best known in the Great Lakes region.

What is thundersnow?
Thundersnow is when thunder and lighting occur during a snowstorm. This occurs most often in late winter or early spring. To get thundersnow, you need a mass of cold air on top of warm air, plus moist air closer to the ground. Thundersnow starts out like a summer thunderstorm. The sun heats the ground and pushes masses of warm, moist air upward, creating unstable air columns. As it rises, the moisture condenses to form clouds, which are jostled by internal turbulence. The "tricky part" for making thundersnow is creating that atmospheric instability in the wintertime. For thundersnow to occur, the air layer closer to the ground has to be warmer than the layers above, but still cold enough to create snow. During thundersnow events, heavy snowfall is to be expected. In some cases, two inches per hour is possible.

Can it ever be too cold to snow?
It rarely snows when the temperature drops below zero degrees Fahrenheit because the atmosphere is too stable. One of the ingredients for snow is enough lifting of saturated air that snow can develop aloft and fall to reach the surface. When it is said, "it is too cold to snow," in reality it means there is not enough lifting of air to cause snow to reach the surface. Even at very cold surface temperatures, significant snowfall can occur. Intense lifting can produce significant precipitation, even at very low temperatures. The temperature higher in the atmosphere can be much warmer than the air temperature at the surface, and that warm air aloft can hold more moist air than the colder air at the surface. And, moisture can be transferred into the area where lifting is occurring through advection (the horizontal movement of an air mass).

How many inches of snow equals one inch of rain?
On average, thirteen inches of snow equals one inch of rain in the US, although this ratio can vary from two inches for sleet to nearly fifty inches for very dry, powdery snow under certain conditions.

Is it true a person loses most of his body heat through his or her head?
Yes, it's true. It is important to keep the head and neck covered and as warm as possible to delay or prevent hypothermia.

How do winter storms form?
Just like any other storm at other times of the year, the right combination of ingredients is necessary for a winter storm to develop. Three basic ingredients are necessary to make a winter storm: cold air, lift and moisture.

Cold air. Below freezing temperatures in the clouds and near the ground are necessary to make snow and/or ice.

Lift. Something to raise the moist air to form the clouds and cause precipitation. An example of lift is warm air colliding with cold air and being forced to rise over the cold dome. The boundary between the warm and cold air masses is called a front. Another example of lift is air flowing up a mountainside.

Moisture. To form clouds and precipitation. Air blowing across a body of water, such as a large lake or the ocean, is an excellent source of moisture.

How do blizzards form?
A blizzard is a long-lasting snowstorm with very strong winds and intense snowfall. You need three things to have a blizzard; cold air at the surface, lots of moisture, and lift. Warm air must rise over cold air.

What is thundersnow?
Thundersnow is when thunder and lighting occur during a snowstorm. This occurs most often in late winter or early spring. To get thundersnow, you need a mass of cold air on top of warm air, plus moist air closer to the ground. Thundersnow starts out like a summer thunderstorm. The sun heats the ground and pushes masses of warm, moist air upward, creating unstable air columns. As it rises, the moisture condenses to form clouds, which are jostled by internal turbulence. The "tricky part" for making thundersnow is creating that atmospheric instability in the wintertime. For thundersnow to occur, the air layer closer to the ground has to be warmer than the layers above, but still cold enough to create snow. During thundersnow events, heavy snowfall is to be expected. In some cases, two inches per hour is possible.

What is sleet?
Sleet is just rain drops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet usually bounces when hitting a surface and does not stick to objects. However, it can accumulate like snow and cause a hazard to motorists.

What is freezing rain?
Freezing rain is just rain that falls onto a surface with a temperature below freezing. This causes it to freeze to surfaces, such as trees, cars, and roads, forming a coating or glaze of ice. Even small accumulations of ice can cause a significant hazard.

What is graupel?
Graupel (a.k.a. soft hail or snow pellets) are soft small pellets of ice created when supercooled water droplets coat a snowflake.

What is an ice storm?
An ice storm is a type of winter storm caused by freezing rain. The U.S. National Weather Service defines an ice storm as a storm which results in the accumulation of at least 0.25-inch of ice on exposed surfaces.

How do ice storms form?
Ice storms form when a layer of warm air is between two layers of cold air. Frozen precipitation melts while falling into the warm air layer, and then proceeds to refreeze in the cold layer above the ground. This creates freezing rain or a glaze of ice.

What is frost?
Frost is white ice crystals that form on a surface, like the ground or leaves of a plant. Frost is created when the air temperature drops below freezing and the water vapor in the air freezes into ice crystals.

What is a frost quake?
Frost quakes are non-tectonic seismic events, meaning they are not caused by the shifting of the Earth's tectonic plates. Also known as cryoseisms, frost quakes are caused by a sudden rapid freezing of ground and bedrock, usually when temperatures go from above freezing to below zero. As moisture absorbed in the rock and soil freezes, it expands. This puts a great amount of stress on the areas around it. Eventually, the stress is too much and the soil and rock will crack in an "explosive" manner, creating a loud sound and even shaking the ground surface. Since temperatures are coldest in the overnight hours, most people experience frost quakes in the middle of the night.

How is lake-effect snow formed?
As the cold air flows over the warm lake water, the relatively warm water heats the air's bottom layer as lake moisture evaporates into the cold air. Since warm air is lighter or less dense than cold air, the heated air rises and begins to cool. As the air cools, the moisture that evaporated into it condenses and forms clouds and snow begins falling from the cloud if the air is humid enough. (Graphic Credit: USA TODAY.)

Cold air moves over warm water and is warmed from below. Moisture evaporates in the air. Warm moist air rises downwind of lakes and forms heavy snow.

What is a Nor'easter?
Nor'easters can occur in the eastern United States any time between October and April, when moisture and cold air are plentiful. A Nor'easter is named for the winds that blow in from the northeast and drive the storm up the east coast along the Gulf Stream, a band of warm water that lies off the Atlantic coast. They are known for dumping heavy amounts of rain and snow, producing hurricane-force winds, and creating high surfs that cause severe beach erosion and coastal flooding.

What is an Alberta Clipper?
An Alberta clipper is an area of low pressure that generally forms over Alberta, Canada, east of the Rocky Mountains. They develop east of the Rockies because air flowing eastward over the mountains creates favorable conditions. Once an Alberta Clipper forms it usually moves very rapidly to the southeast across the USA's northern Plains and then to the east off the mid-Atlantic Coast. Clippers usually cause only light precipitation with very few producing major snowstorms. However, if conditions are favorable, some Alberta clippers can rapidly intensify off the East Coast once the storm taps the relatively warm moist air over the Atlantic Ocean. The storms that rapidly intensify sometimes spread heavy snow over New England and southeastern Canada. Generally, the main weather features associated with Alberta clippers are some light snow and a reinforcement of cold air over the USA.

What is an avalanche?
An avalanche is a moving mass of snow that may contain ice, soil, rocks, and uprooted trees. The height of a mountain, the steepness of its slope, and the type of snow lying on it all help determine the likelihood of an avalanche. Avalanches begin when an unstable mass of snow breaks away from a mountainside and moves downhill. The growing river of snow picks up speed as it rushes down the mountain. Avalanches have been known to reach speeds of 245 miles an hour (394 kilometers per hour)-about four times as fast as the speediest downhill skier.

Why can winter storms be so dangerous?
Most deaths from winter storms are not directly related to the storm itself.

People die in traffic accidents on icy roads.

People die of heart attacks while shoveling snow.

People die of hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold.

Everyone is potentially at risk during winter storms. The actual threat to you depends on your specific situation. Recent observations show that:

Of injuries related to ice and snow:

About 70% occur in automobiles.

About 25% are people caught out in the storm.

Majority are males over 40 years old.

Of injuries related to exposure to cold:

50% are people over 60 years old.

Over 75% are males.

About 20% occur in the home.

What is Wind Chill?
The wind chill is the temperature your body feels when the air temperature is combined with the wind speed. The higher the wind speed the faster exposed areas of your body lose heat and the colder you feel.

Click here to use a wind chill calculator!

What is frostbite?
Frostbite is damage to the skin due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, usually below 32° F.

WINTER STORM OUTLOOK - Issued prior to a Winter Storm Watch. The Outlook is given when forecasters believe winter storm conditions are possible and are usually issued 3 to 5 days in advance of a winter storm.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES - Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet which will cause significant inconveniences and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.

WINTER STORM WATCH - Alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Winter Storm Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the beginning of a winter storm.

WINTER STORM WARNING - Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected.

BLIZZARD WARNING - Issued for sustained or gusty winds of 35 mph or more, and falling or blowing snow creating visibilities at or below 1/4 mile. These conditions should persist for 3 hours.

FROST/FREEZE WARNING - Issued when below freezing temperatures are expected.

LAKE EFFECT SNOW ADVISORY - Issued when accumulation of lake effect snow will cause significant inconvenience.

LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING - Issued when heavy lake effect snow is occurring.

WIND CHILL ADVISORY - Issued when the wind chill temperature is forecast to be between -15°F to -24°F.

WIND CHILL WARNING - Issued when the wind chill temperature is forecast to be -25°F or lower.

DENSE FOG ADVISORY - Issued when fog will reduce visibility to ¼ mile or less over a widespread area.

SNOW FLURRIES - Light snow falling for short durations. No accumulation or light dusting is all that is expected.

SNOW SHOWERS - Snow falling at varying intensities for brief periods of time. Some accumulation is possible.

BLOWING SNOW - Wind-driven snow that reduces visibility and causes significant drifting. Blowing snow may be snow that is falling and/or loose snow on the ground picked up by the wind.

Click Here to see if there are any active warnings in your area.

BEFORE A WINTER STORM: Have a disaster plan and prepare a disaster supplies kit for your home and car. Include a first aid kit, emergency food supply, bottled water, battery-operated radio, flashlight, protective clothing, and blankets. Don't forget, be aware of changing weather.

DURING A WINTER STORM: Stay indoors and dress warmly. Eat regularly, because food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat. Also, drink lots of water. If you must go outside, wear layered clothing, mittens and a hat. Watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Remember to keep dry. Always change wet clothing to prevent the loss of body heat. If you must drive, carry a cell phone. Always, keep the gas tank full. Don't forget, let someone know where you're going, just in case your car gets stuck. If you're car gets stuck, stay with it and wait for help unless help is visible within 100 yards. Use maps and car mats to stay warm.

AFTER A WINTER STORM: Avoid driving until conditions have improved. Avoid overexertion! Heart attacks from shoveling snow are the leading cause of deaths during the winter. Also, check on neighbors to make sure they're okay.

In an average winter in the United States, about 100,000 avalanches will tumble down mountainsides. This is why you should always stay on a path and try not to ever venture in the backcountry. In the United States and Canada, crashing walls of white will tumble over about 300 people. Most will be skiers, snowboarders, or snowmobilers who set out to have fun. Many will be buried by snow. Most will survive, although some will not.
SAFETY FIRST:

Never travel alone!

Heed warning signs in avalanche-prone areas.

Stay alert in backcountry areas.

Travel single file, not side by side in the backcountry.

ALWAYS CARRY SAFETY EQUIPMENT:

Make sure you have a long probe, small shovel and always carry an emergency avalanche rescue beacon that signals your location.
IF YOU GET CAUGHT:

Try to get to the side of it.

If you can't, grab a tree as an anchor.

IF YOU GET SWEPT AWAY:

"Swim" with the slide to stay as close to the surface as you can. I know this sounds weird, but this could save your life.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on learning about winter weather. In this activity, kids investigate aspects of winter weather, such as temperature and wind. They familiarize themselves with weather-related words. It's a great activity for K-2nd graders.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on learning about winter weather. In this activity, kids learn how winter storms form and about the different types of fronts. It's a great activity for 3rd-5th graders. Note: This is a PDF file, so you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Measuring Snow Experiment: Here is a great experiment that lets kids measure snow. They let the snow melt and then measure it again. It teaches kids that snow is very dense and is why it holds more space than water.

Melting Snow Experiment: Here is another experiment that teaches kids the difference between the freezing and melting process. It allows kids to take the temperature of a glass of snow. Then, watch the snow melt and observe how the temperature changed.

Examining Snowflakes Experiment: Here is a great experiment that lets kids see snowflakes up close. They can examine the snowflake's six sides.

Make Dew And Frost Experiment: Here is a great experiment that lets kids make dew and frost. They can see how dew turns into frost in a matter of minutes.

Suck An Egg Into A Bottle Experiment: Here is an experiment that shows how pressure is created in our atmosphere by sucking an egg in a bottle. This is a very cool experiment!

Make Your Own Barometer I Experiment: Here is an experiment that allows the kids to make a barometer.

Make Your Own Barometer II Experiment: Here is an experiment that allows the kids to make a barometer.

Create Evaporation Experiment: Here is an experiment that shows kids how evaporation takes place.

Science Fair Project Ideas: Here is a complete list of science fair project ideas. Discover the science behind the weather that impacts us every day.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How is snow formed? Snow is commonly formed when water vapor undergoes deposition, which is when water vapor changes directly to ice without first becoming a liquid, high in the atmosphere at a temperature of less than 32°F and then falls to the ground. What are snowflakes? Snowflakes are made of ice crystals.

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=94

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is a wildfire?
A wildfire also known as a wildland fire, forest fire, vegetation fire, grass fire, peat fire, bushfire (in Australia), or hill fire is an uncontrolled fire often occurring in wildland areas, but which can also consume houses or agricultural resources. Wildfires often begin unnoticed, but they spread quickly igniting brush, trees and homes.

What causes a wildfire?
Common causes of wildfires include lightning, human carelessness, arson, volcano eruption, and pyroclastic cloud from active volcano. Heat waves, droughts, and cyclical climate changes such as El Niño can also have a dramatic effect on the risk of wildfires. Although, more than four out of every five wildfires are caused by people.

Where can wildfires occur?
Wildfires can occur anywhere, but are common in the forested areas of the United States and Canada. They are also susceptible in many places around the world, including much of the vegetated areas of Australia as well as in the Western Cape of South Africa. The climates are sufficiently moist to allow the growth of trees, but feature extended dry, hot periods. Fires are particularly prevalent in the summer and fall, and during droughts when fallen branches, leaves, and other material can dry out and become highly flammable. Wildfires are also common in grasslands and scrublands.

What are the Santa Ana winds?
The Santa Ana winds are hot, dry winds that aggravate the fire danger in forests and bush lands. These winds characteristically appear in Southern California and Northern Baja California weather during autumn and early winter. In southern California, under the influence of Santa Ana winds, wildfires can move at tremendous speeds, up to 40 miles in a single day, consuming up to 1,000 acres per hour. Dense clouds of burning embers push ahead of the flames crossing firebreaks without a problem.

What is a fire tornado?
A fire tornado or fire whirl is just a tornado made of fire. It happens when certain conditions (depending on air temperature and currents), acquires a vertical vorticity and forms a whirl, or a tornado-like effect. Fire tornadoes may be whirlwinds separated from the flames, either within the burn area or outside it. A fire tornado can make fires more dangerous.

How do firefighters put out the wildfires?
Firefighters use a tool known as a pulaski. Its a combination of an ax and hoe used to dig a fireline. A fireline is a strip of land from which all brush and debris have been cleared to rob a wildfire of its fuel. Firefighters also use hotshots and smoke jumpers to clear a large path in a big circle around the fire so the blaze is contained in a ring of dirt. When the fire reaches this area, it runs out of fuel and starves to death. If the fire is too large, however, planes and helicopters fly overhead, dropping water and special chemicals that smother the flames. This pink, fire-retardant chemical is called sky jell-o.

Click Here to get the latest wildfire information.

Click Here for to get more wildfire information.

Click Here to see if there has been any recent wildfire activity across the U.S.

SURFACE FIRES - The most common type of wildfires, surface fires move slowly and burn along the forest floor, killing and damaging vegetation.

GROUND FIRES - These are usually started by lightning, ground fires burn on or below the forest floor through the root system.

CROWN FIRES - These fires spread by wind moving quickly along the tops of trees.

SANTA ANA WINDS - "Santa Ana" is the name given to the gusty northeast or east wind that occurs in Southern California during the fall and winter months. Santa Ana winds are often hot and very dry, greatly aggravating the fire danger in forests and bush lands.

CONFLAGRATION - A large and destructive fire, typically aggravated by strong winds that carry firebrands over natural or artificial barriers.

Click Here to learn about more wildfire facts!

BEFORE A WILDFIRE: Have a disaster plan. Know whether you're in a wildfire prone area. Plant fire resistant shrubs and trees around your home. Have a garden hose that is long enough to reach around your home. Prepare a disaster supplies kit for your home and car. Include a first aid kit, canned food and a can opener, bottled water, battery-operated radio, flashlight, protective clothing and written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water. Always listen to the radio and television for the latest information and instructions for your area.

DURING A WILDFIRE: If you're advised to evacuate then do so immediately. Wear protective clothing and lock your home. Tell someone you left and where you are going. Choose a safe route away from fire hazards. Watch for changes in the speed and direction of fire and smoke.

AFTER A WILDFIRE: Stay away from wildfire areas until it is safe.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on teaching students to have an escape plan if a fire threatens their home.

Science Fair Project Ideas: Here is a complete list of science fair project ideas. Discover the science behind the weather that impacts us every day.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What is a wildfire? A wildfire also known as a wildland fire, forest fire, vegetation fire, grass fire, peat fire, bushfire (in Australia), or hill fire is an uncontrolled fire often occurring in wildland areas, but which can also consume houses or agricultural resources.

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=98

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is a volcano?
A volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a pool of molten rock below the surface of the earth. When pressure builds up, eruptions occur. Gases and rock shoot up through the opening and spill over or fill the air with lava fragments. Eruptions can cause lateral blasts, lava flows, hot ash flows, mudslides, avalanches, falling ash and floods. Volcano eruptions have been known to knock down entire forests. An erupting volcano can trigger tsunamis, flash floods, earthquakes, mudflows and rockfalls.

Click Here to learn more about volcanoes from USGS.

How are volcanoes formed?
Volcanoes are formed when magma from within the Earth's upper mantle works its way to the surface. At the surface, it erupts to form lava flows and ash deposits. Over time as the volcano continues to erupt, it will get bigger and bigger.

What are the different stages of volcanoes?
Scientists have categorized volcanoes into three main categories: active, dormant, and extinct. An active volcano is one which has recently erupted and there is a possibility that it may erupt soon. A dormant volcano is one which has not erupted in a long time but there is a possibility it can erupt in the future. An extinct volcano is one which has erupted thousands of years ago and there's no possibility of eruption.

Why do volcanoes erupt?
The Earth's crust is made up of huge slabs called plates, which fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. These plates sometimes move. The friction causes earthquakes and volcanic eruptions near the edges of the plates. The theory that explains this process is called plate tectonics.

What are plate tectonics?
The theory of plate tectonics is a interesting story of continents drifting from place to place breaking apart, colliding, and grinding against each other. The plate tectonic theory is supported by a wide range of evidence that considers the earth's crust and upper mantle to be composed of several large, thin, relatively rigid plates that move relative to one another. The plates are all moving in different directions and at different speeds. Sometimes the plates crash together, pull apart or sideswipe each other. When this happens, it commonly results in earthquakes.
Click Here to learn more about plate tectonics and the drifting of our continents.

How many volcanoes are there?
There are more than 1500 active volcanoes on the Earth. We currently know of 80 or more which are under the oceans. Active volcanoes in the U.S. are found mainly in Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington.

What is the difference between lava and magma?
Magma is liquid rock inside a volcano. Lava is liquid rock (magma) that flows out of a volcano. Fresh lava glows red hot to white hot as it flows.

Why does lava take a long time to cool down?
Lava cools slowly because lava is a poor conductor of heat. Lava flows slow down and thicken as they harden.

What is a pyroclastic flow?
A pyroclastic flow is a fluidized mixture of solid to semi-solid fragments and hot, expanding gases that flows down the sides of a volcano. These awesome features are heavier-than-air emulsions that move much like a snow avalanche, except that they are fiercely hot, contain toxic gases, and move at phenomenal, hurricane-force speeds. They are the most deadly of all volcanic phenomena.

What is lahar?
A lahar is a type of mudflow or debris flow composed of pyroclastic material, rocky debris, and water. The material flows down from a volcano, typically along a river valley. It is very dangerous because it's consistency and the way it acts is very much like cement. It is liquid when it's moving, but when it stops, it solidifies. This can cause just as much devastation as lava itself.

What is pumice?
Pumice is a light, porous volcanic rock that forms during explosive eruptions. It resembles a sponge because it consists of a network of gas bubbles frozen amidst fragile volcanic glass and minerals. All types of magma (basalt, andesite, dacite, and rhyolite) will form pumice.

What is the largest active volcano?
The world's largest, active volcano is Mauna Loa in Hawaii, where famous coffee is grown in the rich volcanic soils. Mauna Loa is 13,677 feet above sea level. From its base below sea level to its summit, Mauna Loa is taller than Mount Everest.

What is the Ring of Fire?
The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions encircling the basin of the Pacific Ocean. The Ring of Fire has 452 volcanoes and is home to over 50% of the world's active and dormant volcanoes. Ninety percent of the world's earthquakes and 81% of the world's largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire.

What is volcanic lightning?
Volcanic lightning, also known as dirty thunderstorms, is capable of producing some of the most powerful and visually striking lightning storms on Earth. Not all volcanic eruptions produce lightning. When it does occur, a single eruption can create multiple, separate lightning storms. The lightning seems to be set off by explosions during the eruption, although not all explosions cause lightning. During recent eruptions that displayed lightning, scientists observed the most intense lightning occurred at the beginning of the eruption and gradually decreased as the eruption continued, sometimes over a period of weeks.

When is a volcano considered active?
Surprisingly, there is no consensus among volcanologists on how to define an active volcano. The lifespan of a volcano can vary from months to several million years, making such a distinction sometimes meaningless when compared to the lifespans of humans or even civilizations. For example, many of Earth's volcanoes have erupted dozens of times in the past few thousand years but are not currently showing signs of activity. Given the long lifespan of such volcanoes, they are very active. By our lifespans, however, they are not.

What is a Vulcanian Eruption?
A vulcanian eruption is a type of explosive eruption that ejects new lava fragments that do not take on a rounded shape during their flight through the air. This may be because the lava is too viscous or already solidified. These moderate-sized explosive eruptions commonly eject a large proportion of volcanic ash and also breadcrust bombs and blocks.

What is a mud volcano?
In volcanic regions, mud volcanoes are usually small volcano-shaped cones of mud. They are built as mud erupts from a vent, either as a flowing liquid or ejected into the air. The mud is formed as acid gases rise through the crust, react with rock and turn it into clay. The mud is a mixture of clay and groundwater. The mud volcanoes erupt following pressurization from geothermal steam and gases.

What is a tsunami?
A tsunami is a large ocean wave usually caused by an underwater earthquake or a volcanic explosion. Tsunamis are NOT tidal waves. Tidal waves are caused by the forces of the moon, sun, and planets upon the tides, as well as the wind as it moves over the water. With typical waves, water flows in circles, but with a tsunami, water flows straight. This is why tsunamis cause so much damage!

Click Here to see an animation of an earthquake and the resulting tsunami. It's great for kids, because they get to see how it actually happens!
Click Here to get the latest tsunami warning information from the NWS.

What is the difference between active, dormant and extinct volcanoes?

Active volcanoes - Scientists usually consider a volcano active if it is currently erupting or showing signs of unrest, such as unusual earthquake activity or significant new gas emissions. Many scientists also consider a volcano active if it has erupted in historic time. It's important to note that the span of recorded history differs from region to region; in the Mediterranean, recorded history reaches back more than 3,000 years but in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, it reaches back less than 300 years, and in Hawaii, little more than 200 years.

Dormant volcanoes - Dormant volcanoes are those that are not currently active (as defined above), but could become restless or erupt again.

Extinct volcanoes - Extinct volcanoes are those that scientists consider unlikely to erupt again. Whether a volcano is truly extinct is often difficult to determine. For example, since calderas have lifespans sometimes measured in millions of years, a caldera that hasn't produced an eruption in tens of thousands of years is likely to be considered dormant instead of extinct. Yellowstone caldera in Yellowstone National Park is at least 2 million years old and hasn't erupted for 70,000 years, yet scientists do not consider Yellowstone as extinct. In fact, because the caldera has frequent earthquakes, a very active geothermal system, and rapid rates of ground uplift, many scientists consider it to be a very active volcano.

What are the different types of volcanoes?
Volcanoes are grouped into four types: cinder cones, composite volcanoes, and shield volcanoes.

Cinder cones are circular or oval cones made up of small fragments of lava from a single vent that have been blown into the air, cooled and fallen around the vent.

Composite volcanoes which are also called 'stratovolcanoes' are steep-sided volcanoes composed of many layers of volcanic rocks, usually made from high-viscosity lava, ash and rock debris. Mt. Rainier and Mount St. Helens are examples of this type of volcano.

Shield volcanoes are volcanoes shaped like a bowl or shield in the middle with long gentle slopes made by basaltic lava flows. Basalt lava flows from these volcanoes are called flood basalts. The volcanoes that formed the basalt of the Columbia Plateau were shield volcanoes.

When did Mount St. Helens erupt?
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted. It's located in southwestern Washington State in the Cascade Range. The blast was heard as far away as Montana, Idaho, Canada and California. Fifty-seven people died and the eruption caused $1.2 billion in damage.

Click Here for more info on Mount St. Helens.

What are some other notable volcano eruptions?
Krakatoa was a dormant volcano in Indonesia, which awakened and produced one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in 1883. So massive was the eruption that the sound of it was heard as far away as Australia. It's widely reported as the loudest sound heard in recorded history. The Krakatoa eruption created a huge amount of ash cloud which covered the Earth and reduced global temperatures for 5 years! A total of 40,000 people died in that explosion and an entire chain of the volcanic island was destroyed. For more info: Click Here!

Mount Pelee was a dormant volcano situated in the Caribbean island of Martinique. In 1902, it erupted in a massive horizontal explosion sending huge clouds of ash released towards the nearby town of Saint-Pierre. The side of the volcano exploded and lava flowed straight into the town, killing 30,000 people in a matter of minutes. It is regarded as one of the biggest and most devastating volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, a benchmark for future eruptions.

Mount Fujiyama, also popularly known as Mount Fuji, is an active volcano which last erupted in 1708. It is incidentally the tallest mountain in Japan. If you are visiting Tokyo, the capital of Japan, look in the west on a clear day and you will be able to see Mount Fuji. It is an iconic volcano. Mount Fuji is 3,776 meters high and it is snow clad throughout the year, with five lakes surrounding it. Currently in a state of dormancy, there has not been any eruption reported for more than 300 years. The last known eruption lasted for about 3 weeks during which it covered the surrounding villages with ash and cinders. Mount Fuji is now a popular tourist location with a large number of climbers actively scaling the mountain top.

MAGMA - Magma is the liquid rock inside a volcano.

LAVA - Lava is the liquid rock (magma) that flows out of a volcano. Lava glows red hot to white hot as it flows.

ACTIVE VOLCANO - An active volcano is one that erupts regularly.

DORMANT VOLCANO - A dormant volcano is one that has not erupted for many years, although there is still some activity deep inside.

EXTINCT VOLCANO - An extinct volcano is a volcano that is no longer active.

GEYSERS - Geysers are springs that throw boiling water high in the air. They are caused by volcanic heat warming trapped ground water.

ASH - Ash are very small fragments of lava or rock blasted into the air by volcanic explosions.

PUMICE - It is a light-colored volcanic rock containing lots of bubbles from trapped gases.

BASALT - Basalt is a hard, black volcanic rock.

CALDERA - A caldera is a large, usually circular depression at the summit of a volcano formed when magma is withdrawn or erupted from a shallow underground magma reservoir.

ERUPTION CLOUD - A cloud of tephra and gases that forms downwind of an erupting volcano is called an eruption cloud.

FAULT - Faults are fractures or fracture zones in the Earth's crust along which one side moves with respect to the other. A fault scarp is a cliff or steep slope that sometimes forms along the fault at the surface.

FISSURE - On volcanoes, a fissure is an elongate fracture or crack at the surface from which lava erupts.

PILLOW LAVA - When basalts erupt underwater, they commonly form pillow lavas, which are mounds of elongate lava "pillows" formed by repeated oozing and quenching of the hot basalt.

PRYOCLASTIC FLOW - A pyroclastic flow is a ground-hugging avalanche of hot ash, pumice, rock fragments, and volcanic gas that rushes down the side of a volcano.

TEPHRA - Tephra is a general term for fragments of volcanic rock and lava regardless of size that are blasted into the air by explosions or carried upward by hot gases in eruption columns or lava fountains.

VENT - Vents are openings in the Earth's crust from which molten rock and volcanic gases escape onto the ground or into the atmosphere.

OBSIDIAN - Obsidian is dense volcanic glass, usually rhyolite in composition and typically black in color.

Click Here to see if there has been any recent volcanic activity across the U.S.

PLAN FOR A VOLCANO: First of all, have a disaster plan and know whether or not you are at risk for danger. Be prepared for mudslides, flash floods, earthquakes, ash falling, acid rain and tsunamis. Prepare a disaster supplies kit for your home and car. Include a first aid kit, canned food and a can opener, bottled water, battery-operated radio, flashlight, protective clothing, dust mask, goggles and sturdy shoes. Don't forget, know all of your evacuation routes.

DURING A VOLCANO: Follow the evacuation order issued by authorities. Avoid areas downwind and river valleys downstream of the volcano. If your caught indoors, close all windows and doors, put machinery inside a barn, and bring animals inside. If you're trapped outdoors, seek shelter indoors. If you're caught in falling rocks, roll into a ball and protect your head. If you're caught near a stream, be aware of mudflows and move to higher ground. Protect yourself when ash falls by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Use goggles to protect your eyes. Wear a dust mask and keep car engines off.

AFTER A VOLCANO: Cover you mouth and nose. Volcanic ash can irritate your respiratory system. Wear goggles and protect your eyes. Keep your skin covered. Clear roofs of ash, because the ash is very heavy and can cause the building to collapse.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What is a volcano? A volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a pool of molten rock below the surface of the earth. When pressure builds up, eruptions occur. Gases and rock shoot up through the opening and spill over or fill the air with lava fragments.

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=100

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is a tsunami?
A tsunami is a large ocean wave usually caused by an underwater earthquake or a volcanic explosion. Tsunamis are NOT tidal waves. Tidal waves are caused by the forces of the moon, sun, and planets upon the tides, as well as the wind as it moves over the water. With typical waves, water flows in circles, but with a tsunami, water flows straight. This is why tsunamis cause so much damage!

How are tsunamis generated?
Tsunamis are generated by any large, impulsive displacement of the sea level. The most common cause of a tsunami is sea floor uplift associated with an earthquake. Tsunamis are also triggered by landslides into or under the water surface, and can be generated by volcanic activity and meteorite impacts.

How often do tsunamis occur?
On the average, two tsunamis occur per year throughout the world which inflict damage near the source. Approximately every 15 years a destructive, ocean-wide tsunami occurs.

Can strike-slip (horizontal motion) earthquakes trigger tsunamis?
Yes, approximately 10-15% of damaging tsunamis are triggered by strike-slip earthquakes. This type of earthquake is less likely to trigger a tsunami than one with vertical motion. The waves are likely generated by associated landslides or motion of a sloping bathymetric feature. Tsunamis generated by strike-slip earthquakes normally affect regions near the source only.

What does the word "tsunami" mean?
Tsunami (soo-NAH-mee) is a Japanese word meaning harbor wave.

How fast do tsunamis travel?
Tsunami velocity depends on the depth of water through which it travels. Velocity equals the square root of the product of the water depth times the acceleration of gravity. Tsunamis travel approximately 475 mph in 15,000 feet of water. In 100 feet of water the velocity drops to about 40 mph.

Did you know...A tsunami travels from the central Aleutian Islands to Hawaii in about 5 hours and to California in about 6 hours, or from the Portugal coast to North Carolina in about 8.5 hours.

How big is a tsunami?
Tsunamis range in size from inches to over a hundred feet. In deep water (greater than 600 feet), tsunamis are rarely over 3 feet and are not normally noticed by ships due to their long period or time between crests. As tsunamis propagate into shallow water, the wave height can increase by over 10 times. Tsunami heights vary greatly along a coast. The waves can be amplified by shoreline and sea floor features. A large tsunami can flood low-lying coastal land over a mile from the coast.

What does a tsunami look like when it reaches shore?
Normally, a tsunami appears as a rapidly advancing or receding tide. In some cases, a wall of water or series of breaking waves may form.

How is a tsunami different from a wind-generated wave?
Wind-generated waves usually have periods or time between crests between 5 and 15 seconds. Tsunami periods normally range from 5 to 60 minutes. Also, wind-generated waves break as they shoal and lose energy offshore. Tsunamis act more like a flooding wave. A twenty foot tsunami is a twenty foot rise in sea level.

What are nature's signs that a tsunami may be imminent?
There are a few signs like hard ground shaking for 20+ seconds near the coast or a sudden sea level withdrawal. Tsunamis may be accompanied by loud, booming noises.

Can earthquakes and tsunamis be predicted?
No, earthquakes cannot be predicted. Once an earthquake has occurred, the arrival time of a tsunami, if generated, can be determined accurately. There is not normally enough time to accurately predict tsunami heights near the source. Away from the source, tsunami wave heights can be estimated based on mathematical tsunami models and observed wave heights.

Aerial video of the tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11, 2011.

Click Here to see an animation of an earthquake and the resulting tsunami. It's great for kids, because they get to see how it actually happens!
What are some of the most damaging tsunamis?

Japan: Major tsunami in 2011 generated in the Pacific Ocean.

Asia: Asian tsunami in 2004 generated in the Indian Ocean.

Alaska: Major tsunamis were generated along the Alaskan coast in 1946, 1957, 1958, 1964, and 1965. Many other locally generated tsunamis occurred prior to those dates.

US/Canada West Coast: Tsunamis were generated locally in 1812, 1873, 1878, 1927, 1930, 1946 and 1949. The west coast was also impacted by tsunamis generated in other regions in 1877, 1946, 1952, 1957, 1960, 1964, 1975, 2006, and 2010.

US/Canada Atlantic Coast: Tsunamis were recorded in 1755, 1884, 1886, and 1929.

Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands experienced damaging tsunamis in 1867 and 1918.

Click Here for the NOAA/National Geophysical Data Center tsunami catalog.

TSUNAMI WARNING- A tsunami warning indicates that a tsunami may be imminent and that coastal locations in the warned area should prepare for flooding. The initial warning is typically based solely on seismic information. After the tsunami is recorded on sea level gages, the warning will be cancelled, restricted, expanded, or downgraded to an advisory. Warnings indicate that flooding up to the maximum expected limit is possible and residents should follow their local emergency management instructions. Warnings are issued when the earthquake information or tsunami forecasts indicate that a wave over 1 meter in amplitude is expected, possible, or ongoing.

TSUNAMI ADVISORY- A tsunami advisory indicates a tsunami which may produce strong currents and is dangerous to those in or very near the water is expected. Large inundations are not expected in areas under advisory status. Advisories will be cancelled, extended, or upgraded to a warning depending on the event severity. Advisories are issued when the tsunami forecast is in the range of 0.3 to 1 meter, or an observed tsunami is in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 meters.

TSUNAMI WATCH- A tsunami watch is an early alert issued to areas which may later be impacted by a tsunami. Tsunami impact is normally at least three hours away for regions within a tsunami watch. The watch will either be upgraded to a warning or advisory in subsequent messages or cancelled depending on the severity of the tsunami. People within a watch area should stay alert for further information regarding tsunami threat.

CREST - The top of a wave.

FJORD - A narrow sea inlet between cliffs or steep slopes.

SURGE - A large wave or billow.

TROUGH - The lowest point between waves.

Click Here to get the latest tsunami warning information from the NWS.

PLAN FOR A TSUNAMI: Have a disaster plan. Know whether you're at risk for danger. Plan an evacuation route. Prepare a disaster supplies kit for your home and car. Include a first aid kit, canned food and a can opener, bottled water, battery-operated radio, flashlight, protective clothing and written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water.

DURING A TSUNAMI: Follow the instructions issued by local authorities. You will probably want to evacuate immediately. Get to higher ground and as far inland as you can.

AFTER A TSUNAMI: Help injured or trapped people. Stay out of a building if water remains around it. Tsunami waters can cause buildings to sink, floors to crack, or walls to collapse. When re-entering homes, use extreme caution. Check for gas leaks. Open windows and doors to help dry things out. Look for fire hazards.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on learning about tsunamis. Note: This is a PDF file, so you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on tracking a tsunami.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on tsunamis and how they devastating effects they may cause in the world.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What is a tsunami? A tsunami is a large ocean wave usually caused by an underwater earthquake or a volcanic explosion. Tsunamis are NOT tidal waves. Tidal waves are caused by the forces of the moon, sun, and planets upon the tides, as well as the wind as it moves over the water.

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=1331

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What are sinkholes?
Sinkholes are pits in the ground that form in areas where water gathers without external drainage. Sinkholes mainly occur as water drains below ground. It can dissolve subterranean caverns, particularly in areas where the bedrock is made of water-soluble evaporate rocks such as salt or gypsum or of carbonate rocks such as limestone or dolomite.

What causes sinkholes?
Sinkholes can be natural or man made. Natural sinkholes occur due to erosion or underground water. They start developing long time before it actually appears. The ground beneath our feet is not as much of a solid structure as we think it is. The ground is made from dirt, along with many rocks and minerals. There is water continually seeping in between the mud, rocks and minerals, as it makes its way down to the ground water reservoirs. As this happens, the water slowly erodes the rocks and minerals. Sometimes the flow of water increases to a point when it washes away the underground structure of the land. And when the structure becomes too weak to support the surface of the earth, it collapses and opens up a hole. This is how sinkholes are formed.

What type of bedrock is more susceptible to sinkholes?
Areas that have a bedrock made of limestone, salt deposits or carbonate rock are most susceptible to erosion and the formation of such holes. These rocks tend to erode as acidic water passes through them. When rainwater passes through decaying plant debris, it tend to become more acidic. Over a period of years, overlying sediments collapse and a sinkhole develops. Sometimes the holes are small, measuring a few feet wide and ten to fifteen feet deep. Others can be hundreds of miles wide and deep. However, all of them can be dangerous for those that get caught in them. There are three major kinds of sinkholes. Their formation is determined by the same geological processes, barring a few differences.

Can humans cause sinkholes?
Yes! Humans are also responsible for the formation of sinkholes. Activities like drilling, mining, construction, broken water or drain pipes, improperly compacted soil after excavation work or even heavy traffic can result in small to large sinkholes. Water from broken pipe can penetrate through mud and rocks and erode the ground underneath and cause sinkholes. Sometimes, heavy weight on soft soil can result in collapse of ground, resulting in a sinkhole. Sinkholes can also form when the land surface is changed.

How quickly do sinkholes form?
Most of the time, sinkholes form gradually. Occasionally, though, the collapse is sudden. Those sudden sinkholes are often the ones that open up and swallow cars, homes and streets.

Why are there so many sinkholes?
Most of the sinkholes we are seeing at the moment are at least indirectly created by human activity. They're occuring just to the sides of human constructions where rain water has been concentrated on a particular patch of ground in the form of run-off from roofs and tarmac. However, these local factors wouldn't matter if it wasn't for the wider picture. The Southeast, where most of the sinkholes have appeared, has not only suffered one of the wettest winters in recent decades, but is also natural sinkhole country as most of the bedrock is the soluble chalk.

What are some notable sinkholes?
In 2010 one of the most devastating sinkholes in recent times hit Guatemala City. An area approximately 65ft wide and 100ft deep collapsed, swallowing a three-story factory and killing 15 people. The sinkhole was caused by a number of factors including an influx of water from Tropical Storm Agatha and leakage from a local sewerage pipe.

On February 12, 2014, a sinkhole some 40ft wide and 20ft deep opened under the floor of the Skydome area of the National Corvette Museum causing a portion of the floor to collapse. Eight rare and one-of-a-kind Corvettes, portions of the display stands and rails, large concrete floor slabs and dirt fell into the sinkhole, causing serious damage to some of the Corvettes. The Corvettes involved have an estimated value of a million dollars.

Do sinkholes happen in other parts of the world?
Yes! The deepest we know about is the Xiaozhai tiankeng in China. Tiankeng is the local term for large sinkholes and translates literally as 'heavenly pit'. This particular example in the Chongqing district is a staggering 662m deep and 626m wide.

Other notable sinkholes include Sima Humboldt in Bolivia, a crater 314m deep and formed from extremely resistant sandstone.

The Great Blue Hole in Belize, a perfectly round hole in the middle of an atoll which is 124m deep.

Finally, Crveno Jezero in Croatia, a 530m deep sinkhole with nearly vertical walls.

How many types of sinkholes are there?
The three major types of sinkholes know to us are : Solution, Cover Collapse and Cover Subsidence.

Solution sinkholes are most commonly seen in areas that have a very thin cover of soil on the surface, exposing the bedrock below to continual erosion by water. As the water percolates through the bedrock, it carries away small parts of the rock with it. As the bedrock erodes, particles collect in the spaces it leaves. Over a period of time, a small depression is formed. It is at this point where the hole forms. The hole is usually bowl shaped and can be quite large. Sometimes the bedrock may collapse all of a sudden to form such a solution sinkhole and other times it happens over time.

The second kind of sinkholes are known as Cover Collapse sinkhole. These take place when the bedrock is covered by a deep layer of soil and earth. Once the bedrock begins to get eroded, crack start forming in the rocky areas around it. When this happens, a number of weak points begin to form in the layers of soil and strata above it. Finally, it comes to a point when the weak points become a large hole within the bedrock that cannot support the weight above it. The cover collapse usually happens in a sudden manner and can create large holes in a matter of minutes.

The last kind of sinkholes are known as Cover Subsidence Sinkhole. In this case, the hole is formed over a period of time. The bedrock here is covered by soil and materials which are not well knitted together. Areas that have soil comprising largely of clay or sand often face the occurrence of this hole. Once the bedrock starts to erode, the clay or sand starts permeating through the cracks and settles into the spaces left behind. Over time, this creates a cavity on the surface of the soil and not under it.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on the science of a sinkhole.

Lesson Plan: This is a fun lesson plan where kids can make a sinkhole in a cup.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on how sinkholes form.

Science Fair Project Ideas: Here is a complete list of science fair project ideas. Discover the science behind the weather that impacts us every day.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What are sinkholes? Sinkholes are pits in the ground that form in areas where water gathers without external drainage. Sinkholes mainly occur as water drains below ground. It can dissolve subterranean caverns, particularly in areas where the bedrock is made of water-soluble evaporate rocks such as salt or gypsum or of carbonate rocks such as limestone or dolomite.

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=1326

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is a landslide?
A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope due to gravity. The materials may move by falling, toppling, sliding, spreading, or flowing.

What causes a landslide?
Almost every landslide has multiple causes. Slope movement occurs when forces acting down-slope (mainly due to gravity) exceed the strength of the earth materials that compose the slope. Landslides can be triggered by rainfall, snowmelt, changes in water level, stream erosion, changes in ground water, earthquakes, volcanic activity, disturbance by human activities, or any combination of these factors.

What are submarine landslides?
Earthquake shaking and other factors can also induce landslides underwater. These landslides are called submarine landslides. Submarine landslides sometimes cause tsunamis that damage coastal areas.

Where do landslides occur?
Landslides in the United States occur in all 50 States. The primary regions of landslide occurrence and potential are the coastal and mountainous areas of California, Oregon, and Washington, the States comprising the intermountain west, and the mountainous and hilly regions of the Eastern United States. Alaska and Hawaii also experience all types of landslides.

How fast do landslide travel?
Landslides can move slowly, (millimeters per year) or can move quickly and disastrously, as is the case with debris flows. Debris flows can travel down a hillside at speeds up to 200 miles per hour (more commonly, 30 - 50 miles per hour), depending on the slope angle, water content, volume of debris, and type of earth and debris in the flow. These flows are initiated by heavy periods of rainfall, but sometimes can happen as a result of short bursts of concentrated rainfall or other factors in susceptible areas. Burned areas charred by wildfires are particularly susceptible to debris flows, given certain soil characteristics and slope conditions.

Why study landslides?
Landslides are a serious geologic hazard. It is estimated that in the United States they cause in excess of $1 billion in damages and from about 25 to 50 deaths each year. Globally, landslides cause billions of dollars in damages and thousands of deaths and injuries each year.

Who is most at risk for landslides?
As people move into new areas of hilly or mountainous terrain, it is important to understand the nature of their potential exposure to landslide hazards, and how cities, towns, and counties can plan for land-use, engineering of new construction and infrastructure, and other measures which will reduce the costs of living with landslides. Although the physical causes of many landslides cannot be removed, geologic investigations, good engineering practices, and effective enforcement of land-use management regulations can reduce landslide hazards.

Do human activities cause landslides?
Yes, in some cases human activities can be a contributing factor in causing landslides. Many human-caused landslides can be avoided or mitigated. They are commonly a result of building roads and structures without adequate grading of slopes, of poorly planned alteration of drainage patterns, and of disturbing old landslides.

Where can I find landslide information for my area?
The USGS National Landslide Information Center (NLIC) is a part of the U.S. Geological Survey Landslide Hazards Program that collects and distributes all forms of information related to landslides. The NLIC is designed to serve landslide researchers, geotechnical practitioners engaged in landslide stabilization, and anyone else concerned in any way with landslide education, hazard, safety, and mitigation. Every state in the US has a geoscience agency and most have some landslide information. The Association of American State Geologists provides links to the State Geologist for every state.

What was the most expensive landslide to fix in the United States?
The Thistle, Utah, landslide cost in excess of $200 million dollars to fix. The landslide occurred during the spring of 1983, when unseasonably warm weather caused rapid snowmelt to saturate the slope. The landslide destroyed the railroad tracks of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railway Company, and the adjacent Highway 89. It also flowed across the Spanish Fork River, forming a dam. The impounded river water inundated the small town of Thistle. The inhabitants of the town of Thistle, directly upstream from the landslide, were evacuated as the lake began to flood the town, and within a day the town was completely covered with water. Populations downstream from the dam were at risk because of the possible overtopping of the landslide by the lake. This could cause a catastrophic outburst of the dam with a massive flood downstream. Eventually, a drain system was engineered to drain the lake and avert the potential disaster.

How many deaths result from landslides?
An average of between 25 and 50 people are killed by landslides each year in the United States. The worldwide death toll per year due to landslides is in the thousands. Most landslide fatalities are from rock fall, debris-flows, or volcanic debris flows.

What should I know about wildfires and debris flows?
Wild land fires are inevitable in the western United States. Expansion of human development into forested areas has created a situation where wildfires can adversely affect lives and property, as can the flooding and landslides that occur in the aftermath of the fires. There is a need to develop tools and methods to identify and quantify the potential hazards posed by landslides produced from burned watersheds. Post-fire landslide hazards include fast-moving, highly destructive debris flows that can occur in the years immediately after wildfires in response to high intensity rainfall events, and those flows that are generated over longer time periods accompanied by root decay and loss of soil strength. Post-fire debris flows are particularly hazardous because they can occur with little warning, can exert great impulsive loads on objects in their paths, and can strip vegetation, block drainage ways, damage structures, and endanger human life. Wildfires could potentially result in the destabilization of pre-existing deep-seated landslides over long time periods.

How do landslides cause tsunamis?
Tsunamis are large, potentially deadly and destructive sea waves, most of which are formed as a result of submarine earthquakes. They may also result from the eruption or collapse of island or coastal volcanoes and the formation of giant landslides on marine margins. These landslides, in turn, are often triggered by earthquakes. Tsunamis can be generated on impact as a rapidly moving landslide mass enters the water or as water displaces behind and ahead of a rapidly moving underwater landslide.

What are some examples of landslides that have caused tsunamis?
The 1964 Alaska earthquake caused 115 deaths in Alaska alone, with 106 of those due to tsunamis generated by tectonic uplift of the sea floor, and by localized subareal and submarine landslides. The earthquake shaking caused at least 5 local slide-generated tsunamis within minutes after the shaking began. An eyewitness account of the tsunami caused by the movement and landslides of the 1964 Alaska earthquake.

Research in the Canary Islands concludes that there have been at least five massive volcano landslides that occurred in the past, and that similar large events may occur in the future. Giant landslides have the potential of generating large tsunami waves at close and also very great distances and would have the potential to devastate large areas of coastal land as far away as the eastern seaboard of North America.

Rock falls and rock avalanches in coastal inlets, such as those that have occurred in the past at Tidal Inlet, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, have the potential to cause regional tsunamis that pose a hazard to coastal ecosystems and human settlements. On July 9, 1958, a magnitude M 7.9 earthquake on the Fairweather Fault triggered a rock avalanche at the head of Lituya Bay, Alaska. The landslide generated a wave that ran up 524 m on the opposite shore and sent a 30-m high wave through Lituya Bay, sinking two of three fishing boats and killing two persons.

How soon does the danger of landslides end after the rain stops?
It's not possible to exactly predict the number of days or weeks that landslides remain a danger after heavy rain. Residents near mountain slopes, canyons, and landslide prone areas should stay alert even after heavy rain subsides.

Why is southern California vulnerable to landslides?
Areas that have been burned by recent wildfires are highly susceptible to debris-flow activity that can be triggered by significantly less rainfall than that which triggers debris flows from unburned hill slopes.

What was the biggest landslide in the world?
The world's biggest historic landslide occurred during the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, a volcano in the Cascade Mountain Range in the State of Washington, USA. The volume of material was 2.8 cubic kilometers (km).

What was the biggest prehistoric landslide?
The world's biggest prehistoric landslide, discovered so far on land, is in southwestern Iran, and is named the Saidmarreh landslide. The landslide is located on the Kabir Kuh anticline in Southwest Iran at 33 degrees north latitude, 47.65 degrees east longitude. The landslide has a volume of about 20 cubic kilometers, a depth of 300 m, a travel distance of 14 km and a width of 5 km. This means that about 50 billion tons of rock moved in this single event!

Rotational slide: This is a slide in which the surface of rupture is curved concavely upward and the slide movement is roughly rotational about an axis that is parallel to the ground surface and transverse across the slide.

Translational slide: In this type of slide, the landslide mass moves along a roughly planar surface with little rotation or backward tilting.

Block slide: is a translational slide in which the moving mass consists of a single unit or a few closely related units that move downslope as a relatively coherent mass.

Fall: Falls are abrupt movements of masses of geologic materials, such as rocks and boulders, that become detached from steep slopes or cliffs. Separation occurs along discontinuities such as fractures, joints, and bedding planes, and movement occurs by free-fall, bouncing, and rolling. Falls are strongly influenced by gravity, mechanical weathering, and the presence of interstitial water.

Topple: Toppling failures are distinguished by the forward rotation of a unit or units about some pivotal point, below or low in the unit, under the actions of gravity and forces exerted by adjacent units or by fluids in cracks.

Debris flow: A debris flow is a form of rapid mass movement in which a combination of loose soil, rock, organic matter, air, and water mobilize as a slurry that flows downslope. Debris flows include less than 50% fines. Debris flows are commonly caused by intense surface-water flow, due to heavy precipitation or rapid snowmelt, that erodes and mobilizes loose soil or rock on steep slopes. Debris flows also commonly mobilize from other types of landslides that occur on steep slopes, are nearly saturated, and consist of a large proportion of silt- and sand-sized material. Debris-flow source areas are often associated with steep gullies, and debris-flow deposits are usually indicated by the presence of debris fans at the mouths of gullies. Fires that denude slopes of vegetation intensify the susceptibility of slopes to debris flows.

Debris avalanche: This is a variety of very rapid to extremely rapid debris flow.

Earthflow: Earthflows have a characteristic "hourglass" shape. The slope material liquefies and runs out, forming a bowl or depression at the head. The flow itself is elongate and usually occurs in fine-grained materials or clay-bearing rocks on moderate slopes and under saturated conditions. However, dry flows of granular material are also possible.
Mudflow: A mudflow is an earthflow consisting of material that is wet enough to flow rapidly and that contains at least 50 percent sand-, silt-, and clay-sized particles. In some instances, for example in many newspaper reports, mudflows and debris flows are commonly referred to as "mudslides."

Creep: Creep is the imperceptibly slow, steady, downward movement of slope-forming soil or rock. Movement is caused by shear stress sufficient to produce permanent deformation, but too small to produce shear failure. There are generally three types of creep: (1) seasonal, where movement is within the depth of soil affected by seasonal changes in soil moisture and soil temperature; (2) continuous, where shear stress continuously exceeds the strength of the material; and (3) progressive, where slopes are reaching the point of failure as other types of mass movements. Creep is indicated by curved tree trunks, bent fences or retaining walls, tilted poles or fences, and small soil ripples or ridges.

Lateral Spreads: Lateral spreads are distinctive because they usually occur on very gentle slopes or flat terrain. The dominant mode of movement is lateral extension accompanied by shear or tensile fractures. The failure is caused by liquefaction, the process whereby saturated, loose, cohesionless sediments (usually sands and silts) are transformed from a solid into a liquefied state. Failure is usually triggered by rapid ground motion, such as that experienced during an earthquake, but can also be artificially induced. When coherent material, either bedrock or soil, rests on materials that liquefy, the upper units may undergo fracturing and extension and may then subside, translate, rotate, disintegrate, or liquefy and flow. Lateral spreading in fine-grained materials on shallow slopes is usually progressive. The failure starts suddenly in a small area and spreads rapidly. Often the initial failure is a slump, but in some materials movement occurs for no apparent reason. Combination of two or more of the above types is known as a complex landslide.

SLIDES: Although many types of mass movements are included in the general term "landslide," the more restrictive use of the term refers only to mass movements, where there is a distinct zone of weakness that separates the slide material from more stable underlying material. The two major types of slides are rotational slides and translational slides.

FLOWS: There are five basic categories of flows that differ from one another in fundamental ways. Although there are multiple types of causes of landslides, the three that cause most of the damaging landslides around the world are these:

Landslides and Water: Slope saturation by water is a primary cause of landslides. This effect can occur in the form of intense rainfall, snowmelt, changes in ground-water levels, and waterlevel changes along coastlines, earth dams, and the banks of lakes, reservoirs, canals, and rivers. Landsliding and flooding are closely allied because both are related to precipitation, runoff, and the saturation of ground by water. In addition, debris flows and mudflows usually occur in small, steep stream channels and often are mistaken for floods; in fact, these two events often occur simultaneously in the same area. Landslides can cause flooding by forming landslide dams that block valleys and stream channels, allowing large amounts of water to back up. This causes backwater flooding and, if the dam fails, subsequent downstream flooding. Also, solid landslide debris can "bulk" or add volume and density to otherwise normal streamflow or cause channel blockages and diversions creating flood conditions or localized erosion. Landslides can also cause overtopping of reservoirs and/or reduced capacity of reservoirs to store water.

Landslides and Seismic Activity: Many mountainous areas that are vulnerable to landslides have also experienced at least moderate rates of earthquake occurrence in recorded times. The occurrence of earthquakes in steep landslide-prone areas greatly increases the likelihood that landslides will occur, due to ground shaking alone or shaking- caused dilation of soil materials, which allows rapid infiltration of water. The 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake caused widespread landsliding and other ground failure, which caused most of the monetary loss due to the earthquake. Other areas of the United States, such as California and the Puget Sound region in Washington, have experienced slides, lateral spreading, and other types of ground failure due to moderate to large earthquakes. Widespread rockfalls also are caused by loosening of rocks as a result of ground shaking. Worldwide, landslides caused by earthquakes kill people and damage structures at higher rates than in the United States.

Landslides and Volcanic Activity: Landslides due to volcanic activity are some of the most devastating types. Volcanic lava may melt snow at a rapid rate, causing a deluge of rock, soil, ash, and water that accelerates rapidly on the steep slopes of volcanoes, devastating anything in its path. These volcanic debris flows (also known as lahars) reach great distances, once they leave the flanks of the volcano, and can damage structures in flat areas surrounding the volcanoes. The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, in Washington triggered a massive landslide on the north flank of the volcano, the largest landslide in recorded times.

Landslide Mitigation - How to Reduce the Effects of Landslides: Vulnerability to landslide hazards is a function of location, type of human activity, use, and frequency of landslide events. The effects of landslides on people and structures can be lessened by total avoidance of landslide hazard areas or by restricting, prohibiting, or imposing conditions on hazard-zone activity. Local governments can reduce landslide effects through land-use policies and regulations. Individuals can reduce their exposure to hazards by educating themselves on the past hazard history of a site and by making inquiries to planning and engineering departments of local governments. They can also obtain the professional services of an engineering geologist, a geotechnical engineer, or a civil engineer, who can properly evaluate the hazard potential of a site, built or unbuilt.

The hazard from landslides can be reduced by avoiding construction on steep slopes and existing landslides, or by stabilizing the slopes. Stability increases when groundwater is prevented from rising in the landslide mass by (1) covering the landslide with an impermeable membrane, (2) directing surface water away from the landslide, (3) draining groundwater away from the landslide, and (4) minimizing surface irrigation. Slope stability is also increased when a retaining structure and/ or the weight of a soil/rock berm are placed at the toe of the landslide or when mass is removed from the top of the slope.

LANDSLIDE ADVISORY - a general statement about the potential of landslide activity in a given region relative to developing rainfall predictions. An advisory may include general statements about rainfall conditions that can lead to debris-flow activity, and list precautions to be taken in the event of heavy rainfall.

LANDSLIDE WATCH - means that landslide-activity will be possible, but is not imminent. People in, or planning to travel through, a watch area should check preparedness and stay informed about developing weather patterns.

LANDSLIDE WARNING - indicates that landslide activity is presently occurring and extreme caution should be taken.

FLOOD WATCH - means that an overflow of water from a river is possible for your area.

FLASH FLOOD WATCH - means that flash flooding is possible in or close to the watch area. Flash Flood Watches can be put into effect for as long as 12 hours, while heavy rains move into and across the area.

FLOOD WARNING - means flooding conditions are actually occurring in the warning area.

FLASH FLOOD WARNING - means that flash flooding is actually occurring in the warning area. A warning can also be issued as a result of torrential rains, a dam failure or snow thaw.

URBAN and SMALL STREAM ADVISORY - means flooding of small streams, streets and low-lying areas, such as railroad underpasses and urban storm drains is occurring.

DEBRIS - The scattered remains of something broken or destroyed; rubble or wreckage.

DEBRIS FLOW - A churning, water-saturated mass of rock, soil and organic matter that rushes down mountain slopes, typically originating as a landslide.

GRAVITY - The natural force of attraction exerted by a celestial body, such as Earth, upon objects at or near its surface, tending to draw them toward the center of the body.

FRICTION - Force that resists the relative motion or tendency to such motion of two bodies in contact.

TRIGGER - An event that initiates a landslide.

Click Here to see if there are any active warnings in your area.

BEFORE A LANDSLIDE: Avoid building near steep slopes, close to mountain edges, near drainage ways, or natural erosion valleys. Get a ground assessment of your property. Landslides occur where they have before, and in identifiable hazard locations. Ask for information on landslides in your area, specific information on areas vulnerable to landslides, and request a professional referral for a very detailed site analysis of your property, and corrective measures you can take, if necessary. Watch the patterns of storm-water drainage near your home, and note the places where runoff water converges, increasing flow in channels. These are areas to avoid during a storm. Make evacuation plans. Plan at least two evacuation routes since roads may become blocked or closed. Develop your own emergency plan for your family or business.

MINIMIZE HOME HAZARDS: Have flexible pipe fittings installed to avoid gas or water leaks, as flexible fittings are more resistant to breakage. Plant ground cover on slopes and build retaining walls. In mudflow areas, build channels or deflection walls to direct the flow around buildings. Remember: If you build walls to divert debris flow and the flow lands on a neighbor's property, you may be liable for damages. Design and construction of walls and channels strong enough to resist or divert landslides is highly specialized work, best done by qualified professionals.

DURING A STORM/LANDSLIDE: Stay alert and awake. Many debris-flow fatalities occur when people are sleeping. Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or portable, battery-powered radio or television for warnings of intense rainfall. Be aware that intense, short bursts of rain may be particularly dangerous, especially after longer periods of heavy rainfall and damp weather. If you are in areas susceptible to landslides and debris flows, consider leaving if it is safe to do so. Remember that driving during an intense storm can be hazardous. If you remain at home, move to a second story if possible. Staying out of the path of a landslide or debris flow saves lives. Listen for any unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of flowing or falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides. Moving debris can flow quickly and sometimes without warning. If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and for a change from clear to muddy water. Such changes may indicate landslide activity upstream, so be prepared to move quickly. Don't delay! Save yourself, not your belongings. Be especially alert when driving. Bridges may be washed out, and culverts overtopped. Do not cross flooding streams...Turn Around, Don't Drown! Embankments along roadsides are particularly susceptible to landslides. Watch the road for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of possible debris flows. Be aware that strong shaking from earthquakes can induce or intensify the effects of landslides.

AFTER A LANDSLIDE: Stay away from the slide area. There may be danger of additional slides. Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide area. Give first aid if trained. Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance-infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for the latest emergency information. Remember that flooding may occur after a mudflow or a landslide. Check for damaged utility lines. Report any damage to the utility company. Check the building foundation, chimney, and surrounding land for damage. Replant damaged ground as soon as possible since erosion caused by loss of ground cover can lead to flash flooding. Seek the advice of geotechnical expert for evaluating landslide hazards or designing corrective techniques to reduce landslide risk.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on erosion and landslides.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on landslides for grades 6-8.

Lesson Plan: This lesson consists of landslides, liquefaction, and structural failure caused by earthquakes.

Science Fair Project Ideas: Here is a complete list of science fair project ideas. Discover the science behind the weather that impacts us every day.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What is a landslide? A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope due to gravity. The materials may move by falling, toppling, sliding, spreading, or flowing. What causes a landslide? Almost every landslide has multiple causes.

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=96

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is an earthquake?
Earthquakes are the shaking, rolling or sudden shock of the earth's surface. They are the Earth's natural means of releasing stress. More than a million earthquakes rattle the world each year. The West Coast is most at risk of having an earthquake, but earthquakes can happen in the Midwest and along the East Coast. Earthquakes can be felt over large areas although they usually last less than one minute. Earthquakes cannot be predicted - although scientists are working on it!

Click Here to learn more about earthquakes from USGS.

What causes an earthquake?
There are about 20 plates along the surface of the earth that move continuously and slowly past each other. When the plates squeeze or stretch, huge rocks form at their edges and the rocks shift with great force, causing an earthquake. Think of it this way: Imagine holding a pencil horizontally. If you were to apply a force to both ends of the pencil by pushing down on them, you would see the pencil bend. After enough force was applied, the pencil would break in the middle, releasing the stress you have put on it. The Earth's crust acts in the same way. As the plates move they put forces on themselves and each other. When the force is large enough, the crust is forced to break. When the break occurs, the stress is released as energy which moves through the Earth in the form of waves, which we feel and call an earthquake.

Click Here to see an animation of an earthquake. It's great for kids, because they get to see how it actually happens!

What is a fault?
A fault is an area of stress in the earth where broken rocks slide past each other, causing a crack in the Earth's surface. There are the major types of faults: dip-slip normal, dip-slip reverse, strike-slip, and oblique-slip.

What are plate tectonics?
The theory of plate tectonics is a interesting story of continents drifting from place to place breaking apart, colliding, and grinding against each other. The plate tectonic theory is supported by a wide range of evidence that considers the earth's crust and upper mantle to be composed of several large, thin, relatively rigid plates that move relative to one another. (See plate tectonic graphic above.) The plates are all moving in different directions and at different speeds. Sometimes the plates crash together, pull apart or sideswipe each other. When this happens, it commonly results in earthquakes.

Continental Drift: To see this animation again, click on the picture! This animation shows you what our planet looked like millions of years ago and what it looks like now! Graphic Credit: Geology Department at University of California, Berkeley

Click Here to learn more about plate tectonics and the drifting of our continents.

What is a seismograph?
A seismograph is an instrument used for recording the intensity and duration of an earthquake.

Click Here to calculate the strength of earthquakes!

What is a tsunami?
A tsunami is a large ocean wave usually caused by an underwater earthquake or a volcanic explosion. Tsunamis are NOT tidal waves. Tidal waves are caused by the forces of the moon, sun, and planets upon the tides, as well as the wind as it moves over the water. With typical waves, water flows in circles, but with a tsunami, water flows straight. This is why tsunamis cause so much damage!

Aerial video of the tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11, 2011.

Click Here to see an animation of an earthquake and the resulting tsunami. It's great for kids, because they get to see how it actually happens!

Click Here to get the latest tsunami warning information from the NWS.

Click Here for tsunami safety information.

EPICENTER - The point on the earth's surface directly above the source of the earthquake.

SEISMIC WAVES - The energy created by the quake travels in waves from the epicenter, where they are the strongest. The waves shake buildings, structures and the earth vertically, causing them to move horizontally!

RICHTER SCALE - A measurement of an earthquake's intensity. Each one-point increase on the scale indicates ten times the amount of shaking and 33 times the amount of energy. The energy released by a large earthquake may be equal to 10,000 times the energy of the first atomic bomb.

Click Here to see if there has been any recent earthquake activity across the U.S.

Earthquakes are measured by their intensity on the Richter Scale. Each one-point increase on the scale indicates ten times the amount of shaking and 33 times the amount of energy.

Click Here to learn about cool earthquake facts!

BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE: Have a disaster plan. Emergency preparedness can save lives. Choose a safe place in every room. It's best to get under a sturdy piece of furniture like a table or a desk where nothing can fall on you. Practice DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON! Drop under something sturdy, hold on, and protect your eyes by pressing your face against your arm. If you live in an earthquake prone area, bolt tall furniture to the wall and install strong latches to cupboards. Prepare a first aid kit for your home. By taking special precautions and checking for hazards before a disaster strikes, you will be much more likely to stay safe.

DURING AN EARTHQUAKE: DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON! Stay indoors until the shaking stops. Stay away from windows. If you're in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow. If you're outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees and power lines. Then, drop to the ground. If you're in a car, slow down and drive to a safe place. Stay in the car until the shaking stops.

AFTER THE SHAKING STOPS: Check for injuries. Inspect your home for damage. Eliminate fire hazards, so turn off the gas if you think its leaking. Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on learning about how thrust faults are responsible for the uplift of many mountain ranges across the world, including the Los Angeles Basin. This is a great lesson plan for middle and high school students.

Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan keeping track of earthquakes around the world. In this activity, kids keep a record of the location of earthquakes for a week and learn about plate tectonics.

Earthquake Experiment: Here is a great experiment that explains how to prepare for an earthquake.

Science Fair Project Ideas: Here is a list of science fair project ideas that deal with earthquakes.

Science Fair Project Ideas: Here is a complete list of science fair project ideas. Discover the science behind the weather that impacts us every day.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What is an earthquake? Earthquakes are the shaking, rolling or sudden shock of the earth's surface. They are the Earth's natural means of releasing stress. More than a million earthquakes rattle the world each year. The West Coast is most at risk of having an earthquake, but earthquakes can happen in the Midwest and along the East Coast.

# data[].attributes.body
http://kidsahead.com/external/article/1551

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Kids Ahead - Extreme Weather Articles - 2016 Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Kids Ahead program is an initiative to increase the number of kids with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competencies and interests.

# data[].attributes.body
http://kidsahead.com/external/article/1595

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Kids Ahead - Earthquakes Articles - Earthquake Aftershocks

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Kids Ahead program is an initiative to increase the number of kids with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competencies and interests.

# data[].attributes.body
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/science/tornado/#tornado.jpg

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
How Tornadoes Form

Tornadoes demolish houses, flip cars, cross rivers, dig 3 foot (0.9 meter) trenches, and lift lightweight objects 10,000 feet (3048 meters) into the air. A tornado is a lethal combination of wind and power. Tornadoes touch down all over the world, though most often in the United States.

A tornado is often a funnel cloud-a rotating column of air- that stretches from a storm to the ground. To be a tornado it must touch the ground. It can touch down for a few seconds or grind across the earth for miles. Tornadoes usually last less than 10 minutes.

Most tornadoes start from a supercell. A supercell is a rotating thunderstorm (called a mesocyclone). Supercells create the deadliest tornadoes.

The formation of a tornado is so complex, scientists have yet to understand it. The unpredictable and deadly nature of tornadoes also makes them difficult to study. No matter what movies show, scientists have had little success measuring or getting equipment into tornadoes. Not only is it dangerous, a tornado demolishes everything in its path, including measuring equipment. So, speeds and other factors remain a mystery.

The destruction caused by a tornado is undeniable and can be catastrophic. Though scientists will never be able to stop a tornado, the more they know, the more they can keep people safe.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How Tornadoes Form Tornadoes demolish houses, flip cars, cross rivers, dig 3 foot (0.9 meter) trenches, and lift lightweight objects 10,000 feet (3048 meters) into the air. A tornado is a lethal combination of wind and power. Tornadoes touch down all over the world, though most often in the United States.

# data[].attributes.body
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/youtube-playlist-pages/youtube-playlist-volcano/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Nat Geo Kids on YouTube: Volcano Playlist

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We've found the best content for kids on YouTube. Watch it here!

# data[].attributes.body
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/science/flood/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
How Floods Form

In 2002, heavy rains in Texas caused a reservoir to overflow. The raging water cleared everything in its path including trees, boulders ... a bridge! In just three days, the floodwaters carved a 1.4 mile (2.2 kilometers) long, nearly 20-foot-(6 meters)-deep canyon.

A flood is a rise of water with no place to go. Floods come in all depths, from just a couple inches to many feet. The power of floodwater is extraordinary and lethal. In less than an hour, strong rain can turn an ankle deep creek into an unstoppable 30-foot-high swell that overpowers everything in its path.

Floods occur all over the world. Causes of floods include hurricanes, broken levees or dams, rapidly thawing snow, ice jams, and heavy slow moving rain or repeated rains. A flood can happen in a few minutes, hours, days, or over weeks.

No matter how quickly it happens or the cause, flooding is deadly. Floods kill more people and causes more damage than other severe weather related events. Many die trying to drive or walk through a flooded area. Just six inches of water can knock a person off their feet. Just two feet of water can carry a car away.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How Floods Form In 2002, heavy rains in Texas caused a reservoir to overflow. The raging water cleared everything in its path including trees, boulders ... a bridge! In just three days, the floodwaters carved a 1.4 mile (2.2 kilometers) long, nearly 20-foot-(6 meters)-deep canyon.

# data[].attributes.body
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/science/hurricane/#hurricane-aletta.jpg

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVZExLO0MWA

# data[].attributes.body
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/science/ten-freaky-forces-of-nature/#freaky-tornado.jpg

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Ten Freaky Forces of Nature

Nature can be unbelievably powerful. A major earthquake can topple huge buildings and bring down entire mountainsides. At Niagara Falls, more than 500,000 gallons (1,892,705 liters) of water crash down 18 stories into the Niagara River every second-enough to fill nearly 50 Olympic-size swimming pools in a minute! And everyone knows about hurricanes, blizzards, avalanches, forest fires, floods, tidal waves, and even thunderstorms. But if you thought Mother Nature didn't have many surprises up her sleeve, think again. Nature has a load of other powers that, while less well-known, can only be described as, well, freaky.

The Mother of All Tornadoes

The fastest wind speed ever recorded-318 miles an hour (511 kilometers an hour)-occurred during a tornado near Oklahoma City in 1999. Scientists classify tornadoes by the damage they can do. A tornado with wind speeds of 70 miles an hour (113 kilometers an hour) can sweep away entire houses and hurl cars through the air like missiles. But a tornado with wind speeds of more than 300 miles an hour (483 kilometers an hour) has the power to derail train cars, tear grass from the ground, and even rip pavement from the street.

Gassy Situation
When a volcano erupts, a glowing sea of molten lava often flows down its sides, destroying everything in its path. A lava flow is unbelievably dangerous. But a volcano can produce something even deadlier: a pyroclastic flow, which is a cloud of gas and rock that can reach temperatures above 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (537 degrees Celsius). The flow crashes down the side of a volcano like an avalanche. While most people can easily move out of the way of most lava flows, they can't escape a pyroclastic flow so easily. These flows typically reach speeds of more than 50 miles an hour (80 kilometers an hour).

Snowball Factory

You head outside after a snowstorm and see dozens of drum-shaped snowballs. These rare creations are called snow rollers, and Mother Nature makes them all by herself. Snow rollers form when wet snow falls on ground that is icy, so snow won't stick to it. Pushed by strong winds, the snow rolls into logs. Maybe this is nature's way of saying it's time for a snowball fight.

Deep Sea Jacuzzis

Vents on the ocean floor, more than a mile (1.6 kilometers) below the surface, gush what looks like clouds of black smoke. They're surrounded by a variety of freaky life forms never seen before the first vents were discovered about 30 years ago. These underwater hot springs, called hydrothermal vents, occur when water seeps through cracks in the ocean floor after being heated by magma inside the Earth. The scalding water can shoot back into the cold ocean at temperatures hotter than 700 degrees Fahrenheit (371 degrees Celsius), carrying a black or white stew of dissolved rock and chemicals. Amazingly, these vents support large communities of bizarre sea creatures. These life-forms rely on millions of bacteria inside them to turn poisonous chemicals rising from the seafloor into food.

Mystery Waves

Imagine you're on an ocean liner when a wall of water ten stories tall races toward you like an unstoppable freight train. It's not a tsunami, caused by an undersea earthquake. Tsunamis are tiny in the open ocean and become enormous-and deadly-as they approach the shore. No, what you're witnessing at sea is a rogue wave, also called a freak wave. Scientists aren't sure what causes these waves, but they do know they can appear without any warning in the open sea, even in the clearest of weather. As recently as 15 years ago these waves were thought to be a myth. But scientists now know they are very real-and very dangerous to even the largest ships.

Great Balls of Fire

During a thunderstorm, a glowing ball the size of your head suddenly appears. It hovers a few feet above the ground, drops down, dances across the yard, and then darts up into the air before it fades away. This freaky phenomenon is ball lightning. Sometimes it disappears with a small explosion. Some scientists think that when normal lightning strikes the ground, it vaporizes a mineral called silicon found in soil. They think this silicon forms a kind of bubble that burns in the oxygen around it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ten Freaky Forces of Nature Nature can be unbelievably powerful. A major earthquake can topple huge buildings and bring down entire mountainsides. At Niagara Falls, more than 500,000 gallons (1,892,705 liters) of water crash down 18 stories into the Niagara River every second-enough to fill nearly 50 Olympic-size swimming pools in a minute!

# data[].attributes.body
http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-a-hurricane

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Today's Wonder of the Day was inspired by Mervyn. Mervyn Wonders, " Why do hurricanes form? " Thanks for WONDERing with us, Mervyn!

What would you think if you heard Opal, Andrew, Katrina, Hugo, Camille, and Irene were coming to town? Who are they? Long- relatives flying in for a family ?

Not quite! In fact, they're not even people at all. They're past hurricanes! Let's find out how these super storms are born.

Each year, as summer turns to fall, hurricanes begin to appear. These large storms usually occur in the southern Atlantic , Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, or the eastern Pacific .

Sometimes people think hurricanes are like big tornadoes. They're actually quite different, though.

While a might cover a mile or two of ground, hurricanes are huge storms that can sometimes be as large as 600 miles across. If you look at a map of the United States, you'll see that a hurricane that large would stretch from Philadelphia to Indianapolis!

Tornadoes also usually last no more than a few minutes. Hurricanes, however, can last more than a week because they travel at speeds of only 10 to 20 miles per hour as they cross the .

Hurricanes are defined by their strong winds that can blow from 75 to 200 miles per hour. Before a becomes a hurricane, it starts out as a . storms have wind speeds between 39 and 74 miles per hour.

Even though these storms are not yet hurricanes, they can still cause damage and . Once a 's wind speeds reach or exceed 75 miles per hour, the becomes classified as a hurricane.

Not all storms become hurricanes. Wonder why? The key ingredient to forming a hurricane is warm water.

During the warmer months of hurricane season, the waters in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico are the perfect temperature to create hurricanes. As warm, moist air rises from the water into the atmosphere, it creates an area of low pressure underneath.

This causes air from the surrounding areas to flow into the low pressure area. Eventually this air becomes heated and rises into the atmosphere, and the repeats itself.

In this way, hurricanes are kind of like a big engine with a constant supply of and . The "" is the cooler air that keeps the going. The "" is the warm air rising into the atmosphere.

As this continues, clouds and storms form, creating a giant, spinning .

When you look at satellite images of a hurricane, you may notice a hole at the center of the . This hole is called the " eye" of the hurricane.

As the eye passes over land, the weather becomes very calm. Once the eye passes, though, the winds begin again as the second part of the passes over.

Unfortunately, there is no way to stop a hurricane. They do tend to lose strength once they move over land.

Without warm water to continue fueling them, hurricanes will eventually diminish in size and speed until they disappear.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Today's Wonder of the Day was inspired by Mervyn. Mervyn Wonders, " Why do hurricanes form? " Thanks for WONDERing with us, Mervyn! What would you think if you heard Opal, Andrew, Katrina, Hugo, Camille, and Irene were coming to town? Who are they? Long- relatives flying in for a family ?

# data[].attributes.body
http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-causes-mudslides

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Whenever a large group or rocks tumbles down a , geologists call it a landslide. When huge amounts of snow rush down the of a mountain, scientists call it an avalanche. So what do you call it when a huge of mud travels down a ? You guessed it! A mudslide, of course!

Mudslides occur when a large amount of water causes the rapid of on a steep . Rapid snowmelt at the top of a mountain or a period of rainfall can trigger a mudslide, as the great volume of water mixes with and causes it to and move downhill.

A mudslide can vary from very watery mud to thick mud with tons of , including large boulders, trees, and even cars or houses. Mudslides are responsible for many deaths and millions of dollars in property damage every year.

If you've ever stepped in mud, you know it can be very thick and . It might be hard to imagine such mud rushing downhill at a great speed in order to do much damage. Don't be fooled, though! Mudslides usually contain a lot of water, and thus act more like a than a landslide. Mudslides have been known to rush downhill at speeds up to 50 miles per hour, laying waste to everything in the way.

For example, on December 14, 1999, a mudslide in Vargas, Venezuela, affected over 37 miles of Venezuelan coastline. Some experts estimated that up to 30,000 people died as a result of the mudslide, which resulted in damages of over $3 billion.

When discussing mudslides, experts will use certain special terms, including main , shelves, and the "." The main is the original area where the mudslide began. The "," on the other hand, is the last area affected by the mudslide. Shelves are areas where a mudslide's path crosses hills or natural drops, creating large dips. A large mudslide can have multiple shelves.

Mudslides often occur in areas with steep slopes or at the bottom of slopes or canyons. Mountainous areas that have been altered to build homes and roads are often to mudslides. When human actions or natural events, such as wildfires, increase in an area, mudslides can be a natural result.

To protect yourself from mudslides, know the area in which you live. Have landslides or mudslides occurred before? If so, they can happen again. During periods of heavy rain, stay tuned to weather stations for alerts. If a mudslide warning is issued, make sure you can get to a safe area. High ground away from the path of a mudslide is where you want to be if a mudslide is .

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Whenever a large group or rocks tumbles down a , geologists call it a landslide. When huge amounts of snow rush down the of a mountain, scientists call it an avalanche. So what do you call it when a huge of mud travels down a ? You guessed it!

# data[].attributes.body
http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-does-it-hail

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What do you get when you mix in the with thunderclouds and strong winds? Many times the answer is .

Have you ever seen hailstones - sometimes tiny, sometimes large pellets of - fall from the ? If you have, you know it can be quite a sight... and sometimes dangerous.

Hailstorms are most common in the warm spring and summer months. When thunderstorms and tornadoes increase, hailstorms usually follow close behind.

Cumulonimbus clouds - those tall, threatening clouds often called "thunderclouds" - are where hailstones begin to form. The temperatures high up in these clouds can be quite cold, causing in the to change into crystals. These crystals - sometimes called "soft " or " pellets" - are called "" by meteorologists.

As forms, the crystals become heavier and begin to fall downward. When weather conditions are right for , very strong winds - called "updrafts" - will push the back up into the upper parts of the thunderclouds.

As the ascends back into the upper parts of the thunderclouds, it accumulates more and gets bigger. This process is called "." As layers of are added, the turns into hailstones that get bigger and again begin to fall toward the Earth.

When the hailstones grow big enough to overcome the power of the updrafts, they will fall to Earth as . How big hailstones get depends largely on how strong the winds are.

Updrafts of 20 miles per hour usually result in -sized (up to 0.5 inches in ), while updrafts of 40 miles per hour can make hailstones the size of quarters (up to 0.75 inches in ).

Very large hailstones require incredibly strong updrafts. the size of a golf ball (up to 1.75 inches in ) needs updrafts of about 55 miles per hour. Softball-sized (4 or more inches in ) only forms when updrafts exceed 100 miles per hour.

The largest hailstone ever recorded in the United States fell in South Dakota on July 23, 2010. It weighed 1.93 pounds and measured 8 inches in and 18.62 inches in circumference ! Can you imagine the damage that hailstone could have caused?

Hailstorms usually don't last long - only about 5 to 10 minutes - but they can cause a lot of damage in that time. In addition to damage caused to automobiles, airplanes, skylights, and roofs, also regularly destroys farmers' crops.

Far less common - but still possible - are serious injuries. can cause concussions or fatal head to people and animals if the hailstones are large enough.

Hailstorms are most common in the Great Plains states, especially northern Colorado and southern Wyoming. If a hailstorm breaks out where you live, get inside as quickly as possible and stay away from windows.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What do you get when you mix in the with thunderclouds and strong winds? Many times the answer is . Have you ever seen hailstones - sometimes tiny, sometimes large pellets of - fall from the ? If you have, you know it can be quite a sight... and sometimes dangerous.

# data[].attributes.body
http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-a-volcano

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Today's Wonder of the Day was inspired by braden from AL. braden Wonders, " How are volcanoes formed!?!? " Thanks for WONDERing with us, braden!

The Earth consists of three layers. The outer layer of Earth we live on is called the . It's about 18 miles thick.

Below the lies an 1,800-mile thick layer called the . A combination of rock and gases called lies between the Earth's and the . The innermost layer is called the .

A is a mountain that extends down to a pool of between the and . It's basically a hole in the Earth from which can . The name "" comes from the name of Vulcan, a god of fire in Roman mythology.

Volcanoes are like huge safety valves that release the that builds up inside the Earth. When builds up, eruptions occur. shoots up through the and flows down its sides. When flows out of a , we call it . Fresh can be as hot as 2,200° F, glowing red or white as it flows.

Eruptions can cause mudslides, avalanches, and floods. eruptions have knocked down entire forests and triggered tsunamis and earthquakes.

As they , volcanoes spew huge clouds of volcanic ash into the atmosphere. The ash consists of tiny bits of rock and glass. Ash clouds can cover hundreds of miles, creating problems for airplanes and changing weather patterns. Volcanic ash can also damage the lungs and cause other respiratory problems for those who breathe it.

The United States contains several active volcanoes, mainly in Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington. Hawaii and Alaska have the greatest chance of experiencing eruptions near areas where many people live.

Here are some interesting facts you may not know about volcanoes:

Historical records exist for almost 600 volcanoes around the world, while some scientists believe there are over 1,500 active volcanoes! No one really knows for sure how many volcanoes exist under the oceans.

Over half of the world's volcanoes arise in a belt around the Pacific Ocean called the Ring of Fire.

On any particular day, approximately 20 volcanoes are in the process of erupting.

The "danger zone" of a extends for up to 20 miles in all directions.

On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington, killing 58 people and causing over $1 billion in property damage.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Today's Wonder of the Day was inspired by braden from AL. braden Wonders, " How are volcanoes formed!?!? " Thanks for WONDERing with us, braden! The Earth consists of three layers. The outer layer of Earth we live on is called the . It's about 18 miles thick.

# data[].attributes.body
http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-some-people-chase-storms

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Does a loud crack of thunder send chills down your spine? What do you do when you see a flash of lightning? Hopefully, you head indoors where it's safe!

Would you believe that there are people that actually head toward a storm when they see one? And we're not talking about just any kind of storm. We're talking about some of the most dangerous storms there are: tornadoes and hurricanes!

These people are called storm chasers. Why do they chase storms? Is it just for the thrill of the chase? Or is there another reason for what they do?

While we're sure that chasing a storm can definitely be a , storm chasers do what they do to learn more about the most dangerous types of storms. Getting close to a storm - even in its direct - can allow storm chasers to observe storms up-close and record that they can't get any other way.

Storm chasers are usually scientists who study weather and seek to learn more about these storms, so they can understand how they work. Tornadoes and hurricanes can be so deadly because, especially in the case of tornadoes, they often occur with very little .

The more storm chasers understand about storms, the more they can work on developing ways to when storms will appear and how they will behave. This information will hopefully one day allow weather forecasters to provide people with earlier, more warnings, so that people can areas where bad storms are expected.

Storm chasing isn't always as exciting as it sounds. It can involve hours and hours of driving, just looking and waiting for storms to develop. Many different circumstances have to occur to allow storm chasers to find a developing storm and get into its .

Once in the of the storm, storm chasers place scientific that they hope will be picked up by the . Then they as quickly as possible to a safe place. If the storm picks up the , the scientists can use the it records to better understand what happens inside these dangerous storms.

Some storm chasers have even developed special vehicles that they believe can withstand the strength of a . For example, the Intercept Vehicle 2 (TIV2) weighs about 8 tons and has other special features that would make it hard - but not impossible! - for a to lift it off the ground.

From time to time, storm chasers are not always able to get to a safe place quickly enough. Some storm chasers have been injured and even killed in this risky line of work. That's why only professional weather experts should ever attempt to chase storms. It's not a situation amateurs should ever try!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Does a loud crack of thunder send chills down your spine? What do you do when you see a flash of lightning? Hopefully, you head indoors where it's safe! Would you believe that there are people that actually head toward a storm when they see one?

# data[].attributes.body
http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-thundersnow

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Do you get excited when the weatherman calls for snow? If you're like many kids, you might wish for several inches of snow to fall in order to earn a snow day. When you wake to see the in a thick blanket of snow, you know it's going to be a good day filled with sledding and making snowmen!

As you watch the skies outside, waiting for the first snowflakes to from the clouds, you close your eyes to enjoy the sense of and that usually precedes the snow. Suddenly, however, you sense a bright followed by a loud ! What's going on here? It's thundersnow!

Most of the time, lightning and thunder are accompanied by rain. When we see the lightning, hear the thunder, and feel the rain, we know we're in the middle of a thunderstorm. However, in certain unique conditions, lightning and thunder can form in a storm that drops snow and hail, yielding a phenomenon meteorologists call thundersnow.

In normal thunderstorms, warm, air rises from Earth's surface to create tall, narrow updrafts that can approach 40,000 feet or more. These storms that drop rain usually occur when surface temperatures are above freezing.

Storms that produce snow are quite different from thunderstorms. Instead of tall, narrow updrafts, snowstorms usually form from broad layers of flat, shallow clouds that don't usually exceed 20,000 feet. Updrafts, if they exist, are usually rather mild.

Thundersnow occurs when normal snowstorm clouds begin to develop upward bumps, known as turrets. These turrets are caused by instability within the storm system, combined with a strong lifting mechanism. For example, a strong upper-level wind can bring in cold air, pushing pockets of colder air 5,000 or more feet above the rest of the flat clouds.

Turrets formed by the lifting action of cold air currents tend to be , leading to the presence of both updrafts and downdrafts. These cold, winds create favorable conditions for precipitation to form, including snowflakes and small hailstones known as graupel.

As precipitation particles bounce into each other, they can begin to create electrical charges. When sufficient electrical charges build up, they can be discharged in the form of -to-ground or -to- lightning, which is subsequently followed by the rumble of thunder.

Thundersnow events can often be accompanied by significant snowfall, since the conditions that lead to thundersnow also tend to large amounts of snowflakes in the flat, shallow layer below the turrets. Since thundersnow develops when air near the ground is below freezing, significant accumulation is possible from thundersnow.

If you've never experienced thundersnow, it's probably because the unique conditions for it to occur don't happen everywhere or very often. The instability and lifting necessary to create thundersnow has to occur in a very narrow, shallow layer between 20,000-25,000 feet up.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Do you get excited when the weatherman calls for snow? If you're like many kids, you might wish for several inches of snow to fall in order to earn a snow day. When you wake to see the in a thick blanket of snow, you know it's going to be a good day filled with sledding and making snowmen!

# data[].attributes.body
http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-el-nino

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.dogonews.com/2015/4/2/california-governor-imposes-first-ever-mandatory-water-restrictions-to-deal-with-drought

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
On April 1st, California's Governor Jerry Brown did what his predecessors have been doing for over 65 years - trek to Echo Summit in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to measure the snowpack. The only difference? Instead of ski gear he was wearing a light windbreaker and hiking shoes. That's because for the first time since the tradition began there was no snow to ski upon.

The situation is no better in other parts of the mountain range. A manual snow survey by state workers revealed that the water content of the Sierra Nevada, which accounts for 30% of California's water supply, measures a paltry 5% of the average for April 1st. This is the lowest for this date since record-keeping began in 1950. Though California has experienced droughts before this is the worst to impact the state since instrumental records began in 1895. According to experts, there is currently just a year's supply of water left in the state's reservoirs.

What's worse is that despite knowing that the state has been in drought-like conditions for four years, many California residents have done little to reduce their water usage. Even a plea by Jerry Brown in 2014 asking residents to voluntarily cut consumption by 20% was largely ignored. Hence yesterday, the Governor announced that he had no choice but to impose the first-ever mandatory water restrictions that requires Californians to reduce water usage by 25%.

Under the order, cities and towns will have to stop watering the median strips that run down the center of roads. State officials will also work alongside local agencies to strip out 50 million square feet of grass. Existing golf courses, campuses and cemeteries will have to reduce their irrigation while new ones will be required to install drip or micro-spray systems.

Of course, Individuals will also have to do their share. In order to incentivize them, the state is offering a temporary rebate program for homeowners to replace water inefficient appliances. However, while the overall aim is to cut water usage by 25%, each of the state's 40 local agencies will be subjected to different restrictions when the regulations go into effect on May 1st.

That's because some areas like the city of San Francisco have already heeded the Governor's previous warnings and reduced their water consumption substantially. Others like Palm Springs have not been as diligent and will thus be subjected to bigger mandatory cuts. Local water agencies that do not comply will be subjected to fines as high as $10,000 USD a day!

While the order does ask agricultural water suppliers to provide a drought management plan, it does not require farmers to cut back. Besides the fact that California is the country's primary source of many fruits and vegetables, agriculturists have already suffered through major cutbacks. In 2014, farmers in the state's Central Valley were forced to leave 500,000 acres of land unplanted due to lack of water. This year, they may be forced to leave even more.

While most people are lauding the Governor for the timely intervention, many speculate that if the drought continues, further cutbacks may be necessary. Unfortunately, this is just a reality that the state's residents may have to live with. As Jerry Brown said, "We're (Californians) in a new era; the idea of your nice little green grass getting water every day, that's going to be a thing of the past."

Resources: latimes.com,news.yahoo.com,newsweek.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
California Governor Imposes First-Ever Mandatory Water Restrictions To Deal With Drought

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
On April 1st, California's Governor Jerry Brown did what his predecessors have been doing for over 65 years - trek to Echo Summit in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to measure the snowpack. The only difference? Instead of ski gear he was wearing a light windbreaker and hiking shoes.

# data[].attributes.headline
What Will Happen if the Volcano Under Yellowstone Erupts?

# data[].attributes.subject
What Will Happen if the Volcano Under Yellowstone Erupts?

# data[].attributes.body
http://tweentribune.com/article/tween56/what-will-happen-if-volcano-under-yellowstone-erupts/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As of Monday, October 24, content that was on TweenTribune.com will now be available here on our new educational resources page and on our learning pages. While much of the content that you enjoyed will still exist, educators will unfortunately no longer be able to assign content to students. Tween Tribune has been a valued educational brand of Smithsonian magazine, and we appreciate your continued support.

Though the Girl Scouts of the USA initially declared itself a space for all girls, the reality was different for girls of color

Erin Blakemore

Get Smithsonian Educational Resources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As of Monday, October 24, content that was on TweenTribune.com will now be available here on our new educational resources page and on our learning pages. While much of the content that you enjoyed will still exist, educators will unfortunately no longer be able to assign content to students.

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.dogonews.com/2015/10/12/how-hurricane-joaquin-contributed-to-south-carolinas-historic-rainfall-without-making-landfall

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Hurricane Joaquin near the Bahamas on October 1 (Photo: By NOAA via Wikimedia Commons)

On October 3rd, East Coast residents were relieved to hear that Hurricane Joaquin, which had been hurtling towards the U.S., was no longer a threat. According to meteorologists, the hurricane that was weakened to a category 3 after battering the Bahamas, would likely remain out to sea instead of ramming the coastline as had been previously thought.

While that certainly turned out to be true, Joaquin still managed to 'collaborate' with other systems already in the area to create the perfect storm - One that deluged many East Coast states with unprecedented rains. Though the storms impacted residents all the way from Georgia to Delaware, it was South Carolina that bore the brunt of the system's wrath.

Photo Credit: Earth Observatory NASA.Gov

The soggy weather that began on Thursday, October 1st, escalated sharply on Saturday. Charleston recorded 10.7 inches of rain, the city's wettest day ever according to the National Weather Service. And it was far from over! By Sunday night, many areas had seen more that 20 inches of rain. In addition to the heavy rains, the coastal towns were also impacted by the high ocean tides that peaked at 8.29 feet - The highest water level experienced in Charleston Harbor since Hurricane Hugo made landfall in 1989.

By the time the rainfall began to taper off late Monday, it had managed to set records all over the state and flood entire towns. For many locations, the historic downpour qualifies as a 1,000-per year rain event. This means that in any given year there is a 1 in 1,000 chance of encountering rainfall totals of this magnitude.

Image Credit: Accuweather.com

So what caused the historical rain? According to experts, it was the combination of several weather patterns that came together in just the right way to produce the downpour the size of which has never before been experienced in this part of the Southern United States. Meteorologists say a strengthening non-tropical storm in the south, a strong area of high pressure in Canada and converging tropical moisture from Hurricane Joaquin all joined forces to create the exceptional rains.

With the worst storms behind them, South Carolina residents are now trying to deal with the impact of the downpour that breached several dams and caused massive flooding. As of October 11th, about 260 roads and 125 bridges remained closed across the state. The residents of Lowcountry are particularly at risk as the flood waters across the state start to move in their direction, as they make their way to the ocean. Thousands remain without power, and many are still in shelters waiting for flood waters to recede from their homes.

Photo Credit: NWS Charleston, SC via weather.gov

At South Carolina's capital city Columbia, utility workers are working round the clock to repair the canal that the town uses to bring in drinking water after a breach nearly drained the waterway. They also have to restore dozens of broken water lines. Meanwhile, residents are being asked to boil all drinking water.

But despite the challenges, the residents are trying to get back to normal life as much as possible. After an unscheduled week off, most school districts are now open, albeit on a reduced schedule to allow buses to drive in the daylight. Organizers of the annual South Carolina Fair in Columbia plan to begin as scheduled on Wednesday. Authorities believe they will have all the infrastructure repaired in time for the thousands of visitors that come to this popular event each year.

The one silver lining is that South Carolina's drought that just last week had been plaguing 73% of the state now appears to be over. The only area that is still dry is the extreme southern part that received less than three inches of rain.

Do you live in an area that experienced this severe weather? If so, please share your experience with us by adding your comments below.

Resources: cnn.com, washingtonpost.com,extinctprotocol.wordpress, weather.com,accuweather.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Hurricane Joaquin Contributed To South Carolina's Historic Rainfall Without Making Landfall

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
On October 3rd, East Coast residents were relieved to hear that Hurricane Joaquin which had been hurtling towards the U.S., was no longer a threat. According to meteorologists, the hurricane that was weakened to a category 3 after battering the Bahamas, would likely remain out to sea instead of ramming into the coastline as had been previously thought.

# data[].attributes.body
http://tweentribune.com/article/junior/kids-take-stand-climate-change/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As of Monday, October 24, content that was on TweenTribune.com will now be available here on our new educational resources page and on our learning pages. While much of the content that you enjoyed will still exist, educators will unfortunately no longer be able to assign content to students. Tween Tribune has been a valued educational brand of Smithsonian magazine, and we appreciate your continued support.

Though the Girl Scouts of the USA initially declared itself a space for all girls, the reality was different for girls of color

Erin Blakemore

Get Smithsonian Educational Resources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As of Monday, October 24, content that was on TweenTribune.com will now be available here on our new educational resources page and on our learning pages. While much of the content that you enjoyed will still exist, educators will unfortunately no longer be able to assign content to students.

# data[].attributes.body
http://magazines.scholastic.com/news/2016/08/Feeling-the-Heat

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Teach current events in your elementary classroom, grades 1-6.

# data[].attributes.body
https://newsela.com/articles/chile-quake/id/12039/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Newsela | Earthquake bashes north Chile; 10 die, rumbles felt all over South America

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A powerful earthquake rocked northern Chile, and tsunami waves flooded coastal towns. Ten died, more than a million had do evacuate. One man “thought it was the end of the world.”

# data[].attributes.body
https://newsela.com/articles/utah-drought/id/10417/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

# data[].attributes.body
https://newsela.com/articles/nepal-quake/id/9089/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Newsela | Instructional Content Platform

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

# data[].attributes.body
http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-a-monsoon

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Do you enjoy a rainy day every now and then? Some people like to see bright sunshine every day of the year. Others, though, don't mind a little now and then.

But what about a LOT of every now and then? Some areas of the world experience seasons when heavy rains pour down for weeks at a time. What are we talking about? Monsoons, of course!

The word "" came from the Arabic word for "," and this makes sense since monsoons are changes in winds that bring changes in weather patterns every year. Although the word is usually used to refer to torrential , it actually describes the rains and the winds that bring them, as well as the corresponding dry that follows.

For example, southern Asia, especially India, experiences monsoons every summer. From June to September, a high- sits over the Indian Ocean while a low- sits over Asia. These systems bring torrential rains to southern Asia during this time.

Farmers on these rains for their crops to grow. About 90% of rainfall falls during this time. During the winter the systems , bringing particularly -dry weather for several months. About half of the world's population lives in areas affected by the Asian monsoons.

Monsoons happen in other places around the world, too. These other monsoons, though, tend to be much smaller in . Other areas that experience monsoons include areas of Africa near the equator, northern Australia, and even the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you're coming to Wonderopolis today, better bring an umbrella!

# data[].attributes.headline
NatGeo Kids: Wacky Weather (YouTube playlist) 

# data[].attributes.subject
NatGeo Kids: Wacky Weather (YouTube playlist) 

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQlnTldJs0ZQ67D3cB0HVlAf3H_y8u54T

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Wacky Weather Videos: Fun facts & more! | Nat Geo Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about wacky weather with these videos curated by Nat Geo Kids! Photo © MinervaStudio | Dreamstime

# data[].attributes.body
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/scholasticnews/articles/a-summer-scorcher-082012.htm

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Scholastic News Online

The severe drought has damaged many crops, including corn (above) and soybeans. (Larry Downing / Reuters)

Extreme heat and drought have made for a tough summer across much of the U.S.

By Jennifer Marino Walters | August 20, 2012

Pools of water have dried up from the lack of rain and scorching heat. (Jeff Tuttle / Reuters)

Summer 2012 has turned out to be one of the hottest summers on record in the United States. It has also been one of the driest. The scorching heat and lack of rainfall have led to severe drought (a long period of dry weather) throughout much of the country.

According to the National Drought Mitigation Center, nearly 62 percent of the country is experiencing drought. Almost 24 percent of the nation is under extreme or exceptional droughtâ€"the two worst levels.

DRYING UP

The middle of the country, where farming is big business, has been hit the hardest. There, the drought has led to shortages of the nationâ€™s two biggest crops, corn and soybeans. More than 80 percent of these crops are grown in areas experiencing drought. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has twice decreased its forecast for this yearâ€™s corn and soybean output. Reduced supplies mean that the prices people pay in America for cereal, candy bars, soda, and many other foods that use corn as an ingredient will likely increase this year.

Livestock has also been affected by the drought. Along with higher feed prices, shortages of grass, hay, and water across much of the Southwest have forced many ranchers to reduce their herds of cattle.

The dryness has also fueled wildfires across the West. About 35 fires are currently blazing in 12 Western states, including Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and California. Many homes have been destroyed, and thousands of people have been forced to evacuate.

So far this year, more than 42,000 wildfires have burned nearly 6.8 million acres of U.S. land. That is well above the 10-year average.

AN END IN SIGHT?

Experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationâ€™s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center expect the drought to continue until at least November. It has gotten worse in some key farming states, including Kansas and Nebraska. But in others, conditions are getting better.

Recent storms and cooler temperatures have slightly eased the drought in Iowa and other Midwestern states. Conditions are also expected to improve in Southwestern states, and in South Dakota, Indiana, and Texas. But the relief has come too late for many ranchers and farmers, who have already cut their cornfields and sold their cattle.

â€œThe [damage] in a lot of places has been done for this year,â€ said Mike Brewer, a National Climatic Data Center scientist. â€œAny easing will just help things out a little next year.â€

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People's Republic of China, Revised Edition

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Scholastic News Online The severe drought has damaged many crops, including corn (above) and soybeans. (Larry Downing / Reuters) By Jennifer Marino Walters | August 20, 2012 Pools of water have dried up from the lack of rain and scorching heat.

# data[].attributes.body
http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-does-a-barometer-measure

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Can you feel the ? It's there. All the time. Everywhere you go. What is it? Atmospheric - often referred to simply as air - is the on your body by the mass of air particles.

You can't see these tiny air molecules, but they are all around you. They have weight, which means they constantly "push" down on you. If you look straight up in the air, you can imagine a tall column of air above your head reaching all the way to the edge of the Earth's atmosphere .

The weight of that column of air is the amount of air on you. If you climb a mountain, for example, the air will be lower. Why? The length of that air column above you has decreased with your increase in altitude.

As you move to a higher , you may notice that your ears have to "pop." This balances the between the inside and outside of your ear. Since there are fewer air molecules the higher you go, you may also need to breathe faster to take in more oxygen molecules to make up for the deficit.

Air molecules also take up space. Because there is a lot of space between air molecules, air can either fill a big area or it can be compressed to fit into a smaller area. When it's compressed, air is under high .

Earth's atmosphere presses down on you with a of almost 15 pounds per square inch. You may WONDER why it doesn't feel that heavy or why you're not crushed under the weight. Remember that thing you do called breathing?

The air inside your body balances out the from air in the atmosphere , which prevents you from being squished by the of the atmosphere . You don't sense air as a , because the air inside you balances outside and you're used to that feeling.

If you watch the weather report often, you may hear weather people talk about barometric . Forecasters use a special tool called a barometer. It measures air .

Barometers measure atmospheric using , water, or air. You'll usually hear forecasters give measurements in either inches of or in millibars (mb). Changes in air , as measured with barometers, predicts short-term changes in the weather.

Changes in air signal the movement of high- or low- areas of air, called fronts. Air molecules in high areas tend to flow toward low areas. We call this flow of air molecules wind. The larger the difference in between areas, the stronger the winds will be.

As weather people monitor air , falling barometer readings can signal that bad weather is on the way. In general, if a low system is coming, be prepared for warmer weather with storms and rain. If a high system is near, you can expect clear skies and cooler temperatures.

Do you like to watch the weather? How can knowing what the weather might be like help you in planning your day?

CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.4, CCRA.L.5, CCRA.L.6, SMP.5, SMP.6, NGSS.ESS1-2, NGSS.ESS3-1, NGSS.PS2-1

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You may not think it matters "weather" or not you come to Wonderopolis today, but it does! We don't want to pressure you, but please, please, please join us today!

# data[].attributes.headline
El Nino Transforms the World’s Driest Non Polar Desert Into a Lush Wildflower Wonderland

# data[].attributes.subject
El Nino Transforms the World’s Driest Non Polar Desert Into a Lush Wildflower Wonderland

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.dogonews.com/2015/11/16/el-nino-transforms-worlds-driest-non-polar-desert-into-a-lush-wildflower-wonderland

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Atacama desert view before sunset (Photo Credit: ESO/B. Tafreshi CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons)

Deserts are by definition barren areas of land with little precipitation. But few compare to Chile's Atacama Desert. Often called the world's driest non-polar desert, the 600-mile stretch of land gets an average of just 0.13 inches of rain annually, despite its location next to our planet's largest body of water, the Pacific Ocean.

The dry weather is caused by a combination of factors, the most important of which is the desert's location in the rain shadow of two mountain ranges - The Andes and the Chilean Coast Range. Also a factor is the Pacific Anticyclone winds that blow cold, dry air into the Atacama.

Image Credit: permaculturenews.org

However, though they are extremely effective in blocking moisture during normal years, 2015 is not a typical year, thanks to El Niño. The climate pattern is encountered every five to seven years when the water in the Pacific Ocean near the equator becomes warmer than normal. The higher temperature impacts atmospheric conditions and weather around the world resulting in unusual and extreme weather that ranges from droughts to severe storms.

Atacama's first El Niño induced thunderstorms in March soaked the area with an astounding 0.88 inches or almost 14 years of rain in less than 12 hours. Though the 'heavy' downpour would have been easily absorbed by the ground in most areas of the world, this was not the case here. That's because the extreme dryness has turned Atacama's ground into hard non-porous rock. With no place to go, the water caused the usually dry Copiapo River bed to swell and flood, resulting in several deaths. To make matter worse, a second storm drenched the area in mid-August causing additional flash flooding and damage.

Atacama Desert in bloom (Photo Credit: By Joselyn Anfossi Mardones from Chiguayante, Chile. CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons)

But, it is not all bad news. The heavy rains also helped sprout the hardy seeds that lie dormant in the hard, dry soil and transform the normally drab desert into a lush carpet of wildflowers. While El Niño instigated blossoms are encountered every five to seven years, this year's flowering, which is expected to last until late November, is being touted as the most spectacular of the past 18 years. In addition to attracting thousands of tourists, the beautiful bloom has also brought insects, lizards and birds - A rare treat for this dry and arid ecosystem.

The Chilean desert is not the only region affected by El Niño. It has also brought unusually heavy rains and caused extensive flooding and damage at Death Valley National Park in the U.S. states of California and Nevada.

Photo Credit: EPA/Mario Ruiz

And there is more to come. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) the 2015 El Niño, which is already the strongest in 15 years, is going to intensify further in the next few months. WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud says the weather pattern combined with human-induced climate change will result in hotter heatwaves, place more areas at the risk of flooding, and increase the strength and frequency of storms - So stay tuned!

Resources: techtimes.com, washingtonpost.com, accuweather.com,independent.co.uk

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
El Niño Transforms World's Driest Non-Polar Desert Into A Lush Wildflower Wonderland

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Deserts are by definition barren areas of land with little precipitation. But few compare to Chile's Atacama Desert. Often called the world's driest non-polar desert, the 600-mile stretch of land gets an average of just 0.13 inches of rain annually, despite its location next to our planet's largest body of water, the Pacific Ocean.

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtkys3-T-Y8&feature=youtu.be

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Explore Volcanoes With Nat Geo Kids! | Nat Geo Kids Volcano Playlist

# data[].attributes.headline
Can Giant Walls Deter the Formation of Destructive Tornadoes?

# data[].attributes.subject
Can Giant Walls Deter the Formation of Destructive Tornadoes?

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.dogonews.com/2014/8/12/can-giant-walls-deter-the-formation-of-destructive-tornadoes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Tornados in the Midwestern and Southern United States have always been a troubling yet fascinating phenomenon - just think of Dorothy's whirlwind adventure in the Wizard of Oz! Occurring predominantly in the area east of the Rocky Mountains dubbed 'Tornado Alley', they form during severe thunderstorms called supercells that occur when cold dry polar air comes in contact with warm moist tropical air.

As the warm air rises, winds around the storm cause it to rotate and form a funnel. The air in the funnel spins faster and faster, creating a low-pressure area, which sucks in even more air and sometimes, even objects. While ordinary thunderstorms last between 30-60 minutes, supercells develop many updrafts and downdrafts and can live on for hours, often resulting in massive destruction.

While twisters occur all over the world, they are most common in the USA, which experiences an average of 1,200 a year. Though only a handful are truly deadly, millions of Americans live in fear every year from March to June, when the unpredictable twisters descend upon them with little or no warning.

Is there anything that can be done to protect people from nature's fury? Dr. Rongjia Tao from Philadelphia's Temple University's Department of Physics, certainly thinks so. He proposes that we build giant walls to keep the tornados at bay. The scientist's thesis is based on extensive research during which he uncovered that major tornados usually occur when winds are moving faster than 30 mph and almost never, when they are at speeds of 15 mph or below. This led him to conclude that in order to stop deadly twisters from forming, we would have to figure out how to reduce wind speed.

For inspiration, Tao turned to the mountain ranges in China that in tersect east-west across the plains, naturally blocking out the north-south flowing winds. This helps protect the northern and eastern plains from severe wind storms and tornadoes, despite the otherwise twister-conducive weather conditions.

By replicating these blockades using three giant walls, each measuring 1000-feet high and 150-feet-wide, Tao believes that the number of deadly tornadoes in the Midwest and South, could be greatly reduced and perhaps even eliminated. For optimal results, he suggests placing one along the northern boundary of North Dakota, one along the border between Kansas and Oklahoma, and the third, around south Texas and Louisiana.

As with any new radical idea, this one is being met with some skepticism. Harold Brooks, a tornado researcher at the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma, asserts that we already have east-west mountain ranges the size of Tao's proposed walls, in parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. However, they have been unable to stop the tornados.

Mike Smith, a meteorologist at AccuWeather Enterprise Solutions concurs and adds that if the mountains are unable to stop the supercell thunderstorms with F-5 tornadoes, walls really stand no chance. He also maintains that the theory that tornadoes are largely caused when cold air hits warm is a misconception and says that most of the violent thunderstorms occur along an area where there is relatively little difference in temperature.

Also up in arms are environmentalists who are concerned that the walls may alter the weather patterns. And then are those that are worried that the walls will not blend in with the surroundings. However, the biggest impediment to building the walls is the cost, which Tao estimates to be about $160 million USD, per mile.

Despite all the naysayers Tao is confident that his solution would be extremely effective and suggests testing it by building smaller walls around tornado-prone areas and then linking them to one another, over time. He also advises building all new skyscrapers in 'tornado alley' on an east to west axis, so that they can help create a break in the landscape and hindertornado formation.

While Tao's proposal may be fraught with hurdles, he has brought to light an issue that needs to be addressed, especially given that experts expect climate change to result in increasingly volatile weather patterns.

Resources:usatoday.com,gizmag.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Can Giant Walls Deter The Formation Of Destructive Tornadoes?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tornados in the Midwestern and Southern United States have always been a troubling yet fascinating phenomenon - just think of Dorothy's whirlwind adventure in the Wizard of Oz! Occurring predominantly in the area east of the Rocky Mountains dubbed 'Tornado Alley', they form during severe thunderstorms called supercells that occur when cold dry polar air comes in contact with warm moist tropical air.

# data[].attributes.body
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/12/151204-tornado-environment-display-el-reno-samaras-storm-science/#.VmW4XM-qmtQ.twitter

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Scientists now have a way to understand the fierce tornado that killed veteran stormchaser Tim Samaras in 2013 in El Reno, Oklahoma. The May 31 storm was the largest ever recorded, and one of the fastest.

New software has allowed scientists to piece together video footage of that deadly storm from 45 different stormchasers. The video is synchronized with maps and radar data to create a unique 3-D picture of the tornado.

For the first time, scientists can now actually see the "sub-vortex" that spun out of the tornado at 175 miles (280 kilometers) per hour, killing Samaras, his son Paul, and colleague Carl Young.

"That sub-vortex had a structure unlike anything we've ever seen, but now we're able to track it second by second-using footage from different perspectives-to see if we can learn more about how it formed," says Anton Seimon, a tornado scientist at Appalachian State University who co-developed the new software tool with programmer Skip Talbot and meteorologist John Allen.

Built over the past year, the program is being launched officially this weekend, in conjunction with the debut of " Inside the Mega Twister " on the National Geographic Channel, which is about the El Reno storm. The software was developed with support from the National Geographic Society, which had also supported Samaras.

Called the Tornado Environment Display (TED) visualization tool, the program was named for the late Ted Fujita, the pioneering tornado scientist who had used crowdsourcing in the 1950s to study the phenomena by soliciting footage from the public. For now, TED has only been applied to the El Reno storm, but Seimon says the technology could be used to model any other tornado for which there is ample footage. Check out the tool here.

By splicing together high-resolution imagery, the program allows scientists to get a finer view of what's happening inside a storm, says Seimon, who had previously worked with Samaras. Radar is only able to capture images every few seconds but video typically records at 30 frames per second.

That level of detail is allowing scientists to better map airflow. It has also allowed the team to identify a chunk of hail in the El Reno tornado eight inches in diameter, making it likely the largest piece of hail ever recorded.

Seimon hopes the tool will one day improve public safety, because scientists and engineers will be able to better understand the behavior of storms and precisely how they cause damage. In the future, the team also hopes stormchasers will be able to upload video in real time, although bandwidth constraints are a major hurdle.

"We hope this project honors the memory of Tim [Samaras] and his team," Seimon says.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Look Inside Largest Tornado Ever With New Tool

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Scientists now have a way to understand the fierce tornado that killed veteran stormchaser Tim Samaras in 2013 in El Reno, Oklahoma. The May 31 storm was the largest ever recorded, and one of the fastest. New software has allowed scientists to piece together video footage of that deadly storm from 45 different stormchasers.