Latest news with #18StormTeam
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Meteorology Monday (6-9-25): The Cap
Have you ever heard a meteorologist use the term 'cap' or 'break the cap'? On this week's edition of Meteorology Monday, 18 Storm Team Meteorologist Alivia Colon explains a key step to thunderstorms development- breaking the cap. We know that air usually gets colder with height, and we know that heat rises. When the sun heats up the surface during the day, updrafts of warm air rise and the cooler, surrounding air sinks. As long as the surrounding air remains cooler with height, updrafts continue to rise. This process feeds into the water cycle and is how clouds form in the sky. Sometimes, there is a layer of air in the atmosphere that is warm, and we call this layer an inversion, or a capping inversion. This is because when the updraft reaches this layer, it is no longer warmer than the surrounding air, and the warmer layer limits, or caps, clouds from growing much taller into the towering cumulus clouds that form thunderstorms. If the updraft is warm enough, or more moisture is filtered in, or even if the cap is thin or weak in some areas, the updrafts can 'break the cap' and rapidly develop into a strong or severe thunderstorm. Once the thunderstorm happens, your 18 Storm Team and local NWS offices will be all over keeping you safe and informed, so you're next steps will be to seek shelter and stay weather aware. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
The Punxsutawney curse is broken
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – We weathered the winter weather together Twin Tiers! It looks like the six weeks of extra Winter panned out from the famous rodent. And now get ready for the big Spring back. We have rain in the offing for the weekend but sunshine and drier weather before that. Zonal flow will keep the clouds around while still staying dry at the surface. The trough that brought us the cooler temperatures moves east and will eventually take the clouds with it by the end of the day Thursday. The remaining clouds could obstruct the Blood Worm Moon Eclipse that will be visible starting very early Friday morning. Temperatures are on the way up before the next shakeup moves our direction this weekend. The warmth could be the fuel needed to trigger strong instability that causes stronger storms. The 18 Storm Team will monitor the next chances for stronger storms by Saturday and into Sunday. Right now we don't have a concentrated severe weather threat, but we could hear a few rumbles of thunder that could put the kibosh on Sunday's outdoor plans. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
ALERT DAY: Watching the severe threat for Wednesday
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – Rain and snowmelt will increase the potential for ice jam flooding, and ponding of water in low lying areas. A few strong to severe thunderstorms with gusty to damaging winds are possible as well Wednesday evening. The 18 Storm Team is watching this impressive storm system track into Twin Tiers, which is why we are calling for an Alert Day this midweek. This huge complex stretches from Canada to Mexico dragging with it severe weather in the deep south and blizzard conditions in the heartland. We remain in the crosshairs for soaking rains arriving on Wednesday afternoon when we will see strong to severe storms and about an inch of rain for many of us. The warm-up and rain will aid in a rapid snow melt and bring some river or creek levels to minor flood stages because of ice jams preventing the free-flowing of moving water. Meanwhile, we will remain mainly dry in our overnight, but the rain will pop in just after lunch for most of us who. We are all likely to hear a clap of thunder and get under a downpour at some point on Wednesday. After that get ready for Old Man Winter to follow with a chance for light snow as that system ushers in colder weather for Thursday and even colder air for the weekend. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Meteorology Monday (2/10/25): Lake Effect
Elmira, N.Y. (WETM)- Once we head into the start of meteorological fall, those of us downwind of the Great Lakes begin to experience the lake effect weather phenomenon. However, once winter rolls around, the lake effect begins to have a major impact on our lives every day. On this week's edition of Meteorology Monday, 18 Storm Team Meteorologist Alivia Colon breaks down the lake effectWe know it takes longer for water to heat up and cool down, leading to water temperatures that are relatively warmer than the air and land temperatures that surround it throughout the winter. When the cold, Canadian air moves over the relatively warmer water, the lower levels of the atmosphere above are heated. Rising heat and moisture cause narrow clouds to form, and as clouds grow bigger, snow begins to of the strong source of lift, heavy bands of snow can quickly begin to form downwind of the lake, and sometimes these bands become snow squalls. These heavy bands can be accompanied by gusty winds and snowfall rates of up to 3 inches per hour for some locations. The blustery winds and heavy snowfall can quickly reduce visibility in a matter of minutes, creating dangerous travel conditions. When a lake-effect snow day is in the forecast, make sure to stay weather-aware! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Meteorology Monday (1/27/25): Planetary Parade
Elmira, N.Y. (WETM)- On this week's edition of Meteorology Monday, 18 Storm Team Meteorologist Alivia Colon explains the planetary alignment or planetary parade! 6 Planets are nearly aligned on one side of the sun and 4 of them will be visible to the naked eye throughout the rest of January. Those four are Venus, Mars, Jupiter & Saturn. Uranus and Neptune will also be visible with viewing equipment such as binoculars or telescopes. To find them, just look to the south after the sunsets, and look for bright spots- and remember, stars twinkle but planets shine continuously The planetary alignment isn't exactly rare or uncommon, in fact we just had one last year. However, it can take some planets decades or even a century to make a full revolution around the sun, and what makes this one special is that we have so many visible to us without professional equipment. This evening might be one of the best days of the week to view, as we will be cloudy and snowy for the next few nights. Make sure to send in any pictures that you get to the 18 Storm Team and happy viewing! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
