Our next full moon, and the final one of the astronomical summer, is set to rise above the horizon this week on Sunday, September 7th.
What You Need To Know
September’s full moon will rise this weekend
It is called the ‘Corn Moon’ this year
Unobstructed views of the horizon allow for best sightings
This full moon is called the Corn Moon as opposed to the Harvest Moon which traditionally is the full moon that falls closest to the autumnal equinox (September 22nd). It just so happens that the next full moon will occur on October 6th so it gets the name Harvest Moon this year.
The moon will officially be full at 2:09 pm EDT Sunday, so it won’t be seen until hours later when it rises above the horizon after sunset.
This year’s Corn Moon will actually coincide with a lunar eclipse for much of the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Africa, and Australia), but no eclipse will be visible across the U.S. Other countries can expect a long-lasting “blood moon” similar to what America saw back in March earlier this year.
The name of the moon is a reference to the corn harvest, which typically happens this time of the year across North America.
The best viewing will be after sunset on Sunday. To find the best time to view in your area, check out the moonrise calculator. Be sure to find a place with unobstructed horizon views for the best sights.
The next full moon will be the Harvest Moon, which occurs on October 6, 2025. As mentioned earlier, the Harvest Moon is whatever full moon falls closest to the Fall Equinox. Usually that is in September, but every four or five years, it happens in October.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
Our next full moon, and the final one of the astronomical summer, is set to rise above the horizon this week on Sunday, September 7th.
What You Need To Know
September’s full moon will rise this weekend
It is called the ‘Corn Moon’ this year
Unobstructed views of the horizon allow for best sightings
This full moon is called the Corn Moon as opposed to the Harvest Moon which traditionally is the full moon that falls closest to the autumnal equinox (September 22nd). It just so happens that the next full moon will occur on October 6th so it gets the name Harvest Moon this year.
The moon will officially be full at 2:09 pm EDT Sunday, so it won’t be seen until hours later when it rises above the horizon after sunset.
This year’s Corn Moon will actually coincide with a lunar eclipse for much of the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Africa, and Australia), but no eclipse will be visible across the U.S. Other countries can expect a long-lasting “blood moon” similar to what America saw back in March earlier this year.
The name of the moon is a reference to the corn harvest, which typically happens this time of the year across North America.
The best viewing will be after sunset on Sunday. To find the best time to view in your area, check out the moonrise calculator. Be sure to find a place with unobstructed horizon views for the best sights.
The next full moon will be the Harvest Moon, which occurs on October 6, 2025. As mentioned earlier, the Harvest Moon is whatever full moon falls closest to the Fall Equinox. Usually that is in September, but every four or five years, it happens in October.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
Our next full moon, and the final one of the astronomical summer, is set to rise above the horizon this week on Sunday, Sept. 7.
What You Need To Know
September’s full moon will rise this weekend
It is called the ‘Corn Moon’ this year
Unobstructed views of the horizon allow for best sightings
This full moon is called the Corn Moon as opposed to the Harvest Moon which traditionally is the full moon that falls closest to the autumnal equinox (Sept. 22). It just so happens that the next full moon will occur on Oct, 6 so it gets the name Harvest Moon this year.
The moon will officially be full at 2:09 p.m. EDT Sunday, so it won’t be seen until hours later when it rises above the horizon after sunset.
This year’s Corn Moon will actually coincide with a lunar eclipse for much of the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Africa, and Australia), but no eclipse will be visible across the U.S. Other countries can expect a long-lasting “blood moon” similar to what America saw back in March earlier this year.
The name of the moon is a reference to the corn harvest, which typically happens this time of the year across North America.
The best viewing will be after sunset on Sunday. To find the best time to view in your area, check out the moonrise calculator. Be sure to find a place with unobstructed horizon views for the best sights.
The next full moon will be the Harvest Moon, which occurs on Oct. 6, 2025. As mentioned earlier, the Harvest Moon is whatever full moon falls closest to the Fall Equinox. Usually that is in September, but every four or five years, it happens in October.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
The astronomical start to the season begins on Sept. 22, 2025, at 2:19 pm EDT. Meteorologists and climatologists look at the seasons a little differently than most.
What You Need To Know
Most people use the traditional astronomical seasons
Meteorological seasons are more convenient for weather records
Meteorological fall is from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30
The Earth’s tilt on its axis gives us our seasons. In the Northern Hemisphere, the spring and fall equinoxes happen when the sun’s direct rays pass over the Equator. They’re farthest north on the summer solstice as we lean toward the sun. On the winter solstice, they reach their southernmost point while we lean away from the sun.
(NOAA Office of Education/Kaleigh Ballantine)
Our planet’s movement is predictable, but it isn’t perfect. Astronomical seasons start around the same time, but the exact date varies. The autumnal equinox occurs anywhere between Sept. 21-23. The winter solstice falls between Dec. 20-22. As a result, each season can be anywhere from 89 to 93 days long.
That would make record-keeping for weather and climate extremely tricky. Making comparisons between years isn’t quite apples-to-apples if the start and length of a season change each year.
That’s why we have climatological seasons. They always start on the first day of a particular month and only vary between 90 and 92 days long or 3 months at a time. This makes data and record keeping streamlined for meteorologists and climatologists.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
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Meteorologist Alan Auglis, Spectrum News Weather Staff
The astronomical start to the season begins on Sept. 22, 2025, at 2:19 pm EDT. Meteorologists and climatologists look at the seasons a little differently than most.
What You Need To Know
Most people use the traditional astronomical seasons
Meteorological seasons are more convenient for weather records
Meteorological fall is from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30
The Earth’s tilt on its axis gives us our seasons. In the Northern Hemisphere, the spring and fall equinoxes happen when the sun’s direct rays pass over the Equator. They’re farthest north on the summer solstice as we lean toward the sun. On the winter solstice, they reach their southernmost point while we lean away from the sun.
(NOAA Office of Education/Kaleigh Ballantine)
Our planet’s movement is predictable, but it isn’t perfect. Astronomical seasons start around the same time, but the exact date varies. The autumnal equinox occurs anywhere between Sept. 21-23. The winter solstice falls between Dec. 20-22. As a result, each season can be anywhere from 89 to 93 days long.
That would make record-keeping for weather and climate extremely tricky. Making comparisons between years isn’t quite apples-to-apples if the start and length of a season change each year.
That’s why we have climatological seasons. They always start on the first day of a particular month and only vary between 90 and 92 days long or 3 months at a time. This makes data and record keeping streamlined for meteorologists and climatologists.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
[ad_2]
Meteorologist Alan Auglis, Spectrum News Weather Staff
The astronomical start to the season begins on Sept. 22, 2025, at 2:19 pm EDT. Meteorologists and climatologists look at the seasons a little differently than most.
What You Need To Know
Most people use the traditional astronomical seasons
Meteorological seasons are more convenient for weather records
Meteorological fall is from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30
The Earth’s tilt on its axis gives us our seasons. In the Northern Hemisphere, the spring and fall equinoxes happen when the sun’s direct rays pass over the Equator. They’re farthest north on the summer solstice as we lean toward the sun. On the winter solstice, they reach their southernmost point while we lean away from the sun.
(NOAA Office of Education/Kaleigh Ballantine)
Our planet’s movement is predictable, but it isn’t perfect. Astronomical seasons start around the same time, but the exact date varies. The autumnal equinox occurs anywhere between Sept. 21-23. The winter solstice falls between Dec. 20-22. As a result, each season can be anywhere from 89 to 93 days long.
That would make record-keeping for weather and climate extremely tricky. Making comparisons between years isn’t quite apples-to-apples if the start and length of a season change each year.
That’s why we have climatological seasons. They always start on the first day of a particular month and only vary between 90 and 92 days long or 3 months at a time. This makes data and record keeping streamlined for meteorologists and climatologists.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
[ad_2]
Meteorologist Alan Auglis, Spectrum News Weather Staff
The investigation continues into Friday’s deadly tour bus crash on the New York State Thruway outside Pembroke in Genesee County. There were 54 people on board at the time of the crash.
What You Need To Know
The investigation continues into Friday’s deadly tour bus crash on the New York State Thruway outside Pembroke in Genesee County
There were 54 people on board at the time of the crash
Five people were killed, and the victims were identified by authorities as Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, of Madhu Bani, India; Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; Xie Hongzhuo, 22, of Beijing, China; Zhang Xiaolan, 55; and Jian Mingli, 56, both from Jersey City, New Jersey
Dozens more were injured
Five people were killed, and the victims were identified by authorities as Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, of Madhu Bani, India; Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey; Xie Hongzhuo, 22, of Beijing, China; Zhang Xiaolan, 55; and Jian Mingli, 56, both from Jersey City, New Jersey. Dozens more were injured.
According to New York State Police, the bus involved in the crash was towed to the state police headquarters in Batavia Friday night.
The cause of the collision was still under investigation as of Saturday afternoon. However, the driver –– Bin Shao, 55 of Flushing, New York –– had no signs of impairment, and the tour bus had no mechanical failure. Police said the bus drove into a median before overcorrecting, rolling over and crashing into a ditch.
State Police Maj. Andre Ray said Friday evening that the driver had been distracted, but didn’t elaborate.
Police said the bus was heading to New York City after a trip to the American side of Niagara Falls.
“It’s a full-size tour bus. Heavy amount of damage. It did roll. Most people, I’m assuming, on the bus did not have a seatbelt on. That is the reason we had so many ejected people on this bus. Like I said, this bus is extremely damaged,” said Trooper James O’Callaghan, a New York State Police Troop A public information officer. “This bus was going full speed. It did not hit any other vehicle. It basically lost control from the median on.”
A total of 21 patients were transported to ECMC hospital after the crash. Seven were discharged Friday, six remained hospitalized in stable condition, five were in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit in stable condition and another three were in the Observation Unit in stable condition. Two patients were scheduled for discharge Saturday.,
In a statement, Kaleida Health said that they received a total of 20 patients to Buffalo General Medical Center (four adults: all were in good condition with one since discharged), Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital (11 adults, two children: 10 in good condition and three in fair condition) and Oishei Children’s Hospital (three children total: two in good condition and one in serious condition).
The University of Rochester Medical Center said that six patients were at their facility. Three were transported via air ambulance and another three by ground ambulance. Two were being treated for critical injuries and four were medically stable, including one pediatric patient.
An investigation from the National Transportation Safety Board, in coordination with New York State Police and the state Department of Transportation Motor Carrier Compliance Bureau, was ongoing.
Those who may have witnessed the crash or have dash cam footage were asked to contact New York State Police at SP Batavia at (585) 344-6200.
New Yorkers retreat to the Hudson Valley to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
They find refuge in the quieter expanses in a two-hour range of Manhattan, where drool-worthy properties aren’t glitzy high-rise condos, but quaint farmhouses, Victorian mansions and sprawling estates. Historically, the firms trading those properties were boutique mainstays that embrace the pace of small(er) town life.
Enter Serhant.
The five-year-old brokerage set up shop in the region in October with a 10-person team poached from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ Hudson Valley franchise.
The then-four-year-old brokerage was relatively early among its New York City-born competitors in establishing a Hudson Valley presence. Corcoran launched Corcoran Country Living in 2020 and Compass earlier this year added the 14-agent Upstate Untapped Team.
The interest from brokerages has followed a rising tide in the Hudson Valley market. Home prices hit record highs last year, just as Serhant opened its doors, with the median sale price in every county in the region beating $300,000, the Times Union reported earlier this year.
Almost a year into the Garay-Michaud Team’s tenure at the brokerage and it appears the team has embraced the firm’s signature social media- and content-friendly stunts to sell homes.
This week, broker Jordan Vaccaro hosted roughly 60 brokers at a mountaintop estate in East Fishkill for a sunset soiree, complete with a DJ and private chef. An unusual addition to the broker open house — off-road ATV tours of the 120-acre property, on the market for just under $4 million. (Vaccaro had initially planned for a helicopter to sail over 401 Woodmount Road, known as the Cloud Walk Estate, but wind conditions kept the party grounded.)
Cruising between the estate’s two homes, barn and three-car garage meant a trove of Instagram-worthy shots, and while taking an ATV around the streets of Manhattan likely won’t happen any time soon, the footage posted on social media rivals the drone shots of Billionaires’ Row towers that Serhant is famous for.
“Jaws” in the Hamptons
A luxury residential broker who’s a fixture in Manhattan’s social scene said she was caught in a beachfront fray in East Hampton this week. Gail Bomze, a 75-year-old Compass agent who has brought eight-figure listings to the market, was accused of biting a seven-year-old in a dust-up at a community concert.
An arrest report seen by Page Six described an account from an event worker that a woman was seen “kicking and punching kids” to get hold of a t-shirt thrown as a giveaway at a beach concert in East Hampton last week. In the frenzy, a child told police, a woman “grabbed her right arm and bit,” drawing blood.
Bomze, who was arrested Tuesday and charged with third-degree assault and endangering a child, has denied the allegations. In a statement to the outlet, her attorney said Bomze was instead “knocked to the ground” in the chaos of the t-shirt toss and reported the incident to organizers, who returned with an apology for the fray.
Not so fast…
Mayor Eric Adams’ administration is back in the news this week after two of the New York City leader’s associates were indicted on Thursday.
Prosecutors accused the mayor’s former aide, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, of accepting bribes and other perks from real estate developers in exchange for helping them secure city contracts and expediting their projects. Jesse Hamilton, who oversaw the city’s office leasing portfolio, allegedly conspired with Lewis-Martin and heeded her directives to give certain developers preference.
The developers identified in the indictments are Tian Ji Li and Yechiel Landau. One of the indictments also alleges Lewis-Martin conspired with Anthony and Gina Argento, the owners of a production studio, to ditch the protected bike lanes included in the redevelopment plans for McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
Lewis-Martin — who was already facing charges in a December indictment — allegedly accepted $75,000 worth of bribes over two years, including a speaking role in the TV show “Godfather of Harlem.”
Hamilton resigned from his post at the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, or DCAS, on Thursday following news of the indictment. Lewis-Martin resigned from the administration last year.
Adams was previously facing federal charges of fraud and bribery, among others, though a federal judge dropped the case in April.
NYC Deal of the Week
The priciest deal to land in public records this week was a condo at Extell Development’s One57, which traded at a loss. Unit 51C at the Billionaires’ Row tower sold for just under $15 million, or $4,300 per square foot — down from its 2015 purchase price of $19 million.
The discount is in line with other resales at the building, which has seen units trade for roughly 24 percent less than their sponsor sale price.
The four-bedroom, four-bathroom apartment has drifted on and off the market since 2018, when it was listed for $22 million, and last asked $18 million.
Although the 2025 hurricane season seems like it’s been slow to start with only five named storms, there’s still a long way to go, and with NOAA’s above-average prediction, that streak won’t likely last.
What You Need To Know
Hurricane Hunters fly into a tropical system to gain information about the storm
Peter Guittari flew for the Hurricane Hunters’ squadron for twelve years
Most intense storm he flew into was Super Typhoon Forrest 1983
What methods do we use to get information about a storm?
If a storm is in the middle of the Atlantic, we use radar observations to get data, but if a storm is close enough to an area of land, we send scientists into the storm from above. This special group of professionals is called Hurricane Hunters.
Hurricane Hunters
Two branches of Hurricane Hunters now exist, one operated by NOAA and the other by the United States Air Force. Beginning in the 1960s, Weather Bureau aircraft began flying into storms to gain data about the intensity and conditions of the atmosphere. It wasn’t until 1976 that the aircraft had a Doppler radar.
Peter Guittari, a retired Hurricane Hunter talks about his time in the squad and the most impressive storm he flew into. from the Air Force, remembers those days in the 1970s. From 1979 through 1991, he flew missions out of Keesler Airforce Base in Biloxi, MS. He flew WC-130 military planes, Bs, Es and Hs.
“We got to see some very very nice places, including the Caribbean and the Pacific,” he said, recalling his time fondly.
Retired Hurricane Hunter, Peter Guittari, reminisces about his time flying into storms.
As for how he ended up a Hurricane Hunter. “I was in the 130s, and the unit needed some extra people. I was a flight engineer, and they needed extra people. A buddy of mine was in that squadron, and he called me up and asked if any of you guys would like to come here and do this? And we said yes, so that was 1979, and I was flying 130s for about four years.”
Collecting data
Once a storm was identified that needed data, a crew was assembled and briefed. Guittari says that when they took flight, they would fly as high as they could to save fuel and then drop down to 1500 feet so the weather and dropsonde operators could collect their data.
While he flew hundreds of missions over his twelve years with the Hurricane Hunters, his most memorable storm occurred in the Pacific, specifically, Super Typhoon Forrest in Sept. 1983. “We estimated the winds to be in excess of 200 knots.”
He loved his job, and the only reason he left was that they closed the squadron down. To this day, he has an appreciation for meteorology, and although he now lives in northern Arkansas, he still follows storms when they make news.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
Tropical activity is on the rise as we approach the climatological peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, which arrives on Sept. 10. After the first few months of the season, the tropics will come alive in August.
What You Need To Know
Tropical cyclone development becomes more common this month
The season’s first hurricane usually forms in early to mid-August
The peak of hurricane season arrives in early September
Based on a 30-year climate period from 1991 to 2020, an average Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes (category 3+). The first named storm normally forms in mid to late June, the first hurricane forms in early to mid-August, and the first major hurricane forms in late August or early September.
In August, you typically see more tropical waves developing into named storms.
In the Atlantic basin, tropical storms are more likely to form just to the east of the Caribbean islands throughout August. Development is also common in the Gulf and along the east coast during this time of the season.
The first hurricanes of the season form during this time of hurricane season and will more than likely develop near the Caribbean islands and along the eastern coast.
So if you live in a hurricane-prone region, before August and September, be sure to have your hurricane kit ready to go before a storm heads for your area.
More Storm Season Resources
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
Our next full moon, popularly called the Sturgeon Moon, will rise in the night sky the evening of Friday, August 8th, across the U.S.
What You Need To Know
August’s full moon is often called the Sturgeon Moon
It is also called the Corn Moon
Venus, Neptune and the moon will be close to each other in the sky days after the full moon
The full moon this month, our eighth of the year, will rise after sunset Friday evening across the east coast of the U.S. and fully peak overnight.
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the full moon is called the Sturgeon Moon because it occurs around the time the sturgeon fish were most easily caught by Native Americans around the Great Lakes. It is also called the Corn Moon and Harvest Moon by other Native American tribes.
The best viewing will be after sunset on Friday. To find the best time to view in your area, check out the moonrise calculator. Be sure to find a place with unobstructed horizon views for the best sights.
The beautiful twilight sky (Nov 28, 2019) after sunset with the planets conjuction of Moon (with earth shine), Venus and Jupiter. (Getty)
This event, called a planetary conjunction, will be a good one for night sky watchers. Venus will be easily seen with the naked eye, but you will need a telescope or binoculars to see Neptune as well.
The next full moon will be the Harvest Moon, which occurs on September 7th, 2025. This is a special full moon as it will appear closest to the autumnal equinox.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
Our next full moon, popularly called the Sturgeon Moon, will rise in the night sky the evening of Friday, August 8th, across the U.S.
What You Need To Know
August’s full moon is often called the Sturgeon Moon
It is also called the Corn Moon
Venus, Neptune and the moon will be close to each other in the sky days after the full moon
The full moon this month, our eighth of the year, will rise after sunset Friday evening across the east coast of the U.S. and fully peak overnight.
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the full moon is called the Sturgeon Moon because it occurs around the time the sturgeon fish were most easily caught by Native Americans around the Great Lakes. It is also called the Corn Moon and Harvest Moon by other Native American tribes.
The best viewing will be after sunset on Friday. To find the best time to view in your area, check out the moonrise calculator. Be sure to find a place with unobstructed horizon views for the best sights.
The beautiful twilight sky (Nov 28, 2019) after sunset with the planets conjuction of Moon (with earth shine), Venus and Jupiter. (Getty)
This event, called a planetary conjunction, will be a good one for night sky watchers. Venus will be easily seen with the naked eye, but you will need a telescope or binoculars to see Neptune as well.
The next full moon will be the Harvest Moon, which occurs on September 7th, 2025. This is a special full moon as it will appear closest to the autumnal equinox.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
The classic summer thunderstorm is doing more for your lawn and garden than you might realize. That extra bit of green and growth after a storm isn’t just because it rained.
There is a science behind why that is the case, and I’m here to explain it.
What You Need To Know
Lightning plays a big role in the nitrogen cycle
Nitrates are considered a “super fertilizer” that helps plants green up faster
Most plants receive usable nitrogen through bacteria in soil
Understanding what the nitrogen cycle does is important to know before diving into lightning’s role in the cycle. Simply put, plants need nutrients to grow.
About 78% of Earth’s atmosphere is made up of “free” nitrogen (N2) gas. All living things need nitrogen to build amino acids, essential proteins, as well as DNA and RNA.
Nitrogen in its “free” form cannot be used by living things. That is where the nitrogen cycle comes in. For nitrogen to be used, it must be changed into different states like nitrates (NO3), nitrites (NO2), and ammonium (NH3).
Nitrogen is mostly brought into the living world by way of bacteria in the soil, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into the nitrates. Once in any of those usable states, plants can take up these molecules and grow.
Lightning’s role in the nitrogen cycle
While most of the free nitrogen is converted through bacteria, lightning also plays a meaningful role.
During a storm, the explosive heat of lightning tears the nitrogen and oxygen molecules in the air apart. The free molecules then recombine, forming nitrogen oxides, which fall down to earth in the rain.
Given that most rain doesn’t carry many nutrients, nitrogen oxide-filled raindrops can bring abundant free fertilizer to your yard and garden during a storm. A storm or two may not make a big difference, but multiple rounds of storms over the course of a week or two can bring lush green and vivid colors to your garden.
So when you hear cracks of thunder outside, just know that your plants are thankful!
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
The classic summer thunderstorm is doing more for your lawn and garden than you might realize. That extra bit of green and growth after a storm isn’t just because it rained.
There is a science behind why that is the case, and I’m here to explain it.
What You Need To Know
Lightning plays a big role in the nitrogen cycle
Nitrates are considered a “super fertilizer” that helps plants green up faster
Most plants receive usable nitrogen through bacteria in soil
Understanding what the nitrogen cycle does is important to know before diving into lightning’s role in the cycle. Simply put, plants need nutrients to grow.
About 78% of Earth’s atmosphere is made up of “free” nitrogen (N2) gas. All living things need nitrogen to build amino acids, essential proteins, as well as DNA and RNA.
Nitrogen in its “free” form cannot be used by living things. That is where the nitrogen cycle comes in. For nitrogen to be used, it must be changed into different states like nitrates (NO3), nitrites (NO2), and ammonium (NH3).
Nitrogen is mostly brought into the living world by way of bacteria in the soil, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into the nitrates. Once in any of those usable states, plants can take up these molecules and grow.
Lightning’s role in the nitrogen cycle
While most of the free nitrogen is converted through bacteria, lightning also plays a meaningful role.
During a storm, the explosive heat of lightning tears the nitrogen and oxygen molecules in the air apart. The free molecules then recombine, forming nitrogen oxides, which fall down to earth in the rain.
Given that most rain doesn’t carry many nutrients, nitrogen oxide-filled raindrops can bring abundant free fertilizer to your yard and garden during a storm. A storm or two may not make a big difference, but multiple rounds of storms over the course of a week or two can bring lush green and vivid colors to your garden.
So when you hear cracks of thunder outside, just know that your plants are thankful!
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
Now that summer is here, dangerous heat and humidity will be more common over the next couple months.
If you’re experiencing extreme heat, it’s important to recognize the signs of heat illnesses and know how to stay safe.
What You Need To Know
High humidity makes extreme heat more dangerous for your body
You should limit outdoor activity if you’re under a Heat Advisory or Extreme Heat Warning
Everyone is susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke during the summer
There are many symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and it’s important to recognize the signs before going outside.
If you or someone you know is ever experiencing any of these symptoms, focus on immediate cooling and hydration.
There are other factors that can affect your body in the heat, including if the heat is dry or humid. When humidity is high, your sweat can’t evaporate quickly, preventing your body from cooling down.
Some other factors that can affect you:
Age
Obesity
Dehydration
Heart disease
Sunburn
Medications or illness
The highest risk groups are the elderly, young children, pets and people with chronic diseases or mental illness.
Heat safety tips
Once you know your risks, know what actions to take to stay safe and prevent heat illness.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and electrolytes
Stay cool: Spend time in air-conditioned buildings and limit outdoor activity
If you have to spend time outside, try to schedule outdoor events early or later in the day when it’s cooler and seek shade
Wear and reapply sunscreen, and wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing
Check on others, including friends, family and neighbors, especially the most vulnerable
Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
The Perseid meteor shower is always a highly-anticipated astronomical event. However, this year, the viewing may be more difficult than in years past.
What You Need To Know
The Perseid meteor shower has up to 75 meteors per hour
The best time for viewing will fall in the pre-dawn hours
A full moon may get in the way of peak viewing
The Perseid meteor shower starts Thursday, July 17 and lasts through Aug. 24. While you can spot meteors zooming across the sky any time after dark, your best opportunity will be in the few hours before sunrise.
As the night goes on, the constellation Perseus — where the meteorsappear to originate — will rise higher in the northeast sky. However, you can look anywhere overhead, not just in that direction.
Meteors will be visible through the duration of the event, but its peak is on Tuesday, Aug. 12. If you’re lucky enough to have a clear sky, you may see 50 to 75 meteors every hour.
The Perseids produce long, bright trails, making it one of the more visual annual showers.
In this long exposure photo, a streak appears in the sky during the annual Perseid meteor shower in 2016. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
We see the Perseids in the late summer as the Earth passes through the dust and debris that Comet Swift-Tuttle leaves behind. The “shooting stars” actually come from grains that are about the size of Grape Nuts, according to Sky & Telescope, that burn in the atmosphere as they zip by at over 130,000 miles per hour.
The nuggets of Grape Nuts cereal are a good approximation of the cometary dust grains that create meteor showers. (Courtesy of Sky & Telescope)
There is one fly in the ointment for this year’s Perseid viewing. The next full moon on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 9, is expected to be one of the brightest of the year. This will severly limit the number of meteors seen in the day or two leading up to and following the full moon.
This would closely coincide with the peak on Tuesday, Aug. 12.
No matter what, you’ve got plenty of time to see this premier celestial event for the next several weeks.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
The Perseid meteor shower is always a highly-anticipated astronomical event. However, this year, the viewing may be more difficult than in years past.
What You Need To Know
The Perseid meteor shower has up to 75 meteors per hour
The best time for viewing will fall in the pre-dawn hours
A full moon may get in the way of peak viewing
The Perseid meteor shower starts Thursday, July 17 and lasts through Aug. 24. While you can spot meteors zooming across the sky any time after dark, your best opportunity will be in the few hours before sunrise.
As the night goes on, the constellation Perseus — where the meteorsappear to originate — will rise higher in the northeast sky. However, you can look anywhere overhead, not just in that direction.
Meteors will be visible through the duration of the event, but its peak is on Tuesday, Aug. 12. If you’re lucky enough to have a clear sky, you may see 50 to 75 meteors every hour.
The Perseids produce long, bright trails, making it one of the more visual annual showers.
In this long exposure photo, a streak appears in the sky during the annual Perseid meteor shower in 2016. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
We see the Perseids in the late summer as the Earth passes through the dust and debris that Comet Swift-Tuttle leaves behind. The “shooting stars” actually come from grains that are about the size of Grape Nuts, according to Sky & Telescope, that burn in the atmosphere as they zip by at over 130,000 miles per hour.
The nuggets of Grape Nuts cereal are a good approximation of the cometary dust grains that create meteor showers. (Courtesy of Sky & Telescope)
There is one fly in the ointment for this year’s Perseid viewing. The next full moon on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 9, is expected to be one of the brightest of the year. This will severly limit the number of meteors seen in the day or two leading up to and following the full moon.
This would closely coincide with the peak on Tuesday, Aug. 12.
No matter what, you’ve got plenty of time to see this premier celestial event for the next several weeks.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
When you think of a baseball player hitting a home run, there are lots of variables that come into play. Who is the batter? Who is the pitcher? What stadium are they playing at? But what about the weather?
Wind, rain and snow may come to mind first, but temperature and humidity can influence how far a baseball travels and be a deciding factor in if the ball makes it out of the park.
What You Need To Know
The temperature can influence how far a baseball travels
Warm and humid air is less dense than cold and dry air
Lower density allows the baseball to travel further
Warm air is less dense than cold air. Air expands when it’s heated, so the molecules are more spread out. This means there is less air for the ball to travel through, giving it less resistance.
Now factoring in humidity, warmer air can hold more moisture. Water vapor is light compared to nitrogen and oxygen molecules, so humid air is less dense than dry air at the same temperature.
When it’s hot and humid, the air is lighter, and the baseball can travel further.
A 2023 study claims that “a 1° C increase in the daily high temperature on the day of a baseball game played in a stadium without a dome increases the number of home runs in that game by 1.96%.” A bigger difference in home runs was observed for games played during the early afternoon versus night games because of the larger difference in temperature.
How about cold air? Cold air is more dense than warm air, so the ball has to travel through more air. Molecules move closer together when the air contracts as temperature lowers.
If it’s cold and dry out, the drier air will have fewer water vapor molecules, so the nitrogen and oxygen comprising the air will be heavier than the humid air would be.
Ideally, outdoor games in hot and humid climates are most favorable for seeing your favorite team or player hit a home run.
Tonight’s MLB Home Run Derby is in Atlanta, and the forecast calls for no rain and temperatures near 90 degrees with heat index values in the mid-90s. Get ready to watch the ball fly!
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
This month’s “Buck Moon” also happens when the moon will be at its closest to Earth for the year.
What You Need To Know
July’s full moon is commonly called the “Buck Moon,” but sometimes goes by “Thunder Moon”
It will peak Thursday afternoon but look largest around sunset
The moon will appear low in the sky because it’s the full moon closest to the summer solstice
Full moons’ nicknames typically relate to something from that time of year. July’s full moon is called the “Buck Moon” because this is when bucks’ (male deer) new antlers have grown more sizeable after starting late in the spring.
An American Whitetail deer buck. (AP Photo/Dr. Scott M. Lieberman)
Other names include the “Thunder Moon,” as this time of year typically sees a threat for thunderstorms.
The moon will be at its fullest at 4:36 p.m. EDT, but it’ll still be essentially full when it rises Thursday evening and will appear low in the sky. This happens because it’s the full moon closest to the summer solstice, when the sun is at its highest in the daytime sky, and the moon tracks a correspondingly low path through the night.
The moon will look even lower than normal because of a phenomenon known as a ‘Major Lunar Standstill,’ when the sun’s gravity drags the moon’s tilted orbit into its most extreme inclination relative to Earth’s celestial equator. This occurs every 18.6 years.
Here’s the cloud cover forecast for Wednesday evening through Friday evening across the country.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
This month’s “Buck Moon” also happens when the moon will be at its closest to Earth for the year.
What You Need To Know
July’s full moon is commonly called the “Buck Moon,” but sometimes goes by “Thunder Moon”
It will peak Thursday afternoon but look largest around sunset
The moon will appear low in the sky because it’s the full moon closest to the summer solstice
Full moons’ nicknames typically relate to something from that time of year. July’s full moon is called the “Buck Moon” because this is when bucks’ (male deer) new antlers have grown more sizeable after starting late in the spring.
An American Whitetail deer buck. (AP Photo/Dr. Scott M. Lieberman)
Other names include the “Thunder Moon,” as this time of year typically sees a threat for thunderstorms.
The moon will be at its fullest at 4:36 p.m. EDT, but it’ll still be essentially full when it rises Thursday evening and will appear low in the sky. This happens because it’s the full moon closest to the summer solstice, when the sun is at its highest in the daytime sky, and the moon tracks a correspondingly low path through the night.
The moon will look even lower than normal because of a phenomenon known as a ‘Major Lunar Standstill,’ when the sun’s gravity drags the moon’s tilted orbit into its most extreme inclination relative to Earth’s celestial equator. This occurs every 18.6 years.
Here’s the cloud cover forecast for Wednesday evening through Friday evening across the country.
Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.
