Predicting Storms During Winter Weather: Understanding Temperatures in the Atmosphere

Whenever the winter weather starts rearing its ugly head, forecasters are burdened with the complicated task of predicting storms, specifically what type of precipitation will fall and how much. The answer to determining the correct information lies within the temperatures in the atmosphere.

The conflicting weather reports about snowstorms over the past few weeks have been frequent in the news. Some predicted more snow, some predicted less, some predicted a wintry mix. Weather experts say that these predictions are the most difficult because they require a sophisticated measurement that is utilized through forecasting technology. A more in-depth explanation about this measurement tool can be found in this LiveScience article.

This current snowstorm has produced myriad reports about how it will affect the east coast: ice in the south, wintry mix in the north, snow and freezing rain everywhere. All of these precipitations require an explanation from temperatures in the atmosphere, each of which will be described below.

Ice: When the weather predicts ice, this means that it's very warm in the atmosphere except very near the ground, according to Eli Jacks, the chief of fire and public weather services at the National Weather Service. Rain falls from the atmosphere, but it freezes when it hits the cold ground.

Snow: The atmosphere is all around cold when snowfall occurs. The precipitation falls through the cold air and remains frozen all the way to the ground. But Jacks says it is hard to predict how much snow will fall because temperatures can change in the atmosphere.

Wintry Mix: This sloppy mixture occurs based on the moisture content in the atmosphere. Snow may begin to fall and the atmosphere temperature might change and bring rain behind it. Or vice versa. So remember whenever you see that dirty slush on the ground, it's the atmosphere's fault.

Eli Jacks provided a lot of useful information in this LiveScience article. Take a look if you'd like to see why weathermen are fickle in their reports.