Your Questions Answered.

Since I've been assigned to night shift meteorologist, I haven't been checking my emails lately. Today is my last day, before the March Break that is, that I will be on night shifts so I decided to check my emails. 70 UNREAD EMAIL MESSAGES. Some I've responded directly and some through the blog. Special thanks to a few questions "answered" by CityNews Meteorologist Michael Kuss.

Why is Toronto often warmer than its surroundings?

This is known as the heat island affect. Due to the heat given off by buildings vehicles and people in a large city like Toronto and the heating by the sun of a city's dark surfaces like pavement the temperature can be 1C to 2C warmer in the day than if the city wasn't there. At night it's even more dramatic. On a calm, clear night temperatures can be as much as 12C warmer.

What's the difference between a meteorologist and a weather specialist? (THIS IS A FAMOUS ONE!!)

A meteorologist is someone with a four year degree in meteorology or atmospheric science. A weather specialist is someone with weather knowledge but hasn't studied or completed specific course work in the discipline. PS: Click on WeatherWeb and Meteorology as a Career link for information.

What is dewpoint?

Dewpoint (Td) is the point at which the air must be cooled to to become totally saturated. If the temperature is below freezing it is sometimes called the frost point. As the air temperature gets closer to the dewpoint temperature the humidity increases. Once the temperature dips to meet the dewpoint temperature and the air becomes totally saturated the water vapour starts to condense into water droplets. When this happens at the surface we get fog.

Then as I was searching through Michael Kuss' blog, he responded this most interesting email I personally ever have seen and it definetly brings up a good point, so I had to add it.

CityNews,

A line from today's story on the weather and snow prompted this letter because it's something I've been thinking about for a while. "Environment Canada says we've received 128 centimetres of the unwanted powder so far this winter"Who says it's unwanted? I know snow can be a major inconvenience, but it's part of living in Canada and we generally, not everyone of course, have a great time in winter. For example hockey, skiing, fun in the snow... The weather people (for all news outlets not just City) are always suggesting snow and cold are 'bad', 'ugly', 'nasty' etc. They also make it seem like a really good thing to be happy about when we get 15 degree days in the middle of January.

What about global Warming? Often they'll be another report of how our planet is in big trouble, getting hot too fast and all those other bad things; then later in the same newscast's weather report unseasonably hot something to be really happy about. I don't see how it makes sense. ITS SUPPOSED TO BE COLD AND SNOWY, so why can't we embrace it instead of complaining and being negative?

I personally find it gross if its way above freezing, the snow melts and turns into that filthy brown slush. However the weather people seem to think that is a pleasant day.
In closing I suppose I'd just like to know the reason behind the thinking winter equals bad.

Sincerely
Jacob

CLICK HERE TO READ THE INTERESTING ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.



Wishing you from my family to yours, a Happy Family Day to all Ontario citizens.