During the winter, a high pressure can cause an intense cold as much of the heat radiates back into space as infrareds at night. It may last a couple of weeks but, when a new low pressure moves in, the leading warm front contains moist and mild air. read more
There is no function. Nature in general really serves no function. Species simply adapt to their environment, creating the illusion that their surroundings is ready-made just for them. read more
Ice storms are caused by freezing rain. The raindrops move into a thin layer of below-freezing air right near the surface of the earth, allowing them to freeze on contact to the ground, trees, cars and other objects. read more
The U.S. National Weather Service defines an ice storm as a storm which results in the accumulation of at least 0.25-inch (6.4 mm) of ice on exposed surfaces. From 1982 to 1994, ice storms were more common than blizzards in the U.S., averaging 16 per year. read more