The history of amateur radio (or "ham radio") is deeply interwoven with emergency communications and civil defense, a public service role that dates back over a century. Early in the 20th century, before the development of robust commercial communication networks, amateur radio operators demonstrated their critical value by relaying vital messages during natural disasters, such as floods and storms, when conventional systems failed. The US government formally recognized this

Humidity, a fundamental component of the atmosphere, refers to the concentration of water vapor—the gaseous state of water—present in the air. This moisture plays a critical role in shaping our weather and significantly influencing how we perceive temperature. The most common measure is Relative Humidity (RH), which is expressed as a percentage indicating the amount of water vapor currently in the air compared to the maximum amount the air can hold at that specific temperatur

Flash floods are among the deadliest weather phenomena in the United States, characterized by their rapid onset and extreme water flow. Defined as floods that occur within six hours, and often within minutes, of excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or a sudden release from an ice or debris jam, they leave little time for warning or preparedness. These powerful torrents can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy infrastructure like buildings and bridges, and are respons

A mesocyclone is a large, rotating column of air inside a thunderstorm, typically associated with supercell thunderstorms. It is a storm-scale feature that can be 2-6 miles wide and is the source of rotation for a tornado. Detected by Doppler radar, a mesocyclone indicates the potential for severe weather, including large hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. How a Mesocyclone Forms Horizontal Rotation : Wind at different altitudes changes speed and direction, creating a horizon

When it comes to road safety during a tornado, the National Weather Service (NWS) emphasizes that a motor vehicle is the least desirable place to be, as cars, buses, and trucks are easily lifted and tossed by tornado winds. The NWS strongly advises people to never attempt to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. If a tornado is spotted or a warning is issued while driving, the recommended course of action is to drive immediately to the closest sturdy building or designated shelter.

When a severe thunderstorm tears through a community, the immediate question is often, "Was it a tornado?" While tornadoes command attention for their rotational fury and extreme wind speeds, the truth is that much of the widespread destruction attributed to severe weather—including downed trees and flattened structures—is actually caused by a less publicized, non-rotating phenomenon: straight-line winds . Meteorologists with the National Weather Service (NWS) spend significa

A derecho is a powerful, widespread, and long-lived storm characterized by destructive, straight-line winds, often exceeding hurricane-force speeds . The term "derecho" comes from the Spanish word for "straight ahead," describing the straight-line nature of the wind damage, contrasting with the rotating winds of a tornado. To be classified as a derecho, a storm must produce a wind damage swath extending at least 240 miles (400 km) long, with wind gusts of 58 mph (93 km/h) or

A cumulus cloud is a detached, dense, puffy cloud with a flat base and rounded, cauliflower-like top, formed by upward-moving air currents . The name "cumulus" comes from the Latin word for "heap," describing the accumulated appearance of these clouds. They can indicate fair weather or develop into larger "towering cumulus" (cumulus congestus) or even rain-producing cumulonimbus clouds.   Key Characteristics Appearance:  Puffy, cotton-like, or resembling a cauliflower.  Shape