Category Archives: GLOBE Protocols

Why Cities are Warmer than the Countryside

(This continues from the previous posting, which compares surface temperatures at two cities to the surrounding areas.) 2. Why are cities warmer than their surroundings? First, cities have much more concrete,asphalt and other man-made materials. When sunlight hits these surfaces, … Continue reading

Posted in Air Temperature, Atmosphere, Climate, Earth System Science, Land Cover | 1 Comment

Climate — from your back yard to the globe. Local Climate

In the next few months, I will be writing about climate and climate change. My purpose is to discuss the various ways we influence climate both locally and globally. The plan is to start locally, with the effect of cities … Continue reading

Posted in Air Temperature, Atmosphere, Climate, Climate Change, Earth System Science | 5 Comments

Snowmelt

We live on the south side of the street; the sidewalk is to the north of our house. We shovel the walks for the woman who lives on the north side of the street. We noticed that we could easily … Continue reading

Posted in Atmosphere, Backyard Science, Hydrology, Watersheds | Leave a comment

Snow day!!!

The snow here at the GLOBE Program Office was so heavy we were told to go home. It was a “snow day”! I love snow days because they free you from your normal work or school. You can make new … Continue reading

Posted in Atmosphere, Backyard Science, Watersheds | 47 Comments

Altostratus clouds

About two years ago, a group of graduate students on the Cloud Protocol PI team and I took the on-line GLOBE cloud quiz. None of us did very well, in spite of years of experience looking at clouds, and in … Continue reading

Posted in Atmosphere, Backyard Science | 1 Comment