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Answer: The Drake Passage crosses into the Southern Ocean between the tip of South America and Antarctica. To find official forecasts for that region, go to www.meteofa.mil.ar, click on the link labeled "Meteorología Marítima y Fluvial," and you will find links to "Ingles" versions of "Metarea 6" and "Antarctica" marine forecasts, which provide wind information using expected Beaufort Force levels.
(2008-12-05)

Answer: A check of data for the past 36 months in the Clayton area shows that the monthly average of soil temperature daily minimum did not go below 37 degrees at a depth of 4 inches(http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/cronos). But in case of a very cold winter, you should follow the manufacturer's procedure for draining it and protecting it from winter damage.
(2008-12-04)

Answer: Yes, the average maximum temp at RDU for August was 90.1 degrees, which is 2.9. above the normal value. The average minimum temp was 67.2 degrees, 3.1 above normal.
(2008-12-03)

Answer: There has been a large upswing in the frequency of Atlantic hurricanes, beginning in 1995. This is due to natural cycles in North Atlantic climate that have been observed for many decades. This upswing was predicted at least 10 years in advance by meteorologists familiar with the 150 year record of Atlantic hurricanes.
(2008-12-02)

Answer: A persistent subtropical high pressure area often stretches across the Atlantic Ocean. Trade winds on the south side of this high tend to blow from the east across common tropical cyclone formation areas, steering the storms toward the west. When the storms reach the western end of the high, they often turn, first to the north or northwest and eventually northeast or east.
(2008-12-01)

Answer: If you had a compass with you, you would have found that, based on the compass, the Moon had moved little, if at all. What happened is that your reference points changed. Orientation of the houses around you, curves in the road or different trees or landforms all have you viewing the Moon from a different perspective.
(2008-11-30)

Answer: Although observations are done by the Automated Weather Observing System (ASOS) at RDU, the National Weather Service Office relocated to the Centennial Campus of NCSU in January of 1993.
(2008-11-29)

Answer: "Sun time" is based around the idea that when the sun reaches its highest point (when it crosses the meridian), it is noon and, next day, when the sun again crosses the meridian, it will be noon again. "Sun Time" runs 14 min. slow compared to "clock time" in mid-Feb., and about 16 faster early Nov.
(2008-11-28)

Answer: Water dries when you blow on it because you add energy and make the water molecules move faster. When they move fast enough the water changes state, or turns into water vapor.
(2008-11-27)

Answer: On August 13th Tropical Depression 10 formed about 1000 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. The storm dissipated the next day and was never named, and some of its remnants may have contributed to the development of Katrina. This system would account for Ophelia being the 16th tropical system of the year.
(2008-11-26)

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