Article Preview: Since You Asked: Thunder in winter is a rare sound - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2015-02-22

Document text

3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Missing teen possibly seen in Florida 'Wisdom of Wit' shines light on finding meaning in dying Stepmother of missing boy Kyron Horman leaves Eugene job Medford Parks seeks umpires to step up to the plate Grace to assume school governance Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Missing teen possibly seen in Florida Ashland man's killer sentenced to 25 years to life Emergency services, Feb. 21 Two-house fire caused by towel left on stove Man charged with trying to lure children Politics and Elections Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Education Grace to assume school governance AHS principal up for national award Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines A question of punishment Logos to receive a slice of Wes Howard Memorial Sports Park Environment Made in the Shade Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Coho salmon road trip Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow Company fined for illegally dumping asbestos in White City State News Brown says she'll preserve Oregon death penalty moratorium Tentative deal reached in West Coast port labor dispute State Senate votes to dissolve Cover Oregon Psychic gets 8 years for con of timber heir Economists project 'kicker' rebates Nation - World Obituaries Evon "Bud" Pennington Charles H. Hackett Death Notices Robert Harvey Miller Leo Allen Zupan Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Goosen keeps lead entering final round Shepherd brings home second in state 50 freestyle Lincecum turns to dad in an effort to regain form Alvarez wins at Golden Gloves with TKO Surging Cavs rip Wizards Varsity 541 College Sports Hot-shooting Knights knock off Raiders Weisner keys OSU win over Colorado Utah hands OSU first home loss Beavers knock off No. 19 Cowboys Raiders to face No. 16 Knights, No. 11 Cavs Pro Sports Goosen keeps lead entering final round Lincecum turns to dad in an effort to regain form Surging Cavs rip Wizards Trail Blazers stymied by Jazz's defense Goosen takes rare lead into the weekend Community Sports Business Latest Stories Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Learn about Oregon's local crowdfunding options Blog: Random Acts of Kindness Dockworkers dispute hits home Medford pharmacy sees steady growth Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul People In Business People in Business Transportation Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Matthew T. Mangino: Crime, intrigue and politics in Pennsylvania Voter bill secures a fundamental right Feb. 20: Letters to the editor 'Big' government is not so big after all Antionette Kerr: Let’s honor Anthony and the rights of all women Editorials Voter bill secures a fundamental right Our view: Will Brown reach out to rural Oregon? Our view: Expulsions hurt students, district, community Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles Our View: A sad end to a historic career Letters to the Editor Feb. 20: Letters to the editor Feb. 19: Letters to the editor Letters to the editor, Feb. 18 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 17 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 16 Columns 'Big' government is not so big after all Kent Bush: Mars One is more reality television than rocket launch Male staffers take lead in Clinton run Congress rightly should engage in war debate Islamic State's atrocities demand ... what? Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Lifestyle Latest stories 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional Anniversary: Hofer Trail to Charismatic Conifers The Rocks Speak: Earth's old wrinkles Dr. Murray Feingold: Does a sedentary lifestyle make you prone to disease? Food Tammy Kelly: Comfort food makes cold weather better Community blog: Citrus fruits shine in foods fresh and preserved Season Stepp: Cooking Chinese food should not intimidate you Page H. Onorato: Food items help define the South There's a whole universe of chili outside Texas Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune How to install energy-efficient windows the right way Dear Monty: Nine downsizing tips for seniors Carol Link: Prime time for pruning blueberries approaches Home Help: DIY home upkeep projects for every season Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Does a sedentary lifestyle make you prone to disease? Dr. Jeff Hersh: Breathe easy - all about lung function Health Watch: Health improvements you can make today that will pay off for a lifetime Runners’ Corner: Helpful winter running hints Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Milestones and Achievements Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Live Music in Local Clubs OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Third Fridays showcases local artists The music that made Paris famous Theater 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' Music Professor Gall plays Oberon's Tavern Live Music in Local Clubs The music that made Paris famous Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Community Events Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Dining Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW   One arrested, one at large after Ashland assault       ...       Missing teen possibly seen in Florida       ...       Stepmother of missing boy Kyron Horman leaves Eugene job       ...       One arrested, one at large after Ashland assault       ...       Missing teen possibly seen in Florida       ...       Stepmother of missing boy Kyron Horman leaves Eugene job       ...           SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Thunder in winter is a rare sound MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 5, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Feb. 5, 2015 @ 12:01 am »  Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> At 2:45 a.m., Monday, Feb. 2, I was awakened by thunder that shook the ground, then the skies opened up and we got some much-needed rain. A few weeks earlier, we had another late-night thunderstorm. I don’t seem to recall many mid-winter thunderstorms. Is this common? — David S., Medford “It’s very uncommon,” according to Ryan Sandler, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Medford. “I’ve been here 16 years, and I don’t know if I’ve ever heard it.” A sensor at the weather station near the Medford airport did record the thunder Monday night, but looking over the data, it didn’t record the other thunder you experienced earlier, Sandler said. Some Since You Asked observers reported seeing lightning a few weeks earlier with a bit of thunder. Thunder is only recorded if it can be detected by equipment at the Medford airport. Based on historical data, there is a 1 in 10 chance of having thunder in February, and a fairly negligible chance in January. In fact, November, December and January are the months with the least chance of lightning, Sandler said. In a given year, we can expect nine days of thunder detected at the Medford airport. The most thunderous months, in order of frequency, are May, June and July, with each averaging close to two occurrences a year. The next best months, with an average of about one thunder event each, are August, September and April. The reason we’re getting thunderstorms in mid-winter is because of warm weather fronts mixing with the colder air in the valley. The good news is these fronts have brought some good rain. The latest storm brought over an inch to Medford from Monday through Tuesday afternoon. More warm fronts are expected to bring additional rain. So far during this water season, which began Oct. 1, we have received 8.51 inches compared to the normal 10.2 inches. Observant readers will note that the water season doesn’t start on Sept. 1 any longer. The local weather station, in an attempt to be consistent with other weather stations in California and Oregon, changed the official start date for the water year to Oct. 1 this season. “We were the only ones using Sept. 1,” Sandler said. With more rain expected, you’d think that’d be a good thing. But snow levels are expected to remain high into the future, Sandler said, which doesn’t bode well for Mount Ashland skiers and others concerned about snowpack levels. “They might see some snow at the very top, but not at the base,” Sandler said. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 5, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments   /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.    Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service  |  Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501