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Weather Explainers

Have You Ever Seen The Green Flash?
February 6, 2026, 7:32 am EST
Discover a rare optical phenomenon that appears as a brief green glow at the top of the sun just after sunset or just before sunrise. The green flash happens when Earth’s atmosphere bends sunlight, separating colors so green becomes visible for a moment.
The Green Flash: Optical Illusion Or Speedy Superhero
February 5, 2026, 12:00 pm EST
You may have heard of the green flash as a superhero or even as an omen that a soul has returned from the dead (any Pirates of the Caribbean fans out there?). Still, it’s a real optical phenomenon, even though it’s just an illusion. Here’s how it happens and how to see it.
What Are Frost Flowers? A Rare Winter Phenomenon
February 5, 2026, 4:18 am EST
Discover the delicate beauty of frost flowers, a rare winter phenomenon where freezing temperatures cause ice to bloom into intricate, ribbon-like shapes on plant stems. Water inside plants expands as it freezes, cracking stems and squeezing moisture outward, where it instantly crystallizes in cold air. These fragile ice sculptures often vanish as quickly as they appear.
A Mare’s Tail In The Sky?
February 4, 2026, 6:04 am EST
Mare’s tail clouds are thin, wispy cirrus clouds that appear high in the atmosphere and resemble long horse tails, or brush strokes from an artist’s paintbrush, stretching across the sky. They often signal increasing winds aloft and can be an early sign that a change in the weather is on the way. Discover their beauty here.
Four Things To Watch For In A Typical January’s Weather
February 3, 2026, 10:21 am EST
January can bring a mix of weather to the Lower 48. One week can bring severe snow and cold and the next might bring tornadoes. The West Coast can see very heavy rain and snow this time of year, too.
Your Cross-Country Flight Time Depends On The Jet Stream
February 2, 2026, 5:32 pm EST
If you’re flying east this holiday season, the weather will be in your favor. A screaming band of winds miles above the ground will push travelers quicker toward the East Coast, while those of us trying to get to the West Coast will see longer flight times due to strong headwinds. PIlots and airlines use the jet stream to plan their trips and you could, too. Meteorologist Sara Tonks explains how you could use weather to your advantage.
What Is Rime Ice? How Is It Formed?
February 2, 2026, 1:56 pm EST
Discover the incredible beauty of rime ice. Rime ice forms when supercooled fog or cloud droplets freeze instantly onto surfaces, creating a white, feathery coating. It often builds on trees, mountains, and structures during cold, windy conditions, turning the landscape into a frozen winter scene.
What Is A Mirage? Nature’s Disappearing Act
February 1, 2026, 3:27 pm EST
Discover the science behind mirages, the mesmerizing optical illusion that makes distant objects appear displaced, stretched, or even floating on the horizon. This short video explains how layers of hot and cool air bend light as it travels through the atmosphere, tricking our eyes into seeing water on roads, inverted ships at sea, or distorted landscapes in extreme heat or cold. Learn why mirages are most common during temperature extremes and how they reveal the invisible structure of the air around us.
What Caused The Lake Erie Seiche?
February 1, 2026, 8:21 pm EST
One side of Lake Erie saw a dramatic pileup of water while the other saw water levels drastically drop. But why did this happen? This event is called a seiche, which is essentially just an oscillation in a body of water. Meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser breaks down this fascinating weather phenomenon that made Lake Erie slosh like a bathtub.
Thundersnow And Snow Lightning In Western New York
February 1, 2026, 7:25 pm EST
A heavy band of lake-effect snow on New Year’s Eve produced thundersnow and snow lightning across western New York. Meteorologist Justin Michaels breaks down the spectacle.

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