A Stunning Visualization of the Polar Vortex

A Stunning Visualization of the Polar Vortex

There is no shortage of stunning photographs that record how the US was frozen solid earlier this month, but this animated GIF brings the big freeze to life in stunning technicolor.

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L.A. Weather Isn’t Always Perfect: Snow & Hurricanes in the Southland

L.A. Weather Isn't Always Perfect: Snow & Hurricanes in the Southland

How many people has climate lured to the Southland? Idyllic images of a sun-drenched region—packaged into travel narratives, citrus crate labels, and surf-rock songs—attracted millions to the Los Angeles area. As early as the 1870s, tubercular invalids were moving to the region for its dry air and mild temperatures. Weather has been an essential part of the booster message ever since.

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This Watch’s Mechanical Altimeter Lets Climbers Stay Stylish

This Watch's Mechanical Altimeter Lets Climbers Stay Stylish

A relative newcomer to the watch scene, Breva Geneve popped up last year with its first offering, the Genie 01, which put a whole weather station on the wearer’s wrist powered by an ingenious mechanical barometer inside. This year the watchmaker is back with its second piece, the Genie 02 Terra, which adapts the same mechanism inside the Genie o1 for displaying the altitude instead.

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We Sure Watched a Lot of Porn During This Week’s Deep Freeze

We Sure Watched a Lot of Porn During This Week's Deep Freeze

Baby, it’s cold outside. But wait… You don’t have anybody to keep you warm? That’s what porn is for.

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Could Fog Catchers Help Solve America’s Drought Problem?

Could Fog Catchers Help Solve America's Drought Problem?

California’s running out of water. This year’s record-breaking drought—coming after two already dry years—has the state scrambling for the liquid stuff. Plans to seed clouds for extra snowfall are already in place. But do we really require storm clouds for water? Why not use fog?

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Why the Entire Country Is Frozen Solid

Why the Entire Country Is Frozen Solid

The US finds itself firmly in Old Man Winter’s icy grip this year, with recent temperatures across the Midwest and Eastern seaboard rivaling those in Antarctica and, at times, even the surface of Mars. But what’s behind this frigid weather? And, more importantly, when will it end?

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Does Technology Help You Weather a Monster Storm?

Does Technology Help You Weather a Monster Storm?

Have you heard? A huge winter storm plopped its ass on the East Coast this week, and another is trudging through the south and midwest. Snow and frigid temps have people semi-voluntarily holed up inside. Is that you? Are you using electrons and glowing screens to fend off the cold? Does that work?

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The Snowstorm Ruining Your Day Looks Like a Monster From Space

The Snowstorm Ruining Your Day Looks Like a Monster From Space

A monster of a winter storm ruined a lot of people’s Fridays this week with brutally cold temperatures and buckets of snow. This image, taken by NASA on Thursday, reveals that the storm indeed looks like a yeti crawling drunkenly out of the Atlantic in an effort to devour Omaha.

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Cloudy With a Chance of Space Weather

Cloudy With a Chance of Space Weather

Worried about an important satellite transmission? The UK’s Meteorological Office will begin offering daily space weather forecasts to warn against solar storms that can knock out power grids, radios, and satellite-based tech like GPS. Solar storm activity follows a 11-year cycle, and we’re approaching a maximum right now. [BBC]

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These New Sensors Will Turn Passenger Jets Into Flying Weathervanes

These New Sensors Will Turn Passenger Jets Into Flying Weathervanes

Despite our best efforts, accurately predicting the weather remains about as easy as accurately predicting the next winning Powerball numbers. But with the installation of a new type of humidity sensor, the fleets of commercial passenger jets that inhabit our skies could soon provide meteorologists an unprecedented look at the sky—in real-time.

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