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Tree Swallows are medium-sized birds with white underbellies and iridescent blue-green capes that run from their heads to their wing tips. They often live in flocks that can number hundreds of thousands of birds and just before sunset, these flocks will swarm around their roosting spots in great circles that resemble living tornadoes. In the [...]

The amount of energy that the North Atlantic Basin accumulated over the last 50 years is equivalent to almost four trillion tons of TNT (1.610 1022 joules). This energy has not been distributed uniformly, as the tropical and subtropical regions of the North Atlantic have warmed the most, and the subpolar region has actually cooled. [...]

Getting a break from exposure to hot temperatures is important for preventing heat related illnesses. While people usually associate extreme daytime temperatures with heat stroke, if it does not cool sufficiently during the night, the body will not get a break from the heat. In North America over the last 50 years, average nighttime low [...]

Getting a break from exposure to hot temperatures is important for preventing heat related illnesses. While people usually associate extreme daytime temperatures with heat stroke, if it does not cool sufficiently during the night, the body will not get a break from the heat. In North America over the last 50 years, average nighttime low [...]

In the Florida Keys, water temperatures fluctuate annually between about 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. While coral polyps can only survive in warm waters, if these waters become too warm, algae which the coral polyps need to absorb nutrients begin to die, and an event known as coral bleaching occurs. Coral bleaching events in the [...]

Coral reefs provide food for billions of people. All of the benefits of coral reefs are being threatened by two trends: increasing ocean temperatures and increasing ocean acidity. Between 1955 and 199, world ocean heat content rose by 0.037 degrees Celsius. While this number may seem small, the same amount of energy it would take [...]

The more water is in the atmosphere, the less easily sweat evaporates from your body, and the harder it is to keep your body at a comfortable temperature. The dewpoint temperature is one of the best indicators of how uncomfortable hot weather is, and when the dewpoint temperature exceeds 65 degrees Fahrenheit, most people consider [...]

The moist tropical air mass, which develops over the tropical North Atlantic, is currently sitting over the Southeastern United States and is responsible for the extreme heat and humidity. Over the last fifty years, the amount of time during the summer when the air mass is present over the Region has been growing by an [...]

Water has high thermal conductivity, meaning that it is able to take in lots of energy before it gets hotter or lose energy and maintain a stable temperature. This is important in oceans because it enables the temperatures to be relatively stable for long periods of time. This quality of water is also important because [...]

Have you ever wondered why some oceans are a dark greenish-blue color and why other oceans are colored a cyan blue? The reason is because the things living in the water reflect and absorb light. Water does a good job absorbing all colors except light blue, and because the atmosphere contains a lot of water, [...]

Home to tropical and warm temperature seas around the world, including the Gulf of Mexico, shortfin Makos are one of the most sought-after species of shark. Makos are powerful and fast and they are known for leaping, thrashing and attacking boats to resist capture. Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter (Source: World Wildlife Fund. Windows on [...]

Deep sea corals differ from shallow sea corals in that they are too far under water to receive sunlight. Instead, they have to get their energy by catching food particles from the water column, or the area where deep and shallow water mix. They use their stinging cells to attack their prey and fight off [...]

Certain water quality conditions are necessary for tropical coral reefs to grow. Corals need water that is sunny, shallow, salty, and clear. They are rarely found where a freshwater river runs into the ocean, since they cannot tolerate freshwater and suspended particles that block sunlight. The ideal water for coral reefs has a temperature between [...]

White sand beaches, seafood, and warm weather all make the Gulf of Mexico region a popular vacation spot for people from around the U.S. and the world. There are over 620,000 jobs devoted to this industry, yielding over nine billion dollars in tourism and recreation wages paid each year in the Gulf Coast region. Seasons: [...]

The American Lung Association’s 2008 State of the Air Report found that about one-third of people in the U.S. live an an area with unhealthful levels of ground-level ozone pollution. Ozone pollution, which forms when emissions from vehicles, yard care equipment, and other sources react with heat and sunlight, can cause health problems for more [...]

Between 1980 and 2001, energy consumption in Texas increased by about 2.7 percent annually. Demand for energy can be particularly high during the summer months, when people crank up the air conditioning for relief from extremely hot temperatures. Viewer Tip: Save energy by adding a programmable thermostat to your home. A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts [...]

Protecting your house from the summer sun can save energy, significantly reduce your air conditioning bills, and increase home comfort. Viewer Tip: To keep out the heat of the summer sun, close window shades and drapes in warm weather. Strategically planting deciduous trees (tree that lose their leaves in winter) near south, east, and west-facing [...]

The American Lung Association’s 2008 State of the Air Report found that about one-third of people in the U.S. live an an area with unhealthful levels of ground-level ozone pollution. Ozone pollution, which forms when emissions from vehicles, yard care equipment, and other sources react with heat and sunlight, can cause health problems for kids [...]

Heat islands around urban areas form as vegetation is replaced by asphalt, concrete and the like for roads, buildings and other infrastructure. Hese hard, dark surfaces absorb rather than reflect incoming heat from the sun, hence causing overall urban temperatures to rise. In addition, there is a large concentration of “”waste heat”” in metropolitan areas. [...]

During hot weather, shade from trees helps cool us and our homes. Trees can also pay dividends by shading our streets, which keeps pavement in better condition. Shaded streets require less maintenance and can save up to 60 percent on repaving costs over a 30-year period! Shade from trees also cools pavements, lessening the urban [...]