AccuWeather.com

Solar Winter Under Way

Nov 7, 2011; 3:50 AM ET

The Northern Hemisphere is entering the quarter of the year with the least amount of daylight, known as solar winter.

As the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the direct rays of the sun, over 50 percent of the hemisphere is in darkness at any one time. Colder air during the winter months is a direct link to the smaller amount of daylight.

Solar winter also marks the beginning of the second half of autumn in the North. This is the time of the year that is linked to bigger storms organizing across the country as stronger cold waves ripple southward. Strong cold fronts that sweep into the Gulf of Mexico and off of the East Coast usher in much-cooler and drier air into tropical breeding grounds. This helps diminish the risk for tropical development in the Gulf and Atlantic.

Content contributed by Meteorologist Meghan Evans.

By Andy Mussoline, Meteorologist

The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of AccuWeather, Inc. or AccuWeather.com

blogs Home >

Comments

Comments left here should adhere to the AccuWeather.com Community Guidelines. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.

Memorial Day Weekend Heat Wave

May 24, 2012; 10:20 AM ET

Break out the fans and air conditioners and get the pools ready as a heat wave is poised for portions of the Midwest and mid-Atlantic this Memorial Day weekend.

Peru Dolphin Deaths "Natural"; Pelicans May Have Starved

May 24, 2012; 10:12 AM ET

The roughly 800 dolphin deaths observed off central and northern Peru are likely a result of natural causes, Fox New Latino website said on Wednesday, citing a government agency finding.

Hurricane Bud in the Eastern Pacific

May 24, 2012; 10:10 AM ET

Bud in the Eastern Pacific has strengthened to become the first hurricane of the season in waters of the Americas.

Tornado Risk Iowa to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan

May 24, 2012; 9:39 AM ET

Thunderstorms this afternoon and Thursday night will bring the risk of tornadoes from Iowa to Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Sanvu is First Pacific Typhoon in 2012

May 24, 2012; 7:15 AM ET

Typhoon Sanvu has become the year's first typhoon, and the first such storm since early October 2011.

Southwest Winds Elevate Fire Risk, Threaten Blowing Dust

May 24, 2012; 6:05 AM ET

High winds will slam portions of California and the Desert Southwest late this week, bringing the already high fire threat to extreme levels and ushering in cooler air.

Chile Drought May Be Dented by Rainstorm

May 24, 2012; 6:03 AM ET

A major rainstorm may be in the offing for drought-hit central and mid-southern Chile, including the nation's biggest population centers.

Everest Death Toll 4 from Weekend Rush

May 24, 2012; 6:00 AM ET

Another Everest climber was found dead this morning, bringing the weekend death toll to four, with one climber still missing.

India Heat Wave as Monsoon Eagerly Awaited

May 24, 2012; 5:58 AM ET

Sweltering heat, the hottest of 2012 in some areas, has spread discomfort across the Indian subcontinent, spurring anticipation of the coming rainy season

Still Rebuilding One Year After The Joplin, Mo., Tornado

May 24, 2012; 5:55 AM ET

East Daily Downpours This Week

May 24, 2012; 5:50 AM ET

A stalled weather pattern will bring a daily dose of disruptive downpours from portions of Florida to New England.

Record Flood on Amazon Tributary

May 24, 2012; 5:48 AM ET

The largest Amazon River tributary has marked its highest historical level following weeks of heavy rain in its catch basin, the AP has said.

Pre-Season Tropical Storms Rare, But Not Unheard Of

May 24, 2012; 5:43 AM ET

Tropical Storm Alberto is only the third tropical storm to have formed prior to the official start of hurricane season in the past 31 years.

Watching the Atlantic for New Tropical Activity

May 24, 2012; 5:40 AM ET

In the wake of Tropical Storm Alberto, the same general area of the Atlantic Ocean may slowly cook up a new system over the next several days.