![]() Molecules are composed of atoms, which in turn are composed of electrons andĬlusters of proton particles. Elmo's fire (although sharp points can trigger it at somewhat lower voltage It takes about 30,000 volts per centimeter of space to start a The voltage tears apart the air molecules and the gasīegins to glow. The storm is electrically charged, and there is high voltage in the air between Elmo's fire is seen during thunderstorms when the ground below Elmo's Fire and normal sparks both can appear when high electrical voltageĪffects a gas. Elmo's Fire, but when it occurs inside a glass Orange-display calculators and in "eye of the storm" plasma globes. Elmo's Fire is a type of continuous electric spark called a "glowĭischarge." You've seen it many times before, since it is almost exactly the sameĪs the glows found inside fluorescent tubes, mercury vapor streetlights, old He is the creator of the Science Hobbyist web page and is a Times staff writer Terry Castleman and researchers Scott Wilson and Cary Schneider contributed to this report.William Beaty is an electrical engineer who has designed numerous scienceĮxhibits for museums. “February,” he added, “came in like a lamb, but it’s going out like a lion.” “In the short term it’s dangerous, but in the long term, we really needed this,” Patzert said. Patzert noted that while the storms could pose immediate hazards, they will probably be beneficial for drought recovery, after several years of prolonged dryness. ![]() And if you don’t live up there, realize you’re not going to be getting up there.” “If you live up there, be prepared for a phenomenal amount of snow. ![]() “This is not a weekend you’re going to be able to go up and ski - no one is going to be able to get in or out, potentially for days,” he said. Though some Angelenos may be tempted to travel to mountain areas to seek out the snow, Swain warned that it’s probably best to stay home. The National Weather Service is advising residents to avoid travel during the storm and to be prepared for potential power outages, downed trees and other hazards, including an increased threat of avalanches. Late winter storms will bring snow to high elevation regions in parts of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The jet stream is the air current in the upper level of the atmosphere that guides weather systems across the globe.Ĭalifornia Could it snow near you? Check this map to see where SoCal might see snow for the first time in years He said this winter’s unusual pattern of “extreme volatility” could be linked to swings in the jet stream that started around December. The cold temperatures and strong, moist winds coming off the Pacific “are the ingredients for blizzards for California,” Patzert said. Though many winter storms travel down the spine of the Sierra and lose their moisture by the time they reach Southern California, the incoming low-pressure system is moving down off the coast of Canada, where it is loading up with Pacific moisture, he said. “What is really kind of astonishing are the snow totals that are projected for the Southern California mountains and the southern Sierra Nevada,” Swain said.Ĭlimatologist William Patzert said several factors must come together for such a rare occurrence in Los Angeles. A flood watch is also in effect in portions of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles until Saturday, with peak rain rates of 0.75 of an inch per hour possible. Saturday in the Ventura, Los Angeles and San Bernardino county mountains, where heavy snow, strong wind gusts and “near zero visibility” are likely. The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings from 4 a.m.
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