GIANNETTA WEATHER


Bath, Pa,



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Meteorology                 Charles A. Giannetta
                           Meteorologist - Professor 
**Fall---The Transition Period**

Fall is the time of the year for drastic changes in the weather. The colder drier air associated with the Arctic Front is dipping farther south from Canada into the northern United States.
As this Arctic air moves south, it pushes the warm moist air from the Gulf further south into the mid-Atlantic states. This transition from warm moist air to colder, drier air continues well into December, when the Arctic Front positions itself over the central portion of the country.
On or about September 21, fall begins in the northern hemisphere. This is the time of the year when the Sun is directly over the equator. This is called the Autumnal Equinox. At this time, the daytime and nighttime are each 12 hours long throughout the world.
From September 21 each day becomes progressively shorter until on or about December 21. At that time, the Sun will be located over the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere at 23' 27" south latitude. That time of the year will known as the (Winter Solstice).Winter begins in the northern hemisphere. Summer begins in the southern hemisphere.
When looking at the Sun, it appears to be moving in the sky. The Sun does not move, it is the Earth which is orbiting the Sun and changes its location daily in its relationship to the Sun. The Earth's speed is 66,000 mph in its orbit around the Sun.

**Fall---The Transition Period**

Fall is also the time of the year when plants and trees change from their green color to the beautiful colors of orange, purple, brown, yellow and red. This change of color attracts many people to the countryside to view one of nature's most spectacular shows.

**How does this change of color occur?**

Contrary to belief, freeze and frost has very little to do with this change, however, weather does play a role.

During the growing season, the leaves are green due to the large quantities of green pigment produced by the plant called, chlorophyll. With the coming of fall production of chlorophyll slows down. The leaf's chlorophyll declines thereby giving way to the beautiful colors such as brown, orange, and yellow that are also present in the leaves throughout the growing season.

These pigments are called, Carotenoids, which are common in many living things such as bananas and carrots. Unlike carotenoids, a pigment know as Anthrocyanins are not normally produced by leaves until late in the growing season.

Anthrocyanins turn leaves red and purple and are responsible for the colors such as, purple grapes, cranberries, and strawberries. Anthrocyanins and carotenoids often combine to produce the deeper reds and bronzes of the fall colors.
"Copyright" 1998 - 2014 Charles Giannetta

© 1998 Charles A. Giannetta

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