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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