As summer moves closer we will begin to see an increase in strong storms. For some of us, these storms are a familiar afternoon presence. However, their strength can be detrimental to communities. We want to make sure you – and your trees – are prepared to take on this storm season. This article, aims to explain just how these storms form and what they mean on a bigger scale for the planet.
How Summer Storms Form
- Temperatures rise as the sun hits the northern hemisphere more directly during these months.
- The air closer to the earth’s surface heats up rapidly.
- The warm moist air rises through the atmosphere.
- The cooler air higher in the atmosphere then induces condensation and cloud formation.
- As the clouds become saturated with water rain forms.
- Pressure differences between the rising hot air and descending cool air create powerful winds.
- The negatively charged electrons at the bottom of clouds conduct electricity to the earth’s positively charged surface, resulting in lightning.
Significance
As we approach hurricane season in a few days, each storm has the potential to grow into something more sinister. According to the Nation Climate Assessment of 2014, “The intensity, frequency, and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes, as well as the frequency of the strongest (Category 4 and 5) hurricanes, have all increased since the early 1980s.” Hurricanes present many threats: flooding, lightning, and high wind speeds. They rip through communities, destroy homes, and damage ecosystems, leaving behind a path of grief and devastation. These intense storms thrive in warmer temperatures, thus as the atmosphere continues to heat up due to greenhouse gasses, hurricane intensity is projected to increase.
Summer storms are nothing new, so why do they matter? Well, firstly it is vital to take extreme weather conditions seriously. As scenic as a distant storm may appear, they seethe with hazards for you, your home, and your yard. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes cause “as much annual property damage in the U.S. as do hurricanes, and often cause more deaths” (The National Climate Assessment). Several weekends ago we experienced a powerful storm in the DMV area that led to approximately 20,000 homes losing power along with wind gusts up to 68 mph (The Washington Post).
Weather patterns are closely related to changes in our climate, by monitoring them we see how our environment is being influenced by our actions. At RTEC we do our part by prioritizing the health of the trees and plants that we treat using natural products whenever possible. We are always looking for more ways to reduce our eco-footprint and do our part in protecting the planet from climate change. We want to empower the community to do the same by nurturing your plants and trees with routine care.
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At RTEC, we like to take a proactive approach to safety by focusing on preventative care. Maintenance pruning, routine biostimulant treatments, and good root health care can make a difference in a tree’s ability to stand strong in the next summer storm. Sometimes, even when we prepare as much as possible, accidents and emergencies still occur. We offer 24/7 emergency storm services and specialize in removing fallen trees in the wake of a disaster.
Schedule a consultation with our arborist today to make sure your trees are ready for storm season! In the event of an emergency, we are here to help you salvage your trees and to guide you to the rainbow at the end of the storm.
