The U.S. Drought Monitor map shows drought intensity, but its categories make more sense when you know what they measure.
Category - Science
The science category is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the natural world and the scientific principles that govern it. This category includes articles, tutorials, and resources on a range of topics, including physics, chemistry, biology, and more.
Akshay Dinesh
How West Nile Virus Moves From Birds to Mosquitoes to People
West Nile virus spreads through a bird-mosquito cycle, which is why mosquito control and bite prevention matter most in summer.
Why Norovirus Spreads So Easily
Norovirus spreads through tiny particles, close contact, food, and surfaces, which is why soap-and-water hygiene matters so much.
Why Ocean Water Looks Blue, Green, or Brown
Ocean color changes with light, depth, plankton, sediment, and dissolved material, revealing more than a simple shade of blue.
Why Electrolytes Conduct Electricity in Water
Electrolytes conduct electricity in water because dissolved ions can move, carrying charge through the solution.
Why Airplane Flaps Move During Takeoff and Landing
Airplane flaps change a wing’s shape so the aircraft can fly safely at slower speeds during takeoff and landing.
How Lead Gets Into Drinking Water From Old Plumbing
Lead can enter drinking water when old pipes, solder, or fixtures corrode. Water chemistry, time, and testing all matter.
Why Weather Warnings Use Polygons Instead of Whole Counties
Warning polygons show where a storm threat is expected to move, which can be more useful than a county-wide alert.
Why Meteor Showers Return at the Same Time Each Year
Meteor showers return when Earth crosses the same comet or asteroid debris streams during its yearly trip around the Sun.
What a 40 Percent Chance of Rain Really Means
A 40 percent chance of rain means measurable rain is possible at your location during the forecast period, not that rain will cover 40 percent of the day.
Why Roads Buckle During Extreme Heat
Roads buckle when heat makes pavement expand faster than joints, cracks, and old concrete can safely absorb the stress.
Why the Hottest Days Come After the Summer Solstice
The longest day is not usually the hottest because land, water, and air keep storing heat for weeks after the solstice.
Why Crickets Chirp Faster on Warm Summer Nights
Cricket chirps speed up as warm air changes insect muscle activity, turning a summer sound into a rough natural thermometer.
How Heat Advisories and Extreme Heat Warnings Are Different
Heat advisories and extreme heat warnings both signal danger, but they point to different levels of risk, timing, and public action.
How to Read Hurricane Spaghetti Models Without Getting Misled
Spaghetti models show possible hurricane tracks, but their spread, timing, and agreement matter more than any single line.
