COSEE Ocean Systems: News
Phases of the moon affect amount of rainfall
Description: When the moon is overhead, its gravity causes Earth's atmosphere to bulge toward it, so the pressure or weight of the atmosphere on that side of the planet goes up. Higher pressure increases the temperature of air parcels below. This new paper is the first to show that the moon's gravitational tug also puts a slight damper on the rain. Since warmer air can hold more moisture, the same air parcels are now farther from their moisture capacity. [Source: University of Washington]
URL: http://www.washington.edu/news/2016/01/29/phases-of-the-moon-affect-amount-of-rainfall/
Availability: Full Text
Source: University of Washington
Publish Date: 2/1/2016
Reading Level: Basic
Page Length:  

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