Extreme Weather: A Guide and Record Book
 
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WW Norton, Publisher of Extreme Weather: A guide and record book.

Chapter 1: Heat and Drought

This chapter outlines what the hottest places in the United States and around the world are. The effect humidity has on enhancing extreme heat is also investigated. Historic heat waves, droughts, and dust storms in the U.S. are covered as well. A brief discussion of the global warming phenomena closes the chapter. Special topics covered include Death Valley, heat bursts, and some examples of bizarre dust storms in the Great Plains.

extreme weather guide and record book - heat, drought, hottest places
Pages14-15 Pages 22-23

Chapter 2: Cold

The coldest towns and places in the United States and around the world are covered in this chapter as well as details of some of the worst cold waves ever to affect the United States. Special topics include, 'What -80°F Feels Like', and extreme temperature changes in the Black Hills and Great Plains.

extreme weather guide and record book - snow, ice, freak snowflakes
Pages 44-45 Pages 54-55

Chapter 3: Snow and Ice

Which are the snowiest cities in America? What are the snowiest places in the world? Historic snowstorms of the United States are detailed as well as some of the nation's worst ice storms. Essays on a luminous snowstorm in New England and other strange snowfalls are also covered.

Pages 70-71 Pages 74-75

Chapter 4: Rain and Floods

The rainiest and driest cities and places of the United States and around the world are covered in this chapter. Examples of some extreme rainfalls are also included. Special topics include phenomenal cloudbursts in Colorado and Pennsylvania, the incredible rainstorms recorded on the Indian Ocean of Reunion, and mud showers over New York.

extreme weather guide and record book-- wettest and driest state locations
Pages 102-103 Pages 110-111

Chapter 5: Thunderstorms and Hail

Which places in the United States experience the greatest number of thunderstorms? What are the stormiest places in the world? Where lightning is most likely to strike is also discussed as well where the most hail-prone places are in the United States and around the world. Special topics include super-bolts, ball lightning, and an account of parachuting into a severe thunderstorm.

extreme weather guide and record book -stormiest places, thunderstorms, hail, ball lightening
Pages 134-135 Page 138-139

Chapter 6: Tornadoes

Where are you most likely to experience a tornado in the United States and when? What cities are most at risk from being struck by a tornado? Listings of the deadliest and most damaging tornado events in U.S. history. Regions of the world outside of the U.S. where tornadoes occur are also covered. A discussion of waterspouts closes the chapter. Special topics include an eyewitness account of seeing the inside of a tornado funnel, luminous tornadoes, and animal falls resulting from the passage of waterspouts.

extreme weather guide and record book -stormiest places, thunderstorms, hail, ball lightening
Pages 164-165 Page 176-177

Chapter 7: Hurricanes

The frequency and intensity of hurricanes in the Atlantic basin is detailed in this chapter. Tropical storm surges and rainfalls are also discussed. What stretches of coastline are overdue for a major hurricane strike and which are most likely to be struck during any given year? The deadliest and most destructive hurricanes to ever hit the U.S. are also covered. Typhoons and cyclones around the world and their various classifications are written about. Special topics include tropical storm superlatives, a survivor's account of the Labor Day hurricane which hit the Florida Keys in 1935, and a description of the greatest tropical storm ever to form on earth: Super-typhoon Tip.

extreme weather guide and record book -stormiest places, thunderstorms, hail, ball lightening
Pages 200-201 Pages 206-207

Chapter 8: Windstorms and Fog

Powerful extra-tropical storms are discussed in this chapter. Examples of these, such as the Columbus Day Big Blow in Washington and the 'Perfect Storm' of New England are included. Barometric pressure records are also listed. Europe’s worst cyclones are also written about. The chapter also includes extreme windstorms such as Chinooks and Santa Ana’s. The foggiest places on earth finish the text. Special topics include the 200mph windstorms to strike Mt. Washington and Greenland's Thule Air Force Base, and a brief discussion of El Niño’s and La Niña’s.

extreme weather guide and record book -stormiest places, thunderstorms, hail, ball lightening
Pages 232-233 Pages 252-253

Appendices

The appendices include detailed extreme weather tables for each state and over 300 different U.S. cities. An extensive bibliography and metric conversion tables are also included. A two-page map shows where all of the world weather extremes have occurred.

extreme weather guide and record book - extreme weather tables, weather extremes map
Page 272 Page 279 Page 286