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Ask Caleb: The Sunny Side of the Street

by Caleb Weatherbee | Monday, August 15th, 2011 | From: Weather

Ask Caleb: The Sunny Side of the Street

Dear Caleb:
A few years ago, I was walking down Main Street when, all of a sudden, it was pouring down rain on one side of the street, but not the other. People on the rainy side of the road were scurrying to find cover, while those of us on the dry side just kept walking, not believing our eyes. Can you tell me how or why such a thing would happen in the middle of town?

- Martha Marie Snyder, Media Pa.

Localized heavy downpours occasionally happen during very hot an humid summer months. These spotty showers are very unorganized and seem to pop up out of nowhere. They are usually very brief, but very intense. The cause is usually an especially unstable and humid local atmosphere.

Got a weather or astronomy question for Caleb Weatherbee? Email us at weather@farmersalmanac.com!

1 comment

1 Lynda H { 08.17.11 at 11:18 pm }

It happens all the time in Florida. We lived in Clearwater for several years and we got used to seeing the kids run from one side of the house to the other. It would rain in the back yard and not in the front yard.

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