Tiffany Means

Tiffany Means

Tiffany Means is a meteorologist turned science writer based in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina. Her work has appeared in Yale Climate Connections, The Farmers' Almanac, and other publications. Tiffany has a bachelor's degree in atmospheric science from the University of North Carolina, Asheville, and she is earning a master's in science writing at Johns Hopkins University. 

Latest articles by Tiffany Means

Plate tectonics is the means through which mountains are formed. Image shows rippled gray mountains, mostly treeless, beneath a cloud-studded blue sky. The Baird Mountains in Alaska’s Kobuk Valley National Park formed when two tectonic plates along a convergent boundary collided, causing solid rock to buckle and fold.

What is plate tectonics?

By Tiffany Means last updated

Blame plate tectonics for Earth’s mountains, earthquakes, volcanoes, and why its continents fit together like pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle.

Geology
A view from space of a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.

14 of the deadliest natural disasters in history

By Stephanie Pappas, Tiffany Means last updated

Reference The world's deadliest natural disasters span more than 2,500 years of human history and include earthquakes, tsunamis and cyclones.

Reference
photo of baby cheetahs cuddled around an adult cheetah in a field

Cheetahs: Earth's fastest land animals

By Tiffany Means published

Cheetahs are unique members of the big cat family, with bodies built for acceleration and short bursts of incredible speed.

Cats
Space as seen from Earth's surface

Why does outer space look black?

By Tiffany Means published

Several cosmic characteristics, including the lack of an atmosphere, lend space its dark color.

Astronomy
A man pauses on the bleachers to take an exercise break

Why is humidity so uncomfortable?

By Tiffany Means published

Here's why "It's not the heat; it's the humidity" rings true.

Weather
Greenhouse gases are being emitted into the atmosphere with dire consequences. Here, a factory emits a harmful gas.

Greenhouse gases: Causes, sources and environmental effects

By Tiffany Means, Marc Lallanilla published

Greenhouse gases are atmospheric gases that absorb infrared radiation and trap heat in the atmosphere. Increases in emissions of these gases are leading to climate change and global warming.

Climate change
dog digging hole

Why do dogs bury bones?

By Tiffany Means published

A dog's burying instinct comes courtesy of its wild ancestor, the gray wolf.

Dogs
Snowy landscape with aurora overhead

Why is snow white?

By Tiffany Means published

Here's why snow is white and not clear like water or ice.

Planet Earth
White Christmas

How much snow is needed for an official 'White Christmas'?

By Tiffany Means published

Here's how much snow is officially needed to call a Christmas "white."

Weather
Infrared satellite imagery of Hurricane Dorian as it made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane over three islands in the Bahamas on the morning of Sep. 2, 2019.

Hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones: Earth's tropical windstorms

By Tiffany Means published

Hurricanes and typhoons — or more broadly, tropical cyclones — begin as clusters of thunderstorms over tropical ocean waters, taking anywhere from several hours to days to become organized.

Hurricanes
Aerial view of researchers working on Arctic sea ice.

The Arctic Circle: Polar portal to the Arctic

By Tiffany Means published

Located about 66.5 degrees north of the Equator lies the Arctic Circle — a line of latitude that outlines the border of Earth's northernmost region known as the Arctic.

Arctic