Greetings everyone. Winter is still going strong across North America and the rest of the northern hemisphere. Better prepared than panicked, so check out the Winter Weather Preparedness page for essential tips to keep you and your loved ones safe. If you’d like to learn how winter precipitation forms and why it’s such a challenge for meteorologists to forecast, visit the ‘When Snow Meets Science’ page to uncover the fascinating winter weather secrets few know. Don’t forget to read the latest installment of the Tornado Quest Chronicles and check your NOAA weather radio. And, as always, I’ve curated several thought-provoking reads for this week to keep you informed and inspired. Stay safe, stay warm, and always hungry for knowledge!
- Can AI be used for beneficial scientific research? That depends on who you ask and what kind of research they’re doing.
- After the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs, life came back much faster than scientists previously thought.
- Encouraging news on the renewable energy front. Offshore wind farms helped keep power on during a U.S. cold snap, despite political efforts to block them.
- If you live in the USA and have noticed your electric bill going through the roof, you’ll want to read this article that breaks down your sky high costs region by region.
- Privatizing America’s public lands is shortsighted as it threatens the ecological benefits and public access enjoyed by millions, while offering no real solution to housing affordability.
- Reduced pollution during the COVID pandemic led to a spike in methane levels, showing how human activities impact climate change.
- A company claims it can increase snowfall in drought-hit Utah, but scientists say more research is needed.
- We all know that ice is slippery. However, do you know why ice is slippery? Read this to find out.
- Extreme heat waves in Australia threaten food supplies and wildlife, affecting our food security and environment. This isn’t limited to Australia and chances are will affect you regardless of where you live.
- Climate scientists warn of accelerating ocean warming, declining carbon absorption, and record-breaking temperatures, highlighting the urgent need for action to address trends that affect everyone’s daily life and health.
WHEN SNOW MEETS SCIENCE: WHAT EVERY NON-METEOROLOGIST NEEDS TO KNOW
WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS
US DROUGHT MONITOR
Here’s this week’s US Drought Monitor. After a few warm and dry weeks, heavy rain returned to the West Coast, especially in California, though the snow pack in the Sierra Nevada remains below normal. Moderate rain was seen in the southeast, while other areas received little precipitation. Looking ahead, more rain and snow are expected along the West Coast and parts of the northern U.S., with warmer temperatures forecast for the Southwest and Plains. Over the next 6 to 10 days, below-normal precipitation is expected across the southern U.S., while heavier precipitation is favored in the mid-Atlantic, central Plains, and parts of the West Coast. The latest fire weather outlooks can be found at the Storm Prediction Center website where they are updated daily.
NOAA WEATHER RADIO
Here’s your weekly reminder to check your NOAA weather radio’s batteries, programming, settings, and reception. NOAA has a comprehensive page on NOAA weather radio…a feature of the National weather Service in the USA that has saved countless lives.
CITIZEN SCIENCE
Citizen science lets everyday people actively shape real research by sharing observations and data. Join now to make a tangible impact, discover new insights, and become part of a global community driving scientific breakthroughs!
- The CoCoRaHS project invites weather enthusiasts to become citizen scientists by submitting daily precipitation reports that support forecasting and climate research even on dry days.
- Another path into becoming a citizen scientist is using the free mPING app! Your weather reports go directly to the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma!
That’s a wrap for this week! Thanks for stopping by! See you next Saturday!
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