Greetings everyone! It’s been an interesting week. Summer has been brutal over the European continent and elsewhere. Meanwhile in California, seismic activity has been reminding residents of the perilous dangers of living along a major fault. There’s much more to cover. Enjoy.
- The European heat wave is not only making people adapt to a changing climate, but face the fact that they need more air conditioning.
- The European heat wave has waned a bit, but it’s still unusually warm. Unfortunately, this will probably be a taste of a ‘new normal.’
- Recent photos of a hail storm’s aftermath have been making the rounds in social media. This excellent essay by Dr. Marshall Shepherd not only explains the hows and whys of hail, but nails it when it comes to explaining the ‘modus operandi’ of hype in today’s social media.
- A very novel idea in forecasting thunderstorms. “Computer scientists predict lightning and thunder with the help of artificial intelligence.“
- Speaking of forecasting, the USA’s National Weather Service is making some changes to its products that notify you if hazardous weather is headed your way.
- Since 2014, the amount of sea ice around Antarctica has declined significantly…and more could disappear more rapidly than previously thought.
- While on the topic of ice and climate change, Greenland has a significant amount that, if it were to disappear, would have enough influence worldwide to raise sea levels up to twenty feet.
- In spite of perpetual myths, sharks are low on the danger risk for humans. Millions of sharks are needlessly slaughtered every year by humans…if for no other reason than their fins can be sliced off to make expensive soup for rich people. Truth be known, sharks should be terrified of humans…and our plastic pollution in oceans is now just one way we kill them.
- In the past few days, seismic activity in California has seen a dramatic increase. Years of little activity has induced ambivalence and complacency. As of this post (6 July 2019) substantial earthquakes are still occurring and seismologists say the fault system is still growing.
- For some reason, this item stirred up a great deal of vitriol from nefarious trolls on Twitter. Looks like what doesn’t agree with the left is as anger inspiring as anything that annoys the right. I thought it was an intriguing idea.
Hurricane Preparedness
The beginning of June brings the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season. For the next few weeks, I’ll share some informative links pertaining to this threat that, like many other weather hazards across North America, occurs annually. Some years are relatively quiet, some not so. The important fact to remember is that it only takes one tropical storm or hurricane to affect the lives of millions. Unlike tornadoes, tropical cyclones can be forecast days in advance which, for those in its path, is fortunate since it gives them plentiful time to prepare and evacuate. These are links pertaining to tropical cyclones (tropical storms & hurricanes) that I hope you’ll find helpful.
National Weather Service Homepage
Central Pacific Hurricane Center
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
NOAA Hurricane PreparednessAmerican
Red Cross Hurricane Preparedness
Extensive FEMA Emergency Preparedness Document (34 Page PDF File)
NOAA Weather Radio Coverage Map
Ready.gov Basic Disaster Supply Kit Info
Preparing Your Pets For Disasters And Emergencies
USA Environmental Protection Agency: General Information For Disaster Preparedness And Response
This excellent Emergency Kit checklist from the American Red Cross is very helpful in assisting you while you compile items for your kit. A kit like this should be available year round…there are many winter weather scenarios where the same items will come in handy.
Please keep in mind that ONLY your local National Weather Service office, NOAA Weather Radio, or reliable broadcast media are the BEST sources of important, timely, and potentially life-saving weather information, watches, and warnings! None of the links on this page should be used for life-&-death decisions or the protection of property!
That’s a wrap for this post! Thanks so much to all of you who follow me…your loyalty is sincerely appreciated.
Cheers!
Tornado Quest on Instagram: https://instagram.com/tornadoquest
Tornado Quest on Tumblr: http://tornadoquest.tumblr.com
Copyright © 1998 – 2019 Tornado Quest, LLC
TORNADO QUEST 