Greetings once again to one and all! Plenty of interesting topics to cover this week. In atmospheric science news, our changing climate is front and center and will be for many years as humanity grapples with the best path of adaptation. The coronavirus is the big story with the USA now under, as of 13 March 2020, a national emergency. Now…let’s get started on this week’s reads.
- This exoplanet has the kind of atmosphere that you would definitely want to steer clear of at all costs.
- From the American Scientist archive, a very important and still valid read on poor air quality and how it can shorten the human life span.
- Storms have many significant effects on land, but understanding how they affect the underwater ecology is just as important.
- Human behavior to threats is a complicated and quixotic topic of behavioral study. “Why don’t we panic about climate change like we do coronavirus?.”
- Speaking of the coronavirus, the spread of the virus worldwide has had an interesting effect on CO2 emissions.
- The connection between tornadoes and climate change isn’t yet clear, but it’s definitely there.
- The latest US Drought Monitor shows that, for the week of March 4-10, 2020, approximately 10.8% of the USA is experiencing drought conditions.
- Yet another record month for our ever changing climate. “Earth just had its 2nd-hottest February on record.”
- This is a must-read on a persistent problem that has infested social media and the online world for many years. As a result, many weather ‘hobbyists’ put information out on the internet as if they are the only reliable source. “Meteorologists say they are sick of clickbait and misleading social media weather forecasts.”
- Here’s a very concise and to-the-point overview of the challenges faced during the 2 March 2020 Tennessee tornado outbreak. “Tennessee tornadoes’ death toll was tied to a lack of warning, awareness and readiness.”
For our severe weather preparedness tip for this week, let’s touch on two topics…reliable and official sources of weather forecasts, watches, and warnings, and then, the difference between a severe weather watch and warning.
This infographic says it all concisely, clearly, and makes no mistake that you should only follow important severe weather information from trusted weather sources.
If by chance you are in an area where severe weather is forecast, it’s important to know the difference between a severe thunderstorm or tornado watch and a warning.
An emergency kit is also an essential part of severe weather preparedness. This handy checklist from the American Red Cross will help you get started. Since severe weather and other weather-related disasters can occur year round, it’s an excellent idea to have this at the ready regardless of where you live or the month/season.
That’s a wrap for this post! I’d like to extend a warm welcome to my new followers in social media. I’m glad you’re along for the fun! If you’re on Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr, so am I and I invite you to enjoy me. Once again I’d like to thank so many of you for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received as of late. Cancer does not have to be an automatic death sentence and I have no intention of giving up this fight and will accept nothing but absolute and total victory. If you’re a male over the age of 40, you should discuss getting your PSA tested with your doctor. The Prostate Cancer Foundation is an excellent website with further information. As for the coronavirus, please follow good personal hygiene and prescribed by official sources, stay safe, and stay healthy!
Cheers…and Good Luck!
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