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 and Covid-19 situation is foremost on everyone’s mind with a world-wide pandemic that’s like nothing the world’s current population has ever seen. Additionally, the spring severe weather season is in full swing across the contiguous USA. We’ll cover that topic and more with this week’s picks…so let’s get started.
- California is know for its devastating wildfires. With climate change, the impact and frequency of those fires will increase dramatically.
- As the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 pandemic brings air travel to a fraction of what is normally taking place, there’s another problem from the lack of passenger aircraft that’s airborne. “Weather forecasting models rely on temperature and wind data gathered by thousands of planes flying overhead.” However, NOAA and other weather forecasting agencies the world over are readily adapting and doing quite nicely.
- One significant factor with a disease like COVID-19 is the quality of air that is breathed by those infected.
- Speaking of air quality, pollution has been ravaging many cities in recent months. As the SARS-CoV-2 virus and Covid-19 have spread across the globe, pollution levels have dropped…but this is no sign for a celebration.
- Handling the stress of a pandemic can overwhelm even the sturdiest of dispositions. Having the mindset of a scientists has helped me tremendously. “How to Think about COVID-19 like an M.D.”
- Climate change and life-threatening infectious diseases have a very clear connection. While it may not include COVID-19, there are many other diseases you need to be concerned about.
- Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has experienced its third mass bleaching event in five years. For the first time, all three sections of the reef have been severely affected.
- March 2020 will go down as a watershed time period in the course of human history due to the current global pandemic. In the meantime, March was also a remarkable month for climate and weather across the USA.
- This week marks the anniversary of the April 1974 Superoutbreak of tornadoes that killed over 330 people across thirteen states. To this day, this tornado outbreak still holds the record for the number of F5 (EF5) tornadoes in a single day.
- Finishing on a positive note is another anniversary. The TIROS weather satellite revolutionized meteorology back in April 1960 with images of our planet and clouds that forever changed the way atmospheric scientists compile forecasts and outlooks.
SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS
To be fully prepared for the increase in severe weather events, it’s important to understand the difference between a Watch and a Warning.
Here’s a quick reminder on where you can take shelter in your home. With the peak of severe weather activity in full swing, now is a good time to prepare your safe place.
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 stay home if possible, practice good personal hygiene, mind your social distancing, stay safe, and stay healthy!
Cheers…and Good Luck!
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