This has been a very active weather and climate week. For North America, Hurricane Laura was the biggest weather story with the Category 4 hurricane making landfall on the Louisiana coast around 1AM CDT on the 27 August 2020. From humble origins as a cluster of thunderstorms moving westward off the coast of Africa, a modest tropical wave transformed into a powerful storm while traveling thousands of miles and going through explosive intensification in the Gulf Of Mexico. The devastating wildfires in California, Colorado, and elsewhere were also front and center. As usual, there are many other topics to cover plus a review of hurricane preparedness, so let’s get started.
- Many people took the opportunity to photograph the comet NEOWISE including the Hubble telescope…but they’re not the kind of photos you might expect.
- After reading this and watching the video in this story, you may never look at trees the same way again.
- One would think that air travel during the midst of a global pandemic would be exceptionally dangerous. But, due to some features unique to air travel, it may be safer than one would think as long as certain precautions are taken.
- Reducing the amount of plastic pollution that exists across the globe may sound easy, but it is a much greater hurdle to overcome than we think.
- Why does California have so many wildfires? Here’s an excellent, concise overview of a disastrous event that has become all to common.
- “Smoke, heat, & COVID-19: Californians are caught between public health crises.” Air quality hit dangerous levels in parts of CA & CO this week. Millions breathing pollutants from wildfires with potentially dangerous public health impacts.
- Preparing for the landfall of a hurricane or evacuating an area in the path of a wildfire is bad enough…but add a pandemic, and the added threats to the well being of the people involved expands significantly.
- Some hurricanes leave an indelible mark on the region they affected. No doubt that after this season, the name of Laura will be retired. For that reason and many more, names of hurricanes that had a historical impact are retired.
- An analysis of four decades of satellite imagery shows a clear connection to climate change and global warming and the increased chances of a tropical cyclone reaching Category 3 intensity or higher.
- The latest US Drought Monitor is out. Almost 40% of the USA’s population is experiencing unusual dry or drought conditions.
HURRICANE AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
The Atlantic and central Pacific have become quite active with several tropical cyclones this year. In the central and eastern Pacific, several named storms have taken place. The Atlantic has been unusually active with, as of August 28th, thirteen named storms having taken place so far in 2020 with several more weeks in the hurricane season left to go. NOAA has a great website to help you get ready with plenty of helpful tips and infographics to help you get the supplies you may need.
This handy checklist from the American Red Cross will help you put together an emergency kit for a variety of weather scenarios. For folks living in regions prone to hurricanes, it’s not too late to assemble your kits for home and your place of work.
I would be remiss to not remind folks to stick with trusted and reliable sources for your weather information. A NOAA weather radio is essential and should be as common in homes and workplaces as smoke detectors…regardless of where you live in the USA and its territories. Of course, broadcast meteorologists of your choice are always an excellent source with potentially life-saving information that is specific to your local situation. Bottom line: use discretion very carefully and avoid hypesters, shills, and attention-seekers at all cost…and think before you click.
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, let’s connect! Once again I’d like to thank so many of you for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received as of late regarding my prostate cancer treatment. I’m doing well and am further bolstered by your words of encouragement and support. 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 COVID-19, please stay home if possible, practice good personal hygiene, mind your social distancing, sport a spiffy mask, stay safe, and stay healthy!
Cheers…Stay Healthy…and Good Luck!
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