A very busy episode in the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is taking a respite, which is very good news. Hurricane Delta made landfall as a Category 2 tropical cyclone only a few miles from where Hurricane Laura moved inland only six weeks earlier. Drought conditions and western USA wildfires are also making headlines with no relief in sight for that parched region. There are many other good stories to cover this week, so lets get started.

• The abundance of misinformation and disinformation that is present in social media and many mainstream media outlets is astounding, but not surprising. Fallacies, conspiracy theories, rumors, and outright lies run rampant with every field of science with weather and climate being no exception. Considering the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, this kind of nefarious misinformation/disinformation has many lethal ramifications.
• Like it or not, the connection between science and politics is irrevocable. “We are in the midst of a pandemic and a climate crisis, both solvable by centering scientific expertise. When our government ignores scientists, the consequences can be fatal. More than 200,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. Yet, as our nation grapples with the pandemic, our current administration believes that “science shouldn’t stand in the way” of business as usual.
• Carrying on a conversation with someone who has any concerns, or lack thereof, on climate change can be very challenging. With active listening and scientific facts, that conversational challenge can be easier.
• Climate change has many facets that affect our daily lives. In the case of medical residents, it’s now a part of their training to treat people with afflictions that are climate related and becoming more common.
• This has been a long time coming. “New poll on climate change: Denial is out, alarm is in.“
• As our oceans warm, the ramifications around the world is significant. With marine heatwaves becoming hotter, larger, and lasting longer, scientists say the trend has major ecological consequences, from altering fish and plant populations to forcing whales into hazardous waters.
• The fact that extreme weather events have increased in frequency and intensity in the last twenty years is well documented. For humans, one extreme weather event will overlap another and influence others therefore test our resilience.

• Here’s an interesting read on some new research on thunderstorms and lightning. Meteorology, like all other sciences, is in a constant state of flow and ebb, changing with each new bit of solid research.
• The latest US Drought Monitor is out and the news is not good. Just under 40% of the USA is experiencing drought conditions.

• The NOAA climate assessment for September 2020 is out. For the contiguous USA, the end of the month saw 2020’s year-to-date total of sixteen weather and climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion.

HURRICANE AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

2020 is on track to be a record years for the Atlantic hurricane season. Hurricane Delta, the latest tropical cyclone to affect the USA, made landfall just a few miles from the landfall point of Hurricane Laura which devastated a significant part of southern Louisiana just seven weeks ago. In the central and eastern Pacific, several named storms have also taken place. With several more weeks in the hurricane season left to go, it’s important to not let your guard down. 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. A kit like this can also be helpful in a variety of other difficult scenarios from wildfires to blizzards to tornadoes.

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 often equipped with sources of important information that is specific to your locale. 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! As for the COVID-19 pandemic, please stay home if possible, practice good personal hygiene, mind your social distancing, sport a spiffy mask, stay safe, and stay healthy!

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