Infographic courtesy NOAA/National Weather Service/CDC

Heads up, weather watchers! Your summer safety suite starts now! The Atlantic hurricane season is officially underway, and we’ve already seen three named storms swirl through. Right now, conditions might seem quiet, but this calm is your cue. It’s the perfect time to prep for the storm you hope never knocks. This week, I’m rolling out a new batch of storm-smart infographics to get you ready. We’re also spotlighting summer heat safety tips, because triple-digit temps and humidity don’t mess around. You’ll get your regular hit of science that sticks, the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor, and a reminder that your NOAA weather radio deserves a quick check. A simple test now could be a life-saver later. So, let’s not wait for ominous clouds to cue action. Here we go…

Tornado Quest podcast for July 5 – 12, 2025

Astronomers know that Mars had water at one time, but new evidence shows that the red planet could have been wetter than previously thought.
The universe’s vastness makes space and space-time hard to grasp, with scales so immense they challenge visualization, from tiny solar system models to galaxy-wide light years, all while cosmic expansion constantly reshapes our measurements.
Is the water at your nearby beach or river clean enough for swimming? Very soon, NASA may be able to help you answer that question.
A rare cosmic encounter: astronomers spot just the third-ever interstellar object speeding through our solar system.
The dangers to ecosystems and human health of plastics is well known. However, as expected, politics finds a way of getting in the way.
Despite repeated deadly floods and billions in identified infrastructure needs, Texas remains under-prepared as climate risks grow and federal support wanes.
The tragic flooding event in Texas has brought about the discussion on how important NOAA weather radio is. Here’s an excellent FAQ that covers any question you may have about this life saving device.
This is an excellent read on why the region in Texas that flooded over the 4th of July holiday is known as “Flash Flood Alley.”
This is an excellent video from the National Weather Service in Norman, OK on seasonal readiness for severe weather and tornadoes. It highlights the complexity of severe weather forecasting and the effort meteorologists put into making their work accessible to the public.
Are you interested in weather? Would you like to be a citizen scientist? Check out the CoCoRaHS project! Your daily precipitation reports, even when no precipitation has occurred, are part of very important weather data forecasting models and data archives! Every single daily report counts!
Another path into becoming a citizen scientist is using the free mPING app! Your weather reports go directly to the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, OK!

US DROUGHT MONITOR

Here’s the latest update on the US Drought Monitor. Across much of the contiguous USA, drought conditions have improved significantly across the east coast, deep south, and parts of the southern plains. The latest fire weather outlooks can be found at the Storm Prediction Center website where they are updated daily.

NOAA WEATHER RADIO

Here’s your weekly reminder to check your NOAA weather radio’s operation and its batteries. NOAA has a comprehensive page on NOAA weather radio…a feature of the National weather Service in the USA that has saved countless lives.

Infographic courtesy NOAA/National Weather Service

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Three named storms have already struck, and forecasters warn: this year is pacing well above average. The Atlantic is primed, and peak season hasn’t even hit. Here is a very comprehensive overview from NOAA of the season ahead and what is expected this year.