Infographic courtesy NOAA/National Weather Service/CDC

Nearly 100 million Americans are under NWS heat alerts as a powerful heat dome drives temperatures past 100°F, with heat index values hitting 110–115°F in the South, Midwest, and Great Lakes. Atmospheric scientists say climate change makes this extreme heat much more likely and more dangerous. Stay safe because triple digit temperatures and humidity don’t mess around. The Atlantic hurricane season is also upon us. You’ve got a plethora of hurricane preparedness information this week. You’ll get several good science reads, 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. Let’s get started.

Tornado Quest Podcast for July 19 – 26, 2025

The world has reached a turning point as renewable energy, now cheaper and more rapidly adopted than fossil fuels, drives a new era of clean power, economic growth, and climate hope.
Alaska, the most seismically active state in the U.S., experiences frequent powerful earthquakes, including five over magnitude 7.0 since 2020, with scientists closely monitoring heightened activity near the Aleutian arc.
Planned federal budget cuts, impacting satellite data and National Weather Service staffing, may hinder storm forecasting and reduce life-saving alerts as the Atlantic hurricane season heads into its peak, meteorologists warn.
Relentless July 2025 downpours have triggered deadly floods across the U.S., killing over 130 people in Texas alone and causing widespread devastation from New Mexico to New York and North Carolina. Here’s an informative read on why these floods took place and how to stay safe.
The National Weather Service in Norman, OK shares a compelling video on seasonal severe weather preparedness, spotlighting the challenges of forecasting and their commitment to public education.
The CoCoRaHS project invites weather enthusiasts to become citizen scientists by submitting daily precipitation reports that support forecasting and climate research even on dry days.
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. Recent rainfall over the past 30 days has eased drought conditions across much of the USA, especially the Plains, Midwest, and Texas, while dryness increased in parts of the Southeast, and reservoir levels in the West show a mixed picture.. 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

SUMMER HEAT SAFETY

HEAT: THE SILENT KILLER

THE BEACH AND SUN: SUMMER SAFETY TIPS FROM NOAA

Infographic courtesy NOAA/National Weather Service, Norman, OK

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.