Greetings everybody. In the aftermath of a major winter storm that swept across much of the USA, many communities are still without power. This was a particularily large and dynamic winter weather event. More storms could be on tap. Please look at the Winter Weather Preparedness page for essential tips to keep you and your loved ones safe. Ever wondered how winter precipitation forms and why it’s such a challenge for meteorologists? Dive into the ‘When Snow Meets Science’ page to uncover the fascinating secrets behind winter weather and forecasting challenges. Don’t forget to read the latest installment of the Tornado Quest Chronicles and check your NOAA weather radio. And as always, I’ve curated several thought-provoking reads for this week to keep you informed and inspired including a good read on how winter storms like the most recent one can occur in spite of a warming planet. Stay safe, stay warm, and stay curious!
- Astronomers have spotted the most distant galaxy yet, shining just 280 million years after the Big Bang, showing the early universe is brighter and richer than expected and promising even more amazing discoveries ahead.
- Deforestation in the Amazon rain forest is reducing rainfall, which could lead to catastrophic consequences sooner than expected.
- How do you safely walk on snow and ice? Walk like a penguin.
- Initially, scientists aimed to limit global warming to 2°C, but new research showed this was too high, leading to a global goal of 1.5°C, though we’re not on track to meet it.
- By 2050, nearly 3.8 billion people could face extreme heat, with tropical countries most affected but cooler regions also needing to adapt urgently, as global temperatures continue to rise.
- Considering the recent big winter storm across much of the USA, it’s inevitable that this non-issue would be an issue. The world is still warming overall, with recent years being the warmest on record. Meteorologists and climate scientists explain that global warming is a long-term trend and very cold weather can still occur in a warming world.
- Last but not least, climate change is intensifying storms, like the recent massive winter storm that affected tens of millions in the U.S. The alteration of weather patterns and increasing moisture in the atmosphere, extreme weather events are more frequent and severe.
WHEN SNOW MEETS SCIENCE: WHAT EVERY NON-METEOROLOGIST NEEDS TO KNOW
WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS
US DROUGHT MONITOR
Here’s this week’s US Drought Monitor. A massive winter storm just slammed the United States, dumping everything from a foot‑plus of snow in the Northeast to several inches of sleet, ice and rain across the Midwest and South, sparking power outages and tree damage while leaving much of the moisture locked in frozen form; now, a compact but powerful low‑pressure system is set to develop off the Carolina coast, bringing another burst of snow‑heavy precipitation mainly to the Carolinas, southern Virginia and the immediate Atlantic Coast, with the Cascades in the Northwest also expecting a few inches of rain‑snow, while the rest of the country will stay mostly dry under a stark temperature split, well‑below‑normal in the East and far above normal out West, so expect lingering cold in the East, milder conditions out West, and continued caution as these systems move through. 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 batteries, programming, settings, and reception. NOAA has a comprehensive page on NOAA weather radio…a feature of the National weather Service in the USA that has saved countless lives.
CITIZEN SCIENCE
Citizen science lets everyday people actively shape real research by sharing observations and data. Join now to make a tangible impact, discover new insights, and become part of a global community driving scientific breakthroughs!
- 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, Oklahoma!
That’s a wrap for this week! Thanks for stopping by! See you next Saturday!
™ Tornado Quest © 1998‑2026 Tornado Quest, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
TORNADO QUEST 
You must be logged in to post a comment.