Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Picks For April 3 – 10, 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #tornado #climate #climatechange #environment #weatherready #coronavirus #covid19 #pandemic #health

Greetings once again to one and all! Plenty of interesting topics to cover this week. In atmospheric science news, our changing climate is front and center and will be for many years as humanity grapples with the best path of adaptation. The coronavirus and Covid-19 situation is foremost on everyone’s mind with a world-wide pandemic that’s like nothing the world’s current population has ever seen. Additionally, the spring severe weather season is in full swing across the contiguous USA. We’ll cover that topic and more with this week’s picks…so let’s get started.

California is know for its devastating wildfires. With climate change, the impact and frequency of those fires will increase dramatically.
As the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 pandemic brings air travel to a fraction of what is normally taking place, there’s another problem from the lack of passenger aircraft that’s airborne. “Weather forecasting models rely on temperature and wind data gathered by thousands of planes flying overhead.” However, NOAA and other weather forecasting agencies the world over are readily adapting and doing quite nicely.
One significant factor with a disease like COVID-19 is the quality of air that is breathed by those infected.
Speaking of air quality, pollution has been ravaging many cities in recent months. As the SARS-CoV-2 virus and Covid-19 have spread across the globe, pollution levels have dropped…but this is no sign for a celebration.
Handling the stress of a pandemic can overwhelm even the sturdiest of dispositions. Having the mindset of a scientists has helped me tremendously. “How to Think about COVID-19 like an M.D.”
Climate change and life-threatening infectious diseases have a very clear connection. While it may not include COVID-19, there are many other diseases you need to be concerned about.
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has experienced its third mass bleaching event in five years. For the first time, all three sections of the reef have been severely affected.
March 2020 will go down as a watershed time period in the course of human history due to the current global pandemic. In the meantime, March was also a remarkable month for climate and weather across the USA.
This week marks the anniversary of the April 1974 Superoutbreak of tornadoes that killed over 330 people across thirteen states. To this day, this tornado outbreak still holds the record for the number of F5 (EF5) tornadoes in a single day.
Finishing on a positive note is another anniversary. The TIROS weather satellite revolutionized meteorology back in April 1960 with images of our planet and clouds that forever changed the way atmospheric scientists compile forecasts and outlooks.

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

To be fully prepared for the increase in severe weather events, it’s important to understand the difference between a Watch and a Warning.

Here’s a quick reminder on where you can take shelter in your home. With the peak of severe weather activity in full swing, now is a good time to prepare your safe place.

An emergency kit is also an essential part of severe weather preparedness. This handy checklist from the American Red Cross will help you get started. Since severe weather and other weather-related disasters can occur year round, it’s an excellent idea to have this at the ready regardless of where you live or the month/season.

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, so am I and I invite you to enjoy me. Once again I’d like to thank so many of you for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received as of late. Cancer does not have to be an automatic death sentence and I have no intention of giving up this fight and will accept nothing but absolute and total victory. 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 the coronavirus, please stay home if possible, practice good personal hygiene, mind your social distancing, stay safe, and stay healthy!

Cheers…and Good Luck!

Tornado Quest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tornadoquest

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Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Picks For February 28 – March 6, 2020 – #science #weather #meteorology #tornado #severeweather #tnwx #climate #climatechange #environment #citizenscience #citsci #weatherready #astronomy

Greetings once again to one and all! Plenty of interesting topics to cover this week. In atmospheric science news, our changing climate is front and center and will be for many years as humanity grapples with the best path of adaptation. On a more personal note, I appreciate the continued best wishes for recovery and good health during my rehabilitation from prostate cancer surgery. You folks are awesome! Now…let’s get started on this week’s reads.

One way that non-scientists can help professional scientists is through ‘citizen science’ projects. These projects gather significant amounts of priceless data. Here’s an excellent read on why we need citizen scientists and how they can increase public understanding of many complex scientific topics.
The Curiosity Mars rover recently snapped a fantastic high resolution image of Mars that has to be seen to be believed.
Keeping any data base and vast amounts of maps up to date can be quite a challenge. Unfortunately, these maps are flood plains in the USA that are badly out of date. You may live in a flood zone…and not even know it.
This is a no-brainer and more than a little obvious. “Yes, Climate Change Did Influence Australia’s Unprecedented Bushfires.”
The major news networks have quite a job on their hands handling all of the current events. By this account, their coverage of climate change in 2019 was lacking.
While climate change is a well established fact, many of the subtle nuances have still to be worked out. “Will future East Coast winters be freezing or balmy? Scientists can’t agree.”
At this rate and lack of competence and progress, this is bad news all around. “Net zero emissions target in peril as tropical forests absorb less CO2.”
Here’s the latest as of 6 March 2020 from the Nashville, TN National Weather Service on the deadly Tennessee tornadoes that killed over 20 people and heavily damaged much of the Nashville metro and neighboring counties. A review of the Storm Prediction Center’s outlooks, watches, and preliminary storm reports can be found here.
Will 2020 be an active tornado year across the USA? There are many variables involved and forecasting weeks and even months out while dealing with fluid dynamics is almost impossible. Here’s a very thorough look at some interesting data from US Tornadoes on what 2020 may…or may not…bring.
While on the topic of severe weather events, it’s important to remember that knowledge is power…and can save your life. Over the next few weeks I’ll post helpful National Weather Service infographics concerning severe thunderstorms, lightning, flooding, and of course, tornadoes. This week, lets take a look at the severe weather probabilities categories issued by the Storm Prediction Center.

Storm Prediction Center Severe Weather Risk Categories And Associated Hazards.

Cheers…and Good Luck!

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Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For February 14 – 21, 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #tornado #climate #climatechange #environment #pollution #airquality #health #noaa #nasa #antarctica #astronomy

Greetings once again to one and all! Plenty of interesting topics to cover this week. In atmospheric science news, our changing climate is front and center and will be for many years as humanity grapples with the best path of adaptation. On a more personal note, I appreciate the continued best wishes for recovery and good health during my rehabilitation from prostate cancer surgery. You folks are awesome! Now…let’s get started on this week’s reads.

The more we study Mars, the more amazing discoveries we make about this spectacular planet.
A look at the vast changes recent brushfires have brought about. “The End of Australia as We Know It.”
The importance of indoor air quality can never be underestimated. “Opening your windows doesn’t help reduce indoor air pollution.”
In case you missed it, this is one of the biggest nuggets of climate news from NOAA in recent months. “January 2020: Earth’s Warmest January on Record.”
Speaking of warmth, this is a disconcerting read on research that’s ongoing at Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier. What scientists observed dramatically increased fears of a collapse that could raise global sea levels by more than half a meter.
A very disturbing scenario that clearly illustrates how low climate change deniers will go. “Don’t @ Me: What Happened When Climate Skeptics Misused My Work.”
Just as people often confuse climate and weather, there’s a great deal of confusion over the difference between climate change and global warming. Here’s an excellent explanation from NASA.
As of 21 February 2020, the year has gotten off to an active start in the USA for tornado activity. U.S Tornadoes has a comprehensive look at a year that may well be above average in tornado occurrence.
Here’s some excellent news from NOAA that’ll put the USA back on top! “U.S. to triple operational weather and climate supercomputing capacity.”
Finally, here’s one of the coolest maps you’ll ever see of our planet. Take a look at the winds whipping around our world in this amazing interactive global wind map!

With the recent increase in severe weather activity across parts of the contiguous USA, now’s the time to make sure your NOAA weather radio is in good working order. Regardless of where you live, be sure it’s at the ready year round. Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS

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, so am I and I invite you to enjoy me. Once again I’d like to thank so many of you for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received over the past few weeks. I’m still recovering well from surgery. Cancer does not have to be an automatic death sentence and I have no intention of giving up this fight and will accept nothing but absolute and total victory. 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.

Cheers…and Good Luck!

Tornado Quest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tornadoquest

Tornado Quest on Instagram: https://instagram.com/tornadoquest

Tornado Quest on Tumblr: http://tornadoquest.tumblr.com

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For January 31 – February 7, 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #climate #climatechange #antarctica #australia #brushfire #environment #droughtmonitor #histsci

Greetings once again to one and all! Plenty of interesting topics to cover this week. The Australian brushfires are still a big story if for no other reason that it is a watershed event. In atmospheric science news, our changing climate is front and center and will be for many years as humanity grapples with the best path of adaptation. On a more personal note, I appreciate the continued best wishes for recovery during my rehabilitation from prostate cancer surgery. On that note, let’s get started on this week’s reads.

First, a little history of science. The National Weather Service has come a long, long way since it’s humble beginnings. Here’s a look back at the fascinating history of how computers were devised to play a major part in forecasting.
What would our planet look like without its oceans? This eye-opening view shows a very new perspective.
The daunting challenges that climate change brings to many professions are obvious. For young farmers, it’s a particularly precarious hazard.
With the help of a cadre of climate skeptics, Australia presented itself as far less capable than it actually is. “Australia’s Decade of Burning Environmental Apathy.”
On the brighter side of the Australian brushfires, a realization that we may be closer to a tipping point in climate change may be the ‘wake-up-call’ that’s needed.
This is a change in the commute and/or running errands that I could get used to! “Make room for the e-bikes, the top-selling electric vehicles for the next decade.”
By some accounts, January 2020 set yet another record. “Goodbye, January — goodbye, another heat record.”
The latest US Drought Monitor has been released. Here’s a region-by-region view of the USA.
As the planet warms, permafrost—landscapes of frozen soil and rock—begins to thaw. In addition to the vast amounts of CO2 that is released, another event happens that you’ve probably never heard of. It’s called thermokarst. That’s the land that gets ravaged whenever permafrost thaws rapidly.
While on the topic of warming, temperatures at parts of Antarctica have risen at a rate that scientists find not a little alarming.

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, so am I and I invite you to enjoy me. Once again I’d like to thank so many of you for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received over the past few weeks. As of this post, I’m still recovering well from surgery. Cancer does not have to be an automatic death sentence and I have no intention of giving up this fight and will accept nothing but absolute and total victory. 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 only one of many reputable sites with further information.

Cheers…and Good Luck!

Tornado Quest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tornadoquest

Tornado Quest on Instagram: https://instagram.com/tornadoquest

Tornado Quest on Tumblr: http://tornadoquest.tumblr.com

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For January 24 – 31 , 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #climate #climatechange #australia #brushfire #environment #wintersafety #scicomm

Conveying science topics to the general public can be a very daunting task, especially when the information is very complex. Here’s a very helpful read on getting your message across to members of the public.
This new satellite gives us a view of our sun that is like no other.
As expected, the Australian brushfires will add a significant amount of CO2 in 2020.
We’ve many daunting challenges ahead to offset or minimize climate change and the way it would affect our lives. Here’s an interesting read on STIs…Social Tipping Interventions that, in the decades to come, are necessary.
Facing climate change head-on has many consequences…and that includes economics. Inaction would be the most costly choice.
The next big carbon super-polluters consists of something that hasn’t been discussed much if at all…plastic plant facilities.
Yet more information on the irrevocable link between air quality and public health. “Heavy traffic pollution may affect kids’ brain development.”
Summer heat is one of nature’s most underrated dangers. Here’s a good read on reevaluating how to keep track of heat related deaths.
A broadcast meteorologist can face many daunting challenges. Here’s an inspiring read regarding those who are delving into the topics on and within climate change.
Last but not least, a quick winter weather safety reminder on dressing for cold weather. The key to staying warm is layers…and being mindful of wind chills you may encounter.

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, so am I and I invite you to enjoy me. Once again I’d like to thank so many of you for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received over the past few weeks. As of this post, I’m still recovering well from surgery. Cancer does not have to be an automatic death sentence and I have no intention of giving up this fight and will accept nothing but absolute and total victory. 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 only one of many reputable sites with further information.

Cheers…and Good Luck!

Tornado Quest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tornadoquest

Tornado Quest on Instagram: https://instagram.com/tornadoquest

Tornado Quest on Tumblr: http://tornadoquest.tumblr.com

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For January 17 – 24 , 2020 #science #weather #weatherforecasting #meteorology #climate #climatechange #australia #brushfire #nasa #noaa #environment

Greetings once again to one and all! Plenty of interesting topics to cover this week. The Australian brushfires are still a big story if for no other reason that it is a watershed event. In atmospheric science news, our changing climate is front and center and will be for many years as humanity grapples with the best path of adaptation. On a more personal note, I appreciate the continued best wishes for a speedy recovery during my rehabilitation from prostate cancer surgery. On that note, let’s get started on this week’s reads.

Photography credit: Matthew Abbott/New York Times/Redux/eyevine

As the brushfires in Australia continue as of this date, the race is on to gather data, conduct research, and calculate the level of influence climate change has in these devastating fires.
The Australian brushfires did more than kill wildlife and burn structures. They presented a substantial public health hazard.
The devastation and dangers of brushfires are far from being limited to Australia. Even many areas of Scandinavia are vulnerable.
A very thought provoking read by Christiana Figueres on the challenges all nations face in dealing with the daunting challenges of adapting our world to climate change.
The story of scientists not only collecting data and doing atmospheric science research, but taking on the role as detectives making sure that nations round the world are honoring their promises.
Encouraging news related to climate change and the health of our planet’s atmosphere are rare…but this one does offer some encouragement.
Speaking of encouragement, I’m not too thrilled about this. Geoengineering (aka messing with nature) is the modern day atmospheric science version of bloodletting. Regardless, NOAA is going to take a look at two ways of handling climate change.
Here’s a very interesting listen about new forecasting techniques for winter weather. “NASA Taps Snowstorm-Chasing Team To Improve Forecasting.”
Heat isn’t called the ‘silent killer’ for nothing. “Rising temperatures put more US workers at risk of dying from heat.”
In case you missed it, here’s one of the biggest and most important climate news stories we’ve seen in some time. “The globally averaged temperature departure from average over land and ocean surfaces for 2019 was the second highest since record keeping began in 1880, according to NOAA scientists.”

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, so am I and I invite you to enjoy me. Once again I’d like to thank so many of you for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received over the past few weeks. As of this post, I’m still recovering well from surgery. Cancer does not have to be an automatic death sentence and I have no intention of giving up this fight and will accept nothing but absolute and total victory. 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 only one of many reputable sites with further information.

Cheers…and Good Luck!

Tornado Quest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tornadoquest

Tornado Quest on Instagram: https://instagram.com/tornadoquest

Tornado Quest on Tumblr: http://tornadoquest.tumblr.com

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For January 10 – 17, 2020 #science #weather #weatherforecasting #climate #climatechange #australia #brushfire #noaa #nasa #snow

Greetings once again to one and all! There’s plenty of topics to cover this week. The Australian brushfires are still a big story. In the coming months, an analysis of this unprecedented event will take place. In atmospheric science news, our changing climate is front and center as we reach, by some accounts, a point of no return. On a more personal note, I appreciate the continued best wishes for a speedy recovery during my rehabilitation from prostate cancer surgery. On that note, let’s get started on this week’s reads.

In geological time, this was yesterday. Regardless, it’s fascinating to read about an event that happened on our planet hundreds of thousands of years ago. “Almost 800,000 Years Ago, an Enormous Meteorite Struck Earth. Now We Know Where.”
The brushfires that have devastated parts of Australia were caused in large part by climate change. Now, those very fires are adding to the climate change problem.
The current Australian prime minister is quite a piece of work. “The (Australia) Government Has Been Forced To Talk About Climate Change, So It’s Taking A Subtle – And Sinister – Approach.”
“Ocean temperatures hit record high as rate of heating accelerate.” Oceans are clearest measure of climate crisis as they absorb 90% of heat trapped by greenhouse gases.
The USA is very likely to see thousands of deaths annually from car accidents, suicide, drowning and other fatal injuries because of climate change, even if the world manages to hold temperature rises to the Paris climate deal’s target of 2°C.
The extent of the smoke from the Australian brushfires is almost unimaginable. Satellite images from NOAA shows the smoky haze spreading over South America and the smoke plume itself is almost as large as the contiguous USA.
This was a badly needed upgrade in weather forecasting computer models. “The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), one of the most accurate predictors of global weather, is upgrading its supercomputer to improve its models and fine-tune predictions of extreme weather.”
Clearing up cloudy climate predictions. This new research will study clouds & their role in climate change.
This is likely going to be the biggest climate story of 2020 for some time. After a great deal of objective analysis, a report from NOAA and NASA says that 2019 was the second warmest year on record for our planet.

Last but not least…if you love snow as much as I do, feast your eyes on these amazing images. “Macro photos of snowflakes show impossibly perfect designs.”

Snowflake image by photographer Alexey Kljatov via TreeHugger

That’s a wrap for this post! If you’re on Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr, so is Tornado Quest. I’d like to thank so many of you again for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received over the past few weeks. As of this post, I’m still recovering well from surgery. Cancer does not have to be an automatic death sentence and I have no intention of giving up this fight and will accept nothing but absolute and total victory. 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 only one of many reputable sites with further information.

Cheers…and Good Luck!

Tornado Quest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tornadoquest

Tornado Quest on Instagram: https://instagram.com/tornadoquest

Tornado Quest on Tumblr: http://tornadoquest.tumblr.com

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For January 3 – 10, 2020 #science #weather #climate #climatechange #australia #brushfire #scandinavia #windchill

Greetings once again to one and all! I hope your new year is off to a good start. The Australian brushfires that are unprecedented in every way have received a great deal of coverage. In atmospheric science news, our changing climate is front and center as we reach, by some accounts, a point of no return. Also, along with these posts will be the occasional winter weather safety link that I hope you’ll find helpful. On a more personal note, I appreciate the continued best wishes for a speedy recovery during my rehabilitation from prostate cancer surgery. On that note, let’s get started on this week’s reads.

The Australian brush fires have been getting a great deal of coverage that is well deserved for such a devastating event. Here’s a good read that’s a concise explanation of why these disastrous fires are taking place.
Sometimes, the powers that be can’t relate to the fear, despair, & painful loss of disaster victims. “Falling ash, skies of blood – and now Australia’s anger smoulders.”
Another major weather/climate disaster has been taking place in Indonesia. “Indonesia’s sinking capital of Jakarta and the surrounding areas have been inundated with rain, triggering landslides and floods that have killed dozens of people.”
When the facts you find make you itch, make up your own. “These Climate Science Deniers are Spreading Misinformation about the Australian Bushfires.”
Studying the climate of remote regions of the Earth can be exceptionally challenging. These new weather satellites are going to be spearheading a change for the better in data gathering.
Computer models are also invaluable in studying climate and climate change. Here’s an essential read on how the latest generation of climate models have been performing.
There are many changes we can make in our day-to-day living that will reduce our individual carbon footprint. Regardless, it still begs the very important question, “Could you live the 1.5° lifestyle?“
As of early January, parts of Scandinavia have seen winter temperatures in the mid 60’s. That’s nothing less than frightfully bizarre.
Speaking of January, skating on ice is often a common pastime in areas where long, deep cold is an annual event. However, extreme caution should be taken when on that ice. It may be much thinner, and more dangerous, than you think.
Finally, a basic but informative infographic on the science of wind chill. Ultimately, the wind chill should be more important to you than the actual air temperature. How your body reacts to cold air combined with wind can have substantial health and winter weather safety ramifications. For healthy people, wind chill may not be anything but uncomfortable. For others with pulmonary and/or cardiovascular health issues, the effects of wind chill can be substantial and even dangerous.

That’s a wrap for this post! Happy New Year to one and all! If you’re on Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr, so is Tornado Quest. I’d like to thank so many of you again for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received over the past few weeks. As of this post, I’m still recovering well from surgery. Cancer does not have to be an automatic death sentence and I have no intention of giving up this fight and will accept nothing but absolute and total victory. 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 only one of many reputable sites with further information.

Cheers…and Good Luck!

Tornado Quest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tornadoquest

Tornado Quest on Instagram: https://instagram.com/tornadoquest

Tornado Quest on Tumblr: http://tornadoquest.tumblr.com

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For December 27, 2019 – January 3, 2020 #weather #climate #winter #weather #hurricane #australia #brushfire #science

Greetings once again to one and all! If you celebrated the holidays, I hope all went well for you and the new year is off to a good start. In atmospheric science news, our changing climate is front and center (understandably so) in much of the information we read. We’ll be covering that often. Also, along with these posts will be the occasional winter weather safety link that I hope you’ll find helpful. On a more personal note, I appreciate the continued best wishes for a speedy recovery during my rehabilitation from prostate cancer surgery. On that note, let’s get started on this week’s reads.

As we look back at 2019, here’s a concise overview of natural disasters in the USA.
While this list could be considered subjective, I feel there are some very valid events that will forever change science. “New Scientist ranks the top 10 discoveries of the decade.”
As mentioned earlier, climate change has been front and center and will continue to be for some time. This review is an excellent look back at the past ten years of climate change coverage in charts.
In the year we’ve just begun, there are a myriad of environmental and science challenges. Here’s one review of many important topics to keep an eye on.
According to a new NOAA report, “Ocean acidification threatens to cause billions of dollars in damage to the U.S. economy, harming everything from crabs in Alaska to coral reefs in Florida and the Caribbean.”
The irrevocable link between air quality and your health. “The number of health effects linked to air pollution keeps growing. We already know dirty air is associated with problems in the lungs, heart, uterus and eyes and could potentially affect mental health – and now weaker bones can be added to the list.”
The Australian brush-fires that started in December 2019 will go down in the history books as one of the most devastating disasters to ever occur on that continent. It’s also an ominous view of what climate change looks like.
Reading about the ongoing Australian brushfires is one thing, but looking at startling photographs is another. They bring a whole new dimension to a dire scenario that, as of this post, has no end in sight.
Forecasting tropical cyclones (hurricanes, tropical storms, intensities, paths, etc.) is challenging enough…but this exciting new endeavor has great possibilities for future forecasting scenarios complicated by climate change. “A Pre-Hurricane Climate Change Analysis Gets Major Revision After The Storm.”
Last but certainly not least, this link has a very strong connection to the National Weather Service Infographic below. Disinformation, which has reached a pandemic level in our society (online and otherwise) is everywhere. Have hope, all is not lost. To put it more succinctly, “The digital age has heightened our vulnerability to falsehood, but recognizing such weaknesses can help guard against them.”

This image of a Australian brushfire is not only ominous, but shows how the rapidly rising currents of air over a very intense fire are creating a rotating pyrocumulonimbus. Winds within these very dangerous fire-induced clouds can exceed 100 mph. Photo via BBC News.

That’s a wrap for this post! Once again, Happy New Year to one and all! If you’re on Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr, so is Tornado Quest. I’d like to thank so many of you again for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received over the past few weeks. As of this post, I’m still recovering well from surgery. Cancer does not have to be an automatic death sentence and I have no intention of giving up this fight and will accept nothing but absolute and total victory. 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 only one of many reputable sites with further information.

Cheers…and Good Luck!

Tornado Quest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tornadoquest

Tornado Quest on Instagram: https://instagram.com/tornadoquest

Tornado Quest on Tumblr: http://tornadoquest.tumblr.com

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Links Picks For January 28 – February 2, 2019

Greetings everyone! Whether you’re shivering in winter cold or broiling in summer heat, I hope you’re fairing well. The past few days have been a good example of temperature extremes in both hemispheres.

The new Tornado Quest website is up and running but, as is always the case with new transitions, there are bugs to work out and things that need polishing. I appreciate the positive feedback I’ve received so far. This blog will also be included for reference on the new site in the near future.

There are plenty of topics to cover, so let’s get started.

One of the most frustrating aspects of being a scientist is the challenge of good science communication to the general public. When politicians, lawmakers, et al. get into the fray for political means, scientists have to take on damage control…and that’s not an easy job.
A thought provoking read on science and it’s connection to politics…which has existed forever.
This is a fascinating look at the building blocks of our universe and how they keep changing.
The Curiosity Rover is doing some pretty amazing things on Mars. Here’s a fascinating read on how the rover is getting important data on the geology of the red planet.
Winter can have some pretty amazing weather phenomenon. Thunder-snow is a perfect example. Here’s a great read on some of the quirky things that happen when the temperatures are at their coldest.
The Polar Vortex has been in the news a great deal as of late due to the brutal cold across much of North America. The Polar Vortex is a very important element of our atmosphere and the weather and climate that is a part of your every day life. “The Polar Vortex Is Collapsing – Here’s What That Means For Your Winter Weather.”
Here’s another very good concise explanation of the Polar Vortex. “What Is This Polar Vortex That Is Freezing The USA?“
While much of North America was in frigid temperatures, Australians were sweating it out in brutal heat. “For the first time since records began, the country’s mean temperature in January exceeded 30C (86F), according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), which said daily extremes – in some places just short of 50C – were unprecedented.”
The latest US Drought Monitor is out…with the exception of the Four Corners region and Oregon, most of the USA is in decent shape.
The recent cold snap across much of North America made big news, but it is only for a small part of our planet. 2019 is getting off to a warm start globally…and that’s not good.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

With some of the coldest air for many years over North America and many weeks of winter left, here are some helpful links on staying safe. It’s never too late to review winter weather safety information. These links will help you get started.

National Weather Service Homepage

Winter Weather Safety and Awareness

Winter Storms: The Deceptive Killers

National Weather Service Wind Chill Chart

National Weather Service Printable PDF Wind Chill Chart

NOAA Weather Radio

Interactive NOAA Weather Radio Coverage Map

Ready.gov Basic Disaster Supply Kit Info

Preparing Your Pets For Disasters And Emergencies

That’s a wrap for this post! I’d like to send a big “Welcome” to my new followers in social media and sincere “Thank You” for my long-time followers! Thanks a million for all the support and kind words. Your friendship and loyalty is appreciated a great deal! Remember…there’s no such thing as “boring” weather…just different types of good weather!

Cheers!

Tornado Quest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tornadoquest

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Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

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WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

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