Tornado Quest Top Science Links For 11 – 18 March 2023 #science #weather #climate #climatechange #citizenscience #health #severeweather #weatherready #drought #tornado

Greetings everyone. I hope this week’s post finds everyone doing well. March is a very transitional month across the Northern Hemisphere as winter begins give way to brief warm spells and severe weather events. This week I will continue with severe weather safety infographics. There are many other interesting science links to check out, so let’s get started.

If you’re looking for a way to get involved in citizen science and weather, I can’t recommend CoCoRaHS highly enough. I’ve been an observer for well over a decade and find it tremendously rewarding.
This is a very good read on the irrevocable link between your health and climate with a look at the link between seasonal allergies and climate change.
Here’s some good news for a change. “Potent greenhouse gas declines in the US, confirming success of control efforts.“
You’ve probably heard the term “atmospheric rivers” a great deal as of late. Here’s a very concise explanation of what these rivers in the sky exactly are.

Take a listen to this informative piece on the Sierra Nevada’s forests and climate change.
Here is this week’s update on the USA Drought Monitor. Conditions east of the Mississippi river have seen dramatic improvement. Extreme or exceptional drought conditions exist for much of the central and southern plains states. Substantial improvements have shown up this week in the west but, for California in particular, at the cost of devastating floods.

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

As spring settles in across the Northern Hemisphere, severe weather events become more frequent. With knowledge being pow, here’s some great information to help keep you safe. This is an essential read on severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and related hazards in an excellent 20 page PDF file from the National Weather Service…”Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, and Lightning. Nature’s Most Violent Storms.” Next, we’ll take a look look at Tornado Sheltering Guidelines, the Storm Prediction Center’s severe thunderstorm risk categories, and then a great checklist to help you prepare an emergency kit. 2023 has gotten off to an early start in many areas of the plains and south with numerous significant severe weather events. By some accounts, the rest of 2023 could be a very active severe weather and tornado season. Regardless of what transpires, being prepared is imperative.

This important infographic focuses on winter weather and social media. However, it also applies to any weather conditions that occur years round regardless of where you live. Remember that your NOAA weather radio, local NWS Office, and the broadcast meteorologists of your choice are always the best choices for all types of weather…from clement to life threatening situations.

That’s a wrap for this post! Thanks to everyone for stopping by. A big ‘Thank You’ to all of you who pay this website a visit and follow Tornado Quest in social media!

See you next Saturday!

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Please note: email queries regarding marketing, promotions, sales schemes, prizes, or papers/research that have not been under & approved by scientific peer review will not be accepted.

Tornado Quest Top Science Links For 4 – 11 March 2023

Undulatus Asperatus clouds. Photo by Andrew Beatson via Pexels.com

Greetings everyone. I hope this week’s post finds everyone doing well. March is a highly transitional month especially across the Northern Hemisphere as winter begins to wane and occasionally gives way to brief warm spells and severe weather events. This week I will continue with severe weather safety infographics starting with a reminder on lightning safety. There are many other interesting science links to check out, so let’s get started.

This is an exceptionally intriguing read on astronomers finding just how long water has existed.
As we reach the 3rd anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, the worst health crisis on our planet in a century, are we winning, or are we just tempting fate and setting ourselves up to become bait for an even more nefarious variant?
Plastic pollution is global and exists even in the deepest areas of our planet’s oceans. Here’s a startling look at just how much plastic pollution there is.
Here’s another perspective on the level of global plastic pollution which has surged since 2005.
The ways in which the Arctic and Antarctica have responded to climate change is vast and something scientists are just beginning to understand.
Have you ever had an interest in learning about the types of clouds we see in our atmosphere? NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has a easy way to get started with this webpage and a link to the Globe Observer App where you can send your cloud observations to scientists.
NOAA has just released their assessment of the February 2023 weather and climate events across the USA.
Here is this week’s update on the USA Drought Monitor. Conditions east of the Mississippi river continue to improve. Extreme or exceptional drought conditions exist for much of the plains states. Minor improvements have shown up this week in the west although dry conditions persist in many areas.

WINTER WEATHER AND SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

This week, I will continue the transition from winter weather to severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and related hazards. If you’re looking for winter weather preparedness and safety information, here’s an excellent website for everything you need to know for before and after the storm. With spring starting to settle in across the Northern Hemisphere, severe weather events become more frequent. As for severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and related hazards, here’s an excellent 20 page PDF file from the National Weather Service…”Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, and Lightning. Nature’s Most Violent Storms.” First, a reminder on the dangers of lightning which exists in any thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you’re in danger of being struck. Next, we’ll take a look look at the Storm Prediction Center’s severe thunderstorm risk categories and then a great checklist to help you prepare an emergency kit. 2023 has gotten off to an early start in many areas of the plains and south with numerous significant severe weather events. By some accounts, the rest of 2023 could be a very active severe weather and tornado season. Time will tell.

This important infographic focuses on winter weather and social media. However, it also applies to any weather conditions that occur years round regardless of where you live. Remember that your NOAA weather radio, local NWS Office, and the broadcast meteorologists of your choice are always the best choices for all types of weather…from clement to life threatening situations.

That’s a wrap for this post! Thanks to everyone for stopping by. A big ‘Thank You’ to all of you who pay this website a visit and follow Tornado Quest in social media!

See you next Saturday!

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Please note: email queries regarding marketing, promotions, sales schemes, prizes, or papers/research that have not been under & approved by scientific peer review will not be accepted.

Tornado Quest Top Science Links For 11 – 18 February 2023

Greetings and thanks to all who’ve stopped by. Across the northern hemisphere, we’ve many more weeks of winter ahead so let’s continue our winter weather safety information. But first, there are many other interesting science links to check out. Let’s get started.

Citizen science is a great way for non scientists to participate in gathering important data that is used in a variety of applications. A good example is the Backyard Bird Count. It’s 25 years old and more popular than ever.
The devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have a death toll that’s exceeded tens of thousands and untold billions in damage. But, one lasting after effect that cannot be ignored is the mental health of survivors which is just as important as their physical health.
Robots can be used to explore many places on our planet that humans can’t reach. In this interesting case, a robot is evaluating a massive Antarctica glacier.
Speaking of collecting data, balloons are used for a variety of scientific applications. Hundreds are used daily to collect critical weather data for forecast that directly affect you. Here’s a very thorough, scientific, and objective look at how high altitude balloons are used for a variety of scientific applications.
In case you missed it, here’s a look back at the weather and climate of January 2023 in the USA from NOAA. January 2023 was active in many ways and, for a winter month, quite warm as well.
Here is the latest update on the USA Drought Monitor. Conditions east of the Mississippi river and in many western states have improved significantly this past week. Some relief has occurred in the plains states yet extreme or exceptional drought conditions exist from Nebraska to Texas.

WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

If you’re looking for winter weather preparedness and safety information, here’s an excellent website for everything you need to know for before and after the storm. This all inclusive website from NOAA and the National Weather Service will help you prepare for the storm and tell you how to stay safe afterwards. Here’s some more winter safety information from OSHA geared towards those who have to work outdoors in the cold. The infographics have tips on dressing for the cold and five things to keep in mind during the coldest months of the year.

Infographic courtesy NWS Mobile, Alabama

That’s a wrap for this post! Thanks to everyone for stopping by. A big ‘Thank You’ to all of you who pay this website a visit and follow Tornado Quest in social media!

See you next Saturday!

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Please note: queries regarding marketing, promotions, sales schemes, prizes, or papers/research that have not been under & approved by scientific peer review will not be accepted.

Tornado Quest Top Science Links For January 22 – 29, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this weeks post finds all of you healthy an having a good week. For this week’s winter weather safety, a review of dressing for the cold to stave off hypothermia and frostbite. If you’re interested in citizen science and contributing to weather research, we’ve a link for a great app. There are many other interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

If you’d like to contribute to weather research through a simple weather app, please check out the mPING app. It’s a great way to contribute to weather forecasting and observation data regardless of the season or climate you live in.
The importance of science communication & subtle differences in words can’t be underestimated. “COVID-19: endemic doesn’t mean harmless.”
The importance of soil to our daily lives is a topic that is frequently overlooked. “A Call For Governments To Save Soil.“
The strain that climate change puts on agriculture is an expense that ultimately the taxpayer has to pick up the tab for.
Walking on ice can be very tricky…and even dangerous. Here’s an excellent read on how to get across the slippery surface in a safe manner.
If 2021 seemed to be a very warm year during the summer months, you weren’t imagining things. Last year was one of the seven hottest years on record according to the World Meteorological Organization.
While on the topic of 2021, here’s an excellent overview of the USA’s billion dollar weather and climate disasters within a historical context.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

The key word to remember when dressing for cold weather…layers!

Please keep in mind that ONLY your local National Weather Service office, NOAA Weather Radio, or reliable broadcast media are the BEST sources of important, timely, and potentially life-saving, information on winter storm watches, warnings, and other related weather advisories! None of the links on this page should be used for life-&-death decisions or the protection of property!

Infographic courtesy NWS Fort Worth, Texas, USA

That’s a wrap for this post! Thanks to everyone for stopping by. A big ‘Thank You’ to my followers in social media. If you’re on Twitter, Tumblr, or Instagram, let’s connect! As for the COVID-19 pandemic, get vaccinated, sport a good fitting quality mask, practice good hand-washing hygiene, mind your social distancing, stay positive, and test negative!

See you next Saturday!

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Please note: queries regarding marketing, promotions, sales schemes, prizes, or papers/research that have not been under & approved by scientific peer review will not be accepted.

Tornado Quest Top Science Links For January 29 – February 5, 2021 #science #weather #meteorology #noreaster #winter #wintersafety #weathersafety #climate #climatechange #nationalweatherpsersonsday

It’s been an active weather week across much of North America with several eastern USA states getting a substantial amount of snow. A rare, but not unheard of, severe weather episode took place on the afternoon of 30 January 2021 with several brief tornadoes forming in northeastern Oklahoma. It’s a good reminder that, given the right ingredients, tornadoes can occur in any month of the year. As for winter, we’ve still many more weeks of cold conditions and any potential hazards that go with the weather at this time of year. Speaking of winter weather, we’ll explore more on winter weather safety with plenty of information for the next several weeks. There are several interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

An excellent and very timely read with several important suggestions on how to fight back. “Beating Back Cancel Culture: A Case Study from the Field of Artificial Intelligence.“
Climate change denialism disguised as apathy. “‘The New Climate War’ exposes tactics of climate change inactivists.”
A startling and concise overview of the massive amounts of ice melt that has occurred in the past thirty years in sea ice, ice sheets, and glaciers.
Slow but steady progress. Realizing there is a problem is key to addressing the problem. “U.S. Cities Are Underestimating Their Greenhouse Gas Emissions.“
Late January 2021 brought a Nor’easter to several states in the northeastern USA. If you’ve ever wondered what a Nor’easter is, this excellent site from the National Weather Service will tell you everything you need to know.
Weather and citizen science go very well together. If you’re into observing the weather and citizen science, check out the National Weather Service Cooperative Observer Program!
Last but not least, Happy National Weatherperson ‘s Day to all the folks involved in weather and climate work in the public, private, educational, and volunteer communities! If not for all of us the world over collecting, analyzing, and sharing data 24/7, 365…the world would be in a total mess. Enjoy your day!

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

With cooler temperature, snow, ice storms, et al. having settled in across much of the northern hemisphere, folks attention appropriately turns to winter weather hazards. The same preparedness plans and supplies that are helpful for tropical cyclones, tornadoes, flooding, etc. are beneficial to have for winter weather. NOAA has a very nice Winter Weather Safety website to help you get ready with plenty of helpful tips and information you may need.

This NOAA winter weather page has a myriad of links beneficial to organizations such as public services, schools, organizations, etc.

NOAA also has an excellent printable publication that covers winter weather safety which is one of the most underrated weather hazards. (12 page PDF file)

Social media is a very useful tool that can be misused for misinformation, disinformation, and hype. While this infographic is geared towards, winter weather, it certainly applies to all kinds of weather year round.

Infographic courtesy NWS Fort Worth, Texas

That’s a wrap for this post! I’d like to extend a warm welcome to my followers in social media. I’m glad you’re along for the fun! If you’re on Twitter, Tumblr, or Instagram, let’s connect! As for the COVID-19 pandemic, sport a spiffy mask as often as you can, practice good hand-washing hygiene, mind your social distancing, stay safe, and stay healthy!

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For June 12 – 19, 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #hurricane #climate #climatechange #environment #weatherready #covid19 #pandemic

Greetings to everyone! I hope everyone out there is staying healthy and faring well in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve plenty of interesting topics to cover this week. In atmospheric science, our changing climate is proving to be an obstacle in dealing with the pandemic and finding a long-term path of adaptation. The North American spring severe weather season has slowed a bit, but and uptick in activity will inevitably take place. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has also gotten off to a historical start. We’ll also take a look at summer heat safety information and much more with this week’s picks…so let’s get started.

Hurricanes and pandemics…the perfect, deadly storm.

There are occasions when the news or information we need to hear is precisely what we don’t want to hear. Social media, and the cocoon, bubble, or echo chamber that humans are want to create for themselves is a perfect example. Unfortunately, that often keeps us from hearing what will benefit us in the long run.
The International Space Station achieves a new level of ‘cool.’ “Universe’s coolest lab creates bizarre quantum matter in space.”
An efficient and effective infrastructure is essential to handling many extreme weather events. Going with a “green infrastructure” is and even better idea!
Here’s a great citizen science project for kids…and adults! “Why do some neighborhoods get hotter than others?“
As parts of our economy and societal patterns cautiously reopen after several weeks of closure, CO2 emissions are rapidly returning to pre-lockdown levels. It’s a stark reminder that even as the pandemic rages, the world is still far from getting global warming under control.
In spite of popular opinions on weather hazards, many don’t realize that heat kills more people annually than hurricanes, tornadoes, and lightning combined. Together with a decade of inaction from the USA federal government, a potentially lethal situation during heat waves is at hand.
Hurricanes making landfall and pandemics don’t mix. “Hurricane season combined with COVID-19 pandemic could create perfect storm.“
Thunderstorms are one thing, but a #derecho is a whole different breed of monster. “What is a derecho? An atmospheric scientist explains these rare but dangerous storm.”
This is one quixotic scenario. “NOAA leaders violated agency’s scientific integrity policy, Hurricane Dorian ‘Sharpiegate’ investigation on behalf of NOAA finds.“
Last but not least, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is upon us. Here’s an excellent website from NOAA on hurricane preparedness that will help you prepare for the storm you hope doesn’t occur.

SUMMER HEAT SAFETY AND WEATHER PREPAREDNESS DURING THE SEVERE WEATHER AND HURRICANE SEASON

Summer is fully entrenched across much of North America with drought conditions in several western and central states exacerbating the oppressive heat. Being aware of the heat index is essential to staying safe and avoiding heat related illnesses.

Heat safety is very important to practice regardless of where you are. As the days get hotter in the Northern Hemisphere, our chances for heat illnesses increases exponentially.

Knowing where to get reliable, accurate, and timely weather information can be a daunting task, especially for folks who are new to a region that may be prone to a hurricane risk, winter storms, or episodes of severe weather (large hail, damaging straight line winds, and tornadoes). This infographic from NOAA’s National Weather Service will help you through the murky haze of misinformation and hype and is valid year round for every kind of weather situation.

Regardless of where you live, an emergency kit is and essential part of every well-prepared home or place of work. This checklist from the American Red Cross will help you get started. If you live in a hurricane prone region, prepare now while you have time and supplies are still plentiful.

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! Once again I’d like to thank so many of you for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received as of late regarding my prostate cancer treatment. I’m doing well and am further bolstered by your words of encouragement and support. 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 COVID-19, please stay home if possible, practice good personal hygiene, mind your social distancing, stay safe, and stay healthy!

Cheers…Stay Healthy…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 Picks For May 1 – 8, 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’ve some tornado safety information and more with this week’s picks…so let’s get started.

If you’re interested in citizen science and are looking for projects in weather and climate, check out the mPING project and help National Severe Storms Laboratory scientists collect weather data. The CoCoRaHS project is a citizen science endeavor that is well established. I’ve been an observer for many years. Your daily reports of precipitation, or lack of, is very important to long-term climate data records. The apps for mPING and CoCoRaHS are free and available for both iOS and Android.
This is an excellent long-read that’s worth the time. “Why Weren’t We Ready For The Coronavirus?”
A fascinating astronomy read on our planet’s only local companion. “The moon is emitting carbon, raising questions about how it was formed.”
Microplastics are almost everywhere on our planet. Small and strange looking creatures in our oceans are even using them to make ‘shelters.’
Scientists and the general public have taken note of the startling drop in air pollution and urban noise during the ongoing pandemic. “Rather than let this time be forgotten, the United Nations and environmental campaigners are urging governments to “build back better, to invest in the future not the past”, to ensure that our global recovery has sustainable legacy.“
After consideration, this really makes perfectly good sense. “Forget the TP: Here’s what you really need to get through a disaster.”
The pestilence of pseudoscience runs rampant among many science topics, including weather and climate. When it comes to COVID-19, it has taken on absolutely bizarre dimensions.
A new state of the art NASA satellite has taken a good look at Greenland and Antarctica. The data doesn’t lie. Both are losing billions of tons of ice into the ocean each year and that contributes significantly to global sea-level rise.
This new climate change study takes a look at how it affects the human habitat. “One billion people will live in insufferable heat within 50 years.”
One of the biggest earth science stories as of late has been the opening of the ozone hole over the North Pole. New data shows that after nearly a month, that hole has now closed.

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

Here’s a concise reminder on taking shelter during a tornado warning. Where you take shelter is quite often a matter of life and death or serious injury.

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…Stay Healthy…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 Picks For April 24 – May 1, 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. On the positive side, Citizen Science Month is wrapping up, but there are plenty of projects for you to get involved in. We’ll cover that topic and more with this week’s picks…so let’s get started.

April is Citizen Science Month and there’s a myriad of fascinating projects that you can take part in. Here’s a great place to start…SciStarter has an excellent website with many projects. Science Friday has a very nice segment from their 24 April 2020 broadcast with even more projects. For those interested in projects specifically in weather and climate, check out the mPING project and help National Severe Storms Laboratory scientists collect weather data. The CoCoRaHS project is a citizen science endeavor that is well established. I’ve been an observer for many years. Your daily reports of precipitation, or lack of, is very important to long-term climate data records. The apps for mPING and CoCoRaHS are free and available for both iOS and Android.
Space weather, which largely focuses on how our sun and its solar storms affect our planet, is exceptionally important in our highly technical society. As of late, our sun has been relatively quiet, but that may not last for long.
Much of the world is on lockdown or stay-at-home practices for good reason. In spite of that, greenhouse gas emissions are still holding steady. What’s causing this trend?
While on the topic of stay-at-home recommendations and lockdowns that save lives, this news should come as no surprise. “The Same People Who Peddle Climate Denial Are Behind Coronavirus Pseudoscience.”
Speaking of denial, this should come as no surprise. “Why climate skeptics are less likely to wear coronavirus masks.”
Emergency preparedness, whether for a pandemic or a natural disaster, is far less expensive and labor intensive than getting caught in a bind and having to literally do ‘damage control.’ The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is teaching humanity a very hard lesson.
Many housing and urban development projects are constructed in zones where flooding is inevitable. There’s no easy solution to this problem other than literally removing up to one million homes in the USA.
There are many factors that make for an active Atlantic hurricane season. By many indicators, the 2020 season could be well above average in activity.
If you’re interesting in tornadoes, check out the National Severe Storms Laboratory website and their page on past and ongoing tornado research.
Last but not least, here’s a simple but poignant message from the Hubble telescope to the inhabitants of the planet we live on.

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

Flooding kills more people in the USA than any other weather related hazard. Flash flooding that occurs during and/or after thunderstorms is particularly dangerous. The National Weather Service has more information on flood safety and the Turn Around, Don’t Drown safety campaign.

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…Stay Healthy…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 Picks For April 17 – 24, 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. On the positive side, Earth day was this week and it’s still Citizen Science Month. We’ll cover that topic and more with this week’s picks…so let’s get started.

April is Citizen Science Month and there’s a myriad of fascinating projects that you can take part in. Here’s a great place to start…SciStarter has an excellent website with many projects. Science Friday has a very nice segment from their 24 April 2020 broadcast with even more projects. For those interested in projects specifically in weather and climate, check out the mPING project and help National Severe Storms Laboratory scientists collect weather data. The CoCoRaHS project is a citizen science endeavor that is well established. I’ve been an observer for many years. Your daily reports of precipitation, or lack of, is very important to long-term climate data records. The apps for mPING and CoCoRaHS are free and available for both iOS and Android.
The year ahead will be like nothing that living generations, save for those who fought in World War 2, have ever seen. This is very uncharted territory…and anyone who thinks it’s going to be “business back to normal” in short order will get a big surprise.
This essay speaks for many of us…including yours truly. “I Am a Mad Scientist.” Misinformation, rumors, & hatred may go viral, but nothing is better at spreading than a virus itself. Politicians are powerful, but science is real.
True number of asymptotic/infected is likely astronomical. “Antibody tests suggest that coronavirus infections vastly exceed official counts.”
Our planet has been in a state of constant change since its formation. New data indicates that plate tectonics may have started almost 3.2 billion years ago.
This is very discouraging news…but political agendas always trump public health. Pun intended. “These air pollution standards kept people out of the hospital. Trump just rolled them back.”
The 22 April 2020 marked the fiftieth anniversary of Earth Day. Here’s a great site from NOAA. “Earth Day turns 50: Get to know our planet without leaving home.”
In a matter of weeks, the Atlantic hurricane season will officially begin. With that threat in mind, many communities are facing the harsh reality of inundation.
Some recent data indicates that slower moving hurricanes will do just what we fear most…catastrophic flooding well inland away from the strongest winds.
Yet another record setting year for climate change. “This Is How Europe’s Hottest Year Looked From Space.”

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

One of the most dangerous mistakes that motorists make during a storm is taking shelter under and overpass. This has proven time and time again to be extremely dangerous…and deadly.

infographic courtesy National Weather Service, Norman, OK

hat’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…Stay Healthy…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 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.

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.

Cheers…and Good Luck!

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Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

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WINTER WEATHER AND SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

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WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

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WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

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WINTER WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

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SUMMER HEAT SAFETY AND WEATHER PREPAREDNESS DURING THE SEVERE WEATHER AND HURRICANE SEASON

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SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

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SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

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SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

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