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.

• This is a challenge that will be easier said than done. “Revealed: How a spacecraft will bring Mars rocks to Earth.”
• Whether it’s climate change, the potential for severe weather, a land-falling hurricane, an earthquake, or a global pandemic that takes no prisoners, the tendency for humans to choose no news over bad news is strong.
• As humans have wisely sheltered in place, our planet has grown quiet. And, seismologists can tell.
• This should come as no surprise. Even the smallest amount of air pollution or bad air quality can drastically worsen COVID-19.
• I was afraid something like this could possibly come to fruition. But, maintaining social distancing is far more important. “How COVID-19 could ruin weather forecasts and climate records.”
• The Earth’s planetary wind current carry a tremendous amount of dust across the globe. Recent research shows that it carries far more dust than was previously thought.
• Greenland had a substantial amount of ice melt take place in the summer of 2019. Here’s an excellent read on why it happened and if it will occur again.
• The western states in the USA have been dealing with drought conditions for some time. According to new research, the current drought conditions are about to worsen.
• During a pandemic, maintaining social distancing while taking shelter from a tornado can be very challenging. Fortunately, the American Meteorological Society has some very good guidelines to follow during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• While on the topic of tornado safety, here’s an excellent source of information on sheltering during a tornado warning from the Storm Prediction Center.

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

This simple guideline to sheltering can save your life. Even in the weakest of tornadoes, worst and bad options can result in serious injury or death.

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!

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