Tornado Quest Top Science Links For October 1 – 8, 2022

Greetings everyone! I hope this post finds all of you safe and well. The tropical Atlantic is still active even after Hurricane Ian which left a tremendous amount of damage and over 100 fatalities in it’s wake. This week, I’ll continue sharing helpful information on preparing an emergency kit that will be helpful in any tropical storm or hurricane scenario as well as an infographic cautioning you to the hazards and dangers of using unofficial sources for weather information. As usual, there are many other essential and important reads to review on climate, weather, and other science related topics, so let’s get started.

This week, we’ll start on a visually spectacular note with these amazing looks at Jupiter’s moon Europa that were captured by the Juno spacecraft.
This is a harrowing listen about environmental and public health irresponsibility that dates back to the early 1980’s. “Contempt: How Reagan’s EPA Head Became The First Cabinet-level Official Cited For Contempt Of Congress.“
Changes in past climates on our planet can quite often give us valuable insight as to what we can expect in the future with climate change.
Global weather patterns are strongly affected by this. “La Niña winters could keep on coming.” This will be the third winter in a row that the Pacific Ocean has been in a La Niña cycle.
Over a billion people depend on this water. “As Himalayan Glaciers Melt, a Water Crisis Looms in South Asia.“
A new and potentially catastrophic new normal for parts of the USA. “Megadrought could become the new normal in the south-western USA.“
Before we take a look at the latest US Drought Monitor, let’s take a look at how the ongoing drought is affecting California, only one of many states being ravaged by the current dry conditions.
Here’s a look at this weeks US Drought Monitor. With few exceptions, drought conditions continue to worsen across much of the contiguous USA. Hopefully the autumnal patterns will bring some badly needed relief but at the current time, there’s little substantial rainfall in recent outlooks.

Last but certainly not least, if you’re looking for hurricane preparedness information, here’s your one stop website for everything you need to know for before, and after the storm. This all inclusive website from NOAA will help you prepare for the storm and tell you how to stay safe afterwards. The infographics below will help you prepare an emergency kit and use discretion when you come across questionable weather information/forecasts/hyperbole when online or using social media.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Infographic courtesy FEMA/Ready.gov/Red Cross

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, Instagram, or Facebook, a follow is appreciated! And remember, prepare ahead now for the storm you hope never happens!

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest micro-podcast for October 1 – 8, 2022

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 September 24 – October 1, 2022 #science #weather #climate #hurricaneprep #hurricanesafety #hurricane #ian #hurricaneian #environment

Greetings everyone! I hope everyone is doing well. The tropical Atlantic is very busy after a very quiet start to the 2022 hurricane season. Hurricane Ian has been the big weather event in the USA this week with two landfalls and a tremendous amount of devastation left in its wake. This week, I’ll continue with helpful infographics on preparing an emergency kit that will be helpful in any tropical storm or hurricane scenario as well as an infographic cautioning you to the hazards and dangers of using unofficial sources for weather information. As usual, there are many other essential and important reads to review on climate, weather, and other science related topics, so let’s get started.

Hurricane Ian at landfall on the Florida coast on 28 September 2022

Zoos are fun, educational, and give humans a perspective on other forms of life on our planet. But, are they ethical?
The recent methane blasts in the Baltic sea have not only political ramifications, but environmental issues as well.
These flares are a common sight in many of the prominent oil producing regions around the world. “Gas flares are leaking five times as much methane than previously thought.“
The devastation in the wake of Hurricane Ian is reminder of how vulnerable many regions are to these tropical cyclones. Here’s a chilling read that conveys just how vulnerable hospitals in the region are to wind and floods from these storms.
Hurricane Ian will go in the record books by many metrics including having made landfall in Florida as a Category 4. It’s no coincidence that climate change has helped fuel the intensity of Ian and many other exceptionally intense hurricanes in recent years.
Here are some startling images from NOAA showing just a small amount of the damage done by Hurricane Ian. While many homes look intact, they are severely compromised structurally and have significant flood damage from the storm surge.
The latest USA Drought Monitor is out. The western two-thirds of the contiguous USA are still in the grips of very dry conditions with no relief in sight according to long range autumn outlooks.

Last but not least, if you’re looking for hurricane preparedness information, here’s your one stop for everything you need to know for before, during and after the storm. This all inclusive website from NOAA will help you prepare for the storm and tell you how to stay safe afterwards. The infographics below will help you prepare an emergency kit and use discretion when you come across questionable weather information/forecasts/hyperbole when online or using social media.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

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, Instagram, or Facebook, let’s connect! Remember, prepare ahead now for the storm you hope never happens!

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 September 3 – 10, 2022 #science #weather #climate #hurricane #hurricaneseason #hurricaneprep #cawx #drought

Greetings everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well. The tropical Atlantic is much more active and the potential for a landfalling tropical cyclone is certainly a possibility. Consequently, I’ll continue to share helpful infographics on preparing an emergency kit that will be helpful in any tropical storm or hurricane scenario. As usual, there are many other essential and important reads to review on climate, weather, and other science related topics, so let’s get started.

If we breach the 1.5°C climate goal, there are six climate tipping points that are guaranteed to occur…all to our planet’s detriment.
Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017. This is an interesting read on how coral pollution helped increase the intensity of this very damaging hurricane.
A uncomfortable and potentially lethal new normal is coming to fruition. The summers we are having now may be the coolest we have for the rest of our lives.
Much of California has taken a beating in recent weeks with drought, record heat, wildfires, and the potential for flooding taking place.
Here’s a look at the latest US Drought Monitor. Across the western half of the contiguous USA, drought conditions continue to persist and worsen by the day.

If you’re looking for hurricane preparedness information, here’s your one stop for everything you need to know for before, during and after the storm. This all inclusive website from NOAA will help you prepare for the storms that we hope never happen.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

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, Instagram, or Facebook, let’s connect! As for the COVID-19 pandemic, stay safe, stay positive, and test negative!

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest micro-podcast for September 3 – 10, 2022

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 August 27 – September 3, 2022 #science #weather #climate #hurricane #hurricaneseason #hurricaneprep

Greetings everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well. The tropical Atlantic is certainly much busier than last week and the potential for a landfalling tropical cyclone is certainly a possibility. Consequently, I’ll continue to share helpful infographics on preparing an emergency kit that will be helpful in any tropical storm or hurricane scenario. As usual, there are many other essential and important reads to review on climate, weather, and other science related topics, so let’s get started.

Happy meteorological autumn to my friend and followers in the Northern Hemisphere! For folks south of the equator, welcome to meteorological spring!

The launch of the Artemis vehicle may have had another delay due to fueling issues, but weather can also sideline a launch. Why is weather so important to a rocket launch?
Here’s some very good news on the renewables front. “US to see renewable energy boom in wake of historic climate bill.”
Public policy is now key to badly needed adaptations if we are to get a handle on the climate crisis. “To adapt to climate impacts, come to grips with politics.” Good weather has held back USA climate action for decades.
“COP27 will be deadlocked if climate adaptation funding promise is broken.” A disastrous stalemate is likely unless low and middle income countries can trust promises made by richer nations.
“Why drought looks different depending on your region.” The USA’s Northeast’s ‘flash drought’ is a reminder that dryness isn’t just a problem for western states.
Hand in hand with drought is the scourge of heat waves. Heat is by far the deadliest weather hazard for the USA & many other countries. Often underrated, heat’s not called the ‘silent killer’ for nothing. Unfortunately, this weather and climate threat doesn’t garner the superfluous attention and hyperbole seen elsewhere in social media.
For the latest on the Atlantic hurricane season, check out NOAA’s National Hurricane Center’s website. Here’s a look at the outlook for the next few days.
Here’s a very comprehensive website from NOAA and the National Weather Service on hurricane preparedness, watches and warnings that will be important to you, and what to do after a hurricane or tropical storm.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

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, Instagram, or Facebook, let’s connect! As for the COVID-19 pandemic, stay safe, stay positive, and test negative!

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest micro-podcast for August 27 – September 3, 2022

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 August 20 – 27, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well. For the time being, the tropical Atlantic is quiet, but that could change over the next few weeks. In the meantime, I will share some infographics on preparing an emergency kit that will be helpful in any tropical storm or hurricane scenario. This week also marked the 30th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew making landfall as a rare Category 5 storm on the Florida coast. There are many other essential and important reads to review, so let’s get started.

Category 5 Hurricane Andrew crossing the Florida peninsula on 24 August 1992. Image courtesy NOAA.

This past week marked the 30th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew making landfall as a rare Category 5 storm. NOAA has an excellent look back at this watershed event and explains how the meteorological technology has changed over the past 3 decades.
It’s no surprise that misinformation and disinformation have spread like wildfire across every form of communication imaginable. Is it possible to inoculate the general public from this rubbish?
Spruce trees are spreading into areas of Alaska and the Arctic tundra. That may sound good, but the truth is otherwise.
The lower water levels on the Danube river aren’t good, but they’ve also revealed a hidden side to 20th century history that has been under water for decades.
On the wildfire front, fires have not only been on the increase, but they’re now burning almost twice as much forest cover as they did 20 years ago.
As we enter into the USA’s fourth month of “Danger Season,” here’s a sobering look at the year so far.
Contrary to what the climate change deniers insist is truth, the real reality is that concern in the American public over climate change, present and future, is wide spread and growing.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

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, Instagram, or Facebook, let’s connect! As for the COVID-19 pandemic, stay safe, stay positive, and test negative!

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest micro-podcast for August 20 – 27, 2022

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 August 13 – 20, 2022

Category 4 Hurricane Laura approaches the Louisiana coast on 26 August 2020. Satellite image: NOAA

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well. For the time being, the tropical Atlantic is quiet, but that could change over the next few weeks. In the meantime, I will share some infographics on preparing an emergency kit that will be helpful in any tropical storm or hurricane scenario. There are many other essential and important reads to review, so let’s get started.

The academic environment in our colleges and universities isn’t what it used to be. The love of teaching, conveying knowledge, and mentoring older teens and young adults so they will become productive citizens with a keen concept of critical thinking is quickly becoming extinct.
Our planet Earth spins on its axis at around 1,000 miles per hour. That may sound simple enough, but there’s more to that simple fact.
This is a very thought provoking read. “We exist. What can that fact teach us about the Universe?“
Huge volcanic eruptions present an underrated hazard to humans in many areas around the globe. It’s time to buckle down on forecasting these eruptions and taking steps before they happen to reduce damage and the toll they take on human lives.
This has been a record breaking year for wildfires in Europe with an area of approximately the same size as one-fifth of Belgium having already been burned.
Megafloods and megafires in California share one link…climate change.
The more sea ice loss is studied, the more dour the research findings become. Those very important findings also come with an ominous warning.
As our oceans warm, the patterns in our tropical cyclones/hurricanes have changed. In fact, NOAA is considering changing the official beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season from June 1 to May 15.
With the Atlantic hurricane season upon us, here are some excellent NOAA and National Weather Service hurricane safety resources all on one website.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

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, Instagram, or Facebook, let’s connect! As for the COVID-19 pandemic, stay safe, stay positive, and test negative!

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest micro-podcast for August 13 – 20, 2022

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 August 6 – 13, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well. For the time being, the tropical Atlantic is quiet, but that could change over the next few weeks. In the meantime, I will share some infographics on preparing an emergency kit that will be helpful in any tropical storm or hurricane scenario. There are many other essential and important reads to review, so let’s get started.

This is a fascinating astronomy read. “The Tharsis Region of Mars is Peppered With These Strange Pit Craters. Now They’ve Been Found Elsewhere.“
Ice cores brought to the surface by scientists can have very old ice. This one has a chance at being the oldest ice core ever studied.
July 2022 will go down in the record books as one of the hottest Julys on record. With over 2,000+ fatalities in Spain and Portugal alone, this heatwave is as much a natural disaster as any major flood event, hurricane, or tornado outbreak.
The World Meteorological Organization has a very detailed review of the July 2022 temperatures across the Northern Hemisphere.
How can we learn from these heatwaves to better prepare for the future climate? There are some valuable lessons that our species is learning fast, and hard.
It’s been one year since the IPCC released their detailed climate report. Here’s a link to the report and all of the full details. Since then, there have been many extreme weather events around the world that have a clear connection to climate change. Most worrisome is the fact that many of these unprecedented events have taken place much sooner than anticipated.
With the Atlantic hurricane season upon us, here are some excellent NOAA and National Weather Service hurricane safety resources all on one website.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS KIT

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, Instagram, or Facebook, let’s connect! As for the COVID-19 pandemic, stay safe, stay positive, and test negative!

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest micro-podcast for August 6 – 13, 2022

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 May 28 – June 4, 2022 #science #weather #climate #lanina #hurricane

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well. We’ll continue sharing severe weather preparedness information this week with an infographic on preparing an emergency kit. The beginning of June brings the official beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season…and now is the time to prepare for the hurricane or tropical storm you hope never happens. There are many other fascinating topics to review, so let’s get started.

Science, like far too many topics, has become politicized. That has always been and will always be a bad idea with exceptionally detrimental long term effects. Science is a facts based endeavor and along with the scientific method and critical thinking, can make achievements like no other field of endeavor or study.
An urgent need for cutting greenhouse gasses is warranted…and here’s why.
There has been a great deal of discussion on this topic as of late. “As private weather forecasting takes off, who is left behind?” If you’ve got digs in a high status location, you’re going to charge premium prices for the most basic of weather information. But what if you can’t afford it? Will paying for the privilege of receiving a life saving tornado warning be limited to the 1%?
La Nina has become the most unwelcome weather and climate guest, especially for the United States.
This is an essential read on the connection between hurricanes and climate change.
ICYMI: NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center and the National Weather Service have released their outlook for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. An above average season is contained in their findings and predictions.

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS/NHC Atlantic

SEVERE WEATHER AND HURRICANE SAFETY

In the Atlantic, the 2022 hurricane season officially began on June 1. Here’s a very useful emergency kit that will help you prepare for the storm you hope never happens. Regardless of where you live or work, an emergency kit is essential to staying safe and prepared in any kind of emergency or disaster scenario.

Infographic courtesy Ready.gov/FEMA/Red Cross

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 website should be used for life-&-death decisions or the protection of property!

Lastly, I wanted to pass along a reminder that was shared with me regarding misinformation, disinformation, rumors, gossip, et al. These six words, along with critical thinking, are exceptionally useful.

Who?

What?

When?

Where?

How?

Why?

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, Instagram, or Facebook, let’s connect! As for the COVID-19 pandemic, stay safe, 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 February 5 – 12, 2022 #science #weather #climate #wintersafety #astronomy #tonga #volcano

Greetings to everyone! I hope this weeks post finds all of you healthy an having a good week. From the Tonga volcano to increasing levels of atmospheric methane, we’ve a lot to cover this week…so let’s get started.

Satellite imagery of the 15 January 2023 Tonga volcano. Image credit NASA.

A fascinating and thought provoking history and history of science read. “How the Dutch Created Europe’s First Free-Speech Zone More than 400 years Ago.“
The planets Uranus and Neptune share many similarities. Why is it that they are two very different colors?
As far as volcanology goes, this was a watershed event. “Why the Tongan eruption will go down in the history of volcanology.”
An earthquake in the Pacific northwest of North America could produce a devastating tsunami across several USA states.
It’s time to recycle those old plastic cups, water bottles, etc. “Americans exposed to toxic BPA at levels far above what European Union considers safe.“
Speaking of recycling and cutting back on waste…I certainly have my share. “How to cut material use in buildings, clothes, electronics & plastic.”
Some very sobering results from this new study. ‘Barely 15% Of The World’s Coastal Regions Remain Ecologically Intact.‘
A new study from NOAA presents information about ‘dangerously fast’ growth in atmospheric methane.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

Even in winter, a safety/emergency kit can be a life saver. This handy checklist from the American Red Cross will help you get started.

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!

Tornado Quest micro-podcast for February 5 – 12, 2022

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 1 – 8, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this weeks post finds all of you healthy and with a good start to the new year. We’ll continue our look at winter weather safety this week with an excellent emergency kit checklist. There are many other interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

Altocumulus clouds glide over a winter Great Plains sky.

This is a very thought provoking read on five myths that encourage the rejection of science and its benefits to the world we live in.
The more we look at our own galaxy, the more we realize that we’re just beginning to scratch the surface about our “home” in the universe.
This week has more good news from the James Webb Space Telescope. It’s sunshield is now fully deployed!
Here’s a concise review of the histrionic weather and climate events of 2021 from AccuWeather.
This is a very interesting cause and effect scenario that is taking place in western Africa. As deforestation increases, so does the intensity of local storms.
The winter weather as of late has been on the warm side according to the UK’s Met Office. Is there a connection to climate change?
Yet another record breaking year for climate records. “More than 400 weather stations beat heat records in 2021.” Ten national temperature records were broken or equaled in 2021, including the highest ever reliably measured on Earth.
As if the year 2021 could not get more weird. Data from a lightning detection network has never seen as much lightning around the North Pole as it did last year.
Speaking of unusual warmth, ocean temperatures around eastern Australia have been exceptionally warm even for this time of year during their summer. Early January ocean temperatures are running almost two months ahead of schedule.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

This infographic is an excellent checklist for starting an emergency kit. Regardless of where you live and the hazards you may encounter, an emergency kit can provide valuable resources to help you get through a very difficult scenario.

Infographic courtesy American Red Cross/FEMA

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!

That’s a wrap for this post! I hope the new year is happy and healthy one for you and your loved ones. 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! Happy New Year!

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.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

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SEVERE WEATHER AND HURRICANE SAFETY

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WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

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