Tornado Quest Top Science Links For January 14 – 21, 2023 #science #weather #climate #climatechange #drought #astronomy

Photo by Stein Egil Liland via Pexels.com

Greetings everyone! I hope everyone’s new year is getting off to a good start. This week, we’ll continue our winter weather safety information. There are many interesting science links to check out including a link on a January tornado outbreak, so let’s get started.

Here’s an interesting concept. A nuclear rocket that is designed to travel from Earth to Mars in a mere 45 days.
That sneaky dust that does little good. “Increased atmospheric dust is masking greenhouse gases’ warming effect.“
Without a doubt, this is applicable around the world regardless of the disaster. “Spate of natural disasters takes a toll on Australians’ mental health, survey finds.“
Some startling images here that are a stark reminder of the year past in disasters and climate change. “2022 in Photos: Gaslighting by the Fossil Fuel Industry and Its Supporters.”
As we note the halfway mark of meteorological winter, here’s a good read for the general public on how recent southern states tornadoes and the pummeling CA is taking are connected.
In case you missed it, this is a review of the USA climate in 2022 from NOAA. Not only was drought a major factor across much of the lower 48, but eighteen billion dollar natural disasters took place.

Here is the latest update on the USA Drought Monitor. Recent precipitation has brought some improvements even to California in the wake of several significant storm systems. East of the Mississippi river, conditions have improved significantly while parts of the central and southern plains still have extreme or exceptional drought conditions.

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. 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! Whether you’re with family, friends, or alone, I wish all of you the absolute best during this holiday season and for all of us, a very healthy and happy 2023!

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest Micro-Podcast for January 14 – 20, 2023

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 October 29 – November 5 – 12, 2022

Greetings everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you well. For the eastern Pacific and Atlantic, the hurricane season is wrapping up soon but there is still potential for development. Hurricane Nicole, the first November hurricane to make landfall in the USA in over forty years is proof positive that events can still occur well into the autumn. Therefore, I’ll continue sharing helpful information on preparing an emergency kit that will be helpful in a hurricane, severe weather, or winter storm scenario. There are many essential science reads this week including important information on the COP27 summit, so let’s get started.

Let’s start this week with an informative read on how to avoid misinformation online and not become part of the problem by spread it around.
According to the United Nations, the current COP27 summit must pave the way for serious work and efforts to address the climate crisis.
This is not a little disconcerting. “Explosion in number of fossil fuel lobbyists at CO P 27 climate summit.”
Here’s very encouraging news regarding renewable energy from wind turbines and a unique design that may replace many of the standard wind turbines with ‘propeller’ blades.
This is a very intriguing look at a variety of unusual weather terms, many of which you probably haven’t heard of.
This is the NOAA assessment of the climate in the USA for October 2022. Amongst other metrics, it was a warm month overall.

I’m reposting this due to the fact that hyperbole, sensationalism, misinformation, and disinformation are pervasive in severe weather, hurricane, and winter storm scenarios. Who do you trust when it comes to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, etc? The simple and most sane answer is to stay with official resources. This is the best and safety way to avoid the misinformation and disinformation that is so pervasive in social media.
Here’s a look at the latest US Drought Monitor. Drought conditions still plague much of the contiguous USA with many midwestern and southern states now experiencing moderate to severe drought.

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 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 March 5 – 12, 2022 #weather #climate #drought #severeweather #weathersafety #astronomy

Greetings to everyone! I hope this weeks post finds all of you healthy and doing well. We’ll continue this week with a severe weather safety infographic to help you prepare for the spring severe weather season. There are many other topics to cover this week, so let’s get started.

This is a very cool read about an unexpected finding. “Strange Terraces on Mars are a Clear Signal of Sedimentary Rock.”
Unfortunately, this was inevitable. “Will the Ukraine war derail the green energy transition?” As Europe scrambles to find alternatives to Russian oil & gas & global energy prices soar, coal could be the winner.
This new study reinforces a long standing and well known fact that indoor plants help improve indoor air quality.
Heat is a vastly underrated weather hazard that kills far more people every year than many other weather hazards combined. “Higher risk of temperature-related death if global warming exceeds 2°C.“
Here’s some very important information on how to receive potentially life saving severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service on your cell phone. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) may save your life.
The latest US Drought Monitor has a bleak picture for the current state of drought in the contiguous USA. For the first time in just under a decade, over 50% of the USA is experiencing drought conditions.

SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY

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!

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 October 30 – November 6, 2021 #science #weather #climate #hurricane #hurricanesafety #hurricaneprep #COP26

Greetings to one and all. The news that is front and center this week is COP26. We’ll cover that in several links thsi week. For the time being, the tropical Atlantic has Wanda, the sole system that is ongoing as of this post. This week’s post will continue with a plethora of links to help you with hurricane preparations. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts until November 30, 2021. Since there are still several more weeks left in the Atlantic hurricane season, now is the time to prepare for the storm you hope never happens. There are many other stories worth reviewing, so let’s get started.

For many areas across the USA, Standard Time starts at 2:00 AM local time on November 7, 2021. While you’re setting your clocks back one hour, put new batteries in your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and your NOAA weather radio. Like your detectors, your NOAA weather radio is a vital source of important weather and emergency information year round.

Let’s start with a fascinating history of science read. “‘It works! It works! It works!’: Jonas Salk and the Vaccine that Conquered Polio.“
These are some badly needed goals for the near future. “US astronomy’s 10-year plan is super-ambitious.“
Astronomers may have found a planet in another galaxy. If this is true, it would be a significant scientific achievement.
Time will tell if these countries will honor their words and promises. “COP26: Countries promise coal phase-out & end to fossil fuel finance.”
Clean energy sources are imperative for the near future. How might we achieve and work with various types of renewable energy?
Can the most staunch climate deniers change their minds in the face of overwhelming evidence? Well…maybe.
When it comes to climate change news, we need all the encouraging information we can get. “Latest climate pledges could limit global temperature rise, a new report says.”
Across the USA, 2020 was yet another record year for billion dollar weather and climate disasters. Overall, there were twenty-two events which broke the previous record of sixteen events. To date, there have been eighteen billion dollar events in 2021. NOAA has an excellent overview of this exceptionally disturbing trend.

HURRICANE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

The official start of the Atlantic hurricane season began June 1, 2021. As is the case with most years, the late summer and autumn months comes the peak of activity. This is a list of tropical cyclone safety and preparedness links that I hope you’ll find helpful and spearhead your preparedness plan. None of the links on this page should be used for life-&-death decisions or the protection of property!

WEATHER DATA

National Hurricane Center

Tropical Atlantic

Central Pacific Hurricane Center

National Weather Service Homepage

N ational Weather Service Weather Prediction Center

NOAA Climate Prediction Center

Storm Prediction Center

National Data Buoy Center

NCAR Tropical Cyclone Guidance Project

HURRICANE SAFETY & EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

NOAA Hurricane Preparedness

CDC Hurricane Preparedness

American Red Cross

American Red Cross Severe Weather Safety Information

American Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist (PDF file)

Extensive FEMA Emergency Preparedness Document (34 Page PDF File)

Ready.gov Basic Disaster Supply Kit Info

Preparing Your Pets For Disasters And Emergencies

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

Flash Flooding: Turn Around, Don’t Drown

NOAA Weather Radio

Interactive NOAA Weather Radio Coverage Map

The following infographics cover many important topics including emergency kits, staying informed, and avoiding misinformation and disinformation that are applicable to tropical cyclone scenarios. Tornadoes are also common in land-falling tropical storms and hurricanes. If in doubt, always stay with OFFICIAL sources of important information, forecasts, and warnings.

Even though this infographic is focused on winter weather, it certainly applies to weather information year round. Diligence from January through December is important to cull through misinformation, disinformation, and unfounded rumors.

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS Fort Worth, TX

Please keep in mind that ONLY NOAA weather radio, your local National Weather Service office, or reliable broadcast media are the BEST sources of important, timely, and potentially life-saving information on hurricane/tropical storm watches, warnings, and other related warnings! 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! Next week we’ll continue information on hurricane preparedness and safety. 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 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 February 19 – 26, 2021 #science #weather #meteorology #winter #winterstorm2021 #wintersafety #climate #climatechange #environment #pollution #drought #droughtmonitor #nasa #perseverance

Much of the contiguous USA is recovering this week from an unusually robust cold wave that brought record breaking snowfall amounts, low temperatures, and wind chills across almost every state except Florida. Though much of the lower 48 is warming up, winter isn’t over yet. Below are several important infographics addressing wild chill and how to dress properly to best handle cold weather and retain body heat. We’ll explore more on winter weather safety with plenty of information in this week’s post. Next week, we’ll turn our attention to severe weather (thunderstorms, tornadoes, flash floods, et al.) preparedness. There are several new, interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

In the process of debating a topic, using critical thinking is very helpful in a variety of situations. Resorting to ad hominem vitriol isn’t. Unfortunately, the latter seems to be the default ‘MO’ in this day and age.
NASA’s Perseverance rover has begun to take a look around it’s new home on Mars. Take a look at some of the amazing images that the rover has sent in the past week.
Here’s something that my fellow map lovers and fans of cartography will enjoy. “Astrophysicists create the most accurate ‘flat map’ of Earth ever.“
“Air pollution kills. Making that official can help us tackle it.” Thought provoking read on the irrevocable link between air quality & health.
The cold wave and winter storm of February 2021 took a heavy toll on Texas. “Texas freeze led to release of tons of air pollutants as refineries shut.” These shutdowns led to refineries burning and/or releasing gases. That darkened the skies in east TX with smoke visible for miles.
The latest US Drought Monitor is out. Approximately 38% of the USA is currently experiencing some degree of drought. As the map below shows, the worst conditions are being felt in the western half of the contiguous USA.

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.

UNDERSTANDING WIND CHILL AND DRESSING FOR WINTER WEATHER

PREPARING AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

The handy checklist below from the American Red Cross will help you put together an emergency kit for a variety of weather scenarios. A kit like this is very helpful in a variety of other difficult scenarios from wildfires to blizzards to tornadoes and hurricanes.

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! Be sure to check in next week. I will be adding a plethora of information regarding severe weather and tornado safety. 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

WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

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HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

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SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY

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HURRICANE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

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WINTER WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

UNDERSTANDING WIND CHILL AND DRESSING FOR WINTER WEATHER

PREPARING AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

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