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 28 January – 4 February 2023 #science #weather #climate #climatechange #drought #astronomy #health

Greetings everyone! I hope all of you are having a great week and, if you were impacted by the recent winter storm across much of the eastern half of the USA, I hope you had no troubles or are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Since we’ve many more weeks of winter ahead, we’ll continue our winter weather safety information. But first, there are many other interesting science links to check out. Let’s get started.

The Hubble telescope may not be the latest and greatest, but it still can stun us with it’s amazing imagery.
Groundhog Day gets its share of publicity, but is there really anything to its accuracy?
This makes perfectly good sense especially in light of the fact that trees in urban settings help improve the quality of air you breathe.
We still don’t fully understand all of the properties of water and ice. Discoveries like this just help us understand even more this critical building block of life.
Microplastics are a problem the world over in water and on land, but just how are they affecting you when they become airborne?
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. 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 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.

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 December 17 – 24, 2022 #science #weather #climate #drought #winter #wintersafety #windchill #health #publichealth

Happy holidays everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well during this holiday season regardless of what holidays you celebrate. This weeks post will be a short one due to the holidays. Across a large part of North America, a blast of Siberian air has brought freezing temperatures all the way to the Gulf Coast, subzero temperatures across much of the plains and midwest, and travel delays for millions. Therefore, I’ll continue with winter weather safety information that you’ll find helpful.

Significant chances are possible by the end of the century for most Antarctic animals and plants…and the news isn’t good.
Yes, they work, and work very well. I wore them for years as part of a former vocation. It would behoove all of us to keep in mind how well they protect us, especially at this time of year.
As 2022 comes to an end, here’s a look at scientific advancements we need to watch for in 2023.
This is a fascinating look at the winter solstice and the history of this mark in the change of the astronomical seasons.
Here is this week’s update on the USA Drought Monitor. Recent precipitation has brought some improvements. Still, dry or drought conditions continue to persist across much of the contiguous USA with moderate to severe drought spreading from the Great Lakes region to the deep south.

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.

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest micro-podcast for December 17 – 24, 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 November 26 – December 3, 2022

Greetings everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you well. With the first day of December, meteorological winter has arrived in the northern hemisphere and summer is starting south of the equator. This week, I’ll continue winter weather safety information with helpful tips on understanding winter weather forecasts and preparing an emergency kit that will be useful in any winter storm or severe weather scenario. There are many other essential science reads this week, so let’s get started.

Let’s start with some very good news. By the end of 2022, USA renewable energy sources will surpass nuclear and coal in the percentage of energy created!
Take a look at these spectacular images from the new James Webb Space Telescope.
This is a new and very important study on how living in areas with high amounts of air pollution is likely to result in a myriad of long term health conditions. The number of participants were not small. This study involved more than 364,000 participants.
Here are several amazing ice formations to be on the lookout for this winter. In just the right winter weather conditions, nature can make some incredible artistic ice sculptures.
Here is this week’s update on the USA Drought Monitor. Dry or drought conditions continue to persist across much of the contiguous USA with moderate to severe drought spreading from the Great Lakes region to the deep south.

If you’re looking for winter weather preparedness and safety 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 also help you prepare an emergency kit and advise discretion when encountering questionable weather information/forecasts/hyperbole while visiting websites and using social media. Furthermore, forecasting winter weather is one of the most daunting challenges that even the most seasoned meteorologist will face. With that in mind, it would behoove us all to stay flexible and prepare to change plans at short notice.

WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

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 all of you who pay this website a visit and my followers in social media. If you’re on Twitter, Tumblr, Mastodon, Instagram, or Facebook, let’s connect!

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest Micro-Podcast for November 26 – December 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 October 29 – November 5, 2022

Greetings everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you well. In the USA, autumn is no stranger to tornado activity as was proved by a localized outbreak on 4 November 2022 in parts of northeastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, and southwestern Arkansas. For the eastern Pacific and Atlantic, there are a few weeks left in the hurricane season. Therefore, I’ll continue sharing helpful information on preparing an emergency kit that will be helpful in any tropical storm or hurricane scenario. There are many essential science reads this week including important information on the upcoming COP27 summit, so let’s get started.

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 preliminary news report from Associated Press on the 4 November 2022 tornado events in parts of Oklahoma and Texas.
This fits well in the “no good deed goes unpunished” category. “Oregon tried to inform residents about wildfire risk. The backlash was explosive.”
This is some encouraging news. “This simple material could scrub carbon dioxide from power plant smokestacks.”
Hopeful renewable statistics from Spain who now is capable of producing over 38% of the countries energy needs from mostly wind, hydroelectric, and solar power.
As our planet warms, those who suffer with hay fever may have a harder time dealing with this health issue.
Here’s a very informative and concise guide to the important COP27 climate summit and what atmospheric scientists are watching.
As the COP27 climate summit approaches, many feel helpless and wonder where are the solutions to our global climate crisis.
Here’s a look at the latest US Drought Monitor. Drought conditions still plague much of the contiguous USA. Parts of the plains states and central California have been the hardest hit. Recent outlooks offer little to no relief in sight.

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

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 October 15 – 22, 2022

Greetings everyone! I hope all of you are doing well. The tropical Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico are quiet for the time being. In the meantime, the eastern Pacific is still active with Hurricane Roslyn forecast to make landfall in western Mexico at Category 4 intensity. For the eastern Pacific and Atlantic, there are several more weeks in the hurricane season. Therefore, I’ll continue sharing helpful information on preparing an emergency kit that will be helpful in any tropical storm or hurricane scenario. There are many essential reads this week, so let’s get started.

Let’s start with a very intriguing read about how early life on Mars could have been obliterated.
For a change, here’s some good news. “A Boom in Renewable Energy Has Blunted the Global Rise in Emissions.”
This should come as no surprise. “Extreme weather events have a significant negative impact on skin disease.” This poses a significant threat to global dermatological health, as many skin diseases are climate sensitive.
If a rare third-year La Niña transpires, it will have substantial climate impacts around the globe.
This is an essential read for anyone concerned about the coming winter weather in the Northern Hemisphere. “Winter weather predictions abound, but which should you trust?”
Take a look at these startling views of the USA’s Mississippi river showing how low the water levels have dropped during the ongoing drought across much of North America.
Here’s a look at this weeks US Drought Monitor. With few exceptions, drought conditions continue to worsen across much of the contiguous USA With parts of the plains states and central California being the hardest hit. In the near term, there’s little substantial rainfall in recent weather outlooks for the coming weeks.

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

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 July 23 – 30, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well. Across much of North America, a brutal heat wave that has turned lethal continues to have many states in its grip. Because of this ongoing and very serious danger, we’ll continue this week with safety infographics on heat safety. There are many other essential reads to review, so let’s get started.

Surviving any natural disaster is traumatic enough. For many, their unstable financial, housing, food, and family dynamics often make the recovery even more challenging in a myriad of ways.
Deadly flooding has taken place in several USA states with Kentucky being the hardest hit as of this post. Here’s some excellent post-flood safety advice on how to stay safe even after the waters have receded.
Heat waves are often depicted in the media as ‘fun in the sun time.’ Nothing could be further from the truth.
Speaking of heat, here’s an excellent listen from Science Friday on how the human body reacts to high temperatures and how to stay safe.
Disinformation deliberately spread by those with nefarious agendas. “Climate disinformation leaves lasting mark as world heats.“
This is an exceptionally unusual and unsettling event. “Freezing point climbs to record high above Swiss Alpine summits.“
Here’s a technical but very interesting read on the dangers of heat, it’s relation to hospital emergency room visits, and mortality. “In the United States (US), despite continued increases in the availability of air conditioning, the burden of disease from days of extreme heat remains stubbornly high, with thousands of excess deaths attributable to heat each year.”

SUMMER WEATHER SAFETY

Summer heat is one of the leading causes of weather related deaths and illnesses. Due to its slow yet potentially deadly ways in which is affects the human body, even the most physically fit individual who is well hydrated can succumb to heat exhaustion or heat stroke very quickly. As of mid July, over ten deaths have occurred in the USA due to individuals being left in vehicles. All of those fatalities were preventable. Summer heat is often called the ‘silent killer‘ and for good reason. Much of the contiguous USA is in the midst of a brutal heat wave with little to no relief in long range forecasts. Take the heat safety information below very seriously. It could save a life.

The Heat Index is a very important part of summer safety. Here’s an excellent page from the National Weather Service in Amarillo, Texas that explains how to calculate heat index and why it’s important.

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 July 23 – 30 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 July 16 – 23, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well. Across much of North America, a brutal heat wave that has turned lethal continues to have many states in its grip. Much of Europe and the UK are also experiencing a heat wave of their own. Because of this ongoing and very serious danger, we’ll continue this week with safety infographics on heat safety. There are many other essential reads to review, so let’s get started.

It’s no secret that Twitter is full of drama and dysfunction from the most recent news to this spot on read from April 2018 that is still relevant today. Even in the best of circumstances where the user is exceptionally careful in spotting misinformation, it can be easily re-shared. It’s a social media outlet that’s grown increasing hostile, bitter, and sophomorically divisive. It’s sensationalism over science, notoriety over knowledge, aggrandizement over objective analysis. From politicians to back alley pundits to shilling storm chasers, it’s a platform that once had great potential for sharing important and pertinent information but is now run by hyperbole on steroids. My opinion is subjective, but also backed by daily personal observations of trends since I joined Twitter in March 2009. Many will disagree or take issue with my stance, but I feel my viewpoints are valid and solid.
As of this post, wildfires in Europe have destroyed hundreds of structures and burned vast areas. What’s behind the recent dramatic increase in European wildfires?
I couldn’t have said this better myself. “On the whole, the national and international political response to the climate crisis remains both tragic and farcical.“
We have names for tropical cyclones and occasionally substantial storms that affect large areas of continents are named, but there is no plans or need for naming heat waves.
The USA’s Clean Air Act is needed now more than ever. Unfortunately, there are powers that be that have undermined its ability to protect American’s quality of life and public health.
Heat is the leading cause of weather related deaths worldwide and far surpasses floods, hurricanes, and even tornadoes. This begs the question, just how hot is far too hot for the human body to handle?

SUMMER WEATHER SAFETY

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest micro-podcast for July 16 – 23, 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.

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

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HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

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SUMMER WEATHER SAFETY

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