Tornado Quest Top Science Links For October 8 – 15, 2022

Greetings everyone! I hope all of you are doing well. The tropical Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico is still active for this years hurricane season. 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. There are many important reads to review on climate, weather, renewables, and other science related topics, so let’s get started.

Let’s start with some good news. “Science’s no-fee public-access policy will take effect in 2023.”
This is a case where patience is a virtue. “Bit of Panic: Astronomers Forced to Rethink Early.”
Mixed plastics, items that contain a variety of plastic types, have been a challenge in recycling. Here’s a hopeful look at what can be done in the future with mixed plastic items.
This is interesting, but nothing to celebrate when viewed from a futuristic drought perspective. “Lake Mead water crisis is exposing volcanic rock from eruptions 12 million years ago.”
This new UN report looks at the increase in dangerous and deadly impacts of heat waves and how it will affect humanity in the near future. (Report in 20.33 MB PDF file.)
Another new report, this from the World Meteorological Organization, examines the importance of moving faster to a transition of clean energy sources.
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 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

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 September 10 – 17, 2022

Greetings everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well. The tropical Atlantic has been much more active as of late. This week, we’ll continue with 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.

Well said. “The past is not radically discontinuous from the present. The past has given us everything that we have, including the ideas we use to criticize it. We must, then, give past people their due.“
This is a very novel idea that has been a long time coming. Making recyclable plastics out of CO2 to slow climate change.
Could switching to renewable energy sources save us money? According to a new Oxford University study, the answer is definitely ‘yes!’
Easier said than done to keep this daunting challenge in check. “How to stop cities and companies causing planetary harm.”
The Interior Department and NOAA have a new website that clearly shows how climate change is hurting the USA in more ways than many of us are aware.
Considering how deadly heat waves have been for many years, perhaps it’s time to revise our current heat index to one that more accurately reflects heat effects on the human body and climate change.
If you thought the summer of 2022 was exceptionally hot across many areas of the globe, you’d be exactly right…it was on of the hottest ever.
It’s well past time that this issue was addressed. Better late than never. “‘None Of Us Are About Hype.’ How To Recognize And Avoid Fake Weather Forecasts.” The NOAA/NWS infographic below also speaks on this widespread issue.

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 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 10 – 17 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

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 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

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.

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.

Tornado Quest Top Science Links For July 2 – 9, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well. For this week, our safety infographics cover summer heat safety. As usual, there are many topics to review, so let’s get started.

In the late 1980’s, the late great Carl Sagan gave a lecture that is worth revisiting due to the fact that it was decades ahead of its time.
This is definitely something to look forward to. NASA is giving us a subtle preview of what the new Webb telescope’s first images will look like.
Now that the USA’s EPA has had it’s power removed to stave off the effects of climate change, time will tell what will happen now that it’s up to the individual American states to either courageously take action, or forego any responsibility and duty.
Interesting read on progress that’s at risk. “Europe must not backslide on climate action despite war in Ukraine.”
A very timely and accurate read on the state of our current lack of actions regarding climate change. “Beyond Magical Thinking: Time to Get Real on Climate Change.
Here’s a very concise and essential read on how and why heat waves occur.
The latest US Drought Monitor has been released. In spite of recent rainfall, dry and/or drought conditions are spreading back into much of the great plains.

SUMMER WEATHER SAFETY

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 June 11 – 18, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well. This week we’ll start taking a look at summer safety with an infographic on staying safe in the heat. There are several other interesting topics to review including a look at the latest US Drought Monitor, so let’s get started.

Astronomers’ main reference guide to the Milky Way just received a major update. “Mega-map of Milky Way adds depth to stars’ motions.”
This is a very disconcerting health read. “More than 1 in 7 people worldwide have had Lyme disease.”
These are some badly needed improvements. “Inspired by palm trees, scientists develop hurricane-resilient wind turbines.”
“Microplastics found in freshly fallen Antarctic snow for first time.” This could accelerate snow & ice melting & pose a threat to the health of the continent’s unique ecosystems.
While it’s true that climate change is related closely to power, you’re not powerless to take action yourself. Every small step counts.
Summer has gone from the lazy days of no school and vacations to a season that presents a high level of danger to our species.
Here is a look at the latest NOAA US Drought Monitor. For the 13th straight week, drought conditions improved in varying degrees across the USA.

SUMMER 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 severe 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!

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 16 – 23, 2021 #science #weather #climate #hurricane #hurricanesafety #hurricaneprep

Greetings everyone and thank you for visiting. It’s certainly been another busy week for science news. For the time being, the tropical Atlantic is quiet. We’ll go more into that in one of this week’s reads. This week’s post will continue with a plethora of links to help you with hurricane preparations. There are still several more weeks left in the Atlantic hurricane season, so now is the time to prepare for the storm you hope never happens. As always, there are many other good science reads to review, so let’s get started.

Science communication is critical to conveying life saving information to the general public. In recent times, it’s been all the rage to express rage and the wrath of willful ignorance at scientific experts in fields ranging from weather warnings to climate change to the COVID-19 pandemic. Misinformation and disinformation are perils that increase the threat to human lives and prolong our return to a normal existence that we all long for.
While on the topic of misinformation and disinformation, this is a particularly disturbing story on a small subset of medical professionals who are dismissing the threats of the current global pandemic.
This is an interesting read on the brewing conflict between tech & environmental concerns. “The Fault In Our Stars.”
At COP26, coming to a consensus regarding climate change is challenging…and the difficulties in reaching a consensus does include finances.
Understandable concerns ahead of COP26. “Climate change: Nature readers say their fears are growing.”
In many of the challenges that humanity faces, attitude can be essential to progress. “Why hope and optimism are crucial for fighting climate change.”
This is a sound idea that, hopefully, will catch on world wide. “Seville, Spain becomes the first major city in the world to categorize and name heat waves.”
After many, many weeks of tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic, we’ve entered a quiet spell. Will this last for the rest of the hurricane season? What will it take to awaken this region’s slumber?

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 June 26 – July 3, 2021

Greetings to one and all! I hope this week’s post finds you happy, healthy and the weather is to your liking. Across North America, drought and heat wave conditions continue. In the Atlantic basic, Tropical Storm Else is front and center as the first hurricane of the 2021 season. An active Atlantic season is forecast. There’s a complete section of information on hurricane safety in this week’s post. There are many other good science reads to review for this week, so let’s get started.

Due to the conditions at it’s surface, Venus is a very difficult planet to place a probe on. Fortunately, the European Space Agency is sending an orbiter to study why this blistering hot planet is so different from Earth.
Heat is a lethal & underrated weather hazard. Sadly, this summer’s heatwave in western North America is taking a tragic toll. “More than 230 deaths reported in British Columbia amid historic heat wave.”
In consideration of the lethal heatwave in the western USA & Canada, here’s an excellent heat safety site from NOAA & the National Weather Service that covered many topics including preventing pediatric heatstroke vehicular deaths.
This is a very informative climate read. “COVID’s lesson for climate research: go local.”
Due to significant advances in climate science, businesses could be facing legal action for their part in adding to greenhouse gas emissions.
Water shortages go hand in hand with climate change. “Running out of water: how climate change fuels a crisis in the US west.”
Reminder: The Atlantic hurricane season outlook has been released by NOAA. A busier than normal tropical cyclone season is anticipated . Time will tell whether the outlook verifies. As of this post, we have had three named tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin. It may be quite for now, but it’s best to prepare for the storm you hope never happens. You’ll find details on Hurricane Safety And Preparedness below.

HURRICANE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

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

That’s a wrap for this post! If you’d like a detailed review of tornado and severe weather safety, please review April and May posts. Next week we’ll continue information on hurricane preparedness. I’d like to extend a big ‘Thank You’ 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, get vaccinated, sport a spiffy mask, practice good hand-washing hygiene, mind your social distancing, stay safe, and stay healthy!

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 Ten Science Links For July 31 – August 7, 2020 #science #climate #climatechange #weather #meteorology #hurricane #hurricaneprep #disasterprep #spacex #nasa #astronomy #mars

Hurricane Katrina approaches the central USA Gulf Coast on 28 August 2005. Satellite image courtesy NOAA.

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 a daunting challenge and finding a long-term path of human adaptation is far easier said than done. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has also gotten off to a historic start with, as of this post, nine named storms for the 2020 season. We’ll also take a look at a checklist for assembling an emergency kit and hurricane preparedness…so let’s get started.

Let’s start with some good news in an otherwise challenging current events scenario. “SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule makes splashdown with NASA astronauts.“
Astronomers know that Mars once was partially covered by water. New data shows that glaciers may have played a part in forming the Martian landscape.
As a former HVAC tech, this concerns me greatly. “Why Aren’t We Talking More About Ventilation?” Furthermore, how is it that six months into a global respiratory pandemic, we’re still doing so little to mitigate airborne transmission?
While on the topic of pandemics, the unnecessary rancor over facial masks was also a hot-button topic during the 1918 influenza pandemic that killed hundreds of thousands of people. Sad to say that in spite of sound scientific evidence, some people still don’t get it.
The Arctic region has been plagued by wildfires in recent years. “Data by the European Union’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) shows that in June and July 2020, Arctic fires released 204 megatons of carbon dioxide, far exceeding last year’s 140 megatons and eclipsing the annual emissions of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland combined.”
Forecasting tropical cyclones is one of the most daunting tasks that a meteorologist will ever face. Here’s a very interesting take on forecasting one of the most dangerous atmospheric phenomenons. “Application of machine learning can optimize hurricane track forecast.“
When it comes to climate change, individual acts alone may not have a substantial effect. Many experts with a substantial knowledge of climate change and related topics have some very encouraging words.
One of the most underrated weather hazards is heat and the effects heat waves have on life on our planet. This suggestion by experts is a novel one…name heatwaves in the same manner that we name hurricanes.
If the active Atlantic hurricane season has piqued your interest in tropical cyclones, NOAA has an excellent educational website that explains how these powerful storms develop and operate.
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has been very busy with, as of this post, nine named storms…and the peak of the season is still weeks away. NOAA has revised their Atlantic basin hurricane outlook for what could be an ‘extremely active’ season.

HURRICANE AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

The Atlantic and central Pacific have become quite active with several tropical cyclones this summer. In the central Pacific, Douglas took a swipe at Hawaii. Hanna made landfall in Texas and Isaias on the USA’s east coast. The Atlantic has been unusually active with nine named storms having taken place by the end of July…and the peak of hurricane season is still ahead. NOAA has a great website to help you get ready with plenty of helpful tips and infographics to help you get the supplies you may need.

This handy checklist from the American Red Cross will help you put together an emergency kit for a variety of weather scenarios. For folks living in regions prone to hurricanes, now is the time to assemble your kits for home and your place of work.

I would be remiss to not remind folks to stick with trusted and reliable sources for your weather information. A NOAA weather radio is essential and should be as common in homes and workplaces as smoke detectors…regardless of where you live in the USA and its territories. Of course, broadcast meteorologists of your choice are always an excellent source as well. Bottom line: use discretion very carefully and avoid hypesters, shills, and attention-seekers at all cost…and think before you click.

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, sport a spiffy mask, stay safe, and stay healthy!

Cheers…Stay Healthy…and Good Luck!

Tornado Quest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tornadoquest

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Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

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