Tornado Quest Top Science Links For June 12 – 19, 2021

Six tropical cyclones in progress simultaneously from the east Pacific to central Atlantic on 14 September 2020.
Image courtesy NOAA.

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, the severe weather season continues. Meanwhile, the Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1st. An active season is forecast. As of this post, Claudette, the third tropical cyclone of the Atlantic season, has made landfall on the central USA gulf coast. There’s a complete page 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.

“What is awe?” In this day & age when dystopian conflict is the norm, feeling awe in the presence of nature/science is a badly needed solvent.
In astronomy, it’s very important to study weather on other planets. “Astronomers Have Found the Perfect Exoplanet to Study Another World’s Atmosphere.”
Three new missions are planned for Venus…two of which are from NASA!
Some of you may remember the snow days that were an annual occurrence just a few decades ago. These days, things are much different. “Remember snow days? Today’s kids get heat days.”
Texans were greatly inconvenienced in February 2021 when a cold snap led to the cratering of much of the state’s infrastructure. Only four months later, a heat wave threatens to pull a repeat performance.
These startling images show just how bad the drought in the western USA has become…and how this could be an omen for the months to come.
According to a new study, when climate change is taken into consideration, “high-elevation forests in Colorado and southern Wyoming are experiencing bigger wildfires than at any point in the last 2,000 years.”
When residents are threatened with a hazard (earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, et al.), language can be a life threatening barrier. Here’s an excellent read on the importance of translating warnings.
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. Regardless, 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

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 preparedness, flood safety, and tornado sheltering information which is also applicable to structures that are subject to tropical cyclone winds. Tornadoes are also common in land-falling tropical storms and hurricanes. Residents in those areas should be ready to take shelter if a tornado warning is issued. Other infographics deal with misinformation that you may encounter in social media. 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! 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 Science Links For June 5 – 12, 2021 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #weatherready #weathersafety #tornado #hurricane #hurricaneprep #hurricanesafety #climate #climatechange #environment #health

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds you happy, healthy and the weather is to your liking. Across North America, the severe weather season continues. The current tornado count is not far from an average year. If you’d like a detailed review of tornado and severe weather safety, please review posts from March and April. You’ll find a plethora of severe weather, tornado, and flood safety information. The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1. This week, there’s a complete page of information on hurricane safety. There are many other good science reads to review for this week, so let’s get started.

As human being are want to do, we are subject to biases, trusting sensationalist rumors over experts, misinformation, and disinformation. Once we acknowledge that fact, the real work begins. “Can we keep human inconsistency from confusing expert advice?“
On the irrevocable climate link to socioeconomics. “Climate crisis to shrink G7 economies twice as much as Covid-19, says research.”
Here’s some good news for a change…especially when one considers the mosquito is one of the most dangerous critters on the planet for humankind. “A Pivotal Mosquito Experiment Could Not Have Gone Better.”
Speaking of dangerous critters, ticks are another hazard to human health that can’t be ignored. This year could be a bad one for ticks…and climate change may play a part.
The effects of climate change are having deleterious changes in the the world’s lakes. This is even more of a crisis when lakes and rivers, though they only cover 1% of the Earth’s surface, are rich in biodiversity.
Based on new data from the World Meteorological Organization, our planet is on course to, “hit watershed 1.5 °C rise in next five years.”
We can’t have enough good news like this. Considering the opportunities for worst case scenarios, this has been (so far) a very good year regarding tornado activity and intensity across the USA. “No severe tornadoes hit the U.S. this May for first time on record.”
The Atlantic hurricane season outlook has been released by NOAA. A busier than normal tropical cyclone season is predicted. We’ve already had our first named storm for the Atlantic. Time will tell whether the outlook verifies. Regardless, it’s best to prepare for the storm you hope never happens.

HURRICANE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

Click on HURRICANE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS to make your way to a wide variety of links and helpful information from staying informed on the storms to assembling preparedness kits for your family and pets.

That’s a wrap for this post! As I mentioned in the introduction, if you’d like a detailed review of tornado and severe weather safety, please review the previous 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 Science Links For May 29 – June 5, 2021 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #weatherready #weathersafety #hurricane #hurricaneprep #hurricanesafety #climate #climatechange #environment #publichealth #covid19

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds you happy, healthy and the weather is to your liking wherever you are around the world. Across North America, the severe weather season continues. If you’d like a detailed review of tornado and severe weather safety, please review posts from March and April. You’ll find a plethora of severe weather, tornado, and flooding safety information. The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1. This week, I will start posting a series of hurricane safety infographics. There are many good science reads to review for this week, so let’s get started.

As human being are want to do, we are subject to biases, trusting sensationalist rumors over experts, misinformation, and disinformation. Once we acknowledge that fact, the real work begins. “Can we keep human inconsistency from confusing expert advice?“
The scientific story behind the origins and ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic are complicated. Here’s a look at five different charts that help to put the ongoing pandemic into an objective perspective.
Here’s some very good astronomy news. NASA will be going back to Venus for the first time in almost thirty years.
“Prepare for the worst: 10 steps to get ready for wildfire smoke.” People are outdoors more due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since most #wildfires are caused by human activity, the summer of 2021 has the potential to be worse than any season before it.
A town in Norway is feeling the effects of climate change in a multitude of ways. “The World’s Northernmost Town Is Changing Dramatically.”
This is certainly an eye opening read. “Here Are America’s Top Methane Emitters. Some Will Surprise You.”
The threat of climate tipping points going down like a row of dominoes is a very real threat. The effects are substantial and would be long-lasting.
An ounce of prevention is far less expensive than a pound of cure in many disaster scenarios. “Beleaguered by disaster damages, the USA may finally start spending on resilience.”
In case you missed it, the annual Atlantic hurricane season outlook has been released by NOAA. A busier than normal tropical cyclone season is predicted. We’ve already had our first named storm for the Atlantic. Current outlooks indicate we could be in for a very busy season.

THE BASICS OF HURRICANE SAFETY

PREPARING A HURRICANE EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

This helpful checklist from the American Red Cross will help you put together an emergency kit. This is essential in a variety of dangerous scenarios from hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, wildfires, and blizzards.

Where you get your weather forecasts, warnings, and other important information is as important as being informed. Discretion is of the upmost importance when you’re trying to stay weather aware. As of late, it’s been brought to my attention that there have been amateur ‘forecasters’ using graphics with the intention of appearing as professional and official sources of information on Twitter, Facebook, et al. They should NOT be taken as official sources of potentially life-saving warnings and weather forecasts and updates.

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 types of weather year round.

Infographic courtesy NWS Fort Worth, Texas

That’s a wrap for this post! As I mentioned in the introduction, if you’d like a detailed review of tornado and severe weather safety, please review the previous posts. Next week, we’ll take a look at more 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 Science Links For May 22 -29, 2021 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #weatherready #weathersafety #tornado #hurricane #climate #climatechange #environment #publichealth

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds you happy, healthy and the weather is to your liking wherever you are. Across much of the western contiguous USA, drought conditions conditions to worsen. The climatological peak of the severe weather and tornado season has arrived across the North American great plains. If you’d like a detailed review of tornado and severe weather safety, please review posts from March and April. You’ll find a plethora of severe weather, tornado, and flooding safety information. It’s also important to remember that the Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1. Next week, we’ll start a series of hurricane safety infographics. There are many good science reads to review, so let’s get started.

Pollution from plastics is a problem that won’t go away easily. “World to waste one trillion more plastic bottles and bags by 2025 as production ramps up.”
The chances are quite good that these wind up in your vegetable garden. “‘Forever chemicals’ found in home fertilizer made from sewage sludge.”
These protected reserves should have never been disturbed in the first place. “Palaeontologists hope Biden will restore protections on fossil-rich US lands.”
Taking into consideration the severity of the ongoing drought, this will be challenging months to come. “Melting Snow Usually Means Water For The West. But This Year, It Might Not Be Enough.”
The climate crisis has far reaching effects on the Earth’s human population, and that includes mental health.
Here’s new climate data from the World Meteorological Organization. “New climate predictions increase likelihood of temporarily reaching 1.5 °C in next 5 years.”
In case you missed it, the annual Atlantic hurricane season outlook has been released by NOAA. A busier than normal tropical cyclone season is predicted.

A TORNADO & SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY REMINDER

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS Norman, OK

PREPARING A SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

This handy checklist 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.

That’s a wrap for this post! As I mentioned in the introduction, if you’d like a detailed review of tornado and severe weather safety, please review the previous posts for further details. Starting 5 June 2021, we’ll take a look at 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 promotions, marketing schemes, prizes, or papers that have not been under & approved by scientific peer review WILL NOT be accepted.

Tornado Quest Top Science Links For May 15 – 22, 2021 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #weatherready #weathersafety #tornado #hurricane #climate #climatechange #environment #pollution

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds you happy, healthy and the weather is to your liking wherever you are. Across much of the western contiguous USA, drought conditions conditions to worsen. The climatological peak of the severe weather and tornado season has arrived across the North American great plains. If you’d like a detailed review of tornado and severe weather safety, please review posts from March and April as these have a plethora of severe weather, tornado, and flooding safety information. It’s also important to remember that the Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1. In two weeks, we’ll take a look at hurricane safety. This week, there are many good science reads to review, so let’s get started.

Finding a location with exceptionally dark night skies is not easy in today’s world. Fortunately, there are the Canary Islands.
Pollution from plastics is a problem that won’t go away easily. “World to waste one trillion more plastic bottles and bags by 2025 as production ramps up.”
Startling imagery here with a view of the world’s largest iceberg breaking off an ice shelf.
Wildfires that we are familiar with are hazardous enough. Here’s an interesting read on ‘zombie fires’ that can linger even under winter snow.
This comes as no surprise. “Climate change to blame for $8 billion of Hurricane Sandy damages.” Sandy destroyed half a million homes, killed 159 people, & caused $62.5 billion in damages.
Yet another example of the ravages that result from climate change. This new study, released by NOAA, shows how droughts are intensified and lengthened by greenhouse aerosol and gas emissions.
The annual Atlantic hurricane season outlook has just been released by NOAA. A busier than normal tropical cyclone season is predicted.

A TORNADO SAFETY REMINDER

PREPARING A SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

That’s a wrap for this post! As I mentioned in the introduction, if you’d like a detailed review of tornado and severe weather safety, please review the previous posts for further details. Starting 5 June 2021, we’ll take a look at 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, 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 promotions, marketing schemes, prizes, or papers that have not been under & approved by scientific peer review WILL NOT be accepted.

Tornado Quest Top Science Links For April 17 – 24, 2021 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #weatherready #weathersafety #climate #climatechange #drought #droughtmonitor #environment #astronomy #nasa #marshelicopter #covid19

Greetings to everyone! The past few days across North America have been unseasonably cool and quiet in terms of severe weather save for a few events, but we still have many weeks to go before we reach the climatological peak of the tornado/severe weather season across the USA. There are several other good science reads to review this week, so let’s get started.

Misinformation, disinformation, anti-science and anti-vaccine conspiracy theories are running amok as of late and, considering the alarming rate at which COVID-19 cases are increasing worldwide, it couldn’t be a worse time for those that are easily intimidated and/or influenced by nefarious sources of fantasy and fear.
While on the topic of the ongoing pandemic, we’re going to be donning masks for quiet some time. In fact, during the cold and flu season, they make perfectly good sense. Here’s an excellent overview of masks and how to choose one from the USA’s Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC).
In terms of space exploration, this week was truly a watershed event. “Flying a helicopter on Mars: NASA’s Ingenuity.”
“More fissures are opening up at the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland.” The view from above is spectacular.
This could have substantial long-term ramifications on Atlantic hurricane occurrence, frequency, and intensity. “NASA Study Predicts Less Saharan Dust in Future Winds.”
The latest US Drought Monitor has been issued. Just over 39% of the USA is experiencing moderate to exceptional drought conditions. This currently affects over 165 million people. An interactive map can be found at the North American Drought Monitor site.
This is a very challenging goal, but necessary considering the continuing rise in emissions. “U.S. To Pledge To Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Half.”
The USA’s pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half is a lofty and worth goal. In fact, it is far more ambitious than the goals currently existing in other countries.
This is an excellent climate change primer for kids! “Bad Future, Better Future.”

PREPARING A SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

That’s a wrap for this post! If you’d like a detailed review of tornado and severe weather safety, please review the previous posts for further details. 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, 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 promotions, marketing schemes, prizes, or papers that have not been under & approved by scientific peer review WILL NOT be accepted.

Tornado Quest Top Science Links For March 13 – 20, 2021 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #tornado #weatherready #weathersafety #floodsafety #lightningsafety #climate #climatechange #environment #astronomy #covid19

Greetings to everyone and Happy Spring Equinox for folks in the Northern Hemisphere! This week, we’ll continue our focus on severe weather preparedness. This week’s post contains more severe weather safety links with a focus on taking shelter during flash flooding and lightning. There are also several new, interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

The sciences are unique in the fact that they are ever changing in terms of the pursuit of knowledge and advancements in technology. But, there are some changes that are not for the common good. “Science Goes Rogue” by Lawrence M. Krauss goes into further detail.
Here are some amazing images of a very inhospitable planet. No probe sent to Venus has lasted very long due to the intense heat, toxic atmosphere, and crushing atmospheric pressures.
Speaking of rovers on other planets, check out the sounds of a rover on Mars as it’s on the move!
A very good read on the connection of pollinators and climate. “Pollinators are our secret weapon in the fight against global warming.” Pollinators have a critical, but largely unappreciated, role to play when it comes to climate change.
Science has finally returned to the US government. “Facts Are Back, And So Is The EPA’s Climate Change Website.” “The website currently links to resources on climate research, clean energy programs, information for kids, and it says it will be adding more soon.”
A very challenging but worthwhile goal for the USA. “The race to zero: can America reach net-zero emissions by 2050?”
This is an excellent and important read from NOAA. “Government Interventions Rather Than Climate Conditions Primarily Curb COVID-19’s Spread, NOAA and International Team Say.“
We’ve all seen photographs of snowflakes, but these take a specialize kind of photography to a new level. “Snowflakes as You’ve Never Seen Them Before.”
The World Meteorological Organization recently made some changes in how it will use tropical cyclone/hurricane names and the Greek alphabet.

SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Let’s start with an excellent two-page printable PDF file from NOAA that covers the basics of severe weather safety.

Tornadoes, Lightning, and Thunderstorms: Nature’s Most Violent Storms (20 Page PDF File).

This NOAA safety page has a plethora of good information on staying safe during weather and climate issues from air quality to lightning to tornadoes to wildfires.

This long-standing site has the basics of tornado safety rules.

Highway overpasses are often mistaken as a safe haven from severe weather and especially tornadoes. NOTHING ABOUT THIS MYTH IS REMOTELY CONNECTED TO THE TRUTH.

The Online Tornado FAQ…another excellent long-standing site with very important information.

THIS WEEK’S SEVERE WEATHER INFOGRAPHICS: FLASH FLOOD AND LIGHTNING SAFETY!

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS Tallahassee, FL

PREPARING AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

That’s a wrap for this post! Be sure to check in next week when we’ll take a look at more severe weather safety. 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, 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

Tornado Quest Top Science Links For February 27 – March 6, 2021 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #tornado #weatherready #weathersafety #climate #climatechange #environment #airquality #health #astronomy

Greetings to all and happy meteorological spring to my friends and followers in the Northern Hemisphere! This week, we’ll turn our attention to severe weather preparedness. As seasonal climate patterns change, so does the threat for severe weather across much of North America. This week’s post contains a plethora of good severe weather safety links. There are also several new, interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

After a spectacular landing, NASA’s Perseverance rover is on the move across Mars.
“Atlantic Ocean circulation at weakest in a millennium, say scientists.” This could lead to more extreme weather in Europe & higher sea levels on USA east coast.
A very interesting read with psychological perspectives. “Why aren’t we more afraid of global warming? The psychology of procrastinating on climate change.”
“Study Finds Wildfire Smoke More Harmful To Humans Than Pollution From Cars.” This new research conveys a significant public health challenge as climate change increases the fire risk worldwide.
In order to study one of the rarest varieties of clouds, scientists created one of their own in a laboratory.
“Hurricane Hunters faced a grueling pace in 2020. With climate change, it may not let up.” Last year saw a record number of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin. With climate change in play, this is a potentially dangerous scenario that will likely be occurring more often.
The first day of meteorological spring has arrived for the Northern Hemisphere. What does that exactly mean?

SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Let’s start with an excellent two-page printable PDF file from NOAA that covers the basics of severe weather safety.

Tornadoes, Lightning, and Thunderstorms: Nature’s Most Violent Storms (20 Page PDF File).

This NOAA safety page has a plethora of good information on staying safe during weather and climate issues from air quality to lightning to tornadoes to wildfires.

This long-standing site has the basics of tornado safety rules.

Highway overpasses are often mistaken as a safe haven from severe weather and especially tornadoes. NOTHING ABOUT THIS MYTH IS REMOTELY CONNECTED TO THE TRUTH.

The Online Tornado FAQ…another excellent long-standing site with very important information.

THIS WEEK’S SEVERE WEATHER INFOGRAPHIC: WATCHES AND WARNINGS!

PREPARING AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

That’s a wrap for this post! Be sure to check in next week when we’ll take a look at tornado safety. 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, 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

Tornado Quest Top Science Links For January 1 – 8, 2021 #science #weather #meteorology #weathersafety #wintersafety #windchill #climate #climatechange #criticalthinking

The winter weather over the contiguous USA has been rather tranquil as of late. We’ll explore more on winter weather safety with plenty of information for the next several weeks. Please note that effective 1 January 2021, I will only post the top science links rather than pick ten. Quite often there are not enough quality stories to pass along and, like other media outlets, they present top stories but don’t go to the trouble of finding a specific number each week. This change allows me to share only the best with you. Let me also take a moment and wish all of you a happy and healthy 2021 and let you know how much I appreciate all of the support so many of you have given me over the past year. All of you are deeply appreciated. Having said that, lets get started.

When one takes into consideration the recent trends & current hot topics, a dose of this is badly needed. “Introduction to Critical Thinking.”
After the dumpster fire on steroids that 2020 was, this year has plenty of catching up to do. “The science events to watch for in 2021.”
By some accounts, the devastating wildfires that occurred in Australia in 2019 and 2020 are a wake up call that can’t be ignored in the future.
With a myriad of changes taking place, including a changing climate, the Antarctica that we’ve known has the potential to look very different in the near future.
One of the most fascinating and enigmatic phenomenons of meteorology are the snowflakes that make for a winter wonderland. Here’s a great read on their formation and tips on how to study them on your own.
2020 was a remarkable year in so many respects…and climate was certainly a factor. “Climate crisis: 2020 was joint hottest year ever recorded.” Global heating continued unabated despite Covid lockdowns with record Arctic wildfires & Atlantic tropical cyclones.
Last but not least, here’s a preliminary look at the record setting Atlantic hurricane season from the National Hurricane Center. With so many storms having occurred, it will be some time before summaries on each storm is complete.

Graphic courtesy NOAA/National Hurricane Center

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.

NOAA also has an excellent printable publication that covers winter weather safety which is one of the most underrated weather hazards. (12 page PDF file)

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.

Misinformation and disinformation is running rampant across social media platforms of all kinds as of late. 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 often equipped with sources of important information that is specific to your locale. Here’s an excellent and concise video on spotting misinformation you might see online. Bottom line: use discretion very carefully and avoid hypesters, shills, and attention-seekers at all cost…and think before you click.

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.

That’s a wrap for this post! I’d like to extend a warm welcome and Happy New Year to my followers in social media. I’m glad you’re along for the fun! If you’re on Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr, 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! Here’s to a happier and healthier 2021!

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Links For December 18 – 25, 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #weathersafety #wintersafety #windchill #climate #climatechange #environment #renewables #windenergy #astronomy #covid19 #pandemic #health

As 2020 draws to a close, there are plenty of ways to look back on a year that none of us will forget anytime soon. It was not only a remarkable year on the weather and climate front, but the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is changing the lives of billions forever. This week’s post will have links to touch on those topics. Many substantial winter weather events have taken place across North America and Europe as winter dominates the Northern Hemisphere. We’ll explore more on winter weather safety with plenty of information for the next several weeks. There are many other good stories to cover, so lets get started.

This is an excellent essay by Claire Lehmann of Quillette that is not only timely, but addresses many of the ‘front and center’ issues of 2020.
What is your risk of catching COVID-19? Here’s an interesting read with some very useful tools to help you estimate your risk. However, the life-or-death caveat is the simple fact that the ‘3 W’s’ along with trusting medical science will be beneficial to all of us regardless of our personal risk.
The conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter on 21 December 2020 was a rare astronomical event. What was captured in these stunning images had not been seen this clearly in almost 800 years.
2020 has had very little good news, but here’s a positive story on British wind farms. Let’s hope this kind of renewable energy spreads far and wide.
Major natural disasters from tornadoes to tsunamis carry a myriad of health hazards. This is one that many people may not have heard of and has occurred in the wake of tsunamis, wildfires, and tornadoes.
To say that 2020 has been an exceptionally stressful year is almost an understatement. Fortunately, there are coping techniques that people use in the aftermath of a natural disaster or other catastrophes that will help us all cope with our current state of mental and physical distress.
There were many weather and climate events that either helped break records or took center stage in 2020. Here’s a look back at just a few climate related stories that have long term implications.
Here’s a look back at photographs taken in the wake of a record breaking year for hurricanes in the United States. “2020 Gulf Coast Hurricane Season in Photos: From the Front Lines of Climate Change.“
Climate change is happening at a rate that is much faster than was previously anticipated. “Earth may be even closer to 1.5°C of global warming than we thought.”
Let’s end this week’s post with a read that considers some optimistic perspectives in an otherwise dour year. “6 reasons 2020 wasn’t as bad for climate change as you thought.“

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

This NOAA winter weather page has a myriad of links beneficial to organizations such as public services, schools, organizations, etc.

NOAA also has an excellent printable publication that covers winter weather safety which is one of the most underrated weather hazards. (12 page PDF file)

The hazards of wind chill should never be underestimated. A few simple steps of layering clothing can make a big difference. Even in full sun, wind chill can be a health hazard in temperatures as warm as 40F.

Infographic courtesy NWS Mobile, Alabama

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! 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! Happy Holidays everyone!

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

HURRICANE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

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THE BASICS OF HURRICANE SAFETY

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A TORNADO & SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY REMINDER

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A TORNADO SAFETY REMINDER

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SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

THIS WEEK’S SEVERE WEATHER INFOGRAPHICS: FLASH FLOOD AND LIGHTNING SAFETY!

PREPARING AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

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THIS WEEK’S SEVERE WEATHER INFOGRAPHIC: WATCHES AND WARNINGS!

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WINTER WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

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WINTER WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

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