Tornado Quest Top Science Links For November 27 – December 4, 2021 #science #weather #climate #winter #wintersafety

Greetings to one and all. I hope everyone is having a great week. Can it be December already? Well, it is and that means the beginning of the meteorological winter across the Northern Hemisphere. The Atlantic hurricane season officially came to an end on November 30. It’s very likely that the Atlantic will not have any more tropical cyclones for the rest of 2021. As always, there are many good reads to review, so let’s get started.

Check out these amazing photographs taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
This is a very thought provoking read on one aspect of the USA that is badly needed. “The United States needs a department of technology & science policy.”
This weather map has been one of my favorites for years. Are you teaching weather and/or climate in your classroom? Check this out. Your students are bound to get a kick, and a new perspective, on winds around our planet.
Recent wildfires in the western USA have been devastating enough on their own. Add climate change to the scenario, and we have dramatic, and potentially very long term, changes in the ecosystem.
As our climate changes, so does the type of precipitation that occurs in the Arctic.
Speaking of precipitation changes, a California free of snow is certainly possible if current climate change trends continue.
Here’s a very interesting read on one study that says Atlantic hurricanes are not only becoming more frequent, but more intense and destructive.
ICYMI: based on the latest NOAA data, October 2021 was the fourth warmest October on record.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

This week, we’ll continue posts on winter weather safety with a look at how to dress for the cold temperatures. December may be getting off to a ‘warm’ start for North America, but that won’t last. While there are good buys out there, now’s the time to buy some good items to stay warm and prevent frostbite and possibly hypothermia when those temperatures really begin to drop.

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 winter storm watches, warnings, and other related weather advisories! None of the links on this page should be used for life-&-death decisions or the protection of property!

That’s a wrap for this post! A big ‘Thank You’ to my followers in social media. If you’re on Twitter, Tumblr, or Instagram, let’s connect! As for the COVID-19 pandemic, get vaccinated, sport a quality mask, practice good hand-washing hygiene, mind your social distancing, stay positive, and test negative!

See you next Saturday!

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Please note: queries regarding marketing, promotions, sales schemes, prizes, or papers/research that have not been under & approved by scientific peer review will not be accepted.

Tornado Quest Top Science Links For February 19 – 26, 2021 #science #weather #meteorology #winter #winterstorm2021 #wintersafety #climate #climatechange #environment #pollution #drought #droughtmonitor #nasa #perseverance

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

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

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

With cooler temperature, snow, ice storms, et al. having settled in across much of the northern hemisphere, folks attention appropriately turns to winter weather hazards. The same preparedness plans and supplies that are helpful for tropical cyclones, tornadoes, flooding, etc. are beneficial to have for winter weather.

NOAA has a very nice Winter Weather Safety website to help you get ready with plenty of helpful tips and information you may need.

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

UNDERSTANDING WIND CHILL AND DRESSING FOR WINTER WEATHER

PREPARING AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

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

Social media is a very useful tool that can be misused for misinformation, disinformation, and hype. While this infographic is geared towards, winter weather, it certainly applies to all kinds of weather year round.

Infographic courtesy NWS Fort Worth, Texas

That’s a wrap for this post! Be sure to check in next week. I will be adding a plethora of information regarding severe weather and tornado safety. I’d like to extend a warm welcome to my followers in social media. I’m glad you’re along for the fun! If you’re on Twitter, Tumblr, or Instagram, let’s connect! As for the COVID-19 pandemic, sport a spiffy mask as often as you can, practice good hand-washing hygiene, mind your social distancing, stay safe, and stay healthy!

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For June 19 – 26, 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #summersafety #heatsafety #climate #climatechange #environment #weatherready #covid19 #pandemic

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 proving to be an obstacle in dealing with the pandemic and finding a long-term path of adaptation. The North American spring severe weather season has slowed a bit, but and uptick in activity will inevitably take place. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has also gotten off to a historical start. We’ll also take a look at summer heat safety information and much more with this week’s picks…so let’s get started.

A vast dust plume from the Sahara Desert in Africa starts a trek across the Atlantic towards the Americas. Image courtesty NOAA

Many a youngster during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s had dreams of becoming an astronaut during the height of the USA’s Apollo mission program. Many more dreamed of becoming one with the advent of the Space Shuttle. That dream continues today for many. Question is, do you have what it takes?
We’re very familiar with dust storms on our own planet. Studying dust storms and how they for on Mars is another story.
Misinformation, pseudoscience, & conspiracy theories run amok for almost every field of science. Weather and climate are prime examples. The current COVID-19 pandemic is another very apt example. “Coronavirus misinformation, & how scientists can help to fight it.”
To say that the USA has been brought to its knees by the COVID-19 pandemic is an understatement. To add insult to injury, as of this post, the states are in the worst shape so far in this horrible health crisis.
“What greater good? COVID-19 is unmasking America’s collective action problem.” Face masks can slow the spread of COVID-19. The issue? Mask-wearing has become a giant collective action problem & many Americans refuse to cooperate hence the dramatic increase in cases in the past few days.
As if the ongoing global pandemic isn’t enough, the smoke from wildfires that may happen this summer across much of North America will pose additional health hazards to many people.
This is a mammoth and time-consuming task, but it’s very important. “One-fifth of Earth’s ocean floor is now mapped.”
A recent summer temperature record was set in Siberia. If verified, this would be the northernmost 100-degree reading ever observed, and the highest temperature on record in the Arctic.”
Imagine if you will a lightning bolt that’s 440 miles long or last just over 16 seconds. The World Meteorological Organization has identified two megaflash events in South America.
A very good read from The New Yorker archive that will give you a renewed appreciation of the hard work of meteorologists. “Why Weather Forecasting Keeps Getting Better.”

SUMMER HEAT SAFETY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Is it heat exhaustion or heat stroke? Both are dangerous…and heat stroke is all to often fatal. Here’s the difference.

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, stay safe, and stay healthy!

Cheers…Stay Healthy…and Good Luck!

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Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For February 14 – 21, 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #tornado #climate #climatechange #environment #pollution #airquality #health #noaa #nasa #antarctica #astronomy

Greetings once again to one and all! Plenty of interesting topics to cover this week. In atmospheric science news, our changing climate is front and center and will be for many years as humanity grapples with the best path of adaptation. On a more personal note, I appreciate the continued best wishes for recovery and good health during my rehabilitation from prostate cancer surgery. You folks are awesome! Now…let’s get started on this week’s reads.

The more we study Mars, the more amazing discoveries we make about this spectacular planet.
A look at the vast changes recent brushfires have brought about. “The End of Australia as We Know It.”
The importance of indoor air quality can never be underestimated. “Opening your windows doesn’t help reduce indoor air pollution.”
In case you missed it, this is one of the biggest nuggets of climate news from NOAA in recent months. “January 2020: Earth’s Warmest January on Record.”
Speaking of warmth, this is a disconcerting read on research that’s ongoing at Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier. What scientists observed dramatically increased fears of a collapse that could raise global sea levels by more than half a meter.
A very disturbing scenario that clearly illustrates how low climate change deniers will go. “Don’t @ Me: What Happened When Climate Skeptics Misused My Work.”
Just as people often confuse climate and weather, there’s a great deal of confusion over the difference between climate change and global warming. Here’s an excellent explanation from NASA.
As of 21 February 2020, the year has gotten off to an active start in the USA for tornado activity. U.S Tornadoes has a comprehensive look at a year that may well be above average in tornado occurrence.
Here’s some excellent news from NOAA that’ll put the USA back on top! “U.S. to triple operational weather and climate supercomputing capacity.”
Finally, here’s one of the coolest maps you’ll ever see of our planet. Take a look at the winds whipping around our world in this amazing interactive global wind map!

With the recent increase in severe weather activity across parts of the contiguous USA, now’s the time to make sure your NOAA weather radio is in good working order. Regardless of where you live, be sure it’s at the ready year round. Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS

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, so am I and I invite you to enjoy me. Once again I’d like to thank so many of you for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received over the past few weeks. I’m still recovering well from surgery. Cancer does not have to be an automatic death sentence and I have no intention of giving up this fight and will accept nothing but absolute and total victory. 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.

Cheers…and Good Luck!

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

Tornado Quest on Instagram: https://instagram.com/tornadoquest

Tornado Quest on Tumblr: http://tornadoquest.tumblr.com

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

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WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

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WINTER WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

UNDERSTANDING WIND CHILL AND DRESSING FOR WINTER WEATHER

PREPARING AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

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SUMMER HEAT SAFETY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

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