Tornado Quest Top Science Links For July 9 – 16, 2022 #science #weather #climate #astronomy #heatsafety #cop27

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well. For much of the contiguous USA, a brutal heat wave that has turned lethal has 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.

Let’s start off this week with the biggest science news in some time…the fantastic images from the James Webb telescope!
The COVID-19 pandemic rages on with a new variant that is the most contagious yet. Keeping track of the number of new cases is difficult especially with the proliferation of home test kits. Fortunately, there is a fantastically useful way of keeping track of the number of new cases…because ‘poop’ doesn’t lie.
For those of us awash in scientific research papers, this is an intriguing read. “How to find, read and organize papers.”
Daunting challenges getting from ‘summits to solutions’ amid increasing wild weather events. “Cop27 summit must focus on how world will adapt to climate change.”
Due to a changing climate and wildfires, recent research shows that much of California’s tree growth is dying and likely to not come back.
We often hear about “average” temperatures, precipitation, etc. with weather and climate…but what does “average” really mean?
June 2022 started off the meteorological summer in the USA with heat and drought. As of this post, the USA has already had nine billion dollar disasters…and we’ve yet to get into the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.

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 9 – 16, 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 June 25 – July 2, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well. For this week, our safety infographic is a heat index chart which is important for summer heat safety in a myriad of ways. As usual, there are many topics to review, many with very unsettling news. Let’s get started.

Sunspots are not unusual, but it’s an exceptional event to have one double in size within 24 hours.
A bizarre case of subversion. “Subverting Climate Science in the Classroom.“
Speaking of subversion, a blow was dealt with no consideration of the future of humanity to the Environmental Protection Agency that severely curtails its ability to monitor CO2 emissions.
The Paris Agreement goals are achievable. However, it’s shameful that it took a horrific global health crisis to prove it. “Decrease in CO2 emissions during pandemic shutdown shows it is possible to reach Paris Agreement goals.”
“Climate change role clear in many extreme events but social factors also key, study finds.” Extreme weather events and frequency are sometimes overestimated but climate costs to people are often underestimated.
This interesting study says the number of tropical cyclones (aka hurricanes) has been decreasing since the beginning of the 20th century…but the devil is in the details.

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!

Tornado Quest micro-podcast for June 25 – July 2, 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 February 19 – 26, 2022 #science #weather #climate #wintersafety #windchill #airquality #russia #ukraine #chernobyl

Greetings to everyone! I hope this weeks post finds all of you healthy and your week is going well. There are many topics to cover this week including reads on air pollution and public health, flood risk in the USA, and a review of winter weather safety with a wind chill chart. Let’s get started.

This is certainly a novel idea. Fertilizer made from animal waste is common on the ground, so why not use it in the oceans?
Here’s an excellent read on clearing the air in many of our population centers on our planet and the public health risks from taking no action at all.
Every war has it’s environmental impacts. The current Russia/Ukraine situation is no different.
Perish the thought. “What would happen if Russia bombed Chernobyl?“
In spite of lessons learned, we’ve a long way to go. “We’re No More Serious about the Climate Crisis Than We Were before the Pandemic.”
Climate change is a major factor in this trend. “US flood damage risk is underestimated.“
A concise USA region-by-region summary. “How will climate change impact different regions in America?”
The latest drought outlook from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center predicts drought conditions to persist well into late spring across almost half of the contiguous USA.

Infographic courtesy NOAA Climate Prediction Center

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

Infographic courtesy NWS Mobile, Alabama

Please keep in mind that ONLY your local National Weather Service office, NOAA Weather Radio, or reliable broadcast media are the BEST sources of important, timely, and potentially life-saving, information on winter storm watches, warnings, and other related weather advisories! None of the links on this website should be used for life-&-death decisions or the protection of property!

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

See you next Saturday!

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

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

Tornado Quest Top Science Links For January 29 – February 5, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this weeks post finds all of you healthy an having a good week. The big weather story for much of North America this week has been back-to-back winter storms. Speaking of winter, for this week’s winter weather safety, a review of how wind chill affects your body. There are many other interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

Is it too much trouble to engage in fact checking & critical thinking? Social media platforms haven’t been holding up their promise to debunk misinformation, disinformation, fact check, and basically keep their platforms civil. “Social Media Platforms Failing To Tackle Abuse Of Scientists.“
This is an excellent and very timely read that will help alleviate much of the misconceptions of how science and the scientific method works. “What Is A Scientific Theory?“
A very thought provoking read on the 1918 influenza pandemic & its unmistakable connections to our current COVID-19 health crisis. It would behoove us greatly to learn from the past.
Here’s a fascinating astronomy read about that humble star that we on Earth refer to as the Sun.
Now, let’s go to the moon and talk about ‘moon trees.’
This is a novel idea that, with some luck, will spread to other cities around the world. “Hong Kong’s car pollution sensors help it clean its air in world first.”
This is yet another victim of our warming planet. The highest glacier on Mount Everest is rapidly melting.
Methane, a very powerful greenhouse gas and second to carbon dioxide in the level of harm is produces, has been detected by satellites leaking in large quantities from gas pipelines.
The flood risk across the USA has been an ongoing threat for generations. By some accounts, it’s about to get much worse and for an unexpected reason.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

Please keep in mind that ONLY your local National Weather Service office, NOAA Weather Radio, or reliable broadcast media are the BEST sources of important, timely, and potentially life-saving, information on winter storm watches, warnings, and other related weather advisories! None of the links on this page should be used for life-&-death decisions or the protection of property!

Infographic courtesy NWS Fort Worth, Texas, USA

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest Micro-podcast for January 29 – February 5, 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 January 22 – 29, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this weeks post finds all of you healthy an having a good week. For this week’s winter weather safety, a review of dressing for the cold to stave off hypothermia and frostbite. If you’re interested in citizen science and contributing to weather research, we’ve a link for a great app. There are many other interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

If you’d like to contribute to weather research through a simple weather app, please check out the mPING app. It’s a great way to contribute to weather forecasting and observation data regardless of the season or climate you live in.
The importance of science communication & subtle differences in words can’t be underestimated. “COVID-19: endemic doesn’t mean harmless.”
The importance of soil to our daily lives is a topic that is frequently overlooked. “A Call For Governments To Save Soil.“
The strain that climate change puts on agriculture is an expense that ultimately the taxpayer has to pick up the tab for.
Walking on ice can be very tricky…and even dangerous. Here’s an excellent read on how to get across the slippery surface in a safe manner.
If 2021 seemed to be a very warm year during the summer months, you weren’t imagining things. Last year was one of the seven hottest years on record according to the World Meteorological Organization.
While on the topic of 2021, here’s an excellent overview of the USA’s billion dollar weather and climate disasters within a historical context.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

The key word to remember when dressing for cold weather…layers!

Please keep in mind that ONLY your local National Weather Service office, NOAA Weather Radio, or reliable broadcast media are the BEST sources of important, timely, and potentially life-saving, information on winter storm watches, warnings, and other related weather advisories! None of the links on this page 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 January 15 – 22, 2022 #science #weather #climate #wintersafety #tonga #tongavolcano

Greetings to everyone! I hope this weeks post finds all of you healthy an having a good week. We’ll continue our look at winter weather safety this week . There are many other interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

Cirrus clouds gliding over the Great Plains winter sky.

Let’s start off with some good news. Near Tahiti, a new and rare area of ‘pristine’ coral reed has been discovered.
There’s been a great deal of discussion as of late regarding what kind of mask to wear during the COVID pandemic. If possible, KN95 or N95 masks are the best options to choose over cloth. Personally speaking, I’ve worn KN95 masks and have found them very affordable, effective, and comfortable.
The passing of the great scientist E.O. Wilson was the end of a priceless era in scientific research. Unfortunately, it also provided some elements a chance to take caustic ad hominem attacks.
The Tonga volcanic eruption of 15 January 2022 was a very rare event that set off a tsunami and sent shockwaves through the earth’s atmosphere that circled the globe.
After the Tonga volcano eruption, ripples were sent through the atmosphere that are puzzling atmospheric scientists.
If 2021 seemed to be a very warm year during the summer months, you weren’t imagining things. Last year was one of the seven hottest years on record according to the World Meteorological Organization.
The latest US Drought Monitor shows considerable drought conditions persist across much of the western and great plains states.
Here’s the latest NOAA outlook on the current La Niña with all the details we need to know about the coming months.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

Please keep in mind that ONLY your local National Weather Service office, NOAA Weather Radio, or reliable broadcast media are the BEST sources of important, timely, and potentially life-saving, information on winter storm watches, warnings, and other related weather advisories! None of the links on this page should be used for life-&-death decisions or the protection of property!

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

See you next Saturday! Happy New Year!

Tornado Quest Micro-Podcast For January 15 – 22 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 December 11 – 18, 2021 #science #weather #climate #winter #wintersafety #astronomy #tornado #tornadooutbreak #covid19

Greetings to one and all. This has been quite an active severe weather month for the USA with two Moderate Risk events in the middle of December. We’ll continue our look at winter weather safety this week. There are many other interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

This is a startling look at graphics that depict how vaccines for COVID-19 shaped 2021.
This is quite an accomplishment. NASA sent a probe close to our sun and the results were spectacular.
Meanwhile in the Antarctic. “Giant cracks push imperiled Antarctic glacier closer to collapse.” For decades, scientists have carefully tracked changes in the Thwaites Glacier which causes 4% of global sea-level rise.
So much for that white Christmas that so many of us in the Northern Hemisphere would like to have. “The Twelve Days of Christmas Have Grown More Than 8 Degrees F Warmer in Parts of the U.S.“
Taking a global perspective puts the ugly new ‘normal’ into a new light. Around our planet, many weather records were obliterated in a variety of climates on continents around our humble home.
This is a concise and informative review from NOAA and the National Weather Service of the tornado outbreak of 10-11 December 2021. Several individual National Weather Service offices also have their own links to further information.
Is there a connection between tornado events and climate change? Some preliminary data indicates there is. With the small data set of severe weather events scientists are limited to, it’s still to early to say definitely whether causation exists. With time and more scientific analysis, the answer will be found.
It’s no secret that tornadoes that occur at night are often more deadly and, depending on the storm mode, may be in a high precipitation supercell moving at a very fast speed. It’s these ingredients, along with regional factors, that make tornadoes in the southeastern USA more deadly than their great plains counterparts.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

This infographic continues our winter weather safety focus on wind chill with a specific focus on how wind during winter cold affects our bodies.

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 good fitting quality mask, practice good hand-washing hygiene, mind your social distancing, stay positive, and test negative!

See you next Saturday…Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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 4 – 11, 2021

Greetings to one and all. For much of North America, the start of the meteorological winter has gotten a mild beginning. In fact, as you man have heard, some of the higher elevations in Hawaii had a blizzard warning before one had been issued in the contiguous USA. The latest big weather news is the 10 December 2021 tornado outbreak across several states. This is a painful reminder that significant tornado events can occur in any month of the year. It will be many days before the National Weather Service can compile post storm data and complete comprehensive damage surveys. As usual, this is a developing scenario that will evolve a great deal over the next few days and weeks. There are many other interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

This dinosaur was built like a tank with a tail that was a lethal weapon.
Here’s a very cool astronomy read. “Giant Stars and the Ultimate Fate of the Sun.”
The Omicron variant has a good chance of turning holiday gatherings into treacherous waters to navigate.
A very unusual type of ice that takes on the appearance of human hairs has been puzzling scientists for almost a century is now understood. Here’s what it looks like and how it forms.
Deforestation is a lot like cutting off your nose to spite your face, but we see that frequently in entities that put profits ahead of climate and environmental concerns. Why is deforestation so bad for our planet and why is it a global problem?
What’s behind the ‘wild’ weather in the USA as of late? Why do we have blizzard warnings in Hawaii and nothing of the sort in Colorado? Here’s a good, concise explanation.
This drone footage of tornado damage in Mayfield, Kentucky is only a small part of the damage that occurred on 10 December 2021, but gives a perspective as to the intensity of this particular tornado event. In Kentucky alone, it’s feared that as many as 70 fatalities may have occurred.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

This week, we’ll continue posts on winter weather safety with at wind chill. This is one of the most dangerous winter weather hazards, especially in regions where winters are long and high winds are common. This handy chart will help you quickly determine wind chill and how long you can be exposed before frostbite and/or hypothermia can become a serious health danger.

Infographic courtesy NWS Mobile, AL, USA

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 November 20 – 27, 2021 #science #weather #climate #winter #wintersafety #pollution #covid19 #omicron

Greetings to one and all. I hope everyone is having a great week. The Atlantic hurricane season officially lasts until November 30, 2021. It’s very likely that the Atlantic will not have any more tropical cyclones in the near future. There are many good reads to review, so let’s get started.

The latest COVID-19 variant of concern has been dubbed “Omicron” and, until scientists can learn more about its behavior, is considered to be a variant of substantial concern.
In case you missed the recent “Beaver Moon” that took place on November 19, here’s a very good one minute time lapse of the entire event.
This is an essential read concerning much of our planet’s ecosystems. “Humans Have Broken A Fundamental Law Of The Ocean.“
The air pollution over portions of India has been so bad as of late that it can easily be spotted on NASA satellite images.
Finally, here’s some good news from the world’s top carbon emitter. “China creates vast research infrastructure to support ambitious climate goals.”
Based on the latest NOAA data, October 2021 was the fourth warmest October on record.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

This week, we’ll be starting posts on winter weather safety. Even though this infographic is focused on winter weather, it certainly applies to all weather information year round. Diligence from January through December is important to cull through misinformation, disinformation, and deceitful rumors and hyperbole.

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! 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!

Tornado Quest Micro-Podcast 26 November 2021

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 13 – 20, 2021 #science #weather #climate #COP26 #hurricane #climatechange

Greetings to everyone. I hope everyone is having a pleasant and productive week. The COP26 climate talks have come to and end. We’ll take a look at a few stories on that important event. The tropical Atlantic is still quiet and will likely remain so for the coming weeks. This week’s post will be the last post with a plethora of links to help you with hurricane preparations. The Atlantic hurricane season officially lasts until November 30, 2021. As usual, there’s many good reads to review, so let’s get started.

There are many complex scientific questions that surround human existence. Here’s a look at some questions with no easy answers.
Regardless of the field or topic, science communication is a fine art. Unfortunately, much of the general public and mainstream media often misinterpret or misinform consumers on scientific data. “On Covid, we need to be careful when we talk about numbers.”
You know that things are getting bad when this happens…and for all the wrong reasons. “An Astronomer Cancels His Own Research—Because the Results Weren’t Popular.“
When you look at the general trends from the past, this reaction was inevitable. “Climate change deniers are over attacking the science. Now they attack the solutions.“
In order for climate change solutions to be properly implemented, the communication gap between climate science and social science must be vanquished.
Now that COP26 is over, you can catch up on many of the events, speeches, and interviews on their YouTube channel.
At this point, it’s not too early to beginning making plans and agendas for next year’s climate talks. “Climate leaders call for pressure on stubborn nations before Cop27.“

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.

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 have some winter weather safety information along with many good science reads to review. 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.

SUMMER WEATHER SAFETY

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