Tag: pandemic

N ational Weather Service Weather Prediction Center

HURRICANE SAFETY & EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

American Red Cross Severe Weather Safety Information

American Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist (PDF file)

Extensive FEMA Emergency Preparedness Document (34 Page PDF File)

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.

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.

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

WEATHER DATA

N ational Weather Service Weather Prediction Center

HURRICANE SAFETY & EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

American Red Cross Severe Weather Safety Information

American Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist (PDF file)

Extensive FEMA Emergency Preparedness Document (34 Page PDF File)

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 October 9 – 16, 2021

Hello everyone and thank you for visiting. It’s been another busy week for science news. The tropical Atlantic is quiet for now in spite of the fact that we’ve several more weeks left in the Atlantic hurricane season. This week’s post will continue with a plethora of links to help you with hurricane preparations. Now is the time to prepare for the storm you hope never happens. There are many other good science reads to review, so let’s get started.

First, let’s check in on the current COVID-19 pandemic. The death rate for the USA has been so high that, “Covid-19 has cut more than two years from life expectancy in 16 U.S. states in the past year, with the worst damage concentrated in the Sun Belt and the Great Plains.”
Here’s some good news for a change. Wind turbines are getting bigger, more powerful, and are generating increasingly larger amounts of electricity.
Some startling images of familiar locations. “What sea level rise will do to famous American sites, visualized.”
While on the topic of flooding, here’s a very good listen. “Floods threaten to shut down a quarter of U.S. roads and critical buildings.”
Very interesting lightning read. “Lightning strikes may trigger short-term thinning in the ozone layer.” Lightning may have a broader impact on the atmosphere than scientists once thought.
If you live in an American city that bakes during the summer, the heat island effect is probably no stranger to you. An increasing number of cities around the world are becoming more susceptible to its effects.
A new report from NOAA shows how the USA is on a path to setting a record for billion dollar weather disasters in 2021 alone.
The World Health Organization has released a report that expresses the concern over the significance of climate change and global public health.

HURRICANE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

The official start of the Atlantic hurricane season began June 1, 2021 and officially ends on November 30, 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

N ational Weather Service Weather Prediction Center

HURRICANE SAFETY & EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

American Red Cross Severe Weather Safety Information

American Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist (PDF file)

Extensive FEMA Emergency Preparedness Document (34 Page PDF File)

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 2 – 9, 2021

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. 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. There are many other good science reads to review, so let’s get started.

A very timely and appropriate read for our contemporary society. “Be Rational” by Steven Pinker.
While on the topic of rationality, this is a very thought provoking read. Truth be know, faults actually comes from both sides. “How the Smug Politics of COVID-19 Empowers the Far Right.”
Here is some very cool astronomy news. “NASA’s Persevere Rover Finds Signs Of Epic Ancient Floods On Mars.”
“Forecasting space weather is hard, but a new Australian satellite could make it easier.” Changes in space weather can wreak havoc with electronics in space & down to the ground.
A good read on adjusting to a new normal in a warming world. “Deploy heat officers, policies & metrics.”
This is a good listen on a major league environmental disaster. “An oil spill has hit sensitive marshland along the coast of Southern California.”
“Ozone Pollution: An Insidious & Growing Threat to Biodiversity.” Ground-level ozone has long been known to pose a threat to human health.
Not surprising that this trend is growing. “It’s not just you: Everyone is Googling ‘climate anxiety.’”
A new report from the World Meteorological Organization focuses on the increasing number of water related hazards (floods, droughts, etc.).

HURRICANE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

WEATHER DATA

N ational Weather Service Weather Prediction Center

HURRICANE SAFETY & EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

American Red Cross Severe Weather Safety Information

American Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist (PDF file)

Extensive FEMA Emergency Preparedness Document (34 Page PDF File)

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest Top Science Links Podcast Overview

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 18 – 25, 2021

Visible satellite view of Category 4 Hurricane Sam over the Atlantic on 26 September 2021

Greetings to all and thank you for visiting. It’s certainly been a busy week for science news across many areas of study. For North America, the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is still with us. 2021 is proving to be another very busy year for Atlantic tropical cyclones. As of this post, Hurricane Sam is moving through the central Atlantic. This week’s post has a plethora of links to help you with hurricane preparations. There are many more weeks left in the Atlantic hurricane season, so now is the time to prepare for the storm you hope never happens. Much of western North America is still dealing with wildfires and a severe drought. As for the COVID-19 pandemic, the USA hit a very grim statistic of note this week. There are many other good science reads to review for this week, so let’s get started.

Misinformation, disinformation, conspiracies theories, and outright lies have been more than irritants to those of us in scientific fields, they also lead to unnecessary misery and death. There are paths to alleviate the lies, but it takes a robust, concerted effort.
This is a grim, morose milestone that, with vaccinations and other common sense safety measures, could have been prevented. “Covid overtakes 1918 Spanish flu as deadliest disease in U.S. history.”
Here’s a fascinating read about the weather on Mars. Not only has the Perseverance Rover detected hundreds of dust devils, it’s been hit (literally) by at least 100 of them.
A very good read on the irrevocable link between air quality and your health. “WHO Calls For Lower Limits On Air Pollution To Save Millions Of Lives.”
This is a very thought provoking read. “Hurricane Ida shows the one-two punch of poverty and climate change.”
“How climate change gave rise to a monster mosquito season.” Record-breaking storms & above-average rainfall in many states have exacerbated their numbers.
A very novel idea that will have long term benefits. “Scientists Flood Forests to Mimic Rising Seas.”
The loss of ice flows and glaciers is often focused on polar regions. These startling images from Italy give a new face to climate change and our warming planet.
However difficult it may be to ‘pinpoint’ the connection between climate change and extreme weather events, it’s still a worthy challenge to face. Unfortunately, there are scientific and financial matters to take into consideration.

HURRICANE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

WEATHER DATA

N ational Weather Service Weather Prediction Center

HURRICANE SAFETY & EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

American Red Cross Severe Weather Safety Information

American Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist (PDF file)

Extensive FEMA Emergency Preparedness Document (34 Page PDF File)

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

See you next Saturday!

Podcast overview of this week’s post.

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 4 – 11, 2021

Hurricane Laura approaches the Louisiana coast on 26 August 2020.

The past week has seen many big science stories come across our news feeds. From Hurricane Ida and the devastation in its wake to the COVID-19 pandemic to the rapid increase in climate change, there has been no shortage of stories. For North America, the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is upon us. This week’s post has a plethora of links to help you with hurricane preparations. There are many more weeks left in the Atlantic hurricane season, so now is the time to prepare for the storm you hope never happens. Much of western North America is still dealing with wildfires and a severe drought. There are many other good science reads to review for this week, so let’s get started.

This week marks the twentieth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. This gallery contains images that, for many of us, will forever be indelibly etched into our memory of that horrible day.
Here’s a very timely read that has validation for not only the ongoing pandemic, but many areas of science. “Prebunking Health Misinformation Tropes Can Stop Their Spread.”
Misinformation & disinformation are a plague that feeds on fear & superstition. “Free Speech In A Pandemic Congress Wrestles With Drawing A Line.”
This is a very thought provoking read on how the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change have some very solid links and a reminder of how every person is globally connected.
It’s one thing to be in denial of climate change or the substantial threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s quite another matter to accept these threats to human existence…and feel the need to do nothing about it.
In all honesty, many of these populated areas shouldn’t populated with humans. Many vulnerable cities exist in areas where they shouldn’t…and that is why we have this…”Hurricane Ida May Spark Mass Migration.”
Extremes in winter weather may not sound like it’s associated with climate change and global warming, but there are clear climatological connections.
Speaking of extremes…Texas, do you remember that bitter cold snap of February 2021? “Scientists See Link Between Arctic Warming & Texas Cold Snap.”
Wildfires present significant threats on their own. New studies and data show that the smoke created by these massive fires has a lethal component that claims tens of thousands of lives every year.
The COVID-19 pandemic presents a global health crisis that is nothing like we’ve seen in a century. However, in the long run, a recent medical journal editorial published in more than 200 medical and health journals worldwide places climate change as the biggest threat to global public health.
While on the topic of public health, it’s time to reexamine the importance of air quality and staying healthy.
The Atlantic hurricane season has been a busy one for 2021. Hurricane Ida will certainly go down in the history books. As of this post, Hurricane Larry is still going strong in the Atlantic. In August 2021, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center updated the official Atlantic hurricane season outlook. “Atlantic Hurricane Season Shows No Signs Of Slowing.”

HURRICANE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

WEATHER DATA

N ational Weather Service Weather Prediction Center

HURRICANE SAFETY & EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

American Red Cross Severe Weather Safety Information

American Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist (PDF file)

Extensive FEMA Emergency Preparedness Document (34 Page PDF File)

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 spiffy 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 August 28 – September 4, 2021 #science #weather #climate #hurricane #hurricaneprep

The past week has been exceptionally active across much of North America. Hurricane Ida was front and center with landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 storm. This week’s post has a plethora of links to help you with hurricane preparations. There are many more weeks left in the Atlantic hurricane season, so now is the time to prepare for the storm you hope never happens. Elsewhere, much of western North America is still reeling from wildfires and a severe drought. There are many other good science reads to review for this week, so let’s get started.

While the origins of the COVID-19 virus is not yet clear, recent research has given us a clearer understanding of its origins.
The view from above gives us visually spectacular, and very sobering, imagery of the Arctic ‘loosing its soul.‘
We’ve seen many of these clouds in recent weeks across western North America. “Understanding Pyrocumulonimbi, aka Fire Clouds.”
This is a new ‘normal’ we’re not prepared for. “Our Future On A Hotter Planet Means More Climate Disasters Happening Simultaneously.”
Speaking of a new normal, adaptation is the key to survival for the world’s population centers. “NYC’s Subway Flooding Isn’t A Fluke. It’s The Reality For Cities In A Warming World.”
Hurricane Ida made landfall on the Louisiana coast on 29 August 2021. Here’s a very good read on the role climate change plays in many such events.
Here are some startling before and after aerial images of specific locations in Louisiana that were in the path of Hurricane Ida.
There have been many comparisons between Hurricane Ida and Katrina. In so many ways, they were two very different storms.
The Atlantic hurricane season has been a busy one for 2021. Hurricane Ida will certainly go down in the history books. In August 2021, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center updated the official Atlantic hurricane season outlook. “Atlantic Hurricane Season Shows No Signs Of Slowing.”

HURRICANE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

WEATHER DATA

N ational Weather Service Weather Prediction Center

HURRICANE SAFETY & EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

American Red Cross Severe Weather Safety Information

American Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist (PDF file)

Extensive FEMA Emergency Preparedness Document (34 Page PDF File)

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 and related safety information. 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!

Podcast review of Tornado Quest Top Science Links

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 14 – 21, 2021

Greetings everyone! I hope this week’s post finds everyone doing well. During the past week, drought and damaging wildfires have continue to plague much of western North America. As for the tropical Atlantic, activity had definitely been on the upswing. Hurricane Grace made landfall in Mexico and Hurricane Henri is poised to present a significant threat to the northeastern USA, and Atlantic Canada. We’ve still the most active weeks of the hurricane season ahead. The National Hurricane Center updated the 2021 Atlantic tropical cyclone outlook. An active season is anticipated. A link to the updated outlook is included in this weeks post. We’ll also continue our review of hurricane safety/preparedness and summer heat safety. There are many other good science reads to review for this week, so let’s get started.

Hurricane Henri strengthening off the eastern USA coast on 21 August 2021

A very solid, though provoking read. “Has COVID taught us anything about pandemic preparedness?”
This is certainly a timely read for today’s challenges. “Why Bad Science Is Sometimes More Appealing Than Good Science.”
For climate science, this was truly a watershed event. “A 1987 Pollution Treaty Prevented the World’s Plants from Withering, Study Finds.”
This is a question that many, including yours truly, would like an answer to. “Will the IPCC report help focus politicians’ minds on climate change?”
While on the topic of the IPCC climate report, it’s important to take note of greenhouse gases and their effects on extreme weather events.
Wildfires that are devastating large areas of Canada and the United States create vast rivers of smoke in our atmosphere. Add to that the out-of-control COVID-19 pandemic, and you have a lethal combination for the unvaccinated.
The California wildfires have brought to the forefront the new ‘normal’ than many areas in the USA will face.
Heat, not cold, is the second biggest weather related killer. In the USA alone, more than 600 fatalities are directly linked to heat every year. Add climate change to the threat, and we’ve a significant hazard on our hands.
In early August, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center updated the official Atlantic hurricane outlook. “Atlantic Hurricane Season Shows No Signs Of Slowing.”

HURRICANE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

WEATHER DATA

N ational Weather Service Weather Prediction Center

HURRICANE SAFETY & EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

American Red Cross Severe Weather Safety Information

American Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist (PDF file)

Extensive FEMA Emergency Preparedness Document (34 Page PDF File)

QUICK REVIEW OF

SUMMER HEAT SAFETY

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 and summer heat 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, 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 August 7 -14, 2021

Greetings everyone! I hope this week’s post finds you health, happy, and the weather is to your liking. The big news this week is the IPCC’s climate report. The full report is in this week’s post. During the past week, drought and damaging wildfires have plagued much of western North America and eastern Europe. In the tropical Atlantic activity has increased in recent days. We’ve still the most active weeks of the hurricane season ahead. The National Hurricane Center updated the 2021 Atlantic tropical cyclone outlook. An active season is anticipated. A link to the updated outlook is included in this weeks post. We’ll also continue our review of hurricane safety/preparedness and summer heat safety. There are many other good science reads to review for this week, so let’s get started.

There are many mysteries regarding the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Studying data with the scientific method will ultimately lead to sound answers.
Here’s some encouraging news regarding renewable energy. “Offshore turbines could be a windfall for the US steel industry.”
Do severe thunderstorms have a detrimental effect on the stratosphere and its chemistry? A new study from NASA intends to find out.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has released a exceptionally important update on climate change. “AR6 Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis.” In terms of importance, this is a watershed event that clearly conveys the severity of the climate crisis. Here’s a concise overview on the report’s five climate futures.
This contains some very insightful perspectives from the IPCC’s lead author on the new climate report.
Record breaking heat has been taking place in several locations around the globe. On 11 August 2021, Sicily hit a high of 48.8C (120F) setting a new record high temperature for all of Europe.
In case you missed it, the National Hurricane Center has an updated Atlantic hurricane outlook. “Atlantic Hurricane Season Shows No Signs Of Slowing.”

QUICK REVIEW OF SUMMER HEAT SAFETY

In light of the ongoing North American heat wave, here are some very helpful infographics on heat safety that could save someone’s life.

HURRICANE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

WEATHER DATA

N ational Weather Service Weather Prediction Center

HURRICANE SAFETY & EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION

American Red Cross Severe Weather Safety Information

American Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist (PDF file)

Extensive FEMA Emergency Preparedness Document (34 Page PDF File)