Tag: plastic

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For June 26 – July 3, 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #hurricane #emergencyprep #climate #climatechange #environment #weatherready #covid19 #pandemic #astronomy

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 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has also gotten off to a historical start but is on a temporary hiatus due to unfavorable conditions for tropical cyclone formation and a large amount of Saharan desert dust that has crossed over from the Saharan desert region. Speaking of tropical cyclones, we’ll take a look at hurricane safety and preparedness information and much more with this week’s picks…so let’s get started.

Hurricane Michael making landfall on the Florida panhandle. Image courtesy NOAA.

HURRICANE AND SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

This handy checklist from the American Red Cross is an excellent starting point for anyone assembling an emergency kit. Even if you live in an area that is not prone to severe weather or hurricanes, an emergency kit is an essential part of a home and workplace.

Infographic courtesy American Red Cross

That’s a wrap for this post! I’d like to extend a warm welcome to my new followers in social media. I’m glad you’re along for the fun! If you’re on Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr, let’s connect! Once again I’d like to thank so many of you for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received as of late regarding my prostate cancer treatment. I’m doing well and am further bolstered by your words of encouragement and support. If you’re a male over the age of 40, you should discuss getting your PSA tested with your doctor. The Prostate Cancer Foundation is an excellent website with further information. As for COVID-19, please stay home if possible, practice good personal hygiene, mind your social distancing, sport a spiffy mask, stay safe, and stay healthy!

Cheers…Stay Healthy…and Good Luck!

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

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

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

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Copyright © 1998 – 2020 Tornado Quest, LLC

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Picks For May 1 – 8, 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #tornado #climate #climatechange #environment #weatherready #coronavirus #covid19 #pandemic #health

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. The coronavirus and Covid-19 situation is foremost on everyone’s mind with a world-wide pandemic that’s like nothing the world’s current population has ever seen. Additionally, the spring severe weather season is in full swing across the contiguous USA.. We’ve some tornado safety information and more with this week’s picks…so let’s get started.

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

Here’s a concise reminder on taking shelter during a tornado warning. Where you take shelter is quite often a matter of life and death or serious injury.

Infographic courtesy NOAA

An emergency kit is also an essential part of severe weather preparedness. This handy checklist from the American Red Cross will help you get started. Since severe weather and other weather-related disasters can occur year round, it’s an excellent idea to have this at the ready regardless of where you live or the month/season.

Infographic courtesy American Red Cross

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 as of late. 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. As for the coronavirus, please stay home if possible, practice good personal hygiene, mind your social distancing, stay safe, and stay healthy!

Cheers…Stay Healthy…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

This is the Bay Area alone. Imagine what it’s like where you live. “’Everywhere we looked’: trillions of microplastics found in San Francisco bay.” @Guardian #environment #pollution #SanFrancisco

Most comprehensive study to date finds plastic in sediment collected from bay and tributaries and digestive tracts of fish: www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/04/san-francisco-microplastics-study-bay

This underscores the growing threat pollution poses to marine life in even the remotest waters on the planet. “’Punch in the gut’ as scientists find micro-plastic in #Arctic ice.” @Reuters #environment #pollution #plastics

underscoring the threat the growing form of pollution poses to marine life in even the remotest waters on the planet. www.reuters.com/article/us-environment-arctic-plastic/punch-in-the-gut-as-scientists-find-micro-plastic-in-arctic-ice-idUSKCN1V41V2

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Links For June 1 – 8, 2019

Greetings everyone! It’s been an active week across much of North America with flooding, severe weather, and summer heat affecting many areas. May 2019 will go in the record books for tornado activity and flooding across several states. The beginning of June also brings the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. There are plenty of other topics to cover and severe weather preparedness tips, so let’s get started.

  1. May 2019 will go in the weather history books as a record month for tornado activity across the USA. Here’s a detailed look back with a plethora of fascinating data.
  2. Ongoing floods in the USA’s Great Plains are not just affecting homeowners. “Midwest farmers take to Twitter to document flood disaster.”
  3. As floods have devastated the Great Plains, heat waves have been taking place in much of the southeastern USA. This is one of many clear signals of how important urgent climate action is. Since the 1960s, U.S. cities have experienced more frequent and longer periods of extreme heat…and the death toll from this heat has been rising.
  4. The official beginning of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season commenced on June 1st. Let’s revisit this years Atlantic hurricane outlook from NOAA.
  5. With the arrival of the Atlantic hurricane season, here’s a primer on hurricane preparedness from NOAA with several links to other information sources.
  6. Microplastic have proven to be problematic world-wide and have been discovered in some very remote areas. Some say it’s time for producers of this particular type of plastic pollution to be held accountable.
  7. Recycling is an exceptionally important part of taking care of our planet. Often it can be a confusing task. As it becomes more of a widespread practice, some folks are developing ways to make it easier for you and me.
  8. Communication style is key in coming to a consensus or when conversing with skeptics. As many of us know, conversation with a climate change skeptic/denialist is often like talking to a brick wall. So how do you talk with such a person?
  9. Speaking of climate change denialism, this story has given them plenty of fodder to get their dander up in recent days. But is there any validation to the headline?
  10. The usual trend seen in observing the universe is to note how galaxies are expanding and moving away from our own Milky Way galaxy. Here’s an interesting read on one galaxy that’s moving towards us.

SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

Here are some links and infographics that will provide a starting point for gathering online severe weather information. I hope you find plentiful information here that will help you become better prepared as we navigate one of the most volatile climactic seasons on our planet.

Testing your NOAA weather radio year round is one of the best ways to stay informed on weather conditions for your area regardless of the season. Many National Weather Service offices conduct weekly tests. It’s also a good idea to replace the batteries in your NOAA weather radio when you change batteries in your smoke/carbon monoxide detectors.

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS

When severe weather is forecast, it is assigned a risk category. Hazards exist in all categories, hence it’s important to be aware of all of them. Note: tornadoes can and do occur even in Marginal Risk areas…and a Slight Risk does not mean that storms will be “slightly” severe.

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS

After thunderstorms form, they are carefully observed with Doppler Radar. This infographic explains how this amazing technology works and how its progressed over the years.

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS

When severe weather is anticipated, a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Watch will be issued. It’s very important to know the difference between a Watch and a Warning.

Infographic courtesy NWS Amarillo, Texas
Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS

If a TORNADO WARNING is issued, it means you need to take cover immediately. Where you take cover can sometimes be a life-or-death situation.

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS
Infographic courtesy NWS Norman, OK

If a TORNADO WARNING is issued and you are in the warned area, there are good options and bad options for taking shelter. The choice can sometimes be a life-and-death decision. Bad options have killed countless people in recent years. One of the most onerous and dangerous behaviors during severe weather is the practice of “sheltering’ under an overpass. Under no circumstances should anyone engage in this life-threatening activity.

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS

One of the most onerous and dangerous behaviors during severe weather is the practice of “sheltering’ under an overpass. Under no circumstances should anyone engage in this life-threatening activity.

Infographic courtesy NWS Norman, OK

Here are more links that will help you prepare and stay informed during the severe weather season.

National Weather Service Homepage

Storm Prediction Center

National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center

NOAA Weather Radio

Interactive NOAA Weather Radio Coverage Map

Sky Watcher Cloud Chart: An excellent 2 page PDF file from NOAA and NASA on cloud types and and information on how clouds form.

Tornadoes, Lightning, & Thunderstorms: Nature’s Most Violent Storms (PDF file)

Tornado Safety Rules from the Storm Prediction Center

Highway Overpasses As Tornado Shelters (Slide Presentation)

The Online Tornado FAQ

Facts About Derechos

American Red Cross Severe Weather Safety Information

Flash Flooding: Turn Around, Don’t Drown

Preparing Your Pets For Disasters And Emergencies

Ready.gov Basic Disaster Supply Kit Info

This excellent Emergency Kit checklist from the American Red Cross is very helpful in assisting you while you compile items for your kit. A kit like this should be available year round…there are many winter weather scenarios where the same items will come in handy.

Infographic courtesy American Red Cross

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 weather information, watches, and 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! To my new followers, I’d like to extend a very sincere “Welcome” and thank you for being a part of the fun. For my long-time followers, your loyalty is deeply appreciated. Thanks so much for the support and kind words!

Cheers!

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

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

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

Tornado Quest on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tornadoquest

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Copyright © 1998 – 2019 Tornado Quest, LLC

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Links For April 6 – 13, 2019

Greetings to one and all! I hope the weather…be it spring or autumn…is to your liking. There was very big news this week in the astronomical sciences with the first imagery of a black hole captured for the first time. In retrospective, this past week was the 40th anniversary of the Red River tornado outbreak…one of the most devastating regional tornado outbreaks of the 20th century. There are plenty of other topics to cover…including Severe Weather Preparedness…so let’s get started.

  1. This is truly a watershed event in astronomical science. A black hole has been placed on imagery for the first time…and the detail is amazing.
  2. Check out just how scientists took that amazing image of a black hole.
  3. Single-use plastics are an ever-growing environmental problem worldwide. Here’s a look at the menace that drink bottles contribute to this pollution disaster.
  4. As the planet’s climate warms, diseases from mosquitoes (which pose more health hazards to humans than any other non-microscopic form of life) could spread to almost a billion people worldwide.
  5. A look at some very sobering data. “Three Charts That Show How Global Carbon Emissions Hit A Record High In 2018.”
  6. The glaciers in the European Alps are not immune to climate change. At the current rate of warming, they could disappear by the year 2100.
  7. For the northern most state in the USA, March 2019 was up to twenty degrees hotter than usual. Welcome to the new Alaska climate norm.
  8. The latest US Drought Monitor is out. For the most part, all 50 states are in relatively good shape.
  9. For those of us who live in the USA’s Great Plains, epic is a vast understatement! “Why The Great Plains Has Such Epic Weather!”
  10. This past week marked the 40th anniversary of the Red River Tornado Outbreak…one of the most notable, watershed severe weather events in the history of the Great Plains. The outbreak included the devastating Wichita Falls F4 tornado which caused 42 fatalities and $400 million in 1979 dollars.

SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

Here are some links and infographics that will provide a starting point for gathering online severe weather information. I hope you find plentiful information here that will help you become better prepared as we navigate one of the most volatile climactic seasons on our planet.

When severe weather is forecast, it is assigned a risk category. Hazards exist in all categories, hence it’s important to be aware of all of them. Note: tornadoes can and do occur even in Marginal Risk areas…and a Slight Risk does not mean that storms will be “slightly” severe.

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS

After thunderstorms form, they are carefully observed with Doppler Radar. This infographic explains how this amazing technology has works and how its progressed over the years.

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS/SPC

If a TORNADO WARNING is issued, it means you need to take cover immediately. Where you take cover can sometimes be a life-or-death situation.

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS
Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS

Here are more links that will help you prepare and stay informed during the severe weather season.

National Weather Service Homepage

Storm Prediction Center

National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center

NOAA Weather Radio

Interactive NOAA Weather Radio Coverage Map

Sky Watcher Cloud Chart: An excellent 2 page PDF file from NOAA and NASA on cloud types and and information on how clouds form.

Tornadoes, Lightning, & Thunderstorms: Nature’s Most Violent Storms (PDF file)

Tornado Safety Rules from the Storm Prediction Center

Highway Overpasses As Tornado Shelters (Slide Presentation)

The Online Tornado FAQ

Facts About Derechos

American Red Cross Severe Weather Safety Information

Flash Flooding: Turn Around, Don’t Drown

Ready.gov Basic Disaster Supply Kit Info

Preparing Your Pets For Disasters And Emergencies

This excellent Emergency Kit checklist from the American Red Cross is very helpful in assisting you while you compile items for your kit. A kit like this should be available year round…there are many winter weather scenarios where the same items will come in handy.

Infographic courtesy American Red Cross

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 weather information, watches, and 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! To my new followers, I’d like to extend a very warm “Welcome” and thank you for being a part of the fun. For my long-time followers, here’s a sincere “Thank You!” I appreciate all of the support and kind words!

Cheers!

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

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

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

Tornado Quest on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tornadoquest

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Copyright © 1998 – 2019 Tornado Quest, LLC

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Links for February 16 – 23, 2019

Greetings everyone! We’ve got a wide selection of topics (#astronomy, #climate, #recycling, and more) to review, so lets’ get started.

  1. Here’s a very helpful privacy read that applies to all of us…even those who are particularly cautious about what online information they share. “How To Limit Which Companies Track Your Internet Activity.”
  2. Good writing in science is an essential talent in communicating information that is often bewildering to the general public. Writing for peer review or research presentations is equally important. Ultimately, you must be able to connect and communicate with people at all levels. Here’s an excellent read on some very good science writing tips.
  3. As of 19 February 2019, you can get the weather conditions on Mars from the NASA’s InSight lander!
  4. Here’s a view of Earth’s moon like no other. It’s made of 50,000 images rolled into one!
  5. Considering this is the 21st century, we can do much better than this. “A Whopping 91% Of Plastic Isn’t Recycled.”
  6. If you think that tornado-like vorticies are something that are exclusive to our planet, think again. Dust devils have proven to be quite common on Mars.
  7. An excellent viewpoint regarding a rational viewpoint on assessing the hazards of climate change. “Why You Shouldn’t Panic.”
  8. Some sound, thought provoking ideas here. “Climate change is not a “national emergency.”
  9. In case you missed it, here’s a look back at January 2019 round the globe. “The globally averaged temperature over land and ocean surfaces for January 2019 tied with 2007 as the third highest for the month of January in the NOAA global temperature record, which dates back to 1880.”
  10. The ramifications of climate change can show up in some unexpected places…like a hot dog restaurant.

Last but not least, the original Tornado Quest blog can be found for your reference convenience at this link.

Winter Weather Safety

Spring is on it’s way, but winter’s going to be around for many more weeks in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s never too late to review winter weather safety information. Here are some helpful winter weather links that will help you stay safe. Next week, look for Severe Weather Safety…it’s that time of year when severe thunderstorms and all the hazards they carry, become more of a threat.

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS
Infographic courtesy NWS Fort Worth, Texas

National Weather Service Homepage

Winter Weather Safety and Awareness

Winter Storms: The Deceptive Killers

National Weather Service Wind Chill Chart

National Weather Service Printable PDF Wind Chill Chart

NOAA Weather Radio

Interactive NOAA Weather Radio Coverage Map

Ready.gov Basic Disaster Supply Kit Info

Preparing Your Pets For Disasters And Emergencies

That’s a wrap for this post I’d like to extend a warm “Welcome” to my new followers in social media and a heart-felt sincere “Thank You” for my long-time followers! Thanks a million for all the support and kind words. Your friendship and loyalty is appreciated a great deal!

Cheers!

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

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

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

Tornado Quest on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tornadoquest

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Copyright © 1998 – 2019 Tornado Quest, LLC