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.

Infographic courtesy NWS Fort Worth, Texas

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 Science Links For December 25, 2020 – January 1, 2021 #science #weather #meteorology #tornado #weathersafety #wintersafety #windchill #climate #climatechange #environment #pollution #astronomy #health #education

The year of 2020 will go down in history as a watershed event for the planet Earth, the planet’s climate, and an insidious virus that led to the worse health crises in a century. There were several weather and climate events that will be landmark events as well. 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. 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.

This is a classic case of the orthodoxy of cancel culture run amok. “I’ve Been Fired. If You Value Academic Freedom, That Should Worry You.“
We know little about the specifics of the weather on other planets in our solar system, but that doesn’t negate the fact that what happens in the atmosphere of other worlds in our solar system is fascinating.
Plastic pollution is an environmental challenge that we face on a global scale. Perhaps it’s time for us to seriously consider a Paris Agreement on plastics.
It’s common knowledge that any wildfire smoke is dangerous to breathe. When you add microbes to that health hazard, an additional risk develops quickly.
As our planet warms, will white Christmases become a relic of the past?
From US Tornadoes, a look back at some excellent tornado videos from 2020.
Last but not least, a good read on self empowerment. The year has finally come to and end and 2021 has begun. To say that 2020 has been an exceptionally stressful year for hundreds of millions around the globe 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.

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

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Links For 11 – 18, 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #weathersafety #wintersafety #windchill #climate #climatechange #arctic #environment #wildfire #scicomm #criticalthinking

As 2020 winds down, it’s time to take pause and look back on an exceptional year. We’ve two links that touch on the past twelve months. There are many important climate change stories to review as well. 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.

Here’s a glimpse at some scientific silver linings. “2020 Has Been a Huge Year for Understanding the Process of Science.” For COVID-19, climate, dinosaurs, & more, we’re seeing how science works.
Speaking of how science works, there are plenty who think it doesn’t…especially when it comes to climate science. “Big Name Climate Deniers Aren’t Joining Conspiracy Theory-Friendly Parler — Yet.”
Wildfires are known for sending large amounts of smoke into the earth’s atmosphere and often result in a cloud formation called pyrocumulonimbus. Large fires in Australia formed substantial amounts of pyrocumulonimbus clouds…and some of that smoke is still circling the globe almost twelve months after these events.
Lapland is a spectacular and gorgeous region of Scandinavia. Unfortunately, it’s not escaped the wrath of climate change.
2020 has been an exceptional year in so many ways. Here’s a month-by-month review of the biggest climate stories of the year.
At one point, it was thought that plant life on our planet would absorb a tremendous amount of CO2. Recent research has shown that those hopes may not come to fruition.
Here’s a very important analysis from Carbon Brief on climate change and when our planet might reach 1.5C and 2C of global warming.
The changing climate in the Arctic region is nothing new. Some weather phenomenon, like lightning, isn’t very common but is becoming more so. More data is needed, but this may be yet another sign of our planet’s changing climate.
There’s a fine art to accurately measuring snowfall amounts. If you’re a member of CoCoRaHS, it’s especially important that you give very accurate measurements. This excellent infographic from NOAA/NWS gives spot on tips for getting good data.

Last but not least, here’s a good listen from NPR on staying warm that’s a nice segue into our winter weather safety links.

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)

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!

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For January 10 – 17, 2020 #science #weather #weatherforecasting #climate #climatechange #australia #brushfire #noaa #nasa #snow

Greetings once again to one and all! There’s plenty of topics to cover this week. The Australian brushfires are still a big story. In the coming months, an analysis of this unprecedented event will take place. In atmospheric science news, our changing climate is front and center as we reach, by some accounts, a point of no return. On a more personal note, I appreciate the continued best wishes for a speedy recovery during my rehabilitation from prostate cancer surgery. On that note, let’s get started on this week’s reads.

In geological time, this was yesterday. Regardless, it’s fascinating to read about an event that happened on our planet hundreds of thousands of years ago. “Almost 800,000 Years Ago, an Enormous Meteorite Struck Earth. Now We Know Where.”
The brushfires that have devastated parts of Australia were caused in large part by climate change. Now, those very fires are adding to the climate change problem.
The current Australian prime minister is quite a piece of work. “The (Australia) Government Has Been Forced To Talk About Climate Change, So It’s Taking A Subtle – And Sinister – Approach.”
“Ocean temperatures hit record high as rate of heating accelerate.” Oceans are clearest measure of climate crisis as they absorb 90% of heat trapped by greenhouse gases.
The USA is very likely to see thousands of deaths annually from car accidents, suicide, drowning and other fatal injuries because of climate change, even if the world manages to hold temperature rises to the Paris climate deal’s target of 2°C.
The extent of the smoke from the Australian brushfires is almost unimaginable. Satellite images from NOAA shows the smoky haze spreading over South America and the smoke plume itself is almost as large as the contiguous USA.
This was a badly needed upgrade in weather forecasting computer models. “The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), one of the most accurate predictors of global weather, is upgrading its supercomputer to improve its models and fine-tune predictions of extreme weather.”
Clearing up cloudy climate predictions. This new research will study clouds & their role in climate change.
This is likely going to be the biggest climate story of 2020 for some time. After a great deal of objective analysis, a report from NOAA and NASA says that 2019 was the second warmest year on record for our planet.

Last but not least…if you love snow as much as I do, feast your eyes on these amazing images. “Macro photos of snowflakes show impossibly perfect designs.”

Snowflake image by photographer Alexey Kljatov via TreeHugger

That’s a wrap for this post! If you’re on Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr, so is Tornado Quest. I’d like to thank so many of you again for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received over the past few weeks. As of this post, 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 only one of many reputable sites 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

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For December 13 – 20, 2019 #weather #climate #climatechange #environment

Greetings once again to one and all! If the December holidays are a part of your life, I hope the season’s going well for you. Here’s a more concise overview of my intro from the last few weeks. After a few months on hiatus for health reasons, I’ve decided to resume this weekly blog of my choice of top ten science reads from the past week. This will be published every Friday between 2:00pm and 3:00pm Central USA Time (2000 UTC to 2100 UTC). On a personal note, I appreciate the many best wishes for a speedy recovery during my rehabilitation from prostate cancer surgery. To say it is a daunting challenge is an understatement. A medical situation such as this certainly has made me take pause and reevaluate the priorities in my life. On that note, let’s get started on this week’s reads.

The planet we know more about that any other in our solar system has something in common with Earth…Mars has auroras too!
The COP25 climate talks ended recently. At best, it came to an end in a stalemate with few countries that are contributing the lions share of global CO2 emissions willing to compromise.
Sometimes it takes bad news to get things in motion. Let’s hope we’re not too late. “A year of big numbers startled the world into talking about nature.”
We may know a great deal about our planet’s atmosphere, but occasionally there’s a new discovery that potentially can have significant impacts on our quality of life.
Air quality is often a highly underrated variable in our health. We wisely concern ourselves with what we eat, drink, and items that food/drink come in contact with. Here’s another good read with a sound study behind it on air quality. What we breathe into our lungs is just as important as what we consume by mouth.
Speaking of air quality, a recent study showed that the United States is (unfortunately) among the top ten countries for pollution related deaths. The air pollution we’re exposed to is a significant cause of death & disability linked to cardiovascular & respiratory diseases, strokes, & cancers.
Pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCB) for during particularily large and intense brushfire/wildfire scenarios. The dangers of these can be significant, even some distance from the fire.
Here’s the November 2019 State Of The Climate report. As you can see, it was yet another record setting month across the globe.
I love a good snowstorm and I REALLY love snow squalls! Recently, one rolled over Manhattan, NYC and was captured in time-lapse by several cameras doing what snow squalls do best, look spectacular!
Finally, let’s wrap up this week with a look at wind chill. Even in relatively temperate regions, wind chill can be a substantial winter safety factor. This chart will help you understand just how important wind chill is during the winter months.

Cheers…and Good Luck!

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

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

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Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For October 12 – 19, 2019 #science #climate #weather #climatechange #environment #hurricaneprep

Greetings to one and all! Here’s a review of my intro from last week. After a few months on hiatus for health reasons, I’ve decided to resume the weekly blog with a subjective view of the top ten science reads from the past week. This post will be published every Saturday between 12:00pm and 2:00pm Central USA Time (1800 UTC – 200 UTC). As I mentioned, the selection will be subjective, but lean heavily towards what my followers in social media are interested in. There will be seasonal emphasis on the severe weather season across North America and the Atlantic hurricane season. During the next few weeks, there will be a few kinks to be ironed out, so expect a few bugs and/or changes to come along. The topics will be from a wide variety of science interests; astronomy, weather and meteorology, climate and climate change, environmental science topics, the occasional quixotic read, and much, much more. On a more personal note, I appreciate the ‘good vibes’ and wishes for a speedy recovery as I am in the middle of a long rehabilitation regime from prostate cancer surgery. I have a daunting challenge ahead of me and your kind and caring words mean the world to me. A medical situation such as this certainly has made me take pause and reevaluate the priorities in my life.

Without further delay, let’s get started on this week’s links.

A very thought provoking op-ed. “The Executive Branch Must Stop Suppressing Science.” Almost everything we do in society depends in part on federal government research. That most certainly includes life-saving weather information including tornado warnings. Congress can and must protect scientific integrity with legislation.
Here’s a question that may never have occurred to you before. Who owns the Arctic?
The burden for dealing with the challenges of climate change has been placed on national governments. This lets cities, regions, businesses, and any number of special interest groups off the hook. It shouldn’t.
One burden of climate change that is often overlooked is how it can affect conflicts around the world.
Too much snow can be a very, very bad thing. “Increasingly extreme Arctic weather could threaten the survival of wildlife, biologists are warning. In 2018, it snowed so heavily that many areas remained covered in snow well into the summer, preventing almost all plants and animals from breeding.“
If you think living near the equator will make you happier, you may be wrong. “Latitude Adjustment: Distance from the Equator Shapes Our Thinking.“
Air quality is perhaps one of the most underrated topics of weather and climate. What you can’t see in the air that you breathe can certainly hurt you.
Here’s some encouraging news. “Trees That Survived California Drought May Hold Clue To Climate Resilience.“
Giving lip service to hurricane preparedness is on thing, but implementing those plans is another. If the facts (which include hurricane warnings and dire requests for you to evacuate) don’t make you prepare and/or leave a threatened area, what will it take?
Speaking of hurricane preparedness, there are a few more weeks left in the Atlantic hurricane season. It’s never too late, early, our ‘out of season’ to have a preparedness plan and supplies in place. My Hurricane Preparedness Page can be a helpful starting point to prepare for the storm you hope never happens.

This handy checklist from the American Red Cross can be very helpful in putting together a disaster preparedness kit.

That’s a wrap for this post! If you’re on Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr, pay me a visit and let us connect. A million ‘thank you’ again for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received over the past few weeks. Cancer does not have to be a 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 with your doctor getting tested. The Prostate Cancer Foundation is only one of many reputable sites with further information.

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

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Links For March 23 – 30, 2019

Greetings everyone! Spring is in full swing across much of North American. March is a very histrionic month, especially for the USA. Seasonal changes can bring about wild swings in temperature, wind, precipitation types, and amounts. As usual, there are plenty of topics to cover this week…from dinosaurs to tornado climatology…so let’s get started.

For my fellow dinosaur fans, here’s a fascinating look at what is most likely the largest Tyrannosaurus Rex remains ever discovered. The most startling revelation is the idea that these exceptionally large carnivores were actually larger than previously thought.
The world’s climate zones are shifting…and that has serious ramifications for public health, food and water security, and local economies.
Cyclone Idai has devastated several southern African countries. There is growing evidence that climate change is playing a part in making such storms more intense.
The former UN high commissioner for human rights and special envoy for climate change speaks out on those who deny climate science. “Climate change denial is evil, says Mary Robinson.”
This is a good example of irresponsible regression at its best. “EPA Science Panel Considering Guidelines That Upend Basic Air Pollution Science.”
A billion people will be newly exposed to diseases like dengue fever as world temperatures rise due to climate change. According to the World Health Organization, mosquitoes are one of the deadliest animals in the world and carry diseases that cause millions of deaths every year.
Studying the climate of Antarctica isn’t easy, but it’s very important. This new study shows the importance of a few intense storms in Antarctica and how they control snow fall amounts across the continent.
The March 2019 floods across the plains states of the USA were devastating in so many ways. It’s estimated that approximately one million acres of USA cropland was covered by the floodwaters…and that has long-term deleterious ramifications for farmers and the vast amount of crops they produce annually.
Tornadoes are well documented and studied widely across the USA. In Canada, where they have their fair share of tornadoes, efforts to study the frequency of tornadoes is ramping up. “When something happens that forecasters didn’t understand, like a tornado occurs with a storm they didn’t expect, having that data allows them to look at the relationships between the meteorology…and the tornadoes.”
Speaking of tornadoes, here’s a very informative look at tornado occurrence and climatology across the USA and the rest of the planet.

SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

One crucial element to being “severe weather savvy” is understanding the process of severe weather outlooks and local forecasts and warnings. The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) will issue daily thunderstorm outlooks. The risk categories can run from ‘general’ thunderstorms to the very rare High Risk scenarios. Understanding what each risk category means is very important. Equally important is to remember than Marginal or Slight does not mean that storms will be ‘marginally’ or ‘slightly’ severe. Tornadoes have occurred on Marginal Risk days. The SPC has further information on risk categories at this page.

When a tornado warning is issued, those in it’s path are not always at their homes. Here’s an excellent infographic with safety information on what to do if you’re not in a sturdy, well-built frame house structure.

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.

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 I’d like to extend a very warm “Welcome” to my new followers in social media and a sincere “Thank You” for my long-time followers! Thanks to all of you for all 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

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Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

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