Tornado Quest Top Science Links For December 31, 2022 – January 7, 2023

Happy New Year to one and all! It’s the start of a new year and new beginnings. Nature never takes a break as we have seen with recent cold weather outbreaks, snowfall, floods, and even severe weather across portions of North America. This week, we’ll continue our winter weather safety information. There are many interesting science links to check out, so let’s get started.

The more we study the weather on Mars, the more spectacular we realize this amazing planet is.
This is a fantastic, novel idea! “The Unlikely Solution to Microplastic Pollution: Magnets?“
If you ever have to shovel snow, there are several tips that we all should be mindful of in order to do it safely.
What a flight this must be. “Storm-Chasing Seabirds Ride Out Hurricanes from Inside.”
Newly released research. “Half of glaciers will be gone by 2100 even under Paris 1.5C accord, study finds.”
Our warming climate is not only increasing the number of tropical cyclones, but their intensity.
A swing in Australia from three years of La Niña to hot and dry El Niño in 2023 would be quite a tough climate extreme to endure.
Here is this week’s update on the USA Drought Monitor. Recent precipitation has brought some improvements even to California which has been pummeled in recent days with several significant storm systems. East of the Mississippi, conditions have improved significantly while the plains still hold fast to extreme or exceptional drought conditions.

WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

If you’re looking for winter weather preparedness and safety information, here’s an excellent website for everything you need to know for before and after the storm. This all inclusive website from NOAA and the National Weather Service will help you prepare for the storm and tell you how to stay safe afterwards. The infographics have tips on dressing for the cold and five things to keep in mind during the coldest months of the year.

Infographic courtesy NWS Mobile, Alabama

That’s a wrap for this post! Thanks to everyone for stopping by. A big ‘Thank You’ to all of you who pay this website a visit! Whether you’re with family, friends, or alone, I wish all of you the absolute best during this holiday season and for all of us, a very healthy and happy 2023!

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest Micro Podcast for 31 Dec 2022 – 7 Jan 2023

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 19 – 26, 2022

Greetings everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you well. If you celebrated the American thanksgiving holiday, I hope it was a pleasant day for all. Winter is making its presence known across much of North America. A recent record breaking snowstorm in New York state is one example. Therefore, I’ll continue posting winter weather safety information this week with helpful tips on understanding winter weather forecasts and preparing an emergency kit that will be useful in any winter storm or severe weather scenario. There are many essential science reads this week including important information on the conclusion of the COP27 climate summit, so let’s get started.

NASA’s Orion capsule has just started an amazing adventure and a new chapter in space exploration. Here’s a look at its close swing by our planet’s moon.
The COP27 climate summit has come to a conclusion. Here’s a concise summary of the good and not so good results.
No doubt, this was the topic of conversation around many dinner tables during the American Thanksgiving holiday with not a little consternation in the air. Fortunately, for those that deny sound science, there are ways to understand their behavior and, perhaps, encourage them to understand the basis behind established facts and data.
There are many variables and metrics to consider when evaluating climate change and extreme weather events. Aerosols are one variable that we can’t afford to leave out due to the major role they play in air quality and regional extreme weather events.
According to a Stockholm University study, much of continental Europe is, on average, warming at twice the rate of the rest of the Earth.
As Europe goes, so goes the UK with a ‘second spring’ now becoming common with plants that normally would be dormant this time of year now springing back to life.
If the plant is warming, it would make sense that snowfalls would decrease in amounts and intensity. In fact, the opposite is true.
Here is this week’s update on the USA Drought Monitor. Dry or drought conditions continue to persist across much of the contiguous USA with moderate to severe drought spreading from the Great Lakes region to the deep south.

Across the Northern Hemisphere, winter is setting in. If you’re looking for winter weather preparedness and safety information, here’s your one stop website for everything you need to know for before and after the storm. This all inclusive website from NOAA will help you prepare for the storm and tell you how to stay safe afterwards. The infographics below will also help you prepare an emergency kit and advise discretion when encountering questionable weather information/forecasts/hyperbole while visiting websites and using social media. Furthermore, forecasting winter weather is one of the most daunting challenges that even the most seasoned meteorologist will face. With that in mind, it would behoove us all to stay flexible and prepare to change plans at short notice.

WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

Infographic courtesy FEMA/Ready.gov/Red Cross

That’s a wrap for this post! Thanks to everyone for stopping by. A big ‘Thank You’ to all of you who pay this website a visit and my followers in social media. If you’re on Twitter, Tumblr, Mastodon, Instagram, or Facebook, let’s connect!

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest Micro-podcast for November 19 – 26 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!

Infographic courtesy NWS Fort Worth, Texas, USA

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 November 27 – December 4, 2021 #science #weather #climate #winter #wintersafety

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

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

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

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

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

See you next Saturday!

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

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

Tornado Quest Top Science Links For May 1 – 8, 2021 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #weatherready #weathersafety #climate #climatechange #oceans #environment #astronomy

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds you happy and healthy. Across much of the western contiguous USA, drought conditions persist. Meanwhile, the climatological peak of the severe weather and tornado season has arrived across the North American great plains. If you’d like a detailed review of tornado and severe weather safety, please review posts from March and April as these have a plethora of severe weather, tornado, and flooding safety information. There are several other good science reads to review this week, so let’s get started.

Here’s some good news for a change. “NASA’s Mars Helicopter Flies Again and Gets a New Mission.”
Misinformation, disinformation, and blatant lies run amok. “How to spot the difference between a real climate policy and greenwashing guff.”
There’s a very large methane reservoir beneath the Laptev Sea that is, for the time being, held in check by the permafrost seabed. If released, it would send very large amounts of a potent greenhouse gas free.
Ocean heatwaves are as devastating as those on land. “Fevers are plaguing the oceans & climate change is making them worse.”
In case you missed it, here’s an excellent climate change primer for kids! “Bad Future, Better Future.“
Knowing when the last snow took place at your location in the USA isn’t only helpful in a myriad of ways, but when presented in an interactive map like this, it can be fascinating.
Here is the latest US Drought Monitor. As expected, the drought conditions over the western contiguous USA have worsened.

According to a new NOAA report, hotter is the new normal in the USA. This report comes out every 10 years & charts 30-year averages of weather for places around the USA.

PREPARING A SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

This handy checklist 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.

Where you get your weather forecasts, warnings, and other important information is as important as being informed. Discretion is of the upmost importance when you’re trying to stay weather aware. As of late, it’s been brought to my attention that there have been amateur ‘forecasters’ using graphics with the intention of appearing as professional and official sources of information on Twitter, Facebook, et al. They should NOT be taken as official sources of potentially life-saving warnings and weather forecasts and updates.

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 types of weather year round.

Infographic courtesy NWS Fort Worth, Texas

That’s a wrap for this post! As I mentioned in the introduction, if you’d like a detailed review of tornado and severe weather safety, please review the previous posts for further details. 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, 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 promotions, marketing schemes, prizes, or papers that have not been under & approved by scientific peer review WILL NOT be accepted.

Tornado Quest Top Science Links For March 13 – 20, 2021 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #tornado #weatherready #weathersafety #floodsafety #lightningsafety #climate #climatechange #environment #astronomy #covid19

Greetings to everyone and Happy Spring Equinox for folks in the Northern Hemisphere! This week, we’ll continue our focus on severe weather preparedness. This week’s post contains more severe weather safety links with a focus on taking shelter during flash flooding and lightning. There are also several new, interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

The sciences are unique in the fact that they are ever changing in terms of the pursuit of knowledge and advancements in technology. But, there are some changes that are not for the common good. “Science Goes Rogue” by Lawrence M. Krauss goes into further detail.
Here are some amazing images of a very inhospitable planet. No probe sent to Venus has lasted very long due to the intense heat, toxic atmosphere, and crushing atmospheric pressures.
Speaking of rovers on other planets, check out the sounds of a rover on Mars as it’s on the move!
A very good read on the connection of pollinators and climate. “Pollinators are our secret weapon in the fight against global warming.” Pollinators have a critical, but largely unappreciated, role to play when it comes to climate change.
Science has finally returned to the US government. “Facts Are Back, And So Is The EPA’s Climate Change Website.” “The website currently links to resources on climate research, clean energy programs, information for kids, and it says it will be adding more soon.”
A very challenging but worthwhile goal for the USA. “The race to zero: can America reach net-zero emissions by 2050?”
This is an excellent and important read from NOAA. “Government Interventions Rather Than Climate Conditions Primarily Curb COVID-19’s Spread, NOAA and International Team Say.“
We’ve all seen photographs of snowflakes, but these take a specialize kind of photography to a new level. “Snowflakes as You’ve Never Seen Them Before.”
The World Meteorological Organization recently made some changes in how it will use tropical cyclone/hurricane names and the Greek alphabet.

SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Let’s start with an excellent two-page printable PDF file from NOAA that covers the basics of severe weather safety.

Tornadoes, Lightning, and Thunderstorms: Nature’s Most Violent Storms (20 Page PDF File).

This NOAA safety page has a plethora of good information on staying safe during weather and climate issues from air quality to lightning to tornadoes to wildfires.

This long-standing site has the basics of tornado safety rules.

Highway overpasses are often mistaken as a safe haven from severe weather and especially tornadoes. NOTHING ABOUT THIS MYTH IS REMOTELY CONNECTED TO THE TRUTH.

The Online Tornado FAQ…another excellent long-standing site with very important information.

THIS WEEK’S SEVERE WEATHER INFOGRAPHICS: FLASH FLOOD AND LIGHTNING SAFETY!

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS Tallahassee, FL

PREPARING AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

That’s a wrap for this post! Be sure to check in next week when we’ll take a look at more severe weather 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, 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

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.

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.

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

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Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

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PREPARING A SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

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SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

THIS WEEK’S SEVERE WEATHER INFOGRAPHICS: FLASH FLOOD AND LIGHTNING SAFETY!

PREPARING AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

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