Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For June 12 – 19, 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #hurricane #climate #climatechange #environment #weatherready #covid19 #pandemic

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 North American spring severe weather season has slowed a bit, but and uptick in activity will inevitably take place. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has also gotten off to a historical start. We’ll also take a look at summer heat safety information and much more with this week’s picks…so let’s get started.

Hurricanes and pandemics…the perfect, deadly storm.

There are occasions when the news or information we need to hear is precisely what we don’t want to hear. Social media, and the cocoon, bubble, or echo chamber that humans are want to create for themselves is a perfect example. Unfortunately, that often keeps us from hearing what will benefit us in the long run.
The International Space Station achieves a new level of ‘cool.’ “Universe’s coolest lab creates bizarre quantum matter in space.”
An efficient and effective infrastructure is essential to handling many extreme weather events. Going with a “green infrastructure” is and even better idea!
Here’s a great citizen science project for kids…and adults! “Why do some neighborhoods get hotter than others?“
As parts of our economy and societal patterns cautiously reopen after several weeks of closure, CO2 emissions are rapidly returning to pre-lockdown levels. It’s a stark reminder that even as the pandemic rages, the world is still far from getting global warming under control.
In spite of popular opinions on weather hazards, many don’t realize that heat kills more people annually than hurricanes, tornadoes, and lightning combined. Together with a decade of inaction from the USA federal government, a potentially lethal situation during heat waves is at hand.
Hurricanes making landfall and pandemics don’t mix. “Hurricane season combined with COVID-19 pandemic could create perfect storm.“
Thunderstorms are one thing, but a #derecho is a whole different breed of monster. “What is a derecho? An atmospheric scientist explains these rare but dangerous storm.”
This is one quixotic scenario. “NOAA leaders violated agency’s scientific integrity policy, Hurricane Dorian ‘Sharpiegate’ investigation on behalf of NOAA finds.“
Last but not least, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is upon us. Here’s an excellent website from NOAA on hurricane preparedness that will help you prepare for the storm you hope doesn’t occur.

SUMMER HEAT SAFETY AND WEATHER PREPAREDNESS DURING THE SEVERE WEATHER AND HURRICANE SEASON

Summer is fully entrenched across much of North America with drought conditions in several western and central states exacerbating the oppressive heat. Being aware of the heat index is essential to staying safe and avoiding heat related illnesses.

Heat safety is very important to practice regardless of where you are. As the days get hotter in the Northern Hemisphere, our chances for heat illnesses increases exponentially.

Knowing where to get reliable, accurate, and timely weather information can be a daunting task, especially for folks who are new to a region that may be prone to a hurricane risk, winter storms, or episodes of severe weather (large hail, damaging straight line winds, and tornadoes). This infographic from NOAA’s National Weather Service will help you through the murky haze of misinformation and hype and is valid year round for every kind of weather situation.

Regardless of where you live, an emergency kit is and essential part of every well-prepared home or place of work. This checklist from the American Red Cross will help you get started. If you live in a hurricane prone region, prepare now while you have time and supplies are still plentiful.

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, 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

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For June 5 – 12, 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #hurricane #drought #climate #climatechange #environment #weatherready #covid19 #pandemic

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 North American spring severe weather season has taken a momentary lull, but and uptick in activity will inevitably take place. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has also gotten off to a historical start. We’ll also take a look at flood safety information and much more with this week’s picks…so let’s get started.

Science communication is fraught with hazards of many kinds. This excellent series of podcasts addresses the issue that many of us in the sciences face with increasing frequency.
While on the topic of communication, you will be besieged with information from many science fields and on many outlets…some mainstream, some are personal social media contacts…and they will be full of misinformation. How do you tell the truth from the riffraff?
Blue-sky thinking: how cities can keep air clean after COVID-19. Many urban dwellers gaze in awe at their newly clean cities in the last few months. But three cities, Copenhagen, Oakland, & Mexico City lead the way in making such transformations.
As for the months ahead with COVID-19, they could get very interesting…and not a little challenging to our health care system…as the ongoing pandemic intensifies along with the annual influenza season.
By this account, the USA has a lot of catching up to do. “We’re (the USA) Number… 24.” US near back of pack among developed nations on environment.“
“Ocean data need a sea change to help navigate the warming world.” Scientists also call for improvements in how we collect, share & access that data to power a global response to climate change, overfishing & pollution.
After studying 71 lakes in 33 countries, researchers found that phytoplankton and algae blooms are generally increasing around the world.
The latest drought information for the USA shows a substantial area covering several states that is in an ongoing drought that, if current conditions persist, will likely worsen and spread.
The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK does a stellar job year round forecasting severe weather and giving valuable input on many other weather events. The severe weather outlook criteria and categories are simple to understand for those of us who use them on a daily basis. For some of the general public, there exists a certain amount of confusion. “The National Weather Service issues highly accurate thunderstorm forecasts. The public doesn’t understand them.“
With the arrival of June comes the official beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season. The interesting factor for 2020 is that we have, as of June 11, already had three named storms. What the rest of the season will bring remains to be seen but, by many valid viewpoints, this could be an exceptionally active and hazardous tropical cyclone season.

SEVERE WEATHER AND HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

The power of flood waters is all too often underestimated. People loose their lives every year to even minor flooding events. Regardless of what you think, that flood water is more dangerous than you think. Flooding is responsible for more deaths annually than any other weather related hazard.

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

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Picks For March 27 – April 3, 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #tornado #climate #climatechange #environment #weatherready #coronavirus #covid19 #pandemic #health #astronomy

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. It’s also the official arrival of the severe weather season across the contiguous USA. We’ll cover that topic and more with this week’s picks…so let’s get started.

Let’s start with a very interesting astronomy read. “This Is Why Earth, Surprisingly, Is The Densest Object In Our Solar System.”
For very good reason there are restrictions on crowds, in public or private, during the current global pandemic. For all the wrong reasons, some people still refuse to comply with the rules and/or law. This kind of behavior is also common when their is a severe weather threat.
Social distancing can be challenging…but here’s a fun infographic that will make it easier to understand.
This is what some would call confusing process with content. “The Case Against Waging ‘War’ on the Coronavirus.”
The recommendation that only those infected with the novel coronavirus and/or COVID-19 are the only ones that need to wear masks in public is changing. There is still a great deal of discussion among medical experts, but it’s not a bad idea overall. The more people you are exposed to, the greater your chances of being infected.
Warmer temperatures are spreading throughout the Northern Hemisphere with the arrival of spring. While those warmer temperatures are very welcome to millions, that doesn’t mean that the novel coronavirus will go away.
In spite of it’s ominous nature, this will likely not be a big health threat to humans. We’ve enough of a problem already. “Rare ozone hole opens over Arctic — and it’s big.”
Many atmospheric scientists spend vast amounts of time doing research in Antarctica. Here’s an interesting look at one meteorologist who works in Antarctica and had tips that might help you through the current pandemic quarantine.
For severe weather preparedness, here are two links of importance to help keep you safe. First, here’s an excellent overview of the weather hazards that become more frequent this time of year. From NOAA: Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, and Lightning…Nature’s Most Violent Storms.
Second: In the contiguous USA, we’ve already seen several severe weather episodes in 2020. That includes many tornadoes. Here’s a fantastic FAQ on tornadoes from the Storm Prediction Center that probably answers every tornado question you have.

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS

With the arrival of the most active months of severe weather comes a plethora of information sources. A handful are excellent, a substantial segment are satisfactory, and a vast majority are built on hype under the guise of ‘saving lives.’ This is no time for carelessness. Trusted and official weather information sources such as your local National Weather Service, the Storm Prediction Center, and the national and local broadcast meteorologists of your choice are always your best choices for timely and accurate information.

One vital and essential element of keeping you safe is Doppler Radar. This infographic covers the history of National Weather Service radars and how they work.

You’re far more likely to be in a severe thunderstorm than a tornado. But, not all thunderstorms are severe. All should be treated with respect as even the most modest of thunderstorms can be laced with deadly lightning and even flash floods. Some thunderstorms can have strong winds and even hail, but are not considered severe. This infographic explains the criteria used by the National Weather Service.

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.

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…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 February 7 – 14, 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #climate #climatechange #stateoftheclimate #environment #education #airquality #pollution #spaceweather #dinosaur

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. Antarctica may have set an all-time record high temperature and, according to some sources, we may see a repeat in 2020 of the devastating 2019 USA floods. On a more personal note, I appreciate the continued best wishes for recovery during my rehabilitation from prostate cancer surgery. On that note, let’s get started on this week’s reads.

Let us start off with a look at space weather and the spectacular views it can give us…the magnificent auroras that can be seen around the Earth’s north and south poles.
Here’s a real treat for my fellow dinosaur fans. The majestic Tyrannosaurus Rex has a newly discovered fearsome cousin who has been labeled the “Reaper Of Death.”
Mindset is often one of the most powerful tools for humans to use in order to adapt and deal with significant events. Attitudes of many young people regarding climate change are understandingly pessimistic…and we need to listen to them.
Speaking of mindset and young people, here’s an encouraging read on educators that are courageously conveying scientific knowledge of climate change into the classroom.
The Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010 saw nearly 800 million litres of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, which satellite tracking suggested covered an estimated 149,000 square kilometres. New data indicates that it may have been much larger than we thought.
Air pollution doesn’t remain in the location where it originates. Quite often it travels great distances…and affects your health.
Flooding across several contiguous USA states during 2019 was devastating. There’s a clear signal that we may get a repeat performance in 2020.
If verified, Antarctica may have set an all-time high temperature. If current climate change trends continue, this will only be one of many records to come.
Thunderstorms are no stranger to northern Europe. What is problematic would be the increase in the many facets of severe thunderstorms in regions that are not familiar with how violent these storms can be.
Last but not least, here’s the latest NOAA State Of The Climate report. “January 2020 average global land & ocean temperature was the highest for January since records began in 1880.”

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 over the past few weeks. 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 an excellent website 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

A very picturesque anvil over parts of NE & SD this evening as strong/severe thunderstorms march across the central plains. #newx #sdwx #weather

Spectacular evening visible satellite view of severe thunderstorm complex as it marches across WI. #wiwx

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Links For March 30 – April 6, 2019

Greetings to one and all! Here in North America, the severe weather season is well underway and there have been several very active days so far…and we’ve many, many weeks of potentially volatile activity. There are plenty of other topics to cover as well as severe weather preparedness links…so let’s get started.

One of the most crucial environmental challenges that we face is the recycling dilemma. With China now refusing to take much of the world’s recyclable materials, it’s up to other countries to step up and take the lead.
Copenhagen has just raised the bar when it comes to embracing sustainability.
The much touted “Green New Deal” may be well intended may have good intentions, but it’s based on politics rather than science. As is always the case when ideology takes center stage, there are hidden agendas.
While this air pollution research is based on data in Asia, it is applicable to cities worldwide…and your children.
Toxic pollution knows no borders. This is clearly demonstrated in how Canadian coal mines send pollution into the United States.
Understanding the link between history and climate is crucial to having a comprehensive knowledge of how societies…past and present…have been affected in economic and social behaviors.
Whether or not this concept will come to fruition is a matter of great speculation. “This Self-Sustaining Hurricane-Proof City Could Be Just What The World Needs.”
Here’s a very, very early look at speculative forecasts for the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season. It’s important to remember than there are many variables involved and this essay, while interesting, is exceptionally preliminary.
The Polar Vortex played plenty of tricks up its sleeve in the winter just past. Some USA cities saw temperature swings during January and February of up to 70 degrees.
This is an excellent essay by Dr. Marshall Shepherd that addresses a topic that needs to be fully attended to. “How Meteorologists Compare To Other Professions That Predict The Future.”

SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

Many thunderstorms that are a part of the severe weather season may seem “severe” but there is actually a strict criteria that a thunderstorm must meet before being classified as “severe.” For the most part, severe criteria is a matter of hail, high winds, and tornadoes. Frequent lightning or heavy downpours does not make for a severe thunderstorm.

Here are some links 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 climates on our planet.

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 courtesty 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

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SUMMER HEAT SAFETY AND WEATHER PREPAREDNESS DURING THE SEVERE WEATHER AND HURRICANE SEASON

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