Tornado Quest Top Science Links For January 7 – 14, 2023

Greetings everyone! I hope everyone’s new year is getting off to a good start. This week, we’ll continue our winter weather safety information. There are many interesting science links to check out including a link on a January tornado outbreak, so let’s get started.

The James Webb Space Telescope continues to impress us with new discoveries on an almost weekly basis. This fascinating read is on spiral galaxies that formed approximately eleven billion years ago.
An interesting perspective on the rise in USA carbon emissions in 2022 and why, at least according to this account, that’s not a dire prediction for 2023.
Some encouraging news that you may have already heard about, but it’s worth looking over again. “Earth’s ozone layer on course to be healed within decades, UN report finds.“
In many areas, this has come at a high price. “Dramatic spike in rain has helped counter California’s extreme drought, data reveals.”
The biggest short term challenge? Our seas dominate global weather patterns. “Oceans were the hottest ever recorded in 2022, analysis shows.”
At the most recent meeting of the American Meteorological Society, a climate report presented details on how climate change is making storms, heat waves, and droughts more intense.
On 12 January 2023, a significant severe weather event took place in several southeastern USA states. Along with the severe thunderstorms were numerous tornadoes that resulted in a considerable amount of damage and at least nine fatalities. Here’s a concise overview of the event and the atmospheric ingredients necessary for a winter severe weather episode.
Here’s a look back at the USA climate in 2022 from NOAA. Not only was drought a major factor, but eighteen billion dollar natural disasters took place.

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 January 7 – 14, 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 April 9 – 16, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you happy, healthy, and doing well. We’ll continue sharing severe weather preparedness information this week with a infographic on the best choice of a safe place during a tornado warning. There are many other interesting topics to cover this week, so let’s get started.

Let’s start with some good news, specifically on the exciting potential of wind power as a renewable energy source and its future benefits for our planet.
Here’s another story with good news on an old tool. A knife made of wood (which would easily biodegrade) as opposed to steel. I’ll be the first in line to give this a try!
This is a fascinating read on past climates & our ancestors. “Record-breaking simulation hints at how climate shaped human migration.”
Strict adherence to long term goals is key. “Climate change: COP26 promises will hold warming under 2C.”
If you live in the USA or it’s territories, do you know where your National Weather Service office is located? Knowing where is important regardless of your climate. Enter your location at the NWS page here to find yours.
Here’s a look at the latest US Drought Monitor. Unfortunately, there’s been little change in the drought conditions that have plagued the western half of the contiguous USA for the past several months.
Ambivalence, and forgetfulness, sets in fast. “Officials Warn of ‘Complacency’ ahead of Hurricane Season.”
This is an excellent read on tornado occurrence within National Weather Service county warning areas.
In weather history, 10 April marked the 43rd anniversary of the Red River tornado outbreak in Oklahoma and Texas. There were many long track violent tornadoes that occurred in this outbreak, the most notable one was the Wichita Falls event.

Map of the 10 April 1979 Red River Valley tornado outbreak. Image courtesy NWS Norman, OK

SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS Norman, OK

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, information on winter storm watches, warnings, and other related weather advisories! None of the links on this website should be used for life-&-death decisions or the protection of property!

That’s a wrap for this post! Thanks to everyone for stopping by. A big ‘Thank You’ to my followers in social media. If you’re on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, or Facebook, let’s connect! As for the COVID-19 pandemic, stay safe, stay positive, and test negative!

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest micro-podcast for April 9 – 16 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 March 26 – April 2, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this weeks post finds all of you healthy and doing well. We’ll continue sharing severe weather preparedness information this week with a infographic on taking shelter during a tornado warning. There are many other interesting topics to cover this week, so let’s get started.

This is a very cool astronomy read on the Hubble telescope taking a look at a star 28 billion light years away. That makes it the most distant star ever seen.
There is a race to upcycle CO₂ into concrete, fuels and much more…but will it help curb climate change?
In the UK, 2021 saw a jump in greenhouse gas emissions that was the largest annual increase since 1990.
Planting trees is a good idea, but it’s benefits are not as clear and are far more complicated than previously thought.
California used to have a fire season, but with climate change in play, it’s turned into a fire year.
A ice melting event that has ties to climate change. “Conger ice shelf has collapsed: what you need to know, according to experts.”
This is the 40th anniversary of the April 2-3, 1982 USA tornado outbreak. Many things make this event interesting including the first time the wording “particularly dangerous situation” was used in a tornado watch.
Here’s an excellent look from NOAA at eleven American regions and subregions that have released their latest spring 2022 climate outlooks and winter summaries.

SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY

This is an excellent infographic on knowing where to and where not to go in a tornado warning if in a substantial structure such as a house, apartment, office, school, store, etc.

The following infographic carries a clear message about where NOT to go in a tornado warning…and how you can avoid getting in trouble in the first place.

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 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 December 4 – 11, 2021

Greetings to one and all. For much of North America, the start of the meteorological winter has gotten a mild beginning. In fact, as you man have heard, some of the higher elevations in Hawaii had a blizzard warning before one had been issued in the contiguous USA. The latest big weather news is the 10 December 2021 tornado outbreak across several states. This is a painful reminder that significant tornado events can occur in any month of the year. It will be many days before the National Weather Service can compile post storm data and complete comprehensive damage surveys. As usual, this is a developing scenario that will evolve a great deal over the next few days and weeks. There are many other interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

This dinosaur was built like a tank with a tail that was a lethal weapon.
Here’s a very cool astronomy read. “Giant Stars and the Ultimate Fate of the Sun.”
The Omicron variant has a good chance of turning holiday gatherings into treacherous waters to navigate.
A very unusual type of ice that takes on the appearance of human hairs has been puzzling scientists for almost a century is now understood. Here’s what it looks like and how it forms.
Deforestation is a lot like cutting off your nose to spite your face, but we see that frequently in entities that put profits ahead of climate and environmental concerns. Why is deforestation so bad for our planet and why is it a global problem?
What’s behind the ‘wild’ weather in the USA as of late? Why do we have blizzard warnings in Hawaii and nothing of the sort in Colorado? Here’s a good, concise explanation.
This drone footage of tornado damage in Mayfield, Kentucky is only a small part of the damage that occurred on 10 December 2021, but gives a perspective as to the intensity of this particular tornado event. In Kentucky alone, it’s feared that as many as 70 fatalities may have occurred.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

This week, we’ll continue posts on winter weather safety with at wind chill. This is one of the most dangerous winter weather hazards, especially in regions where winters are long and high winds are common. This handy chart will help you quickly determine wind chill and how long you can be exposed before frostbite and/or hypothermia can become a serious health danger.

Infographic courtesy NWS Mobile, AL, USA

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 Ten Science Links For March 2 – 9, 2019

Greetings to one and all! I hope that, for my friends and followers in the Northern Hemisphere, the meteorological spring is off to a good start for you. In the USA, spring got off to a tragic start with several strong to violent tornadoes occurring in the southeastern states. We’ll look at several links related to those tornadoes this week. I’ve also included links and infographics regarding severe weather preparedness. With severe weather events becoming more numerous, it’s that time of year to be very severe weather aware. There are several interesting topics to cover, so let’s get started.

“It is dangerous to have national security analysis conform to politics.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. “Former Defense Leaders Warn White House It’s ‘Dangerous’ To Downplay Climate Change.”
As the battle lines harden, the “weather wars” are taking on a new dimension and ferocity. “How the Weather Gets Weaponized in Climate Change Messaging.”
In parts of the Northern Hemisphere, sea ice is at record low levels. “Arctic sea ice extent for February 2019 was the seventh lowest in the satellite record for the month, tying with 2015. So far this winter, sea ice extent has remained above the 2017 record low maximum.”
We often hear about heatwaves when they occur over land masses, but understanding the importance of heat waves over oceans is equally important.
Here’s an excellent essay from Dr. Marshall Shepherd and his take on the Alabama, Florida, and Georgia tornado outbreak. “Four Forecast And Messaging Takeaways From The Southern Tornado Outbreak.”
Meteorologist Dan Satterfield has also written and excellent essay that touches on many ‘hot button’ topics…one of which is the fallacy that ‘tornado warning sirens’ are useful in saving lives. “Thoughts on the Lee County Alabama Tornado: Worthless Sirens and Unsafe Mobile Homes.”
When meteorologists from the National Weather Service conduct damage surveys, they are faced with an exceptionally daunting task. Here’s a concise overview of how those surveys are done from the National Weather Service in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Capital Weather Gang has also written a thought provoking article on the recent tornadoes. Regardless of the technology available and warning network, tragedies such as this are inevitable. “A Great Forecast But A Deadly Tornado Tragedy In Alabama. What Went Wrong?”
I wouldn’t go so far as to blame society, but there are some other valid points in the essay. People die in tornadoes due to a number of factors that are not addressed here…the most glaring void is the absence of the fact that in a violent (EF-4/EF-5) tornado, underground shelters are often the only safe places. “Nearly all tornadoes are survivable, so why are people still dying?”
Placing the 3 March 2019 tornado outbreak in a historical perspective is essential to understanding tornado behavior, occurrence, and your personal risk.

SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

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.

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 preparedness checklist from the American Red Cross can be used in a myriad of preparedness scenarios year round.

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 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. Your friendship and loyalty is appreciated a great deal!

Cheers!

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Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

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This is an excellent infographic on knowing where to and where not to go in a tornado warning if in a substantial structure such as a house, apartment, office, school, store, etc.

The following infographic carries a clear message about where NOT to go in a tornado warning…and how you can avoid getting in trouble in the first place.

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WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

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WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

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SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

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