Tornado Quest Top Science Links For 28 January – 4 February 2023 #science #weather #climate #climatechange #drought #astronomy #health

Greetings everyone! I hope all of you are having a great week and, if you were impacted by the recent winter storm across much of the eastern half of the USA, I hope you had no troubles or are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Since we’ve many more weeks of winter ahead, we’ll continue our winter weather safety information. But first, there are many other interesting science links to check out. Let’s get started.

The Hubble telescope may not be the latest and greatest, but it still can stun us with it’s amazing imagery.
Groundhog Day gets its share of publicity, but is there really anything to its accuracy?
This makes perfectly good sense especially in light of the fact that trees in urban settings help improve the quality of air you breathe.
We still don’t fully understand all of the properties of water and ice. Discoveries like this just help us understand even more this critical building block of life.
Microplastics are a problem the world over in water and on land, but just how are they affecting you when they become airborne?
Here is the latest update on the USA Drought Monitor. Recent precipitation has brought some improvements even to California in the wake of several significant storm systems. East of the Mississippi river, conditions have improved significantly while parts of the central and southern plains still have 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. Here’s some more winter safety information from OSHA geared towards those who have to work outdoors in the cold. 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 and follow Tornado Quest in social media!

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 August 20 – 27, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well. For the time being, the tropical Atlantic is quiet, but that could change over the next few weeks. In the meantime, I will share some infographics on preparing an emergency kit that will be helpful in any tropical storm or hurricane scenario. This week also marked the 30th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew making landfall as a rare Category 5 storm on the Florida coast. There are many other essential and important reads to review, so let’s get started.

Category 5 Hurricane Andrew crossing the Florida peninsula on 24 August 1992. Image courtesy NOAA.

This past week marked the 30th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew making landfall as a rare Category 5 storm. NOAA has an excellent look back at this watershed event and explains how the meteorological technology has changed over the past 3 decades.
It’s no surprise that misinformation and disinformation have spread like wildfire across every form of communication imaginable. Is it possible to inoculate the general public from this rubbish?
Spruce trees are spreading into areas of Alaska and the Arctic tundra. That may sound good, but the truth is otherwise.
The lower water levels on the Danube river aren’t good, but they’ve also revealed a hidden side to 20th century history that has been under water for decades.
On the wildfire front, fires have not only been on the increase, but they’re now burning almost twice as much forest cover as they did 20 years ago.
As we enter into the USA’s fourth month of “Danger Season,” here’s a sobering look at the year so far.
Contrary to what the climate change deniers insist is truth, the real reality is that concern in the American public over climate change, present and future, is wide spread and growing.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

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 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 August 20 – 27, 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 July 9 – 16, 2022 #science #weather #climate #astronomy #heatsafety #cop27

Greetings to everyone! I hope this week’s post finds all of you doing well. For much of the contiguous USA, a brutal heat wave that has turned lethal has many states in its grip. Because of this ongoing and very serious danger, we’ll continue this week with safety infographics on heat safety. There are many other essential reads to review, so let’s get started.

Let’s start off this week with the biggest science news in some time…the fantastic images from the James Webb telescope!
The COVID-19 pandemic rages on with a new variant that is the most contagious yet. Keeping track of the number of new cases is difficult especially with the proliferation of home test kits. Fortunately, there is a fantastically useful way of keeping track of the number of new cases…because ‘poop’ doesn’t lie.
For those of us awash in scientific research papers, this is an intriguing read. “How to find, read and organize papers.”
Daunting challenges getting from ‘summits to solutions’ amid increasing wild weather events. “Cop27 summit must focus on how world will adapt to climate change.”
Due to a changing climate and wildfires, recent research shows that much of California’s tree growth is dying and likely to not come back.
We often hear about “average” temperatures, precipitation, etc. with weather and climate…but what does “average” really mean?
June 2022 started off the meteorological summer in the USA with heat and drought. As of this post, the USA has already had nine billion dollar disasters…and we’ve yet to get into the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.

SUMMER WEATHER SAFETY

Summer heat is one of the leading causes of weather related deaths and illnesses. Due to its slow yet potentially deadly ways in which is affects the human body, even the most physically fit individual who is well hydrated can succumb to heat exhaustion or heat stroke very quickly. As of mid July, over ten deaths have occurred in the USA due to individuals being left in vehicles. All of those fatalities were preventable. Summer heat is often called the ‘silent killer‘ and for good reason. Much of the contiguous USA is in the midst of a brutal heat wave with little to no relief in long range forecasts. Take the heat safety information below very seriously. It could save a life.

The Heat Index is a very important part of summer safety. Here’s an excellent page from the National Weather Service in Amarillo, Texas that explains how to calculate heat index and why it’s important.

See you next Saturday!

Tornado Quest micro-podcast for July 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.

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!

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 March 27 – April 3, 2021 #science #weather #meteorology #severeweather #tornado #weatherready #weathersafety #droughtmonitor #drought #climate #climatechange #environment #socialmedia #health

Greetings to everyone! This week, we’ll continue our focus on severe weather preparedness. With the most active severe weather and tornado months for the USA now beginning, this is the time to prepare. This week’s post contains severe weather infographics with a focus on staying informed with potentially life saving watches and warnings. There are also several new, interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

An unfortunate trend of sound scientific data & facts refuted by nefarious, misleading ‘theories.’ “The Antiscience Movement Is Escalating, Going Global & Killing Thousands.”
This is a very novel and innovative idea that has been a long time coming. Hempcrete, made from cannabis, is a worthy alternative in many scenarios to the traditional concrete.
A timely read considering the ongoing fire weather across several USA states. “Probing wet fire smoke in clouds: Can water intensify the earth’s warming?”
Hay fever is something that millions deal with many times a year. Climate change may make their symptoms worse.
“How will the biggest tropical trees respond to climate change?” The biggest trees store 1/2 of the carbon in tropical forests, but they could be at risk of death due to climate change. As a result, they would be releasing massive amounts of carbon back into the atmosphere.
Sea level rise goes hand-in-hand with climate change. That also means that many major cities around the world are, with time, in danger of disappearing.
Recent years have seen unprecedented tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic. This certainly begs the question; Should the Atlantic hurricane season be lengthened?
In case you missed it, NOAA has released their outlook for the rest of spring 2021 across the USA. Among the details, drought conditions are expected to persist across much of the western contiguous USA.
The latest US Drought Monitor shows dry and drought conditions worsening across much of the western contiguous USA.

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 SAFETY INFOGRAPHICS: STAYING INFORMED!

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 NOAA/NWS Fort Worth, TX

PREPARING AN 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.

That’s a wrap for this post! Be sure to check in next week when we’ll review tornado 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 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 TEN SCIENCE LINKS FOR NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 4, 2020

#science #weather #meteorology #weathersafety #wintersafety #climate #climatechange #drought #environment #pollution #astronomy #scicomm #criticalthinking

After many harrowing months during and exceptionally hazardous and stressful year, the Atlantic hurricane season has officially come to and end. We’ll take a quick look back at a record setting year the few will forget anytime soon. With the changing of the seasons in the northern hemisphere, attention will shift to winter weather safety. We’ll touch on that topic with plenty of information for the next several weeks. There are many other good stories to cover, so lets get started.

This is a very important and timely read on not only the challenges of communicating scientific data to the general public, but the tragic acceptability of a dearth of scientific literacy in society.
Here’s a fascinating astronomy story that’s gotten very little coverage. “Earth had a minimoon for nearly three years before it drifted away.“
We know that plastic pollution can last for years on land masses. New studies show that plastic dropped in a river or ocean can travel astoundingly long distances.
More evidence on the effects climate change has on our biosphere. This read concerns a study that shows trees may lose their leaves in autumn earlier rather than later due to our changing climate.
While winter sets in for the Northern Hemisphere, the warm season is in full swing south of the equator. As of late, parts of Australia have been enduring a brutal heatwave with temperatures in Sydney reaching 104F!
This is a very stern warning that has come none too late. “Humans waging ‘suicidal war’ on nature – UN chief Antonio Guterres.“
Here’s a small glimmer of light at the end of a very long tunnel. “Climate change: Temperature analysis shows United Nations goals ‘within reach.‘”
Flood events can be the result of any number of weather phenomenon. Recent research has an ominous message. The once-in-a-lifetime floods that once were rare are likely to become quite common.
The latest US Drought Monitor has been issued. For much of the western half of the contiguous USA, drought conditions have worsened will little relief in sight. This has exacerbated wildfire conditions in California.

Last but not least, let’s take a look back at the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season by the numbers and a review of the events on a map of the Atlantic basin. By all respects, it was a remarkable year that won’t soon be forgotten. More details from NOAA: “Record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season draws to an end.“

Graphic courtesy NWS/National Hurricane Center

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season will officially end on 30 November 2020. This year will go down in the record books for having many elements of an extraordinary year. Now, across much of the northern hemisphere, attention turns to winter weather hazards. The same preparedness plans and supplies that are helpful for tropical cyclones 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.

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 Links For August 21 – 28, 2020 #science #weather #meteorology #drought #hurricane #laura #hurricaneprep #hurricanesafety #disasterprep #climate #climatechange #environment #pollution #astronomy #covid19 #pandemic

Hurricane Laura shortly after making landfall on the Louisiana coast on 27 August 2020.

This has been a very active weather and climate week. For North America, Hurricane Laura was the biggest weather story with the Category 4 hurricane making landfall on the Louisiana coast around 1AM CDT on the 27 August 2020. From humble origins as a cluster of thunderstorms moving westward off the coast of Africa, a modest tropical wave transformed into a powerful storm while traveling thousands of miles and going through explosive intensification in the Gulf Of Mexico. The devastating wildfires in California, Colorado, and elsewhere were also front and center. As usual, there are many other topics to cover plus a review of hurricane preparedness, so let’s get started.

Many people took the opportunity to photograph the comet NEOWISE including the Hubble telescope…but they’re not the kind of photos you might expect.
After reading this and watching the video in this story, you may never look at trees the same way again.
One would think that air travel during the midst of a global pandemic would be exceptionally dangerous. But, due to some features unique to air travel, it may be safer than one would think as long as certain precautions are taken.
Reducing the amount of plastic pollution that exists across the globe may sound easy, but it is a much greater hurdle to overcome than we think.
Why does California have so many wildfires? Here’s an excellent, concise overview of a disastrous event that has become all to common.
“Smoke, heat, & COVID-19: Californians are caught between public health crises.” Air quality hit dangerous levels in parts of CA & CO this week. Millions breathing pollutants from wildfires with potentially dangerous public health impacts.
Preparing for the landfall of a hurricane or evacuating an area in the path of a wildfire is bad enough…but add a pandemic, and the added threats to the well being of the people involved expands significantly.
Some hurricanes leave an indelible mark on the region they affected. No doubt that after this season, the name of Laura will be retired. For that reason and many more, names of hurricanes that had a historical impact are retired.
An analysis of four decades of satellite imagery shows a clear connection to climate change and global warming and the increased chances of a tropical cyclone reaching Category 3 intensity or higher.
The latest US Drought Monitor is out. Almost 40% of the USA’s population is experiencing unusual dry or drought conditions.

HURRICANE AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

The Atlantic and central Pacific have become quite active with several tropical cyclones this year. In the central and eastern Pacific, several named storms have taken place. The Atlantic has been unusually active with, as of August 28th, thirteen named storms having taken place so far in 2020 with several more weeks in the hurricane season left to go. NOAA has a great website to help you get ready with plenty of helpful tips and infographics to help you get the supplies you may need.

This handy checklist from the American Red Cross will help you put together an emergency kit for a variety of weather scenarios. For folks living in regions prone to hurricanes, it’s not too late to assemble your kits for home and your place of work.

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 always an excellent source with potentially life-saving information that is specific to your local situation. Bottom line: use discretion very carefully and avoid hypesters, shills, and attention-seekers at all cost…and think before you click.

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

Cheers…Stay Healthy…and Good Luck!

Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Links For July 17 – 24, 2020 #science #environment #pollution #astronomy #weather #hurricane #tropics #heatsafety #covid19 #drought #emergencyprep

Greetings to everyone! I hope everyone out there is staying healthy and faring well in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As usual, we’ve plenty of interesting topics to cover this week. In atmospheric science, our changing climate is proving to be a continuing daunting challenge and finding a long-term path of human adaptation is far easier said than done. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has also gotten off to a historic start with, as of this post, seven named storms for the 2020 season. We’ll also take a look at heat safety and a checklist for assembling an emergency kit…so let’s get started.

Looking into the eye of the beast. Image courtesy NOAA/NWS

Let’s start with a thought provoking read on risk. We live in a very different world than we did just a few months ago. Few of us will ever forget 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Living in this world requires very serious choices and decisions. With each choice and decision, there’s a risk. Choose wisely.
This is a very intriguing astronomy read. “We don’t know how fast the universe is expanding, and that’s a problem.“
While we’re on astronomy, take a look at these spectacular images from the European Space Agency’s new solar orbiter!
European cities are often on the cutting edge of new technology to increase the quality of life for city dwellers. Here’s a fantastic example.
A new study that was partly undertaken with the World Health Organization has new data on potentially lethal air pollution that can affect up to 55% of the world’s population.
Heat is one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths around the world. In the USA alone, over 600 people die from heat annually. The actual number is probably twice that figure. Heat is called the ‘Silent Kiler’ and there’s a good reason for that. Add the challenges of climate change, and the human body is struggling to adapt to a potentially lethal weather phenomenon.
Speaking of heat, as an urban dweller, I’ve been familiar with the urban heat island effect for a very long time. Planted in the proper locations and well maintained, trees can help a great deal in offsetting the heat island effect that plagues so many urban areas during the hot summer months.
It will be interesting to see how this forecast model works out and lives up to it’s intended potential. “New tropical cyclone outlook model has potential to save lives in the Pacific.”
The latest US Drought Monitor is out. Drought levels running from moderate to extreme are affecting as much as 26% of the USA and Puerto Rico.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is img_2557.png — Graphic courtesy NIDIS/Drought.gov

The Atlantic has become quite active in the past week. We now have Gonzalo which, regardless of it’s changing intensity, can have significant impacts on landfall. Now is the perfect time to prepare for the hurricane you hope never happens. NOAA has a great website to help you get ready with plenty of helpful tips and infographics to help you get the supplies you may need.

This handy checklist will help you put together an emergency kit for a variety of weather scenarios. For those in regions prone to hurricanes, now is the time to assemble your kit for home and/or your place of work.

So far in 2020, eleven children have died across the USA from heat illnesses while in automobiles. Two of these deaths occurred in Tulsa, OK after a brother and sister were in a car for approximately five hours. All of these deaths are even the more tragic since they were all preventable. Temperatures as low as 78F-80F can become lethal.

This is an infographic explaining the symptoms of the two most common kinds of heat illnesses. Heat stroke is especially deadly and paramedics should be summoned as quickly as possible.

Cheers…Stay Healthy…and Good Luck!

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Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Reads For July 3 – 10, 2020

Greetings to everyone! I hope everyone out there is staying healthy and faring well in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve plenty of interesting topics to cover this week. In atmospheric science, our changing climate is proving to be an obstacle in dealing with the pandemic and finding a long-term path of adaptation. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has also gotten off to a historic start and, as of this post, the USA now has Tropical Storm Fay. Speaking of tropical cyclones, we’ll take a look at hurricane safety and preparedness information and much more with this week’s picks…so let’s get started.

After several months of dealing with a global health crisis that is nothing like living generations have ever experienced, medical science is challenged with answering several crucial questions about SARS-CoV2 and COVID-19. Not for want of trying, but this is how science works.
Evaluating information about COVID-19, or any other scientific topic, can be a daunting task for the general public. Here’s an excellent read on interpreting COVID-19 information that can easily be applied to any other science field…including weather and climate.
Here’s a fascinating look at the weather on another planet…and it’s all about a new storm!
“Supercomputer Simulations Help Researchers Predict Solar Wind Storms.” These storms can cause severe damage to power grids, satellites, & many other technological electrical systems.
Trees are more than just large plants. They are a source of valuable information from the past and give us a look into the future.
But will this novel idea work? There’s the rub. “Pulling carbon from the sky is necessary but not sufficient.” Carbon dioxide removal is becoming a serious proposition. But it is not a substitute for aggressive action to cut emissions.
Siberia has been experiencing record warmth in 2020. That has also helped to spread wildfires in the region which are releasing a record amount of carbon into our atmosphere.
Climate change will still be a daunting challenge for some time to come. What is more problematic and ominous is the possibility that we may be running out of time before we reach a critical level of global warming.
This is an excellent read on a very rare cloud. “Noctilucent clouds (NLC) over Knowlton Church in Dorset.“
The Atlantic basin has no active hurricanes as of this post. It’s still early in the season and that means it’s the perfect time to prepare for the hurricane you hope never happens. NOAA has a great website to help you get ready with plenty of helpful tips and infographics to help you get the supplies you may need.

SUMMER WEATHER SAFETY AND HURRICANE/EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

The summer heat is fully settled in across much of the Northern Hemisphere. With that comes an increase in heat related illnesses. These handy infographics from NOAA will help you stay safe in the coming weeks.

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

Cheers…Stay Healthy…and Good Luck!

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

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Media inquiries: tornadoquest@protonmail.ch

Tornado Quest Top Ten Science Links For June 29 – July 6, 2019

Greetings everyone! It’s been an interesting week. Summer has been brutal over the European continent and elsewhere. Meanwhile in California, seismic activity has been reminding residents of the perilous dangers of living along a major fault. There’s much more to cover. Enjoy.

The European heat wave is not only making people adapt to a changing climate, but face the fact that they need more air conditioning.
The European heat wave has waned a bit, but it’s still unusually warm. Unfortunately, this will probably be a taste of a ‘new normal.’
Recent photos of a hail storm’s aftermath have been making the rounds in social media. This excellent essay by Dr. Marshall Shepherd not only explains the hows and whys of hail, but nails it when it comes to explaining the ‘modus operandi’ of hype in today’s social media.
A very novel idea in forecasting thunderstorms. “Computer scientists predict lightning and thunder with the help of artificial intelligence.“
Speaking of forecasting, the USA’s National Weather Service is making some changes to its products that notify you if hazardous weather is headed your way.
Since 2014, the amount of sea ice around Antarctica has declined significantly…and more could disappear more rapidly than previously thought.
While on the topic of ice and climate change, Greenland has a significant amount that, if it were to disappear, would have enough influence worldwide to raise sea levels up to twenty feet.
In spite of perpetual myths, sharks are low on the danger risk for humans. Millions of sharks are needlessly slaughtered every year by humans…if for no other reason than their fins can be sliced off to make expensive soup for rich people. Truth be known, sharks should be terrified of humans…and our plastic pollution in oceans is now just one way we kill them.
In the past few days, seismic activity in California has seen a dramatic increase. Years of little activity has induced ambivalence and complacency. As of this post (6 July 2019) substantial earthquakes are still occurring and seismologists say the fault system is still growing.
For some reason, this item stirred up a great deal of vitriol from nefarious trolls on Twitter. Looks like what doesn’t agree with the left is as anger inspiring as anything that annoys the right. I thought it was an intriguing idea.

Hurricane Preparedness

The beginning of June brings the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season. For the next few weeks, I’ll share some informative links pertaining to this threat that, like many other weather hazards across North America, occurs annually. Some years are relatively quiet, some not so. The important fact to remember is that it only takes one tropical storm or hurricane to affect the lives of millions. Unlike tornadoes, tropical cyclones can be forecast days in advance which, for those in its path, is fortunate since it gives them plentiful time to prepare and evacuate. These are links pertaining to tropical cyclones (tropical storms & hurricanes) that I hope you’ll find helpful.

National Weather Service Homepage

National Hurricane Center

Central Pacific Hurricane Center

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

NOAA Hurricane Preparedness American

Red Cross Hurricane Preparedness

CDC Hurricane Preparedness

Extensive FEMA Emergency Preparedness Document (34 Page PDF File)

NOAA Weather Radio Interactive

NOAA Weather Radio Coverage Map

Ready.gov Basic Disaster Supply Kit Info

Preparing Your Pets For Disasters And Emergencies

USA Environmental Protection Agency: General Information For Disaster Preparedness And Response

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! Thanks so much to all of you who follow me…your loyalty is sincerely appreciated.

Cheers!

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WINTER WEATHER PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY

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HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

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SUMMER WEATHER SAFETY

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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.

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SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

THIS WEEK’S SEVERE WEATHER SAFETY INFOGRAPHICS: STAYING INFORMED!

PREPARING AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR HOME, VEHICLE, AND WORK

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#science #weather #meteorology #weathersafety #wintersafety #climate #climatechange #drought #environment #pollution #astronomy #scicomm #criticalthinking

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

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HURRICANE AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

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SUMMER WEATHER SAFETY AND HURRICANE/EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

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Hurricane Preparedness

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.

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