Greetings once again to one and all! I hope your new year is off to a good start. The Australian brushfires that are unprecedented in every way have received a great deal of coverage. In atmospheric science news, our changing climate is front and center as we reach, by some accounts, a point of no return. Also, along with these posts will be the occasional winter weather safety link that I hope you’ll find helpful. 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.
- The Australian brush fires have been getting a great deal of coverage that is well deserved for such a devastating event. Here’s a good read that’s a concise explanation of why these disastrous fires are taking place.
- Sometimes, the powers that be can’t relate to the fear, despair, & painful loss of disaster victims. “Falling ash, skies of blood – and now Australia’s anger smoulders.”
- Another major weather/climate disaster has been taking place in Indonesia. “Indonesia’s sinking capital of Jakarta and the surrounding areas have been inundated with rain, triggering landslides and floods that have killed dozens of people.”
- When the facts you find make you itch, make up your own. “These Climate Science Deniers are Spreading Misinformation about the Australian Bushfires.”
- Studying the climate of remote regions of the Earth can be exceptionally challenging. These new weather satellites are going to be spearheading a change for the better in data gathering.
- Computer models are also invaluable in studying climate and climate change. Here’s an essential read on how the latest generation of climate models have been performing.
- There are many changes we can make in our day-to-day living that will reduce our individual carbon footprint. Regardless, it still begs the very important question, “Could you live the 1.5° lifestyle?“
- As of early January, parts of Scandinavia have seen winter temperatures in the mid 60’s. That’s nothing less than frightfully bizarre.
- Speaking of January, skating on ice is often a common pastime in areas where long, deep cold is an annual event. However, extreme caution should be taken when on that ice. It may be much thinner, and more dangerous, than you think.
- Finally, a basic but informative infographic on the science of wind chill. Ultimately, the wind chill should be more important to you than the actual air temperature. How your body reacts to cold air combined with wind can have substantial health and winter weather safety ramifications. For healthy people, wind chill may not be anything but uncomfortable. For others with pulmonary and/or cardiovascular health issues, the effects of wind chill can be substantial and even dangerous.
That’s a wrap for this post! Happy New Year to one and all! 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!
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