Tornado Quest Top Science Links For February 5 – 12, 2022 #science #weather #climate #wintersafety #astronomy #tonga #volcano

Greetings to everyone! I hope this weeks post finds all of you healthy an having a good week. From the Tonga volcano to increasing levels of atmospheric methane, we’ve a lot to cover this week…so let’s get started.

Satellite imagery of the 15 January 2023 Tonga volcano. Image credit NASA.

A fascinating and thought provoking history and history of science read. “How the Dutch Created Europe’s First Free-Speech Zone More than 400 years Ago.“
The planets Uranus and Neptune share many similarities. Why is it that they are two very different colors?
As far as volcanology goes, this was a watershed event. “Why the Tongan eruption will go down in the history of volcanology.”
An earthquake in the Pacific northwest of North America could produce a devastating tsunami across several USA states.
It’s time to recycle those old plastic cups, water bottles, etc. “Americans exposed to toxic BPA at levels far above what European Union considers safe.“
Speaking of recycling and cutting back on waste…I certainly have my share. “How to cut material use in buildings, clothes, electronics & plastic.”
Some very sobering results from this new study. ‘Barely 15% Of The World’s Coastal Regions Remain Ecologically Intact.‘
A new study from NOAA presents information about ‘dangerously fast’ growth in atmospheric methane.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

Even in winter, a safety/emergency kit can be a life saver. This handy checklist from the American Red Cross will help you get started.

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 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! Thanks to everyone for stopping by. 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!

Tornado Quest micro-podcast for February 5 – 12, 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 January 22 – 29, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this weeks post finds all of you healthy an having a good week. For this week’s winter weather safety, a review of dressing for the cold to stave off hypothermia and frostbite. If you’re interested in citizen science and contributing to weather research, we’ve a link for a great app. There are many other interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

If you’d like to contribute to weather research through a simple weather app, please check out the mPING app. It’s a great way to contribute to weather forecasting and observation data regardless of the season or climate you live in.
The importance of science communication & subtle differences in words can’t be underestimated. “COVID-19: endemic doesn’t mean harmless.”
The importance of soil to our daily lives is a topic that is frequently overlooked. “A Call For Governments To Save Soil.“
The strain that climate change puts on agriculture is an expense that ultimately the taxpayer has to pick up the tab for.
Walking on ice can be very tricky…and even dangerous. Here’s an excellent read on how to get across the slippery surface in a safe manner.
If 2021 seemed to be a very warm year during the summer months, you weren’t imagining things. Last year was one of the seven hottest years on record according to the World Meteorological Organization.
While on the topic of 2021, here’s an excellent overview of the USA’s billion dollar weather and climate disasters within a historical context.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

The key word to remember when dressing for cold weather…layers!

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 January 15 – 22, 2022 #science #weather #climate #wintersafety #tonga #tongavolcano

Greetings to everyone! I hope this weeks post finds all of you healthy an having a good week. We’ll continue our look at winter weather safety this week . There are many other interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

Cirrus clouds gliding over the Great Plains winter sky.

Let’s start off with some good news. Near Tahiti, a new and rare area of ‘pristine’ coral reed has been discovered.
There’s been a great deal of discussion as of late regarding what kind of mask to wear during the COVID pandemic. If possible, KN95 or N95 masks are the best options to choose over cloth. Personally speaking, I’ve worn KN95 masks and have found them very affordable, effective, and comfortable.
The passing of the great scientist E.O. Wilson was the end of a priceless era in scientific research. Unfortunately, it also provided some elements a chance to take caustic ad hominem attacks.
The Tonga volcanic eruption of 15 January 2022 was a very rare event that set off a tsunami and sent shockwaves through the earth’s atmosphere that circled the globe.
After the Tonga volcano eruption, ripples were sent through the atmosphere that are puzzling atmospheric scientists.
If 2021 seemed to be a very warm year during the summer months, you weren’t imagining things. Last year was one of the seven hottest years on record according to the World Meteorological Organization.
The latest US Drought Monitor shows considerable drought conditions persist across much of the western and great plains states.
Here’s the latest NOAA outlook on the current La Niña with all the details we need to know about the coming months.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

That’s a wrap for this post! I hope the new year is happy and healthy one for you and your loved ones. 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! Happy New Year!

Tornado Quest Micro-Podcast For January 15 – 22 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 January 8 – 15, 2022

We will start with some good news about the James Webb Space Telescope and it’s careful steps to becoming fully functional.
This is a new year goal that most all of us can take part in…auditing how much plastic you use and then begin cutting back.
According to this new study, microplastics can be present in rivers for a considerable amount of time before they reach oceans.
Here’s a very thought provoking read with a different perspective on weather disasters. “Stop blaming the climate for disasters.“
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has just compiled their look at severe weather events across the USA in 2021.
It’s no surprise that 2021 was a record year in terms of global warmth. December 2021 alone saw record warmth. In terms of disasters, twenty billion dollar disasters occurred.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

This infographic has important information on dressing for cold weather. With a significant winter storm underway as of this post, here’s a quick reminder on dressing to avoid frostbite and hypothermia.

See you next Saturday! Happy New Year!

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 January 1 – 8, 2022

Greetings to everyone! I hope this weeks post finds all of you healthy and with a good start to the new year. We’ll continue our look at winter weather safety this week with an excellent emergency kit checklist. There are many other interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

Altocumulus clouds glide over a winter Great Plains sky.

This is a very thought provoking read on five myths that encourage the rejection of science and its benefits to the world we live in.
The more we look at our own galaxy, the more we realize that we’re just beginning to scratch the surface about our “home” in the universe.
This week has more good news from the James Webb Space Telescope. It’s sunshield is now fully deployed!
Here’s a concise review of the histrionic weather and climate events of 2021 from AccuWeather.
This is a very interesting cause and effect scenario that is taking place in western Africa. As deforestation increases, so does the intensity of local storms.
The winter weather as of late has been on the warm side according to the UK’s Met Office. Is there a connection to climate change?
Yet another record breaking year for climate records. “More than 400 weather stations beat heat records in 2021.” Ten national temperature records were broken or equaled in 2021, including the highest ever reliably measured on Earth.
As if the year 2021 could not get more weird. Data from a lightning detection network has never seen as much lightning around the North Pole as it did last year.
Speaking of unusual warmth, ocean temperatures around eastern Australia have been exceptionally warm even for this time of year during their summer. Early January ocean temperatures are running almost two months ahead of schedule.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

This infographic is an excellent checklist for starting an emergency kit. Regardless of where you live and the hazards you may encounter, an emergency kit can provide valuable resources to help you get through a very difficult scenario.

Infographic courtesy American Red Cross/FEMA

See you next Saturday! Happy New Year!

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 25, 2021 – January 1, 2022 #science #weather #climate #wintersafety #astronomy

Happy Holiday greetings and Happy New Year to one and all! I hope everyone is having a good holiday season. This is the beginning of a new year. Here’s to it being a better year for all of us. Across North America, drought persists across much of the lower 48 as the first substantial Arctic air mass makes its way into the Great Plains. We’ll continue our look at winter weather safety this week with a review of wind chill. There are many other interesting stories to review, so let’s get started.

First, some good news. The James Webb space telescope is well underway, but there are several challenging weeks ahead before it becomes fully functional.
Here’s another good news story. “Natural History Museum identifies more than 500 new species in 2021.“
It’s well known that tsunamis can bring incredible devastation and death across vast areas. Here’s an interesting read on how we could get a better warning of their impending approach.
Wildfires across several continents set many records in 2021 and climate change is clearly playing a big part.
As our climate changes, so will the patterns we will see with hurricanes according to a new study.
The latest US Drought Monitor shows little change from the previous week with much of the contiguous USA in a persistent drought.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

This infographic is an excellent overview of how to dress for the cold weather and wind chill. Frostbite and hypothermia can easily be prevented by dressing according to this chart and being keenly aware of air temperature and wind speeds.

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!

See you next Saturday! Happy New Year!

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.

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 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 November 20 – 27, 2021 #science #weather #climate #winter #wintersafety #pollution #covid19 #omicron

Greetings to one and all. I hope everyone is having a great week. The Atlantic hurricane season officially lasts until November 30, 2021. It’s very likely that the Atlantic will not have any more tropical cyclones in the near future. There are many good reads to review, so let’s get started.

The latest COVID-19 variant of concern has been dubbed “Omicron” and, until scientists can learn more about its behavior, is considered to be a variant of substantial concern.
In case you missed the recent “Beaver Moon” that took place on November 19, here’s a very good one minute time lapse of the entire event.
This is an essential read concerning much of our planet’s ecosystems. “Humans Have Broken A Fundamental Law Of The Ocean.“
The air pollution over portions of India has been so bad as of late that it can easily be spotted on NASA satellite images.
Finally, here’s some good news from the world’s top carbon emitter. “China creates vast research infrastructure to support ambitious climate goals.”
Based on the latest NOAA data, October 2021 was the fourth warmest October on record.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

This week, we’ll be starting posts on winter weather safety. Even though this infographic is focused on winter weather, it certainly applies to all weather information year round. Diligence from January through December is important to cull through misinformation, disinformation, and deceitful rumors and hyperbole.

Infographic courtesy NOAA/NWS Fort Worth, TX

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 hurricane/tropical storm watches, warnings, and other related 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! 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!

Tornado Quest Micro-Podcast 26 November 2021

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.

WINTER WEATHER SAFETY

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