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26 August 2011
Hurricanes and Quakes are Inspirational Science Moments
Every meteorologist I know can point to a big storm as the inspiration that led them into the field of atmospheric science (A blizzard in 1968 and the tornadoes of June 8,1974 for me), and this is true for other sciences as well. Neil de Grasse Tyson still has his certificate of accomplishment from the Hayden Planetarium that he now directs. The certificates are still given out and he signs …
25 August 2011
Is This Tropical Storm Jose??
The tropical wave off Africa has intensified and is looking very healthy this evening. It even looks like an anticyclone has developed aloft over the wave, and we may have tropical storm Jose soon (if not already). Water vapor imagery from the European weather satellite also shows little dry air in the region, although there is some dry air to the north of the system (not enough to seriously …
24 August 2011
Category Three Irene Plows Through Bahamas
It’s been said that if weather satellites could only see hurricanes, they would still be worth ten times the cost. The image below is from GOES (courtesy NASA Goddard) and is remapped on the “NASA blue marble” background. Beware that it’s a huge image! The latest NWP models are all in close agreement for the next three days and indicate that Irene will pass very near the Outer Banks …
23 August 2011
Irene Reaches Cat 2 Status and Threatens Bahamas
Hurricane Irene is now away from the Dominican Republic and is gaining strength rapidly this evening, as it moves toward the Bahamas. Intensity forecasts on any tropical system are very difficult but several of the more reliable models are indicating that Irene will reach Cat 3 or perhaps higher. A Category 3 storm is a major hurricane with winds of 154-177 km/hr (83-95knots). Almost all of the track models …
21 August 2011
Irene Getting Stronger- Heads Up To East Coast Residents
Irene is now packing winds of 50 mph, and has become much better organized during the afternoon hours on Sunday. There has been a significant shift in the track guidance overnight with almost all of the NWP models and statistical models are trending toward an east coast threat. A tropical storm watch is now posted for the SE Bahamas and I suspect the government there will raise this …
1 August 2011
Weekend Digest- Tropical Trouble, Melting Ice and Mainstream Scientists Speak Out
This is the weekly digest of Earth science news that I said would be posted every Friday. OK, so it’s a bit late but it is still the weekend and what follows is a summary of interesting tidbits I’ve seen this week on other science blogs etc. We begin with the great 2011 drought/heat wave: Deep Fried Texans Austin, Texas is happy to wave so long to July. …
27 July 2011
Will Tropical Storm Don Bust Texas Drought?
Tropical storm Don formed late this afternoon in the southeast Gulf and it looks likely that it will bring some much-needed rain to Texas in about 3 days. While the waters are very warm in the Gulf, the risk of Don becoming a major hurricane do not look high, and it will likely do more good than harm. This is especially true if it stays below hurricane strength. Wind shear …
1 February 2011
Historic Blizzard Pounds Plains/Midwest; Aussies Brace for Yasi
From Oklahoma to Illinois a blizzard is raging this evening. Tulsa broke it’s one day snow record with 13.2 inches and Chicago, at 4 PM CST, was reporting blinding snow and winds near gale force. Winds are likely near 50, in gusts along Michigan Avenue, near the lake front. Here is the official NWS Chicago forecast for tonight: Tonight: Snow and widespread blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at …
Australia Braces as Cyclone Yasi Hits 120kts.
After the floods last month in Queensland, Australia does NOT need this. Cyclone YASI is headed for North Queensland and it is one mean storm. Winds are extreme in YASI with Three second wind gusts estimated at 120 knots. Sustained 10 minute winds are at 85 kts. and climbing. Yasi is a huge storm and also a wet one. It looks very likely there will be a direct hit and the biggest threat is not the winds, but massive flooding.
13 September 2010
Amazing 1 minute GOES Imagery of Hurricane Igor
Tip of the hat to my friend and fellow meteorologist T.J. Malone for this incredible view of the eye of Hurricane Igor. Igor is packing 150 mph winds and almost a cat 5 storm. Igor will not affect the U.S. and it’s unlikely to hit Canada either. Bermuda residents should keep an eye on it (Pardon the pun). The first few frames are the usual every 30 minutes but then …
Dan Satterfield has worked as an on air meteorologist for 32 years in Oklahoma, Florida and Alabama. Forecasting weather is Dan's job, but all of Earth Science is his passion. This journal is where Dan writes about things he has too little time for on air. Dan blogs about peer-reviewed Earth science for Junior High level audiences and up.