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1 July 2022
In Case You Were Wondering About This…
In case you were wondering… IF Bonnie has a recognizable circulation (Tropical Depression), into the Pacific, and then regenerates, the name Bonnie will continue to be used by the National Hurricane Center. If it falls apart to a disturbance, and then regenerates, then a Pacific cyclone name will be assigned. I must say, this makes scientific sense and it is something that comes up, although rarely. Since the mid-1800’s, only …
15 June 2020
“Sharpie-Gate” Report says Two Top NOAA Officials Violated Scientific Integrity Guidelines
When NOAA leadership reprimanded the NWS office in Birmingham over a social media post, there was outrage among both government and private sector meteorologists. The reason, of course, it that the tweet was accurate even though it conflicted with a statement by the President. The NWS office had no knowledge of that statement, but without scientific doubt, the NWS office was correct. A NOAA report today found that this was …
12 December 2019
NWS Makes Needed Changes to Flash Flood Warnings
What is the number one weather killer in the United States? Did you say tornadoes or hurricanes? If so, you are wrong, but don’t feel bad because everyone misses this question. What IS the main weather killer? In most years it is heat but close behind is floods and particularly flash floods. It seems that nearly every year brings a flood event with great damage and several fatalities. Then there’s …
19 November 2019
NOAA: October 2019 Was 2nd hottest. 5 Hottest Octobers All since 2013.
This from NOAA : The combined global land and ocean surface temperature departure from average for October 2019 was the second-highest for October in the 140-year record at 0.98°C (1.76°F) above the 20th century average 14.0°C (57.1°F). This value is just 0.06°C (0.11°F) shy of tying the record warm October set in 2015. The 10 warmest Octobers have occurred since 2003; however, the five warmest Octobers have all occurred since …
10 September 2019
NWS Director and Chief Science Officer at NOAA Back NWS Hurricane Tweet; Who Wrote NOAA Friday Statement??
In a (not really) surprising turn of events, Monday, the Director of the National Weather Service Louis Uccinelli and NOAA’s chief science officer publicly backed a tweet issued by the NWS office in Birmingham on Sept. 1st. That tweet (which was scientifically accurate) told residents that Hurricane Dorian would not be a threat to Alabama. It was posted after their phones melted with rumors that Alabama would be hit much …
8 September 2019
American Meteorological Society & NWS Leadership Issue Statements Supporting NWS Employees/ WAPO- Forecasters Warned Not To Give Opinions on Forecast!
The American Meteorological Society tonight posted a statement supporting the NWS office that was criticized by an unsigned NOAA statement Friday night. (See here and here). In addition, an all-hands email was sent Saturday by NWS Director Uccellini and the Deputy Director/Executive Council. Note the sentence I highlighted in the email. Note the Washington Post is reporting tonight that top NOAA officials warned employees not to correct the President in …
7 September 2019
Anger Among Public and Meteorologists after False Unsigned NOAA Statement
Last Sunday morning the forecasters at the NWS were giving a huge sigh of relief. It had been certain for at least two days that Hurricane Dorian would not be an issue there. The forecast cone from the NHC by midday Saturday continued to show Florida and areas up the Eastern Seaboard would be in the path of Dorian. Then the phones started ringing off the hook and social media …
6 September 2019
NOAA Issues False Statement About Alabama Hurricane Impacts
On Sunday the NWS in Birmingham put this tweet out: It was correct based on the guidance and on the public forecasts issued by the National Hurricane Center. Their forecast was actually nearly spot-on as well. Tonight an unnamed person at NOAA issued this statement (below) Friday evening. This statement is false. The tweet from the NWS in Birmingham was correct. This is a dark day for NOAA. I have …
20 July 2018
A Space and History Lesson on the 49th Anniversary of the Moon Landing
It was 49 years ago today that Apollo 11 landed on the Moon, and while I remember it vividly, I often think about those who were born after that event. Can they truly imagine the wonder of it? If you’re under 50, you grew up in a world where people walking on the Moon was a part of our history and I know you appreciate the event, but likely not …
16 April 2018
Notes From A Slow Motion Disaster
Assateague Nat. Seashore is one of the jewels of Maryland and I never tire of soaking in the beauty of this windswept barrier island at the edge of the continent. This past weekend I grabbed my camera and spent some time with the famous pony’s on the back side of the barrier island away from the beach. While doing so, I noticed something that few visitors would: climate change underway …
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.