Ice Station Housman: Recent Episodes
Becky DePodwin, Joel Housman, Jimmy Marks
Ice Station Housman is a show all about the weather – what causes it, what effect it has on us puny humans, and what we can do to improve the weather and/or our reaction to it. Hosted by weather enthusiasts, Jimmy Marks and Joel Housman and ACTUAL METEOROLOGIST Becky Elliot.
On this year's episode, Becky, Jimmy, and Joel are all joined once again by Dan to talk about the upcoming snow storm due to arrive this week. They also discuss lobster wind, bidets, and toilet paper habits.
Show Notes! Accuweather - Major winter storm could unload 2 feet of snow or more in places
Capital Weather Gang - D.C. region faces heavy snow, ice and flooding Wednesday from major Mid-Atlantic storm
On this week's show, Jimmy is on a work trip so Becky and Joel are joined by Mihn Phan and Castle Williams from the WeatherHype podcast.
Show Notes! Weather Hype - http://www.weatherhypepodcast.com/
National Weather Podcast Month - https://weatherpodcastmonth.com
Pew Research Center - For Local News, Americans Embrace Digital but Still Want Strong Community Connection
NOAA Storm Surge Overview - https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/
Impact 360 Alliance - https://impact360alliance.org
Music by dodie - "There's A Storm Coming Tonight"
On this week's episode, Joel, Jimmy, and Becky talk about the bomb cyclone current in progress in the midwest known as Ulmer.
Show Notes! National Weather Podcast Month #NWPM
- Joel was a guest on Weather Brains Episode 685
80 MPH gust in Amarillo TX blows over a tractor-trailer truck. And another one.
Colorado Springs wind gust up to 97 MPH.
Train Derailment near Logan, NM.
Annotated map explaining the formation of the bomb cyclone.
Dust showing up on GOES-17 blowing up from eastern Texas.
On this week's episode, Becky's husband Dan DePodwin joins us to discuss historical cold snaps like the one we just experienced.
Show Notes! Devastation of the FL Citrus Crop in 1894/1895
https://medium.com/florida-history/the-great-freezes-1894-95-and-the-collapse-of-the-florida-orange-industry-7442e5d75337
December 29 1984 (18 Orlando; 24 West Palm)
1899 Cold Snap
http://appalachianmagazine.com/2017/01/17/the-coldest-day-in-american-history/
Official Monthly Weather Review from the Weather Bureau https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/Monthly-Weather-Review-February-1899.pdf
- February 13th
- TLH -2F w/snow + capitol snowball fights
- MIA sub 30 (29) - only recorded a lower temperature twice
- Lexington, VA 70”; only a few hours drive away :)
- Port of NO completely frozen causing significant economical challenges
- Partially responsible for recession in June to 1901
- Virginia (6th coldest February on record)
- -3 Richmond
- -12 Alexandria
- Frost in Cuba
1936 Cold and Heat
February 1936 - Coldest Feb on record, narrowingly beating 1899.
The average temperature in Devils Lake for a five-week period ending Feb. 21, 1936 was -21. McIntosh, S.D., hit -58, Jordan, Mont. -60 and Sceptre, Sask., -63.
The Minot Daily News reported on Feb. 17, 1936, that “the cold spell that has brought sub-zero weather for 46 days will hold sway” for a few more days. According to the NWS Minot averaged 32 degrees below normal throughout February 1936. Relief came in the form of temperatures ranging from -10 to -20, or 50 to 60 degrees less than what the Minot area has been experiencing this winter.
121 degree record experienced in ND on July 6 (Steele, ND). - http://www.minotdailynews.com/news/local-news/2016/02/1936-coldest-winter-ever/
Followed by one of the most extreme summers on record.
- 5000 deaths
- Some low temps above 90
- 100 degrees on 8 consecutive days at Midway
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1936_North_American_heat_wave
https://blog.genealogybank.com/were-having-a-heat-wave-your-ancestors-miserable-summer-of-1936.html
1985 Cold Wave
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_1985_cold_wave
Coldest morning (-18) in Pittsburgh since 1899.
1986 Challenger Disaster
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_wave
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Challenger_disaster
On this week's show we discuss tornados throughout the year in 2018. Ian Livingston and Katie Wheatley join Becky, Jimmy, and Joel to review the overall muted tornado season.
Show Notes! Tri-state Tornado
2018 will be the first year with no violent tornadoes in the United States
Rare December tornado rips into homes in Seattle area
The biggest tornado events of 2018
An overview of the modern tornado record, 1950 through present (maps)
Ian & Katie's website: USTornadoes.com
Storm Prediction Center
Ian's Twitter: @islivingston
Katie's Twitter: @mapgirl18
Its the beginning of Season Two! On this week's show we discuss last winter vs this winter snow total predictions as well as talk about another El Nino, the "polar vortex", the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO).
Show Notes! Winter 2018 - 2019 Last winter's prediction results.
The North Atlantic Oscillation
Global Patterns: Arctic & North Atlantic Oscillations
FiveThirtyEight Forecasts The National Dog Show
This year's snow predictions:
- Jimmy @ Richmond Airport: 37 inches
- Becky @ Penn State U: 42 inches
- Joel @ Dulles Airport: 46 inches
Current Arctic Oscillation Status
Current North Atlantic Oscillation Status
This week on the show the gang talks about the recent Nor'easters and what causes them.
Show Notes! Show predictions before Winter:
- Joel: 25" for Dulles
- Becky: 43" for State College
- Jimmy: 8" for Richmond Airport
Actual measured snowfall:
- Dulles: 11.8”
- State College: 14.9”
- Richmond: 12.4”
Jimmy guessed the amount closest to actual, so he wins.
Wikipedia: Nor'easter
Why Are There Suddenly So Many Nor'Easters?
Accuweather: What is a Nor'easter?
Dakota Smith, aka @weatherdak's The Four Nor'easters of March GIF.
This week's music if the Revival March by John Phillips Sousa.
March is National Weather Podcast month! There are a lot of other great weather podcasts participating in this program that we want you to check out as well. Please go to weatherpodcastmonth.com to check them out.
On this week's show, Becky, Jimmy, and Joel talk about the upcoming cold weather pattern that is going to affect most of the US for the next couple weeks, how we did for snowfall predictions from last winter, and our predictions for the upcoming winter.
Show Notes! Winter Weather Predicitons:
- NOAA
- Accuweather
- Wunderground
- The Weather Channel
- Capital Weather Gang
- Climate.gov
- The Farmer's Bullshitbook Almanac
November La Nina Update
Ryan Maue's GFS GIF
NOAA's Winter Outlook
Snow Predictions:
Joel: 25" for Dulles
Becky: 43" for State College
Jimmy: 8" for Richmond Airport
On this week's episode, Becky, Jimmy and Joel cover Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath as well as Hurricane Irma, the impact the storm has had so far and what is expected to come.
Show Notes! Becky's Irma Twitter List
Beck's Facebook Stormblog
Hurricane Harvey LANDFALL * The forgotten but freakish damage from Hurricane Harvey’s eyewall in Rockport, Tex.
FLOODING * Harvey marks the most extreme rain event in U.S. history * Texas flood disaster: Harvey has unloaded 9 trillion gallons of water * The Houston Flooding Pushed the Earth's Crust Down 2 Centimeters
TORNADOES FROM HARVEY * http://www.ustornadoes.com/2017/08/30/hurricane-harveys-tornado-action/
HARVEY RELIEF FUND * Global Giving Harvey Relief
FORECASTING * Forecasts for Harvey were excellent but show where predictions can improve * Incredible meteorological imagery from Hurricane Harvey
GOES-16 HAVEY IMAGERY * 2017/08/24 - Harvey restrengthens into a Hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico - Geocolor - HTML5 Loop * 2017/08/25 - 30-second imagery showing powerful Hurricane Harvey approach the Texas Coast - Band 2 Visible - HTML5 Loop * 2017/08/28 - Band 13 IR Summary of Harvey from 8/25 to 8/28 - tremendous amounts of rain in southeast Texas - HTML5 Loop * 2017/08/31 - Brown flood waters streaming from Galveston Bay into the Gulf - Geocolor - HTML5 Loop
Hurricane Irma TRACK * NHC Irma Track * Category 5 Irma stays on perilous path toward Florida; hurricane watch issued * Hot Water Ahead for Hurricane Irma * Irma vs Andrew - https://twitter.com/JoelNihlean/status/905845846687789058/photo/1
LANDFALL * How to prepare for Hurricane Irma * The Storm Reaches Puerto Rico: ‘There Is Nothing Like This
GOES-16 IRMA IMAGERY: * GOES-16 vs GOES-13 * A GOES-16 Look at the Ferocious Hurricane Irma * NASA SPoRT Twitter Account
Post Image
Image courtesy of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Astronaut Randy Bresnik took this photo of Tropical Storm Harvey from the International Space Station on Aug. 28 at 1:27 p.m. CDT.
Music
Outro music is "Muddy Water" by The Seldom Scene.
Sponsor
This episode is sponsored by Audible. You can get a free audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/icestationhousman. With over 180,000 titles to choose from, you wont have difficulty in finding something you'll enjoy. Thanks for your support.
On this week's episode, our dynamic trio cover a number of topics including NASA's Juno probe flyby of Jupiter, recent flash flooding, weather twitter, a rogue ice berg, and the upcoming solar eclipse.
Music: This week's outro music was "I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet" by Carol King.
Sponsors: This week's episode is sponsored by Audible. You can get a free audiobook download and a 30 day free trial at audibletrial.com/icestationhousman. With over 180,000 titles to choose from, you wont have difficulty in finding something you'll enjoy. Thanks for your support.
Show Notes! LARSON ICE SHELF BREAK OFF One of the biggest icebergs in recorded history just broke loose from Antarctica
FLASH FLOODING IN ARIZONA Arizona flash flood sweeps away family relaxing in swimming hole, killing 9
JUNO'S GREAT RED SPOT PICTURES Juno’s Great Red Spot pics are amazing! Here are some fun facts about Jupiter’s giant storm.
UPCOMING TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE ON AUGUST 21ST, 2017 Map of totality path.
On this week's episode we take the listener from the tropics, where Tropical Storm Cindy was, all the way to Alaska and the land of the glaciers.
Show Notes! TROPICAL STORM CINDY GOES-16 GIF of Cindy, via http://www.alabamawx.com/?p=137516
Cindy: Tropical storm Cindy threatens ‘life-threatening’ floods along northern Gulf Coast before moving inland
Cindy remnants impact mid-atlantic Friday & Saturday
AccuWeather Ready
ALASKA WEATHER Alaska Climate Research Center
Chicken, Alaska
Glacier Calving
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC3VTgIPoGU <— big one
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL3EjH9-WSs
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nhtWR8ZcS4
Brian Bettschneider, PhD Climatologist, Alaska Weather, Moose Videos
On this week's episode, we cover babies and how weather affects them along with a plethora of other rat-hole topics and a little followup on recent weather events.
Show Notes! Unusually Hot or Cold Weather Could Affect Babies' Weight
What Your Birth Season Could Say About You
Temperature-dependent sex determination
Effects of Extreme Weather on Reproductive Success in a Temperate-Breeding Songbird
Effects of climate on reproduction in cattle.
Today is the least cool day to be born
Review: Sara Watkins, 'Young In All The Wrong Ways'
Capital Weather Gang - Multiple tornadoes hit the D.C. area Thursday. We have video evidence.
This week on the show we discuss proposed budget cuts by the Trump Administration to the weather related government programs.
Show Notes! Weather Service Employees ‘Shocked’ by Reported Budget Cuts
Quote from above article:
“It’s not a well-thought-through idea, in my opinion,” said Daniel Sobien, president of the National Weather Service Employees Organization. Though he speaks only for the relatively large weather service staff, the cuts discussed in the White House-to-agency “pass-back” documents will affect all of NOAA—“the people who make sure employees get paid, do the hiring and the paperwork, plus the satellite program, which has a direct link to weather forecasting,” he said. NWS is highly dependent on the rest of NOAA, he said.
NOAA overall is reportedly slated for a 17 percent cut, but NWS and the National Marine Fisheries Service would take a hit of just 5 percent. But that is still “hugely devastating,” Sobien said. That’s because the lack of say for managers in reshuffling discretionary spending means that “the only thing they can do is lay people off, so it’s just as bad as a 17 percent cut,” he said.”
Trump's Plan to Slash NOAA Budget Puts Lives, Climate Research at Risk, Scientists Say
Quote from above article:
“The National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service, which monitors weather and collects climate data, would see the largest budget cut – $513 million, or 22 percent of its funding.
Former NOAA employees say the move would put the American public in danger.
Jane Lubchenco, NOAA administrator under President Barack Obama, told weather.com the "draconian cuts" to the agency that oversees weather forecasting and funds weather and climate research would "be devastating to the economy, jobs and to the safety and livelihoods of Americans in every state."
Many of the cuts are directly relevant to NOAA’s ability to provide timely and accurate weather forecasts and warnings, now and in the future, Lubchenco said. She called the cuts to the satellite program, NWS and research program particularly worrisome, noting 90 percent of weather forecasting data comes from satellites.”
Notes from Katie
NOAA
$990 mil cut from budget
$83 mil for ship to do ocean surveys
$400 mil cut from Polar Follow-On: satellites schedules to launch in 2024/26 for forecasting
$100 mil cut from satellite services which could impact climate data collection
26% cut to recharting the coastlines
From the Washington Post: The programs in the crosshairs include NOAA’s Coastal Zone Management grants and Regional Coastal Resilience grants, which come to $75 million combined, according to the document; its $10 million in Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency grants; the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, an annual investment of about $23 million; and its $73 million Sea Grant program.
Regional Coastal Resilience grants, which deal more specifically with bracing communities for adverse climate and weather events. These programs “build resilience of coastal communities to the negative impacts from extreme weather events, climate hazards, and changing ocean conditions,” according to a recent NOAA presentation.
the Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency Grants, which are more focused on restoring ecosystems so they can adjust to changing conditions in a way that also benefits humans. Wetlands, when healthy, can help keep pace with sea-level rise.
Also proposed for the chopping block are several research and education initiatives that provide valuable information to help coastal communities plan for the future. The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a group of 29 sites throughout the coastal United States — including spots along the East and West coasts, the Gulf Coast, the Great Lakes, Hawaii and Alaska — that have been set aside specifically for the study of estuarine systems, or the areas where rivers flow into the sea. The program produces scientific data on these unique ecosystems and provides training and education for local communities and policymakers on protecting and managing them.
Of similar importance is the Sea Grant program, a partnership between NOAA and universities across the nation, which supports coastal research and education. The program relies on on-the-ground agents, who help establish a “real connection” between academics and coastal communities, said Jeff Carney, an architecture professor and director of the Coastal Sustainability Studio at Louisiana State University, which houses the Louisiana Sea Grant program. These programs can be vital sources of information on everything from fisheries management to storm preparation.
EPA
$330 mil cut from Superfund Cleanups. 30% reduction
$129 mil cut from EPA enforcement to catch polluters. 33% reduction
$233 mil cut from EPA research that establishes federal health and safety guidelines 50% reduction
$482 mil cut from EPA assistance grants that go to state and tribal to clean up pesticides and toxic wastes. 40% reduction
$347 mil cut from 50 EPA programs like Energy Star and diesel engine replacement meant to reduce emissions.
From Washington Post:
proposal by the White House would slash the EPA’s budget by 31 percent — nearly one third — from its current level of $8.1 billion to $5.7 billion. It would cut 3,200 positions, or more than 20 percent of the agency’s current workforce of about 15,000.
would discontinue funding for the Clean Power Plan — the signature Obama administration effort to combat climate change by regulating carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. It would sharply reduce money for the Superfund program and cut the budget for the EPA’s prominent Office of Research and Development roughly in half, to $250 million.
It also would eliminate “more than 50 EPA programs.” Among them: the Energy Star program, which aims to improve energy efficiency and save consumers money; infrastructure assistance to Alaska Native villages and the Mexico border; a grant program that helps cities and states combat air pollution; and an office that focuses on environmental justice issues.
Article from Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trump-budget-cuts-funds-for-epa-by-31-percent/
Some programs at EPA would see increases. The blueprint would shift $4 million above current spending levels to state revolving funds and $20 million to the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt had said he wanted to protect those funds.
The State Department, which saw perhaps the largest cut behind EPA, is shouldering much of Trump's emphasis on nationalism. The president is fulfilling his promises to depress U.S. activity abroad by eliminating the Global Climate Change Initiative. The budget also zeros out funding for the Green Climate Fund and the Climate Investment Funds.
The White House would eliminate the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), as well as loan guarantee programs, greenhouse gas reducing technologies and advanced vehicle programs.
The Office of Science would see a $900 million cut and is meant, according to the proposal, to focus on "basic science and energy research and development."
The budget also would include $140 million to restart licensing activities for nuclear waste storage at Yucca Mountain, a thorny issue on Capitol Hill.
Chesapeake Bay
$73 mil to $0 Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay Program: Regional partnership that directs and conducts the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay in the United States. As a partnership, the Chesapeake Bay Program brings together members of various state, federal, academic and local watershed organizations to build and adopt policies that support Chesapeake Bay restoration. By combining the resources and unique strengths of each individual organization, the Chesapeake Bay Program is able to follow a unified plan for restoration.
Became part of the EPA in 1983
50+ partnerships involved
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is a non-profit organization devoted to the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay in the United States. It was founded in 1967 and has headquarters offices in Annapolis, Maryland.
Budget cut worries:
Most of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s federal money goes to states, local governments and community groups through grants. The foundation focuses on coordinating and monitoring the efforts of the six bay watershed states and the District of Columbia. Besides Virginia, these states include Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
From Capital Gazette (Maryland Newspaper) a closer look at proposed cuts for other federal departments and agencies that collaborate in the bay restoration effort makes clear that the impact on the bay would go well beyond this single onerous and inexplicable decision. As The Capital has noted, the impact will trickle down to bay cleanup efforts at the state and county levels, too.
Great Lakes
$330 mil to $0 GLRI
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was launched in 2010 to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world — the Great Lakes
The program, primarily administered through the EPA, has traditionally enjoyed strong bipartisan support and has standalone authorization at that funding level through 2021, meaning Congress can restore some or all funding.
Our first episode where all three co-hosts are in the same studio for recording! On this week's episode we discuss how the GOES-16 weather satellite is progressing, the recent severe weather outbreak in the mid-west, a check-in on the rainfall and drought in California, the weird winter we've been having, and we cover our main topic of ocean currents and how they affect the weather.
Show Notes! GOES-16 * Cool GIF of a radar loop generated from GOES-16 * GOES-R/GOES-16 Website
MID-WEST SEVERE OUTBREAK * US Tornados: The largest tornado outbreaks of 2017
RAINFALL / DROUGHT CHECK-IN IN CALIFORNIA * Lake Oroville & the dam/spillway damage/overflow * US Drought Monitor Website * The drought in Washington, D.C., is now just as bad as California’s * Capital Weather Gang: 500 inches and counting: Snow has clobbered California ski resorts this winter
WEIRD WINTER / LACK OF SNOW IN CHICAGO * For The First Time In 146 Years Chicago Goes Without Snow During January And February
Main Topic: Ocean Current and how they affect the weather * NOAA Ocean Explorer Website * Global Ocean Currents Map * NOAA Ocean Service Facts page * How Do Ocean Currents Affect Weather? * National Geographic: Ocean Currents & Climate * XKCD: Earth Temperature Timeline * GOES-16 data on Twitter
On this week's episode, Becky, Jimmy, and Joel welcome guest Steve Travis, a meteorologist for Accuweather on the show to talk about the recent storms that have impacted the west coast, and lightened California's drought conditions. Steve also talks about what his typical day is like as a weather forecaster vs. what people perceive he does.
**Show Notes!** Topic 1: West Coast Storms rain and snowfall. How have they affected California's Drought? * Five feet of snow and counting — California fire hose continues through the weekend
- Seven feet of snow in seven days, and the California ski resorts are rejoicing
- The drought is over in Northern California after up to 20 inches of rain and 12 feet of snow
- After 'pretty extraordinary' snowfall, Sierra Nevada braces for another battering from atmospheric river
- An example of how rainfall has impaxted lake levels. A before and after picture of Lake Oroville from January 2016 to January 2017.
Topic 2: Perceptions vs Reality: What does a meteorologist actually do, vs. what do people think they do? This week's outro music was "It Never Rains in Southern California" by Albert Hammond.
On this week's show Jimmy, Becky, and Joel take a walk down the memory lane of significant weather events in 2016, of which Snowzilla is the most memorable. It was also a year full of flood events, both tropical and non-tropical in nature. We take a look ahead to 2017 and how La Nina might shape the weather in the coming year.
Show Notes! Topic: The weather of 2016-year in review + La Nina
- Snowzilla tops list of 2016’s most significant weather events in Washington
- Year of the flood: The nation’s 10 most extreme weather events of 2016
- La Niña
- NOAA La Nina page
- What is La Nina?
- La Niña Is Here and Expected to Last Through Winter
Our predictions for 2017:
- Jimmy says its the year of fog
- Becky is skeptical and wants data
Winter 2016-2017 season snowfall predictions for nearest reporting station:
- Joel says Dulles 42”
- Jimmy says Dulles 36”
- Becky says Penn State 38”
Princess Leia' Life Day Song from the Star Wars Holiday Special.
Debbie Reynolds sings "Good Mornin'" in Singing In The Rain
On this week's show Jimmy, Becky, and Joel welcome back Katie Wheatley as well as a new guest, Ian Livingston to recap the 2016 Tornado season. We talk about how El Nino affected tornadoes in the US this year, how this year compares to previous years, and what the biggest outbreaks were. We also have brief follow-up on coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef as well as news that GOES-R is now GOES-16.
Show Notes! Follow-up: * Life and death after Great Barrier Reef bleaching * GOES-R is now GOES-16
Topic: The 2016 Tornado Season * A mere one tornado has struck the U.S. in November as yearly totals near historic lows * What were the biggest outbreaks of the year? The largest tornado outbreaks of 2016 * Jimmy's creepy supermoon photo. * Halloween Dad * Ian Livingston's 2016 Storm Chasing Flickr Album
On this week's show Becky, Jimmy and Joel have Dan DePodwin on to talk about weather satellites and the upcoming launch of the new GOES-R satellite.
Show Notes! Topic: Weather Satellites and GOES-R * Wikipedia: Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) * Wikipedia: GOES-R * NASA's GOES-R Website * GOES-R Spacecraft Overview * Lockheed Martin's GOES-R Datasheet (PDF) * Photos: Atlas 5 rocket assembled for crucial GOES-R satellite launch * Rocket Launch: United Launch Alliance Atlas V GOES-R
This week's outro music is the song Satellite, by Dave Matthews Band.
On this week's show, our intrepid trio discuss the recent Hurricane Matthew. We review how the storm was forecasted, the impact it made on Haiti, Cuba, the Bahamas, and the United States.
Show Notes! Topic: The aftermath of Hurricane Matthew Gifs we mentioned in the show:
Forecast Track
Radar Loop
Popular Science: Hurricane Matthew Was Deceptively Powerful
Impact on Haiti:
- Before and After Satellite Images Show Haiti's Catastrophic Damage From Hurricane Matthew
- Haiti Before and After Hurricane Matthew in Satellite Images
Impact on the United States:
- Horrific rains and ocean surge: Hurricane Matthew by the numbers
- How Hurricane Matthew created such a devastating deluge in the Carolinas
- Florida Was Spared the Wrath of Hurricane Matthew's Worst Winds By Just Miles
- ‘Extremely dangerous’ flooding to grip N.C. for days, governor warns
- Matthew, Atlantic’s Deadliest Hurricane in 11 Years, Heads for Georgia, S. Carolina
Impact on Nova Scotia, Canada:
- Storm blows the lights out in parts of Atlantic Canada
This week's outro music is "Hurricane" by Bob Dylan WHO JUST WON THE 2016 NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE! Congrats Bob. We know you love our show.
On this episode, we begin a deep-dive on some of the most devastating hurricanes (officially-named storms only) of the last century. From Camille in '69 to Sandy in '12 (that's a weird way to write that), we look at the impacts these storms had on human life, our economy, governance, emergency response, and the culture. This one's less goofy than other one's we've done, but there's some damn-fine analysis and Wikipedia reading going on. Also, Becky explains why these storms behaved the way they did, and since she knows what she's talking about, you'll probably learn a lot!
SHOW NOTES! Small topics, News, & Follow-up: Astrological vs Meteorological Seasons
- Joel thinks Astrological seasons are stupid and we should all just agree to follow Meteorological seasons.
- Jimmy thinks Joel is anti-galaxy.
Heavy Rain Event in D.C. Region Wednesday - Friday
- DC Metro area, and parts of the east coast are in a rain deficit over the last couple of months.
- This event has the potential to make up a lot of that rain shortfall
- Potential flooding if the event verifies on the larger side of what the models are estimating
Tropical Storm Matthew
- The track of the storm has a lot of potential for strengthening.
- Should continue west until this weekend and then make a turn to the north.
- Question is: Will it turn sooner, and hit Haiti, or will it turn later, miss Jamaica and hit Cuba (and then Florida later on)
Main Topic: Most “Impactful” Hurricanes in modern history Hurricane Camille
- Track of Camille
Hurricane Hugo
- Track of Hugo
Hurricane Raymond
Hurricane Hazel
Hurricane Andrew
- Track of Andrew
Hurricane Isabel
- Track of Isabel
- The inlet at Cape Hatteras that Isabel cut across the island
Hurricane Ivan
- Track of Ivan
Hurricane Katrina
- Radiolab - “Playing God”
- Track of Katrina
- Photo from a NOAA WP-3D Hurricane Hunter aircraft from inside Katrina’s eye
Hurricane Rita
- Track of Rita
- Photo of Holly Beach
Hurricane Wilma
- Track of Wilma
- Records Wilma set
- Wilma went from being a Tropical Storm to a Category 5 Hurricane in 16 hours
Hurricane Sandy
- Track of Sandy
- The Bounty, which sank off Cape Hatteras
“The Semi-Hospitable Beach House and You” by Jimmy Marks
Closing music: "Hurricane" from the musical Hamilton
The peak of hurricane season is upon us! We discuss some of the storms going on at the time of this recording, as well as some basics about tropical systems. How they work, what sizes they can be and what storm surge is.
Show Notes! Recent Weather News * How to help Louisiana Flood Victims * Midwest Tornado Outbreak * Deadly lightning strike kills 323 Reindeer
Some Tropical Links: * Tropical Storm Hermine * National Hurricane Center * Becky's blog on Hermine-impacts to Delmarva, New Jersey and southern New England beaches * What are hurricanes? * Saffir Simpson Scale * Sea Temperatures
This week's musical outro: "Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season" by Jimmy Buffet.
The photo above is courtesy of the NASA Earth Observatory taken on September 1, 2016.
On this week's show, we discuss microbursts, recent flooding, the beginning of hurricane season, "rain bombs", and our recent heat wave. Also, Jimmy doesn't accept that we've exhausted all possible planets we could live on...
Show Notes! Recent Weather News * Our recent heat wave * Microbursts + Recent photogenic Microburst over Phoenix, AZ + Delta Air Lines Flight 191 crash * "Rain Bombs" * Historic flooding in Ellicott City, MD * Peak Hurricane Season is upon us + Becky telling you what you need to know to prepare and be safe. + 2016 Hurricane Names
Topic: Alternative Universe Weather * Tatooine * Westeros * Arrakis
This week's outro is ""If you Luke father west....if you're Wookiee" Today's Star Wars weather" courtesy of this video.
In a twist on the normal discussion of weather on Earth, the crew of Ice Station Housman takes a journey through the solar system to see what other planet's weather is like.
The main goal: to determine which planet humans can relocate to in the unfortunate case of Earth becoming inhabitable.
Show Notes! Introductions- The gang's all here! Joel, Jimmy and Becky tackle the complexities of space together.
Topic: Other Planet's Weather * Mercury: http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/ask/27-What-is-the-weather-like-on-Mercury- * Venus: http://www.universetoday.com/36721/weather-on-venus/ * Mars: http://mars.nasa.gov/ * Jupiter and moons: Europa and Io: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/jupiter * Saturn: http://www.space.com/18473-saturn-temperature.html * Saturn's moon: Titan: http://www.space.com/15257-titan-saturn-largest-moon-facts-discovery-sdcmp.html * Saturn's hexagon storm: http://www.space.com/30608-mysterious-saturn-hexagon-explained.html * Uranus: http://nineplanets.org/uranus.html * Neptune: http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/ask/150-What-is-the-weather-like-on-Neptune- * Neptune's moon: Triton: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/triton * Pluto: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/pluto
This week's intro music is "Lucy In The Sky, With Diamonds" by The Beatles.
Our outro music is "Life On Mars?" by David Bowie.
This episode's background image courtesy of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The image was taken by Hubble. Read more information about the photo.
This week Becky, Jimmy, and Joel are joined by Katie Wheatley, GIS mapping expert, to talk about mapping the weather.
Show Notes Introductions Katie's bio on USTornadoes.com
Today's Topic: Mapping the weather. * Geographic Information System - So, what is GIS again? * Green Screen Difficulties: A pretty good green screen fail * The NWS enhanced data display * A sea breeze vs. a sea breeze cocktail * Tornado Town, USA by Maggie Koerth-Baker at Fivethirtyeight.com.
This weeks outro-music is "Maps" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
On this week's show we discuss the four day severe weather outbreak from earlier last week as well as what YOU should do in the event of a tornado warning. Jimmy is out this week, so Becky and Joel review a blog post she wrote in early 2015 covering the topic of tornado safety. We also cover the discussion that popped up this week related to the old vs new method for rating tornado severity and highlight a number of intense videos from the past week's storms.
Show Notes! Introductions - Jimmy is out this week at a conference and was unable to co-host - so its just Becky and Joel.
Topic: Tornado Safety * Becky reviews the severe weather outbreak, day by day. * How to Prepare for Severe Weather and Stay Safe During an Outbreak * Insane photo of a very lucky young man who followed proper tornado safety procedures * Affordable, $25 weather radio * More expensive, but better quality weather radio
EF3 vs EF5 discussion related to Oklahoma tornado * Fujita Scale (for review) * Relevant tweet about the discussion
Scary Tornado Videos From This Outbreak * Katie, Oklahoma Tornado - close video. * Katie, Oklahoma Tornado - from several miles away. * Sulphur, Oklahoma Tornado - watch from 4:00 until 6:30 to see the section we were discussing about the storm chaser Tim Marshal deploying a sensor pod. * Wray, Colorado Tornado - the "photogenic" tornado we were talking about from the very first day of the storms. The Capital Weather Gang posted a good snapshot of photos from this storm as well.
Also, after we finished recording this episode, USTornados.com did a big writeup specifically about the Katie, OK Tornado.
This week's outro music was "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) by Dead or Alive.
This is it...the next chapter in Ice Station Housman's history begins with a bang as Becky Elliott, real-life-no-fooling meteorologist and severe weather junkie joins Joel and Jimmy as a full-time host! Huzzah!
Becky gives us an insider's perspective on storm chasing - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Plus, Joel gloats over his LaserDisc copy of Twister, Jimmy makes his demands, and the hyperloop tube back to Virginia adds a second stop in Pennsylvania.
Show Notes! * ‘Godzilla’ El Niño is dead * NO MORE ALL CAPS WEATHER ADVISORIES FROM THE NWS * The all-ASCII weather page * Amateur storm chasers can be an asset...or a liability * The El Reno, OK Tornado * US Tornadoes, a great resource
Closing music for this episode: "Riding the Storm Out" by REO Speedwagon.
Intro
Follow-up:
Coral Bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef
Topic: Seasons
The Four Seasons: Change Marks the Passing of a Year
How Do The Seasons Work?
How Seasons Work? (video)
99% Invisible, "The Calendar"
Outro Music: "Why Does The Sun Shine?" by They Might Be Giants
Intro
Tornados: a Primer
- General Tornado Information
How do tornadoes form
- How Tornados Form
- Where do Tornados Form
The F-scale
- Tornado Damage Scale (Fujita Scale)
- More info on Fujita Scale
Predictability?
- Tornado Forecasting
- Why are tornado’s so hard to predict
- Will Tornado Prediction Ever Improve?
- Storm Prediction Center HRRR model
The Feb. 26 Tornado in Tidewater VA
- Tornado’s aren’t just in the plains...
- National Weather Service Review of this event
- The path
- The damage
- Jimmy’s first and third-hand accounts of the destruction
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What to do in the event of a Tornado
-
How to Prepare for Severe Weather and Stay Safe During an Outbreak
- Fact or Fiction?: If the Sky Is Green, Run for Cover—A Tornado Is Coming
The "evil meteorologist convoy" from Twister (look at that GMC RV in the back!!!)
Outro music, "Shania Twain - No One Needs To Know" from the Twister Soundtrack.
(Apparently the music video was shot in the house that you saw in the movie Twister that they "aunt"(?) lived in).
This week on the show, El Nino follow-up, listener feedback questions, and winter precipitation. What is the difference between sleet and hail? What is Graupel? What exact atmospheric conditions cause freezing rain? We cover all the answers to these questions and others you might have about winter precipitation.
Show Notes! Introduction El Nino Follow-up El Niño Just Made That Mysterious Warm Blob in the Ocean Disappear
Listener Feedback Follow-up - Thanks Steve Owens! The American Meteorological Society's Weather Resources
Know Your Snow Winter Weather Precipitation Types
- Freezing Drizzle
- Freezing Rain
- Snow
- Sleet
- Hail
- Graupel
- Mixed Rain and Snow
- Ice Crystals
Outro Music: "Looks Like Rain" by Bob Weir.
[Image Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, "NASA Sees Winter Storm Slamming Eastern United States"]
Harken back to a simpler time: January, 2016. Snowzilla (“Winter Storm Jonas” if you’re a weenie) was bearing down on the DC Metro area. Thrill at this tale of yesteryear as Joel and Jimmy consult Becky Elliott (@AccuWxBeck) about the storm, the hard work that goes into predicting major weather events, professional liability in meteorology, and driving in the snow for…fun? What? That’s ridiculous. BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE: Jimmy and Joel recap the storm a few days after and decide once and for all if liking severe weather events (esp. blizzards) is elitist. BONUS FEATURE: Jimmy, sighing dejectedly as Becky and Joel talk about how much they love snow.
“SNOW” NOTES: * Follow Becky on Twitter at @AccuWxBeck * The AccuWeather Storm Blog * EDITOR’S NOTE: The painting Jimmy is referencing is Judith slaying Holofernes [Wikipedia]. As of this writing, Joel has not been beheaded by his and Jimmy’s respective wives. * Look on @joelhousman’s works, ye mighty, and DESPAIR. – via @icestationpod * February 5–6, 2010 North American blizzard (“Snowmageddon”) * February 9–10, 2010 North American blizzard (“Snowmageddon II: Snoverkill”) * North American blizzard of 1996 * Thundersnow * What the hell is a snowboard? * Some great weathercam links + nature.nps.gov + earthcam.com + explore.org + HazeCam + weatherwatchers.org + cograilway.com * "The Weather Next Door" on Medium
OUTRO MUSIC “Let It Go” by Idina Menzel, from the movie ‘Frozen’
This week's episode is remarkable for three reasons:
- Jimmy no longer has laryngitis
- We cover many popular weather myths
- We have a guest!
Not just any guest, mind you: Tiffany Arment! Yes, THE Tiffany Arment! Not just A Tiffany Arment!
We cover all kinds of myths:
- Does lightning strike the same place more than once? Yes, of course. Sometimes, it strikes the same guy many times (a guy who later committed suicide over unrequited love, a fact unknown to the hosts and their guest at the time of recording).
- Is it a good idea to hide under an overpass during a tornado? No, it's not, don't do that.
- Does salt melt ice? It keeps it from forming, but it won't melt it outright.
- Are Tiff and Jimmy best friends now? You bet your ass, they are.
There's a lot to cover, so get to listenin'! Stop believing myths! Start believing facts! Don't get hit by lighting seven times!
Show Notes! Tiffany Arment can be found at: Top Four podcast
Tiffany Arment photography
Some Famous Hurricanes Hurricane Hugo
Hurricane Gloria
Hurricane Fran
Lighting Strikes, Maybe Once, Maybe Twice... Lighting Strike Scars
Roy Sullivan, park ranger
"He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 71 over an unrequited love."
Bummer.
I Haven't the Foggiest Idea... Myth: Fog “burns off”
Russian Face Heat Solutions and You Balaclava
Lifehack: Don't Let Your Pipes Freeze Jimmy's Pipe Burst Story
FROM THE OMBUDSMAN * (The word Jimmy meant to use was “petrified”, not “mortified”) * There are a gazillion articles about weather myths, many of which have many of the same myths listed. Joel pulled most of the myths featured in the show from here. * The closing music for this week wasn't mentioned in the broadcast. It is "Lightning Strikes" by Lou Christie. A very fun song about lighting and how it strikes and strikes again. * Image credit: "Leiden Lighting" by Carolina Ödman
This week on the show, we talk about Jimmy's new Farmer's Almanac and how accurate it has been for the month of December. We also talk about weather stations: what they are, the many places you can find them, and different types of personal weather stations you can get for yourself. We also cover some of our favorite weather apps and websites we think you might find useful. Joel is preparing for the weather in July. Jimmy sounds like a lifelong sword swallower who gargled with rock salt. Check your funometer, there's a podcast a-comin'!
What are weather stations?
Historial weather data for National Airport (DCA) for December 2015
Different personal weather stations we talked about:
Smart Weather Stations
Joel's favorite, the Netatmo:
- Netatmo Weather Station Website
- Netatmo Wearther Station on Amazon
- Netatmo Raing Gauge Add-on on Amazon
- Netatmo Wind Gauge Add-on on Amazon
Elgato's HomeKit compatible Eve Weather outdoor sensor:
- Elgato's Eve Weather Website
- Elgato Eve Weather on Amazon
Dumb Weather Stations
Listings of hundreds of "old school" style, non "smart" weather stations on Amazon
- I would do lots of research and comparisons of reviews before buying any of these as I don't have a good recommendation for any of them. The one I mentioned I own is several years old, and its model has been discontinued. It was made by Ambient Weather.
Portable Weather Devices
The portable, handheld weather meters Jimmy talked about:
- Ambient Weather WM-2
- Ambient Weather WM-4
- Kestrel Pocket Weather Stress Monitor
Antique Weather Stations
A good example of one of the cool, anitque-style weather clock/barometer/thermometer that we talked about on the show with a "glass".
- Galileo Weather Station
Various smartphone and desktop apps we talked about:
Radarscope
Today Weather
Darksky
NOAA Hi-Def Radar
Some of Joel's favorite weather websites:
Weather.gov's Conus Full Mosaic Radar Loop
Weather Undergound's Full Screen Radar Map w/ Weather Station Data
Forecast.io
Forecast.io/lines
United States Wind Map
Global Earth Wind Map
Joel and Jimmy kick off the series with an episode about El Niño, that mysterious shift in warm ocean water that drives the whole planet bonkers every 2(ish) to 7(ish) years. They reflect on tiny changes and big effects, as well as how weather science (and science in general) is often a coin flip; heads is disaster, tails is disappointment.
Introductions
El Niño on Wikipedia
What are El Niño and La Niña? from NOAA.
Chris Farley's El Niño skit on Saturday Night Live.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration El Niño Portal
The NOAA ENSO Blog
Wunderground's El Niño Blog (A truly excellent blog)
What does El Niño mean for the 2015-2016 Winter by Weather.com
November El Niño update: It’s a small world from climate.gov.
Historical White Christmas Chances
Weatherbell.com - a truly excellent, but premium, weather model products site.
El Niño and the Galápagos from climate.gov (we forgot to talk about this in the show, but there is some very cool information here. Check it out).
By one measure, this wicked El Niño is the strongest ever recorded: What it means by Capital Weather Gang (Check out the video in this post - only takes about 3 minutes to watch but does a very good job of giving you a quick, high level explanation of El Niño).
Is the near-record El Niño already chipping away at the California, western drought? by Capital Wearther Gang
This remarkably strong El Niño has topped yet another significant record by Capital Weather Gang
Past weather patterns highlight the difference between snow boom or snow bust during a strong El Nino in D.C. by Ian Livingston
Survey photos reveal damage of this year’s global coral bleaching event from climate.gov
US Drought Monitor Website
El Nino brings 2nd venomous sea snake to California beaches from the Oregonian (another item we forgot to cover. Still, cool though so check it out)