The Daily Bolt: Recent Episodes
Dr. Jeff Tilley
Issues involving the weather, Earth's climate and weather and climate forecasting as well as K-12 and higher education (especially science education): No media hype to be found here. Just scientific truth and commentary based on experience and practical knowledge.
In this episode I give an update on what had been Hurricane Ida, now moving through the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys as a big rain-maker. A chronology of Ida is discussed highlighting the most interesting aspects of the tropical cyclone's brief but intense time on the weather stage. Also, the use of high-resolution infrared imagery from polar orbiting satellites for fire tracking is discussed, using the ongoing Caldor Fire in the Sierra Nevada as an example. For images referenced in the discussion, see the episode on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/YC7_5p0dsOY
An 8 pm Aug. 28 update on Category 2 Hurricane Ida, where it's going and what the impacts will be. Also, news on Pacific Hurricane Nora which is pummeling Puerto Vallarta and will bring strong impacts to much of the Pacific and Gulf of California coastal areas over the next few days.
The latest on currently Category 1 Hurricane Ida. Where it's going, how strong it will be, what the impacts will be and why will it be so strong?
A new study by the University of Southern California highlights the difficulties the public may be having understanding the issues surrounding climate change because of a lack of comprehension in the terminology. While this highlights a tendency of scientists to overuse technical jargon, it also underscores a more fundamental issue of scientific literacy, and literacy in general, that seems to be only getting worse.
Somewhat lost in the current reporting on Afghanistan is the fact that during the past 2 decades, science has once again blossomed in Afghanistan after being decimated during their previous rule from 1996-2001. Many Afghan scientists fear for the future of science and education, and many want out. More details in the podcast. The article referenced in the podcast can be found online at:
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/08/i-don-t-want-die-afghan-researchers-fear-their-safety-and-future-science
Recaps of both Tropical Storm Henri's landfall and impacts as well as the weekend flooding event in Middle Tennessee. For best enjoyment of this episode, which relies heavily on video, please view it on my YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/7UVwV1mZV-c
The latest on the damage Major Hurricane Grace caused in the Mexican state of Veracruz last night and this morning before heading into the mountains where it is dissipating. Nominal Hurricane Henri is on course for Long Island and New England. Details in the podcast!
The latest on Category 2 Hurricane Grace (100 mph) as it nears it's 2nd Mexican landfall in the state of Veracruz---where is it going and will it affect metro Mexico City? Also the latest on very strong Tropical Storm Henri as it transitions into a hurricane which will impact New England.
The latest on Hurricane Grace as it approaches landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula. Where will it hit and where will be affected? Also, an update on Tropical Storm Henri and it's potential impacts on New England.
The 8 pm August 15 Update on Tropical Storm Fred and Tropical Depression Grace. Find out where they are going and what the impacts look to be!
The Remnants of Tropical Depression Fred have moved northwest of Cuba into the Gulf of Mexico where features more consistent with tropical cyclones are redeveloping. Hear the latest on where is Fred is going and when!
We look at the latest forecasts and satellite imagery of Tropical Depression Fred, which gives some indication that it has reformed just south of the island of Cuba---which has substantial implications for Fred's impacts on the United States.
Fred remains a tropical depression but is still expected to slowly strengthen and impact much of Florida.
The latest on what is now Tropical Depression Fred, including current status and forecast track and intensity information.
Last night's potential tropical cyclone is now (as expected) Tropical Storm Fred. Details in this podcast, as well as commentary on Oregon's education policy folly.
More on Benjamin Franklin's scientific accomplishments, focusing on biology, volcanology, meteorology and astronomy. We bet there are things you didn't know about Benjamin Franklin...he was far more than just a guy who had a kite get struck by lightning!
Part 1 of 2 episodes discussing the scientific contributions of Benjamin Franklin. Represents the start of another new recurring feature on the Daily Bolt
Rare July frosts in Brazil's prime coffee growing region will result in higher, and perhaps sharply higher, coffee prices in 2022.
First of a recurring series featuring why, from a scientific perspective, things work they way they do. Today: Why, chemically, vinegar and baking soda are good cleaning agents and alternatives to other cleaning products.
On this day in 1695, a patent for a portable barometer was issued to a British inventor. Such an invention was an important step towards our modern understanding of atmospheric pressure and weather systems. Learn more in this podcast. Video of this podcast, including images of the portable instrument, is available on YouTube (search for 'The Daily Bolt').
I provide an update as to how the drought that much of the Western US has been experiencing through much of 2021 is progressing. There's some good news and some not-so-good news. Listen to find out!
On this date in 1889, Vladimir Zworkyin was born. Why should we care? If you own a television, you should certainly care. Listen to find out why!
We briefly discuss a new study from the University of South Australia that suggests that people who drink more coffee daily end up with smaller brain volumes. And a bigger risk of developing dementia. Maybe it's time to switch to tea...
In an originally unplanned addition to the discussion on Scientific Consensus, we discuss how government agencies and programs, by their ability to control research funding, can contribute to the formation of a specific consensus on a specific scientific issue. It's not as far-fetched as you might think. I've seen it in action.
We continue the discussion as to instances when scientific consensus was wrong, and how the current call to "follow the science" , meaning, "follow the scientific consensus", could be dangerous.
We tackle the idea of "scientific consensus" and whether it has value and under what conditions. Part 1 of 2.
In a first departure from science/education topics, a few wise words about humility from the late Professor C. M. Christensen of Harvard's Business school. There is much that applies in the current "cancel culture" climate.
We are BACK after a long hiatus, with some changes: more video episodes (see them on Facebook or YouTube), with audio for those episodes posted here; Expanded range of topics including my own words of wisdom and insight (when I have them!). And, no postings on Sundays.
ALSO: new research on uses for quad-copter drones to enhance rain electrostatically!
New research discovers a theoretical upper limit to the speed of sound. And it’s much faster than you think.
A first look at the controversy surrounding whether California's wildfires this summer are due to climate change or forest mismanagement.
Sally still offshore but headed for Mobile; Paulette and some hope for the Pacific Northwest
Fire activity increases in Washington and Oregon. Both states in their entirety are under Air Quality alerts
We are back after a Labor Day weekend hiatus. Two tropical storms in the Atlantic and the changing weather in the West
We finish out a busy tropical storm month with one more before we hit September. But don’t worry unlesss you own a freighter, barge or fishing boat.
Laura Continues to weaken as it moves into Arkansas and its satellite presentation over the past 12 hours
Marco heads to Louisiana, Laura is 2 days behind and some wisdom on weather warnings in the final part of my interview with Dr Bill Gallus on the Iowa derecho of Aug 10.
Note that due to a tech glitch, the interview segment here ends earlier than in the video. Please see the Facebook Daily Bolt podcast group for the full video excerpt.
A tropical update, plus the first part of my interview with Dr. Bill Gallus on last week’s Iowa derecho event
A new controlled experiment adds more evidence for the counterintuitive Mpemba effect of heat transfer which actually was postulated originally by Aristotle.
This falls under the “things to think about regarding the nature of the universe”—-in this case the digital universe.
New work funded by NOAA aims to apply ensemble methods to provide depiction and prediction of mosquito borne disease outbreaks
Today we talk about the fact that a majority of the West is now experiencing some level of drought —-including a substantial area of California.
A new study done by a professor at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom plus other researchers (including the professor's daughter, who needed something to do since school was closed) shows only minimal impacts of February -June 2020 COVID 19 shutdowns on long-term projected temperature changes.
You may have Antarctica, of all places, might be safe from COVID-19 impacts. Well, not quite. Science is going to be impacted in a big way.
In this episode we look briefly at past and present efforts to use animals for various military and law enforcement purposes. Truth may be stranger here than science fiction.
Two very different stories but which together make a strong case for why science shouldn't be rushed.
Isaias exits the U.S. tonight and moves into Quebec; Plus: Astronomers observe a giant glowing butterly in space.
The latest on Isaias and how salmonella bacteria attach to onions —-which we now have to worry about with an outbreak traced to onions.
Tonight we update what is now Hurricane Isaias, Tropical Depression Ten and talk about a mystery relating to Stonehenge that has been solved.
Isaias now near the Dominican Republic and headed for the Bahamas; also a new mission to Mars blasts off from Cape Canaveral
We talk about the unusual tropical system affecting Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, heat in the West and how the heck do you pronounce “Isaias” anyway? (hint: it’s harder than you think)
New research suggests the old adage of a 1:7 ratio of dog to human years is quite inaccurate.
Moscow trucked in snow for New Year’s Eve celebrations this week, due to the warmest Moscow December in over 130 years. But how do the Russians feel?
Take 2 of this podcast, which has had some tech issues after a 2 week Holiday break. Also there’s background music——let me know if you like it.
New observations from the Chilean Very Large Telescope give new insight into solar system evolution.
A recap of the tropical cyclone season since Dorian, with a number of short-lived and/or unusual storms in the past two months which you may not have heard about.