Meteorology Matters

Laudato Si’ - On Care for Our Common Home

Every person living on this planet, addressing Catholics, other Christian communities, other religions, scientists, philosophers, theologians, and civic groups.

Purpose: To enter into dialogue with all people about our common home and the global environmental deterioration, highlighting the interconnectedness of ecological and social issues and calling for an "integral ecology."

Key Themes and...

Hurricanes Helene and Milton (Fall 2024 - April 2025)

• Fall 2024:
• Hurricanes Helene and Milton Strike: Treasure Island, Florida, experiences two significant hurricanes within a short period. Hurricane Helene's storm surge causes waist-high flooding, and Hurricane Milton strikes two weeks later, compounding the damage.
• Massive Debris Generation: The 1.54-square-mile Treasure Island generates over 128,000 cubic yards of debris (appro...

Bloodbath Continues at NOAA and the National Weather Service

Amidst the ramping up of severe storm season in 2025, the National Weather Service is facing significant staff reductions due to federal buyouts, potentially leaving many forecast offices critically understaffed. This situation is compounded by proposed budget cuts to NOAA, which could eliminate its research division, jeopardizing the scientific foundation for weather fore...

Tuesday, April 15, 2025:

• Night (AWST): Tropical Cyclone Errol forms to the north of Western Australia (WA).

Wednesday, April 16, 2025:

• Early Thursday (AWST): Errol strengthens to a tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).
• 8:00 AM AWST: Errol is a category two tropical cyclone located roughly 515 km to the north northwest of Broome, moving west.
• Wednesday Afternoon (AWST): E...

Timeline of Events

• Approximately 2019: Abrego Garcia is arrested while looking for work at a Home Depot in Maryland. An immigration judge initially orders his deportation.
• Later Immigration Proceedings (Date unspecified): An immigration judge ultimately determines that Abrego Garcia should not be deported to El Salvador due to potential persecution, issuing a "withholding from removal" order.
• Recently Before March 15, 2025: Federa...

Timeline of Events

• Prior to March 24, 2025: Former President Donald Trump issues an executive order titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness," which includes renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and Denali back to Mount McKinley.
• By March 24, 2025: The Florida Legislature is considering a bill to change signage from "Gulf of Mexico" to "Gulf of America." Senator Joe Gruters' bill initially directs the D...

Timeline of Main Events

• February 2025: The Trump administration initially fires more than 800 probationary workers at NOAA.
• March 2025: A federal court blocks the Trump administration's initial firing of NOAA workers, and they are reinstated.
• March 2025 (Late): The Trump administration begins cutting and withholding federal grants for several major universities, starting with $400 million in funding pulled from Columbia University...

The recent changes in the US research and political landscape, particularly following the new administration of President Donald Trump, are having a profound negative impact on the US scientific and medical communities. Drastic cuts to research funding, widespread layoffs of federal scientists, immigration crackdowns, and concerns over academic freedom are leading to a significant exodus of talent from the United States. This brief...

outlines the critical situation surrounding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as the Trump administration actively pursues its dismantling. This development coincides with a significant increase in climate-related major disaster declarations in the United States, reaching a near-record high in 2024. The turmoil within FEMA, including stalled funding, hiring freezes, and a planned reduction in force, threatens the agenc...

• The Critical Need for Rhino Translocation: Black rhinos are critically endangered, and translocation is a vital conservation tool to protect them from poaching, facilitate monitoring, and ensure genetic diversity. The species largely exists in isolated protected areas, making movement necessary for population health.
• The Revolutionizing Role of Helicopters in Rhino Conservation: Helicopters have become increasingly important for...

Wednesday, April 2, 2025:

• Early Morning: Weather alerts are in effect across the central U.S. as forecasters monitor developing storms. Thunderstorms in the Midwest could remain severe after sunrise, influencing the severe threat for the rest of the day. Lingering storms in parts of Kansas and Missouri will likely strengthen as they move east into the Mississippi Valley by the early afternoon.
• Daytime: A significant severe weathe...

• 14 September: A tropical wave moves off the west coast of Africa.
• Early October (Date unspecified): This tropical wave appears to have interacted with a pre-existing low-level trough west of the Cabo Verde Islands, contributing to Milton's genesis.
• 04 / 1800 UTC: Best track indicates the system is a low with a central pressure of 1009 mb and wind speeds of 30 kt, located at 21.0°N 94.6°W.
• 05 / 1200 UTC: The system strengthens into...

Meteorology Matters summarizes key developments and perspectives presented in the provided sources. Axios highlights administrative changes within NOAA, specifically the merging of the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) with the Weather Prediction Center (WPC). This move is reportedly driven by concerns about political vulnerability and potential budget cuts under the Trump administration, alongside a broader trend of reduced publicit...

• What is the "chemtrail" conspiracy theory? The "chemtrail" conspiracy theory posits that the condensation trails (contrails) left by aircraft are not merely water vapor, but rather intentionally dispersed chemical or biological agents ("chems"). Believers claim these substances are part of a secret, large-scale program orchestrated by governments or other powerful entities for purposes such as weather modification, population c...

Thursday, March 27, 2025:

• Heavy rain begins inundating South Texas, particularly the Rio Grande Valley near the border with Mexico.
• More than a half-year's worth of rain falls in some areas in a short period.
• The city of McAllen, Texas, experiences significant flooding, with streets becoming submerged and a hospital's first floor flooding, leading to patient diversions and visitation pauses.
• Eyewitness video shows cars submerged in...

Pre-1992:

• Early 1990s: Tampa was recognized for having one of the best tree canopies in the world.

1992:

• Hurricane Andrew: Strikes South Florida. Researchers at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) begin studying the impacts of hurricanes on the urban forest.

1995:

• Two Hurricanes: Strike the Pensacola, FL area. UF/IFAS researchers continue their study of hurricane wind dam...

FEMA Under Threat of Shutdown Amidst Increasing Climate Disasters

Date: March 27, 2025

Meteorology Matters outlines the critical situation surrounding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in March 2025. As the Trump administration signals its intent to eliminate the agency, FEMA is already experiencing significant internal turmoil, including stalled disaster assistance, frozen grant money, and a hiring freeze. This coincide...

Environmental Concerns of Increased Space Activity

Q1: What are the primary pollutants released by rocket launches and re-entering satellites, and how might they harm the atmosphere?

Rockets that burn fossil fuels, particularly kerosene, release soot (black carbon) directly into the stratosphere. This soot absorbs heat, potentially increasing temperatures in the upper atmosphere and affecting global circulation patterns. It also has ...

1. Why is FEMA borrowing money in early 2025?

FEMA is borrowing $2 billion from the U.S. Treasury to cover the surge in flood claims primarily from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in 2024, along with other flooding events from the previous year. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), administered by FEMA, anticipates paying out over $10 billion in flood claims related to these events. The NFIP's funds, which are generate...