Meteorology Matters

August 17, 1025: Hurricane Erin, recently a Category 5 storm, underwent one of the fastest intensifications ever observed, reaching the second lowest pressure ever recorded for an August hurricane after Hurricane Allen in 1980. While the storm is fortunate to be on a path that avoids direct land impact, its powerful energy will still significantly affect coastal areas.

Key Facts about Hurricane Erin:

• Intensification & Current...

Hurricane Erin, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, has undergone an "unusually rapid intensification," rocketing from a tropical storm to a "catastrophic Category 5 hurricane" in less than 24 hours. While its center is not expected to make a direct landfall on the U.S. mainland, it poses significant threats of heavy rainfall, flash flooding, landslides, life-threatening surf, and rip currents in the Caribbean and along the U.S. ...

The Trump administration is enacting significant policy changes across environmental regulation and space exploration, characterized by a consistent effort to dismantle climate-focused initiatives and streamline regulations, particularly benefiting the commercial space industry. These actions are drawing strong criticism from environmental advocates and scientists, who accuse the administration of climate denial and undermining cru...

Meteorology Matters discusses the escalating challenges posed by extreme heat and potential mitigating strategies. We include the underestimated health burden beyond mortality, the significant economic and infrastructure strain, and the re-emergence of ancient, sustainable cooling technologies. We highlight a critical need for expanded public health interventions and a re-evaluation of current cooling paradigms, particularly in reg...

There has been an unusual and concerning surge in Vibrio vulnificus infections and deaths across the southeastern United States, especially in Florida. This bacterium, commonly known as "flesh-eating bacteria," thrives in warm, brackish seawater and can cause severe, rapidly progressing illness, including necrotizing fasciitis, and has a high fatality rate. While infections are generally rare, experts describe the current situation...

Recent reports highlight significant disruptions and policy shifts across several key federal agencies, including the National Weather Service (NWS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the current Trump administration. These changes, characterized by deep federal cuts, staffing reductions, and attempts to alter climate science narratives, have raised serious concerns about p...

As we head through August, it is typical for hurricane season to awaken in the Atlantic Ocean and the models are starting to hint at changes afoot. Elevated Tropical Activity: The Atlantic basin is entering a period of increased tropical activity, consistent with a "backloaded" hurricane season. Conditions are becoming more favorable for development, with warm ocean temperatures and a "La Niña light" influence.

• Primary Threat: A...

13% of Floridian Deaths can be attributed to hurricanes and tropical storms? Recent research from both South Korea and the United States reveals a significant and largely underestimated public health burden associated with tropical cyclones (hurricanes/typhoons). Beyond the immediate, direct deaths typically reported, these studies demonstrate a substantial "excess mortality" that can persist for weeks, months, and even years after...

Meteorologist in Space

Deborah Martorell, a 54-year-old Puerto Rican meteorologist and journalist with over 30 years of experience, is set to become the "first meteorologist in the world (between men and women) to visit space." Her lifelong dream of becoming an astronaut, which began in childhood and was often "taken as a joke or saw me as this immature girl who wants to be an astronaut," is now becoming a reality.

Key Details of Mar...

Review of recent Trump Administration actions impacting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with a focus on deregulation, scientific research, and disaster preparedness.

In July 2025, the Trump administration has taken significant steps to dismantle environmental regulations and reduce federal involvement in climate science...

Pre-1890:

• Prior to 1890: Recordkeeping for temperatures in Tampa, Florida, begins.

1890:

• 1890: Temperature records for Tampa, Florida, officially start.

1892:

• September 1892: Temperature records for Plant City, Florida, officially start.

1895:

• Since 1895: Florida's average June temperature has been 79.9 degrees.

Early 1900s:

• Since 1902: Records for temperatures at Page Field in Fort Myers begin.
• Since ...

Recent studies from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and ongoing research by the University of Delaware and Rutgers University are shedding new light on how large sharks respond to hurricanes and their potential utility in predicting these powerful storms. While some shark species flee from approaching hurricanes, others, like tiger sharks, exhibit unexpected behavior, even increasing in n...

2024:

• NOAA Atlas 15 Pilot Release (Montana): On September 26, 2024, NOAA releases the NOAA Atlas 15 Pilot data for the state of Montana. This pilot aims to collect early feedback and demonstrate the nature of Atlas 15 data. It covers a subset of storm durations (1 hour to 10 days) and exceedance probabilities (50% to 1%) in two volumes and is intended for comparison and feedback, not formal peer review.
• Public Review Period for N...

A persistent "cold blob" in the subpolar North Atlantic, south of Greenland, has defied global warming trends for over a century, cooling by up to 0.3 degrees Celsius while surrounding waters warm. Recent research confirms this anomaly is primarily driven by a weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a vital system of ocean currents that regulates global climate. The slowdown is attributed to freshwater ...

The devastating flash floods that swept through the Texas Hill Country on July 4, 2025, resulted in over 111 confirmed deaths and more than 170 missing persons, primarily in Kerr County. This disaster has brought to light critical failures in emergency warning systems, long-standing debates over funding for such infrastructure, and a significant political reluctance to accept accountability. While some areas like Comfort successful...

Devastating flash floods, fueled by extraordinary rainfall, struck the Texas Hill Country on July 4-5, 2025, resulting in at least 37 confirmed deaths, including 14 children with many people still missing. The floods caused widespread destruction, particularly around the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, and prompted a massive search and rescue operation. A central point of contention has emerged regarding the adequacy of weather for...

Critical Hurricane Forecast and Sea Ice Monitoring Tool Abruptly Terminated

Date: June 26, 2025

• Abrupt Termination: The DoD will permanently terminate the processing and transmission of microwave data from its three weather satellites by no later than June 30, 2025. This decision was formalized on June 25, 2025, and communicated to users, including NOAA and the National Hurricane Center, on June 24 and 25, 2025, respectively.
• Sev...

The Empathizing-Systemizing (E-S) Theory and its Relevance

The E-S theory is a central framework discussed in both sources, hypothesizing that individuals possess varying degrees of "empathizing" and "systemizing" cognitive styles.

• Systemizing: Defined as "(1) the drive to create and analyze psychological sets of logical rules, or “systems,” related to and constructed around things that occur in the world, and (2) the ability to ...

Meteorology Matters discusses a study indicating that human influence on global climate, specifically stratospheric cooling, could have been detected as early as 1885, preceding the widespread use of automobiles. Researchers conducted an experiment using modern climate models and hypothetical 1860 measurement capabilities to identify this early "human fingerprint" on atmospheric temperatures. The study highlights that stratospheric...