This is the season when derechoes -- violent windstorms that can travel hundreds of miles -- become more frequent. They are notorious for causing widespread power outages.  We are also officially in hurricane season.  Please make sure you are prepared. 

Hurricanes striking the United States are less  frequent than formerly.  Even more good news is that the 2026 hurricane season is forecast to be "less than average." But always keep in mind, it just takes a single hurricane to wipe out your neighborhood. A single bad storm can occur in what is otherwise a "lower than average" hurricane season. 

I mention this because of the possibility of tornadoes. 

Yes, it is true that Blazing Saddles  was shot in California but it was never intended as a "how to" book for building their high speed rail system which, last week, was estimated to now cost a third of a trillion  dollars.    Mel Brooks' script from Blazing Saddles So, yes, there are what could be considered 'instructions' in the script. But, since the high speed rail project actually began 30-years ago, could the real motivation be hinted at in the script? Of course, bad guy Hedley Lamarr realizes there is something standing between him and getting that land: "the rightful owners." So, he concocted a scheme to get the people of Rock Ridge to want to give up their cherished town's land.  Kinda sounds like government today, doesn't it? After writing the above, hours later this came across my X-feed:

Andrew Scott as meteorologist James Stagg As a meteorologist, I never thought a movie about a weather forecast could be so good. I rate it A+.  A quick scan of my movie reviews back to the start of the blog (2009) do not reveal any other movie rated that highly. Others evidently agree 86% of critics and 95% of the audience recommend it.  Pressure   is the story about the weather forecasts (yes, plural) leading up to D-Day -- perhaps the most important forecast in the history of the world. The title is a play on the word referring to both high and low pressure systems on a weather map and the pressure on the meteorologists.  Meteorologist Dr. James Stagg (well portrayed by Andrew Scott) used synoptic meteorology forecast techniques much like we use today; versus Dr. Irving Krick who used a technique called analogs. I wrote about  this controversy early  in the history of the blog (caution spoilers!). This controversy continues today. I explain in the "spoile...

The brown area has a significant risk of tornadoes. The hatching means that if  a tornado occurs, it could be strong. The atmosphere is extremely unstable which is a recipe for strong tornadoes and, even more so, damaging winds. Note: As of 3:10pm, this forecast still looks good except the tornado risk may be slightly higher farther south in Kansas.  The yellow area has a significant risk of thunderstorm-driven winds of 60 mph or stronger. The red area has a an enhanced  risk. The hatching indicates where wind gusts could exceed 75 mph.