The entire email and related information are here . For an interesting analysis, see this .  As Iran is known for cyberattacks. If the U.S. attacks Iran, don't be surprised if they respond which means there is the possibility for the types of supply interruptions we had during COVID.  If you are low on gas for your car, prescription medicines, etc., you might want to go ahead and purchase them now. 

It is a Friday during Lent and Catholics cannot eat meat. So, Kathleen and I go to McDonald's once or twice for fast food fasting. This year, it seems they are smaller to both of us but McD's official info says no. From Grok: According to McDonald's official nutrition data and statements, the Filet-O-Fish sandwich has not changed in size, ingredients, or build since at least the early 2000s, including between 2020 and 2026. The company has explicitly denied shrinkflation claims, attributing perceived differences to variations in preparation, bun steaming, or individual assembly at restaurants.   Nutrition profiles (a reliable proxy for portion consistency) remain virtually identical, with no adjustments to calories, macros, or serving details that would indicate a reduction. However, consumer complaints and independent weigh-ins suggest otherwise, with many reporting the sandwich feels noticeably smaller in recent years (2023–2026), often described as "slider-sized...

There are ~200 carefully curated images with no special effects. The scenes were as they appeared at the time. While there are many subjects, they focus on weather and climate.  By the way, don't forget our books: Warnings: The True Story of How Science Tamed the Weather When the Sirens Were Silent, The Story of the Joplin Tornado Please take a look!

Courtesy of one of our alert readers, Canada is ending its weather radio network as of March 16. Canada's network has been patterned after NOAA Weather Radio network in the United States. After more than 60 years, the NOAA network has never achieved market penetration of more than 3% (percent of households actually using it). The reasons are many but the number one reason is that it triggers its loud tone in the middle of the night for storms the users don't care about. I know that's the reason we discontinued using it.  Grok agrees: The advantage of weather radios is that they will let you know (without you doing anything) when a dangerous condition approaches. But they are -- at best -- countywide and they cannot separate hazards (e.g., they alert for a severe thunderstorm warning regardless of whether it is one inch hail or whether it is 90 mph winds).  One would think that NOAA would be moving on to satellite or newer technology with more geographic precision but they s...

I was delighted to appear on Lisa Teachman's podcast yesterday. Please click on the link and  tune in when you have a chance.  Reader Comment:

The Amazing Forecast Harlem The National Weather Service and the larger meteorological community deserves a great deal of credit for the advance forecast of the blizzard. It undoubtedly saved lives, mitigated inconvenience (flights canceled in advance rather than stranding people at airports), and decreased property losses.  Still, the best forecast cannot make up for utter, tragic incompetence. Roughly, 1.5 million people  (not "customers") are without power at this time. Local media in the Northeast are estimating it will take up to six days to get all of the lights on. Hopefully, the advance forecast urging people to obtain prescription refills, fill gas tanks, et cetera, was helpful and mitigated the effects of the outages.  Global Warming On February 5, I ran this piece: And, this morning, -- more predictably than the weather -- some climate group sent this out: This isn't climate change. It is weather. But science quality doesn't matter when trying to raise fun...