Post analysis? By whom?! The United States, unlike many other nations, does not have an organization to do post-disaster analysis. Hawaii looked around for someone to do a post-examination of the Maui Fire and finally settled on the state's attorney general when no one suitable came forward. Andy Revkin, former head of the environmental reporting group at the New York Times  posted an insightful essay at his Substack regarding the Los Angeles area fires in comparison to the Maui and Marshall (Boulder, CO) fires. I wrote the following comment (my words in red) Wednesday evening that were appended to Andy's piece: ---- Andy @Revkin 1d Edited Mike Smith, a longtime severe-weather meteorolgist who's been on Sustain What, sent this note by email: Thank you for writing your substack piece today.  I wish to make several points which are predicated on accurate news reports. You noted the similarities of the Palisades Fire to the Maui Fire and to the Superior/Boulder Fire. Please co...

The brown area has a significant risk of tornadoes. The hatched area has a forecast hail 2" or larger. The red area has an enhanced  risk of giant hail.  The satellite image shows the entire path of the eclipse totality. As forecast, the central Mississippi Valley look good as does Maine.  It is three hours before totality in the U.S. and gridlock already exists. It is worse after the eclipse. 

There was a tornado outside Calgary today and a hailstorm in town. An underpass creates a "wind tunnel" that makes tornado-force winds even stronger and, thus, more dangerous. Whatever you do, do not stop under an underpass for a tornado or hailstorm.

I hate traffic circles as much as the next guy. I was in north Raleigh and nearly had a catastrophic wreck when a speeding, out-of-control driver went over the top of one and nearly collided with my car. Only a panic stop prevented it. But, my dislike of traffic circles does not extend to blaming them for tornadoes .

Screen shot from Oklahoma City's KOCO TV live shot this morning. They happened to catch a multi-car pileup as it occurred. A woman, carrying a child, got out of her car and the white Mustang narrowly missed her as it added to the carnage. Unless your car is on fire, there is fuel leaking or some other compelling reason, stay in your car if you are in one of these unfortunate events.