Coincidently, CBS News published a story about NWS issues today. It is here .  --- original post below --- Since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, I have advocated and worked hard for a National Disaster Review Board that would improve disaster forecasting and response in much the same way as the National Transportation Safety Board has improved transportation safety.  However, Congress has shown little interest in the concept of a Disaster Review Board. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service (NWS) becomes stunningly worse by the month. Over recent weeks, I have wondered if the NWS, in its present form, is beyond repair. To take tornado warnings as just one example, their accuracy is down  by 40% since 2005-2010. Since the early 2010's these pages have documented the long list of forecasting and warning issues of the National Weather Service. Friday evening (July 3), in southern Nebraska, was one that was so bafflingly bad it makes me wonder whether the opportunity to repair the...

Ahh, global warming occurs in the atmosphere.  Earthquakes occur on the earth (on the ground or sea floor). One does not cause the other.  BTW, we can thank Homer Simpson for the title of this (ever-) ongoing series.

T he NWS's Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a (by my scale) a high  risk of damaging winds in the Washington - Baltimore - Philadelphia areas.  The scale.... Purple = a high risk of wind gusts of 60 mph or stronger. Hatching = forecast of wind gusts of 75 mph or stronger.  Red = enhanced risk of gusts of 60 mph or stronger. Yellow = significant risk wind gusts of 60 mph or stronger. If this forecast is correct, power outages are likely. Please prepare accordingly. Across the Nation: Another area of damaging winds is forecast from the Ozarks to the Texas Panhandle. The red (enhanced risk) extends from Joplin to Wichita and Enid to the Gyp Hills. Please prepare accordingly!!

Some thoughts from our great President, Ronald Reagan, to celebrate the day. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of these United States are covenants we have made not only with ourselves, but with all mankind. Our founding documents proclaim to the world that freedom is not the sole prerogative of a chosen few. It is the universal right of all God's children. The freedom of thought and action we Americans enjoy today seems as natural as the air we breathe. But there is a danger we may take this freedom for granted. We must never forget it was bought for us at a great price. The brave and resourceful Americans whose sacrifices gained our Independence and preserved it for more than 200 years against formidable foes have set an example of unflinching loyalty to the ideal of liberty and justice for all. Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed o...

3 people died on Lake Geneva, WI  when their boat overturned in high winds. Seven were rescued. This occurred even though there were tornado then high wind warnings. From my blog earlier today, note the upper warning specifically mentions Lake Geneva: When outdoors, these warnings should be taken seriously. Here's a vital bit of information: If you see clouds like this, known as a "shelf cloud," high winds -- perhaps extreme winds, are likely. Last month, I took this photo of a shelf cloud. A wind gust of 81 mph was clocked as it went by. Regardless of whether it is a tornado/severe thunderstorm warning or a shelf cloud, stop what you are doing and head for shore immediately! A time-lapse video , from earlier today, shows a shelf cloud moving overhead. At the very end, you can see the visibility drop as sand is blown from the beach.  Lightning Danger And, this tragic news just in.... In addition, three were injured by that lightning bolt. If thunder roars, go indoors!  o...

Using the images from two weather satellites, the federal government has created a brand new photo of America as seen from space. 

This past weekend CBS Sunday Morning  unveiled its selection of 250 songs representing America. They call it "The Essential American Songbook" and it can be found here .  I have a few comments. First, their list of "American music experts" {Hillary Clinton?!} left something to be desired: it was narrow and the East Coast was overrepresented. Second, a number of songs (three [!] versions of New York, New York)  and artists (Bob Dylan) are over-represented.  Here are some songs I believe should have been included, in no order. I believe I have all of the original artists. You may play them at the colored links.  16 Tons ,  Tennessee Ernie Ford Christmas Song , Nat King Cole Theme From 'Hawaii 5-0' , Mort Stevens and His Orchestra  Can't Take My Eyes Off You , Frankie Valli (note: there are other "love songs" on the CBS list) Freight Train ,  Elizabeth Cotton Street Life , Randy Crawford We've Only Just Begun , Carpenters Hound Dog , Elvis Pre...