Have a safe Memorial Day

Tornadoes Touch Down In Texas Panhandle (click title to entry)

(May 26, 2008)--The National Weather Services says at least three weak tornadoes touched down in the Texas Panhandle, but there were no reports of injuries or building damage Monday.
Meteorologist Jason Jordan says all three tornadoes touched down Sunday afternoon over open country.
The first and largest was in Hartley County, which is on the Texas-New Mexico border.
It measured about a quarter-mile wide.
The second tornado started in Hartley County and moved into Moore County.
The third was in Hutchinson County.

Rain replaced by Mesoscale storms

The result of a dry and hot Earth's surface are Meso-storms that literally build at higher altitudes, become saturated with water and deposit deluges of water in one burst of 'down pour.' While it seems like a substitute for 'rainfall' these are high volume storms that cause soil erosion and damage by high winds with potential if not actual loss of life.

As a result of the melting sea ice there is an increase in sea level and increased river levels in reaction to lack of drainage to the ocean

May 22, 2008
Spokane, Washington
Photographer states :: Spokane Falls in Downtown Spokane. River is about 5 feet higher than normal and still has yet to crest.

Spokane River flooding hits peak (click here)
May 23, 2008 08:05 PM EDT

SPOKANE -- The Spokane River hit its height early Friday afternoon and should now continue on a slow but steady fall before finally dipping below flood stage next Thursday.
As a result, the National Weather Service issued Flood Warning for Spokane will remain in tact until Thursday, May 29th unless the river drops faster than expected. But it looks like, barring unforeseen circumstances, the flooding has hit its peak without causing the widespread damage that some had feared....

What has occurred with The Arctic Ocean from 2005 to 2007 ?

Earth lost a huge volume of its Arctic Ocean sea ice within the same period it lost its surface water vapor. Why? Because Earth lost its ability to support the one mechanism that cools off the troposphere better than any other mechanism, and that is its hurricanes and cyclones. Hence. The ice melted from rising surface temperatures.

The 2007 Atlantic hurricane season would prove to be bizarre. Earth had lost its surface humidity and was struggling to cool itself.

The number of Killer Tornadoes in 2007 had increased to 26 and the current season of 2008's preliminary reporting so far is 27 and the season isn't over.

2007 saw seventeen named storms of which two were Cat 5, three Cat 1 and the rest were all Tropical Storm force.

The 'lay of the land' became very, very different. The storms were now forming where 'water vapor' was available along with enough heat to EVAPORATE the water to accumulate that water vapor, namely 'near shore' and on the Equator.

The two Cat 5 storms would occur where there was the most dense accumulation of water vapor and that was along the equator. The storms could no longer be sustained in their vorticity in the upper reaches of the Atlantic above the latitude of 15 degrees north. There simply wasn't enough water vapor and the 'near shore' storms took on many different formations including one storm which was literally 'upside down' in its traverse along the Eastern Seaboard of North America.

The 'reach' eastward into the Atlantic toward Europe of the storms nearly ended and with that the heat distribution of the Cat 5 storms was directed to latitudes of about 15 degrees north. Which means the waters of the 'Equatorial Earth' would sustain the highest deposit of heat. Realizing that, one has to remember the future of the predicted storms is that WHEN a hurricane will occur it will be with higher volatility. To realize the 'heat concentration' is now at 15 degrees north or less moving toward the Equator is to realize the degree at which these storms will increase in number while sustaining Cat 5 status chronically.

2006 saw a drastic reduction in the number of storms with ONLY nine.

The number of Killer Tornadoes in 2006 were 25 in the USA.

There were two Cat 3 storms that year. When examining the 'randomness' of the 'paths' of the hurricanes there was still widespread humidity to support the storms that did manifest. The 'paths' of the storms circulated throughout the Atlantic with the 'same' eastward path toward Europe as previous years. The climate of Earth was changing but with enough 'residual' coolness left over from 2005 to maintain a storm season that reached all areas of the Atlantic and HENCE distributing the heat on a greater surface area.

In the year 2005 when the USA population reached 300 million, there was a 'maximum' of hurricane activity and volatility.

The number of Killer Tornadoes in the year 2005 were 13 in the USA.

It was the 'Katrina' year. There were 31 named storms, three were Cat 5, two were Cat 4 and two were Cat 3. In 2005, there was still enough water vapor content at Earth's surface to 'handle the heat.' Earth's physics 'loaded' the troposphere with hurricane spawning capacity and the heat from Human Induced Global Warming was driven into the oceans.

The only glacier of the Juneau Icefields that is not retreating is the Taku Glacier.

Taku Glacier

The mass balance of the Taku Glacier has increased while ALL the other glaciers of the Juneau Icefields have eroded. The Taku Glaicer before Human Induced Global Warming resulted in 'maximum' manifestations of the years 2000, had the least 'RECHARGE' (deposits of snow and ice) of any of the glaciers.

Why then when Earth is warming and there is a climate crisis and weather patterns are changing would a glacier 'increase' in its volume?

This blog has referred to 'the properties of water' on numerous occassions. Water vapor is a 'component' of global warming. The 'heat transfer systems' I frequently refer to in explaining the increased rapid deterioration of the ice caps and icefields are 'powered' by water vapor. If Earth did not have water, it would simply be a 'hot rock' regardless of being 'the third rock' from the sun.

Percipitation on Earth is compliments of the properties of water. So, when it rains or snows or there is drizzle or ice storms it is all due to formations of water as it appears in regard to 'CLIMATE.' The colder the climate the colder the water, the more snow or ice that is formed.

When a glacier 'recharges' it means it accumulates more snow or ice. As the deposits increase over years the top layers become compressed as 'water' is very heavy. The top layers then are compressed into dense layers of ice and a glacier 'advances' and 'extends its terminus (front edge of the glacier that advances DOWNHILL.)

When a glacier recharges it REQUIRES percipitation. Percipitation to the degree it occurs over a glacier determines whether it advances quickly or not at all and actually retreats. So why then would all the other glaciers of the Juneau Icefields NOT recharge when the Taku Glacier is recharging? Seems odd that one would have such an exception and actually 'challenge' the 'idea' of Human Induced Global Warming since a theory or scientific law applies to all cases.

And what the heck does the Taku Glacier have in common with the increase in tornadoes and changing of the occurrence and intensity of hurricanes?

The Taku Glacier in Alaska's Juneau Icefields changed in its advance to the terminus because the mass balance increased. The MASS of the glacier increased due to increased percipitation over its 'area.'

The reason? Elevation/altitude, BUT, not in the way the average layperson would think and put that into context. To understand the brevity of the increase in percipitation over the Taku Glacier and its increased mass one has to 'think vertically.' Literally, one has to realize 'where the increased heat' of Human Induced Global Warming IS BEING STORED. It is being stored in the surface waters of Earth when hurricanes deposit the heat there and it is being stored 'vertically.'

When the heat from the surface was moving vertically through the troposphere the glaciers were exposed to higher temperatures and any percipitation that resulted in recharge was 'countered' balanced with LOSS of ice from the glacier in all areas, the terminus, the moraines and the top and bottom of the ice formations. The loss was far greater than the recharge and continues to be.

What occurred at the Taku Glacier was an increase in percipitation at already higher altitudes where the ice formation remained stable. When the increase in percipitation occurred it added to the mass balance of the glacier and explained the increase in the terminus. The real question became "Why is there more percipitation?" We know there was by weather records, but, also by the fact that a 'stable' mass balance of a very cold, higher elevation glacier would indicate that it was simply STABLE, in the face of hotter temperatures at lower elevations. But, for the mass balance to increase with the Taku Glacier and to increase its terminus there was only one answer. That answer was the increase in the deposit of snow and ice. The increase in the deposit of snow and ice could only occur in one way with the Taku Glacier. It would have to occur through percipitation as it is the highest elevation glaicer of the Juneau Icefields. What does that mean?

That means the 'dew point' (click here) at the altitude of the Taku Glacier had increased. The water vapor content of the altitude had increased and with the arrival of increased water vapor was the encroaching 'heat stores' of the lower latitudes that the other glacier were already exposed to and causing deterioration, retreat, decrease in their mass balance.

The relationship between the Taku Glacier and what is occurring in the troposphere is completely evident. The 'heat stores' of Human Induced Global Warming have risen in the troposphere and there is less and less water vapor at lower altitudes to support 'rain' and snow and ice, hence, causing widespread disruption in Climate. With increased water vapor at higher altitudes, the turbulence of the troposphere moves upward while 'drying' the surface and creating less biotic content.

Hence, the 'negative feedback loop' of Human Induced Global Warming that destroyes NECESSARY biotic content (plants) through lack of rainfall. Less 'albedo' of retreating icefields and ice caps, while, the consumerism of the USA continues to escalate the amount of carbon dioxide in the troposphere.

With higher elevations of turbulence is increased 'wind shear' AND less 'water vapor' at lower latitudes (sea level) to support hurricanes, therefore, less hurricanes and the ones that do eventually form will be more violent simply because of the higher ocean and air temperatures at the surface of Earth.

The Juneau Icefields of Alaska portray a very interesting picture as to the current and continuedly 'eminent' dangers of Human Induced Global Warming

This is a video of the fields as of December, 2006. There is grossly significant loss of ice formations throughout the elevations, EXCEPT, for one.

Heat. The increase of the Earth's surface due to increased levels of Carbon Dioxide is causing a 'shift' in weather patterns.

In their early and mature stages, all thunderstorms are characterized by rising air, called updrafts. These updrafts supply the warm, humid air that fuels thunderstorms. (click here)


The eye of a majestic hurricane is a very warm place to be. The air inside the eye is sometimes 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the storm's surroundings. Where does all this hot air come from, and how does it power the hurricane's strong winds? (click here)

What is the difference between hurricanes and tornadoes? Speaking in terms of physics.

The 'ingredients' that go into these tropospheric turbulences are the same, however, the 'amount' of the ingredients are different. So is the surface area. It takes far more water vapor to support a hurricane than a tornado.
But.
Both are a result of vortices formed by heat driven tropospheric conditions. Tornadoes normally form over land while hurricanes form over oceans and dissipate over land.
The most common factor with these storms and their OCCURRENCE is 'Wind Shear.'
While those that benefit by 'explaining away' global warming in relation to 'weather' are served by separating the subjects and referring to ISOLATED incidences of past turbulence that are similar, the fact of the matter cannot be explained away, that "Wind Shear" serves to increase the occurrence of tornadoes and their frequency and number while it decreases that of hurricanes.

Recently there was a report that stated there would be less hurricanes due to 'Wind Shear.'

Wind shear is the change in wind speed or direction with height in the atmosphere. Wind shear is important for the formation of tornadoes and hail. Some amount of wind shear is common in the atmosphere. Larger values of wind shear exist near fronts, cyclones, and the jet stream. Wind shear in an atmospheric layer that is unstable can result in clear air turbulence.

Tornadoes occur with thunderstorms. There are a couple of ways that they form.

Most strong and violent tornadoes occur with supercell thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms occur when warm moist air is forced upward.

Tornadoes occur with a special storm type called a supercell.

Supercells occur with a certain wind conditions. Winds that turn from south to west with height and/or increase rapidly with height (especially in the lowest several thousand feet of the atmosphere) cause the updraft in a thunderstorm to rotate.

If the updraft is strong enough and the wind shear is strong enough, a tornado may occur. Supercells also produce large hail, strong winds and heavy rain.


Tornadoes - The Fujita-Pearson Scale
All tornadoes are rated on a scale called the Fujita-Pearson Tornado Scale.

F-0: 40-72 mph - Chimney damage, tree branches broken.
F-1: 73-112 mph - Mobile homes pushed off foundation or overturned.
F-2: 113-157 mph - Considerable damage, mobile homes demolished, trees uprooted.
F-3: 158-205 mph - Roofs and walls torn down, trains overturned, cars thrown.
F-4: 207-260 mph - Well-constructed walls leveled.
F-5: 261-318 mph - Homes lifted off foundation and carried considerable distances, cars thrown as far as 100 meters.

Tornado Outbreaks are RARE to say the least ! But, in the past eight years they are occurring with remarkable frequency !

The “Super Outbreak” of 1974 produced the most tornadoes in a 24-hour period in history (148). The most famous tornado from this outbreak was an F5 tornado that moved through Xenia, Ohio. Damages in Xenia alone totaled over $100 million. Total damages from the outbreak exceeded $600 million. 1979 April 10: Wichita Falls, TX



2003 May 4 – May 11: Plains Into The Southeast
A deadly outbreak of severe weather occurred between May 4th and May 11th, producing hundreds of tornadoes and widespread reports of large hail and damaging winds across eight states. Tornadoes affected the metropolitan areas of Kansas City and Oklahoma City, producing F3 and F4 damage. Other cities including Pierce City, Missouri and Jackson, Tennessee sustained heavy damage and loss of life. At least 38 people were killed from the outbreak in Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee. In Oklahoma City, damaging tornadoes occurred on both the 8th and 9th. May 1st through the 11th had more reported tornadoes (412) than any other ten-day period since records began in 1950. The estimated total damages from this historical outbreak totaled more than $3.2 billion.


Destruction at Toledo Scale Company, Telegraph Road.
Photo courtesy of Toledo Lucas County Public Library

April 11, 1965: Palm Sunday Tornadoes (click here)

Twin funnels in Elkhart, Indiana on April 11, 1965. A double tornado was also sighted near Toledo during this tornado outbreak.
Photo courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/ Department of Commerce
Call Number: wea00217 Historic NWS Collection

Not just four day of tornadoes. Four Days of Tornado Outbreaks.

But, after all, this is the USA and we can control most of the nasty outcomes of nature. Who really cares about tornadoes anyway, it only happens in Kansas.


1953 June 8: Flint, MI (The 1950s when oil was dirt cheap and air quality was beginning to find its way to concern for Americans. Smokestacks were beginning to be a blight on the country and children's lungs. The Industrial Revolution from the late 1800s was in full swing with two World Wars behind us and a Korean Conflict winding down.)
Over $19 million in damage occurred as an F5 tornado moved through the northern sections of Flint, MI. 115 people were killed and 844 were injured. This tornado was the last single tornado through March 2002 to cause more than 100 deaths.

While there is no single agreed upon definition, generally more than six tornadoes in a day in the same region is considered a tornado outbreak. A series of continuous or near continuous tornado outbreak days is a tornado outbreak sequence.
The largest tornado outbreak on record — with 148 tornadoes, most significantly including six F5 and 24 F4 tornadoes — occurred on April 3 - April 4, 1974 across the United States and Canada. It is dubbed the Super Outbreak.

The Nation of Terror experiences four consecutive days of fatal tornadoes. The American Dream in ruins !

Radio Iowa News
Four remain in critical condition following tornado (click here)

Six confirmed dead, one missing after NE Iowa tornadoes (click here)
Monday, May 26, 2008, 8:59 AM
By Darwin Danielson
The Iowa Department of Public Safety now says there are six confirmed dead following the tornadoes that struck northeast Iowa. D-P-S spokesman Jim Saunders, speaking at a news conference in Parkersburg, says there is still one person missing.
Saunders says rescuers will do another search of the homes today. He says they will go house-by-house through town and mark the homes so that people know the area has been searched. Saunders says the Iowa National Guard is helping state and local officials in the effort.
Saunders says they have enough heavy equipment to help move debris, and he says while there are a lot of people who want to help out and volunteer, the situation is such that they want to limit the number of people on the scene. Saunders says there's a number for people to tall to get information. He says you can call 319-267-9111 to find out about missing loved ones from the area...

May 25, 2008
Lacrosse, Kansas
Photographer states :: Photo showing the "Green" glow from an intense hail core in Kansas on May 25, 2008. Photo copyight Mike Theiss


May 25, 2008
Lacrosse, Kansas
Photographer states :: Photo of a wallcloud crossing road near lacrosse, Kansas on May 25, 2008. Photo copyight Mike Theiss

8 Dead in Memorial Day Weekend Twisters (click here - video)
Violent Weather Hits Iowa, Minnesota Towns, Killing 8; More Tornadoes Possible
By DAVID SCHOETZ
May 26, 2008
A band of violent weather moving across the country's midsection killed eight more people Sunday as tornadoes, heavy rain and hail belted parts of Iowa and Minnesota, darkening Memorial Day weekend.
The Iowa Homeland Security administrator confirmed that a tornado that ripped through Parkersburg, a small town about 80 miles northeast of Des Moines, killed seven people Sunday. At least 50 injuries were reported, and many of the town's homes and buildings were destroyed.
A warning siren was sounded, but residents said that the storm touched down quickly....

...Let the water of calm trickle over my doubts...

It's Monday Afternoon - Memorial Day

Drought by Vienna Teng

Summer move forward and stitch me the fabric of fall
Wrap life in the brilliance of death to humble us all
How sweet is the day
I'm craving a darkness
As I sit tucked away with my back to the wall

And the taste of dried-up hopes in my mouth
And the landscape of merry and desperate drought
How much longer dear angels
Let winterlight come
And spread your white sheets over my empty house

Summer move forward and leave your heat anchored in dust
Forgotten him, cheated him, painted illusions of lust
Now language escape, fugitive of forgiveness
Leaving as trace only circles of rust

And the taste of dried-up hopes in my mouth
And the landscape of merry and desperate drought
How much longer dear angels
Come break me with ice
Let the water of calm trickle over my doubts

Come let me drown
Angels no fire no salt on the plow
Carry me down
Bury me down

And the taste of dried-up hopes in my mouth
And the landscape of merry and desperate drought
Once I knew myself
And with knowing came love
I would know love again if I had faith enough
Too far is next spring and her jubilant shout
So angels, inside
Is the only way out