The Daily Bolt

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Issues involving the weather, Earth’s climate and weather and climate forecasting: Scientific truth and informed opinion and commentary, no media hype, no bull.

Dr. Jeff Tilley

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    • Aug 31, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 10m AVG DURATION
    • 146 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Daily Bolt

    Episode 179: Ida Port-Mortem and Using Polar Orbiters to Track Wildfires

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2021 22:03


    In this episode I give an update on what had been Hurricane Ida, now moving through the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys as a big rain-maker. A chronology of Ida is discussed highlighting the most interesting aspects of the tropical cyclone's brief but intense time on the weather stage. Also, the use of high-resolution infrared imagery from polar orbiting satellites for fire tracking is discussed, using the ongoing Caldor Fire in the Sierra Nevada as an example.  For images referenced in the discussion, see the episode on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/YC7_5p0dsOY

    Episode 178: Ida Dominates the Gulf While Nora Pummels Puerto Vallarta

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2021 18:24


    An 8 pm Aug. 28 update on  Category 2 Hurricane Ida, where it's going and what the impacts will be.  Also, news on Pacific Hurricane Nora which is pummeling Puerto Vallarta and will bring strong impacts to much of the Pacific and Gulf of California coastal areas over the next few days. 

    Episode 177: Much Ado About Ida

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2021 13:24


    The latest on currently Category 1 Hurricane Ida.  Where it's going, how strong it will be, what the impacts will be and why will it be so strong? 

    Episode 176: America's Poor Scientific Literacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2021 8:32


    A new study by the University of Southern California highlights the difficulties the public may be having understanding the issues surrounding climate change because of a lack of comprehension in the terminology.  While this highlights a tendency of scientists to overuse technical jargon, it also underscores a more fundamental issue of scientific literacy, and literacy in general, that seems to be only getting worse. 

    Episode 175: An Unsung Casualty of the Taliban Takeover: Scientists

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2021 15:55


    Somewhat lost in the current reporting on Afghanistan is the fact that during the past 2 decades, science has once again blossomed in Afghanistan after being decimated during their previous rule from 1996-2001.  Many Afghan scientists fear for the future of science and education, and many want out.  More details in the podcast.  The article referenced in the podcast can be found online at: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/08/i-don-t-want-die-afghan-researchers-fear-their-safety-and-future-science

    Henri and Middle Tennessee Flooding Recaps

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2021 20:33


    Recaps of both Tropical Storm Henri's landfall and impacts as well as the weekend flooding event in Middle Tennessee.  For best enjoyment of this episode, which relies heavily on video, please view it on my YouTube channel at:   https://youtu.be/7UVwV1mZV-c

    Episod 173: Grace Dissipates in Central Mexico; Henri headed for Long Island

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2021 12:52


    The latest on the damage Major Hurricane Grace caused in the Mexican state of Veracruz last night and this morning before heading into the mountains where it is dissipating.  Nominal Hurricane Henri is on course for Long Island and New England.  Details in the podcast!

    Episode 172: Grace nears 2nd Landfall in Mexico; Henri to directly impact New England this weekend

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2021 13:02


    The latest on Category 2 Hurricane Grace (100 mph) as it nears it's 2nd Mexican landfall in the state of Veracruz---where is it going and will it affect metro Mexico City?   Also the latest on very strong Tropical Storm Henri as it transitions into a hurricane which will impact New England. 

    Episode 171:Category 1 Grace Bears Down on Cozumel and Cancun

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2021 12:06


    The latest on Hurricane Grace as it approaches landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula.  Where will it hit and where will be affected?  Also, an update on Tropical Storm Henri and it's potential impacts on New England.

    Episode 170: Fred's Floods, Grace's Strengthening and Henri's Shift

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2021 12:01


    The latest on Tropical Depression Fred, Tropical Storm Grace and Tropical Storm Henri

    Fred and Grace threaten the FL Panhandle and Haiti

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 13:00


    The 8 pm August 15 Update on Tropical Storm Fred and Tropical Depression Grace.   Find out where they are going and what the impacts look to be!

    Episode 168: Fred is Down but not Dead

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2021 9:37


    The Remnants of Tropical Depression Fred have moved northwest of Cuba into the Gulf of Mexico where features more consistent with tropical cyclones are redeveloping.  Hear the latest on where is Fred is going and when!

    Episode 167: Is Tropical Depression Fred reforming south of Cuba?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2021 7:50


    We look at the latest forecasts and satellite imagery of Tropical Depression Fred, which gives some indication that it has reformed just south of the island of Cuba---which has substantial implications for Fred's impacts on the United States. 

    Episode 166: The latest on TD Fred and where it's going.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2021 8:34


    Fred remains a tropical depression but is still expected to slowly strengthen and impact much of Florida. 

    Episode 165: Fred weakens to a tropical depression

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2021 5:41


    The latest on what is now Tropical Depression Fred, including current status and forecast track and intensity information. 

    Episode 164: Tropical Storm Fred and Idiocy in Oregon Education Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2021 12:51


    Last night's potential tropical cyclone is now (as expected) Tropical Storm Fred.  Details in this podcast, as well as commentary on Oregon's education policy folly. 

    Episode 163: Will There Be a Tropical Storm "Fred" Tomorrow?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2021 7:31


    The latest on the Tropical Atlantic, 4 pm PDT, August 9, 2021

    Episode 162: Profiles in Science: Benjamin Franklin, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2021 9:49


    More on Benjamin Franklin's scientific accomplishments, focusing on biology, volcanology, meteorology and astronomy.  We bet there are things you didn't know about Benjamin Franklin...he was far more than just a guy who had a kite get struck by lightning!

    Episode 161: Profiles in Science: Benjamin Franklin, Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2021 8:31


    Part 1 of 2 episodes discussing the scientific contributions of Benjamin Franklin.    Represents the start of another new recurring feature on the Daily Bolt

    Episode 160: Unusual Cold Will Bring Higher Coffee Prices in 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2021 8:46


    Rare July frosts in Brazil's prime coffee growing region will result in higher, and perhaps sharply higher, coffee prices in 2022.

    Episode 159: Why Does It Work? Baking Soda and Vinegar as Cleaning Agents

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2021 11:07


    First of a recurring series featuring why, from a scientific perspective, things work they way they do.  Today:  Why, chemically, vinegar and baking soda are good cleaning agents and alternatives to other cleaning products. 

    Episode 158: This Day in Science August 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2021 8:55


    On this day in 1695, a patent for a portable barometer was issued to a British inventor.  Such an invention was an important step towards our modern understanding of atmospheric pressure and weather systems.   Learn more in this podcast. Video of this podcast, including images of the portable instrument, is available on YouTube (search for 'The Daily Bolt'). 

    Episode 157: Mixed News on the 2021 Western Drought

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2021 10:06


    I provide an update as to how the drought that much of the Western US has been experiencing through much of 2021 is progressing.  There's some good news and some not-so-good news.  Listen to find out!

    Episode 156: Who is Vladimir Zworkyin and Why Should We care?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2021 9:00


    On this date in 1889, Vladimir Zworkyin was born.  Why should we care?  If you own a television, you should certainly care.  Listen to find out why!

    Daily Bolt Episode 155: Coffee may be bad for your brain!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2021 5:37


    We briefly discuss a new study from the University of South Australia that suggests that people who drink more coffee daily end up with smaller brain volumes. And a bigger risk of developing dementia.  Maybe it's time to switch to tea...

    Episode 154: How Government Helps Form Scientific Consensus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2021 6:10


    In an originally unplanned addition to the discussion on Scientific Consensus, we discuss how government agencies and programs, by their ability to control research funding, can contribute to the formation of a specific consensus on a specific scientific issue.  It's not as far-fetched as you might think.  I've seen it in action. 

    Episode 153: More on the Validity of "Scientific Consensus"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2021 9:37


    We continue the discussion as to instances when scientific consensus was wrong, and how the current call to "follow the science" , meaning, "follow the scientific consensus", could be dangerous. 

    The Daily Bolt Episode 152: How Valuable is Scientific Consensus?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2021 10:55


    We tackle the idea of "scientific consensus" and whether it has value and under what conditions.  Part 1 of 2. 

    Episode 151: Reflections on Humility from C.M. Christensen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2021 7:23


    In a first departure from science/education topics, a few wise words about humility from the late Professor C. M. Christensen of Harvard's Business school.   There is much that applies in the current "cancel culture" climate. 

    Episode 150: We're Back...and: Using Drones for Rain Enhancement

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2021 13:09


    We are BACK after a long hiatus, with some changes:  more video episodes (see them on Facebook or YouTube), with audio for those episodes posted here;  Expanded range of topics including my own words of wisdom and insight (when I have them!).  And, no postings on Sundays. ALSO:  new research on uses for quad-copter drones to enhance rain electrostatically!

    Oct 10, 2020 Episode 149: Think you know the speed of sound? Think again.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2020 8:28


    New research discovers a theoretical upper limit to the speed of sound. And it's much faster than you think.

    Oct 6, 2020 Episode 148: Delta may or may not have hit it's peak but is still headed for the Gulf Coast

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2020 9:23


    The latest on major hurricane Delta

    The Daily Bolt Episode 147 (10-3-20): California Wildfires: Climate Change,Forest Management, or Both?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2020 13:41


    A first look at the controversy surrounding whether California's wildfires this summer are due to climate change or forest mismanagement.   

    Sep 16, 2020 Episode 146; and then there were three...but Sally still poses threats

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2020 14:06


    A bit of a Sally recap plus more on Teddy and Vicky

    Sep 15, 2020 Episode 145: Crawl, Sally, Crawl! Plus more on Paulette and the Western fires

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2020 15:02


    Sally still offshore but headed for Mobile; Paulette and some hope for the Pacific Northwest

    Sep 14, 2020 Episode 144: Sally and Paulette stronger; goodbye Rene, hello Teddy amd Vicky

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2020 13:00


    The latest on the tropical Atlantic and Gulf storms

    Sep 13, 2020 Episode 143: Paulette approaches Bermuda as a strong category 1 hurricane; Sally to strengthen

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2020 8:45


    Sep 12, 2020 episode 142: Not one, not two, not three, but for Atlantic tropical systems, and maybe a fifth soon. Plus, fires raging on in the west

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2020 11:42


    Good news for Pac NW firefighters;bad news for the central Gulf coast

    Sep 10, 2020 Episode 141: Extreme fire co ditio s spread morthward into the Pacific Northwest. Tens of millions affected by air quality alerts

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2020 13:30


    Fire activity increases in Washington and Oregon. Both states in their entirety are under Air Quality alerts

    Sep 8, 2020 Episode 140: Weather contrasts in the West; Paulette and Rene to be around for awhile

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2020 8:43


    We are back after a Labor Day weekend hiatus. Two tropical storms in the Atlantic and the changing weather in the West

    Sep 5, 2020 Episode 139: Typhoon Haisen lolks to set records in Japan and Korea

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2020 8:53


    Sep 4, 2020 Episode 138: New genetic information regsrding the Tree of Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2020 7:47


    A story about the African baobab tree.

    Sep 3, 2020 Episode 137: Steroids a new weapon in the COVID fight? Or overblown hype?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2020 8:12


    More encouraging news on the COVID front.

    Sep 3, 2020 Episode 136: Nana and Omar both weaken to Tropical Depression strength and expected to dissipate in about 2 Days

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2020 5:30


    A short podcast, the first of two to be released today.

    Sep 1, 2020 Episode 135: Nana and Omar provide some tropical surprises today. Belize and Guatemala to be seriously impacted.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2020 8:44


    Not One but two Atlantic tropical systems tonight.

    Aug 31, 2020 Episode 134: Tropical Depression 15 likely to become Tropical Storm Nana overnight

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2020 6:03


    We finish out a busy tropical storm month with one more before we hit September. But don't worry unlesss you own a freighter, barge or fishing boat.

    Aug 30, 2020 Episode 133: Watch those naps---you may be hurting your health! Wait...what?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2020 7:45


    A new meta analysis into napping has some surprising results.

    Aug 29, 2020 Episode 132: An update on wildfires in the Amazon

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2020 11:18


    A look at this year's Amazonian wildfire season

    Aug 28, 2020 Episode 131: Laura now a tropical depression causing flooding; plus some exciting news on the COVID-19 front

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2020 10:19


    The last on Laura; exciting developments in COVID-19 testing

    Aug 27, 2020 Episode 130: Laura now a tropical storm, headed north and east plus a brief recap of the last 12 hrs on satellite

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2020 10:28


    Laura Continues to weaken as it moves into Arkansas and its satellite presentation over the past 12 hours

    Aug 26, 2020 Episode 129: All eyes on category 4 Laura before tonight's landfall

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2020 13:16


    The very latest on Laura as of 3 pm Central time

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