The Daily Bolt

Here's the audio portion of the latest Daily Bolt. Go to YouTube or Facebook to see the latest. 

A brief show talking about the return of the podcast and how it will change and be different going forward. 

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

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. 

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? 

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. 

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

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

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!

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. 

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.

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

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!

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!

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. 

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

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

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. 

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

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!

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

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

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. 

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'). 

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!

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!

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...

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. 

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. 

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

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. 

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!

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

The latest on major hurricane Delta

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

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

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

The latest on the tropical Atlantic and Gulf storms

More on Paulette and Sally

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

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

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

A story about the African baobab tree.

More encouraging news on the COVID front.

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

Not One but two Atlantic tropical systems tonight.

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.

A new meta analysis into napping has some surprising results.

A look at this year’s Amazonian wildfire season