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Have There Been More Hurricanes In Recent Years Because of Technology?

     Have there been more hurricanes in recent years? Is that from climate change? Or is it just an advancement of technology? The National Hurricane Center's Christopher W. Landsea, Chief of the Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch, and Eric Blake, a Senior Hurricane Specialist, studied this topic in a recent article of theirs. About 15 years ago, scientists and researchers found that the number of hurricanes had increased over the past hundred years. But interestingly, during the 1940s and 1950s, there was an increase in short-lived or low-impact storms. At the same time, there were more aircraft over the oceans and the Hurricane Hunters began missions looking for hurricanes.  Last year, nearly 42 trillion dollars of damage were caused by tropical cyclones. This included a record-breaking 13 in the U.S., six of which were in Louisiana. Down in Central America, trillions of dollars in damage was delivered by destructive hurricanes such as Hurricane Iota .  O...
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Enthusiast Shutting Down December 31

 We are sorry to announce that MinyanCast Enthusiast will be shutting down December 31. All of our members have been automatically removed from being billed. You can always check out forecasts at MinyanCast.com. There are options to receive forecasts by email ( de.minyancast.com ) and Whatsapp ( dailywhatsapp.minyancast.com ). 
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Two Tornadoes Confirmed From Thursday's Storms in DC and Virginia

 The National Weather Service confirmed that two tornadoes touched down in last Thursday's storms. Neither caused any injuries or deaths.  The first moved from Arlington, Virginia to Washington D.C., starting at around 8:59pm. Winds peaked at around 90 mph, according to the survey estimate. Numerous trees were snapped or damaged, and fencing by the National Mall for Independence Day celebrations was twisted and broken.  The second tornado touched down at 9:08pm Thursday in D.C.; this tornado was separate from the first. The tornado peaked at 80 mph winds, and caused several tree limbs to fall. It dissipated about two minutes later. 
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2.6 Magnitude Earthquake Centered Near Woodlawn on Friday

An earthquake with a magnitude was reported on Friday near Woodlawn, Maryland at around 3:40pm, and confirmed by the United States Geological Survey . This is a relatively minor earthquake that did little except rattle shelves in homes and similar objects.  452 responses were sent into the USGS on Friday, as of 5pm. 27 were in the first 10 minutes.  Richard Ortt, Director of the Maryland Geological Survey, spoke to WJZ about what residents can expect following the earthquake.  “We really don’t expect any kind of damage,” Ortt said. “Citizens that are reporting the earthquake say there was very light shaking and nothing more than that.”  “There is possibility of aftershocks, however we would anticipate them to be smaller than the [quake] that happened this afternoon,” Ortt said. He said we probably won’t feel them.  The last region-wide earthquake was in 2011. 
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Claudette Spawns Deadly Tornadoes in US South

Tropical Storm Claudette brought soaking rains and damaging tornadoes in the South. Reports out of Alabama include several deaths, as many as 12. Regardless of exact deaths or injuries, extensive damage occurred. At least six tornadoes were confirmed over the weekend from Claudette.  Tropical Storm Claudette dropped 5 to 10 inches of rain in many areas of Alabama and nearby areas.  Experts continue to warn those in hurricane and tropical storm prone areas that this season will likely be quite active. 
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Tornado Alley Expanding Eastward, Analysis Finds

     Per a recent USA Today analysis and newly published studies, the areas most frequently getting a tornado - dubbed Tornado Alley - has expanded eastward in recent years. More than 60,000 tornadoes were reported across the U.S. from 1950 to 2019. More than half were EF1 or stronger.  First, let's take a look at how tornadoes form: Thunderstorm and Tornado Development  When lower-level Gulf winds meet cooler upper-level winds from the west, it can create instability and wind shear, key ingredients for tornadoes, according to Shawn Milrad, associate professor of meteorology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  When thunderstorms begin to form, wind shear, where winds of different directions and altitudes interact, can make the air spin on a horizontal axis. But winds alone don't make tornadoes; something needs to tilt that spinning air.  Rising air in thunderstorms and daytime heating at the surface can create updrafts, tilting the spinning tube ...
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EF-1 Tornado Confirmed In Jacksonville, MD on Thursday

The National Weather Service on Friday confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down in Jacksonville, Maryland on Thursday afternoon. With maximum winds of 95 mph, this tornado snapped or damaged over 120 trees, and damaged a few homes. Residents noted relative quiet Residents reported "relatively quiet conditions followed by a loud and incessant roaring sound, with reduced visibility due to heavy rain and swirling winds."  According to one resident, "they entered their basement when they heard the loud roar." 
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