Don Paul Bits o' Blather on Weather, Climate, & Science

Latest Episodes:

The Polar Vortex: What's It All About Oct 25, 2020

Show notes

As we head into the cold weather months, you'll be hearing more and more about the polar vortex. This atmospheric feature can have drastic effects on winter weather and, even in the midst of a warming climate (and sometimes BECAUSE of a warming climate) can deliver shorter duration wintry blasts.

A Departure: Some Autobiographical Fun about Don Paul & the Mob Oct 24, 2020

Show notes

Taking a brief break from science, this is a tale about my contact with the NYC mob in pre-tv meteorology job at WNEW Radio in New York. I think you'll find it funny and the best part--it's all true!

How Far Ahead Can Meteorologists Forecast the Weather? Oct 22, 2020

Show notes

It's not just the silliness of Farmers Almanac forecasts which defy any laws of physics. There are private sector weather forecasting companies whose owners and managers know better, but still put out 30-90 day DAILY forecasts. Do such forecasts demonstrate any skill? The answers are in this podcast episode. PLEASE SHARE.

A fairly Strong La Nina is out there: What does that mean? Oct 21, 2020

Show notes

Confidence is high a moderate to strong La Nina will persist into and through the winter season. What does that mean for general weather trends during the winter season, what are the important potential exceptions to those trends for shorter periods of time?

Updated Checklist on What We Need to Know about COVID Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

The science on Covid keeps advancing and, yes, much has changed since late winter. This episode reflects the medical and epidemiological consensus on the state of disease and, hopefully, lowering the critical increase in the rate of infection in most of the U.S.

Updated Info on What You Need to Know about COVID Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

Since science evolves with newer research, this is an updated checklist on what the medical community now knows about Covid, and what you need to know to reduce the risk of contagion from this incredibly infectious virus.

The Damaging Winds of Autumn Oct 17, 2020

Show notes

"High Winds" in meteorology doesn't just mean strong, gusty winds. A High Wind WARNING is a severe weather warning, in which widespread damage is occurring or is likely, and should be treated as severe weather. High Wind events become more likely in mid and late autumn, and again in early spring. So, even though lots of newspeople throw around the term "high winds" it's time to pay close attention when your meteorologist and National Weather Service relay a High Wind WATCH (maybe) or WARNING (imminent). If you're enjoying this podcast, please SHARE.

The Deadly Folly of Allowing COVID to run its course. Oct 15, 2020

Show notes

The idea we can quickly achieve widespread herd immunity by allowing COVID to run its course, magically protecting vulnerable populations, is worse than ludicrous. It would be mass Depraved Indifference.

Do you believe in Alien Visitations to Earth? Yes? Then I'm about to TICK YOU OFF. Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

No doubt, there have tens of thousands of still unexplained sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects, among the many more which HAVE been explained. Does that mean the odds are high we have been visited and are still being visited by alien spacecraft? Short answer: Nah. Standing on the shoulders of astrophysicists' and astrobiologists' work, I explain the near certain mathematical probabilities nobody out there knows we are here. If you're enjoying this podcast, PLEASE SHARE...it's the only way for a new podcast to grow in listenership, now available on 7 platforms.

Buffalo's Biggest "October Surprise" in History came from a Paralyzing Lake Effect Snowstorm Oct 12, 2020

Show notes

Lake effect snow typically is a narrow band of snow driven by cold winds over warmer Great Lakes waters with arctic air aloft. THIS storm came historically early, was poorly forecast, and produced widespread damage and devastation. My "tale of woe" is not all about me...and it's not boring, even if you're listening in El Paso!