Ellen Prager (StormCenter)

Ellen Prager, PhD is a marine scientist and author, widely recognized for her expertise and ability to make science entertaining and understandable

[NOAA Satellites @NOAASatellites]

We just had to share this impressive imagery of severe thunderstorms sweeping across Texas yesterday, captured by @NOAA's #GOESEast (#GOES19) 🛰️.
The visible imagery reveals fine details within the storms, while the satellite’s Geostationary Lightning Mapper highlights where lightning flashes occurred.

[Ellen Prager (StormCenter) @EPStormCenter]

Science matters. Here's a few headlines & stories that caught our attention this week. A flooded future for cities like New Orleans & T-Rex's tiny arms. We're thinking of doing more shorts like this, so if you like it, please let us know and pass it on.

https://t.co/UQdYdZJoXB

[National Weather Service @NWS]

A lot of us will be outdoors a lot this Memorial Day Weekend, so remember: Thunderstorms can produce deadly lightning strikes up to 10 miles away. When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! https://t.co/KCtcJO1NSz

[Ben Noll @BenNollWeather]

A freight train of warm water chugging beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean is a big reason why a super El Niño may form this year.

Ocean waters have peaked around 7.5˚C (13.5˚F) above average, breaking records.

And now, it's nearing the western shores of South America 🧵

[Ellen Prager (StormCenter) @EPStormCenter]

46 years ago Mount St. Helen's erupted. It was the worst volcanic disaster recorded in US History. It was a tragic disaster but also a watershed moment for our understanding of volcanoes, the need for monitoring and more. Here's bit more in this short.

https://t.co/Dr9IS7DXoZ

[Volcaholic 🌋 @volcaholic1]

Episode 47 of Kilauea’s ongoing eruption began a few hours ago.

She never disappoints. What a stunner 😍

[Ellen Prager (StormCenter) @EPStormCenter]

For the first time, undersea gliders are in the 2026 National Hurricane Operations Plan & the IOOS Association is recognized as they prepare to deploy gliders to improve hurricane intensity forecasting. Check out this cool short video on why it matters.

https://t.co/xDvuW26uS9

[Ellen Prager (StormCenter) @EPStormCenter]

No one should have been hiking on this active volcano! Indonesian disaster agency gave warnings. Science, communication, and messaging are all important but people need to make smarter choices especially guides. Such deaths and injuries are preventable.

https://t.co/LQ8SEqjdSY

[Ellen Prager (StormCenter) @EPStormCenter]

@BenNollWeather Great stuff Ben, if you want to write about what the potential impacts could be in the Galapagos to wildlife...devastating....let's talk. Have images and personal experience there during El Ninos.

[Ellen Prager (StormCenter) @EPStormCenter]

The heat is on in subsurface equatorial waters, suggesting strong El Nino on the way. Could devastate Galapagos wildlife (land and ocean). El Nino's shut down upwelling, reduce food availability for marine iguanas, sea lion pups, birds, penguins & more. Corals also at risk.

[Ellen Prager (StormCenter) @EPStormCenter]

Excellent piece about second highest #tsunami on record in Alaska fjord 2025, link to climate change, & increased risks to #cruise ships & tourists in the region. Based on Science article led by Daniel Shugar, Univ Calgary (DOI: 10.1126/science.aec3187).

https://t.co/F6YIHiJFAV

[USGS Volcanoes🌋 @USGSVolcanoes]

Kīlauea Eruption Episode 46 Update May 5, 2026, 5:30 pm HST 
 
Episode 46 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea began at 8:17 am HST on May 5 and ended about 9 hours later at 5:22 pm HST. 
 
With the reduced ground and aviation hazards due to the lava fountaining episode ending, the USGS is dropping the Volcano Alert Level from WATCH to ADVISORY and the Aviation Color Code from ORANGE to YELLOW. 
 
We’ll share more details about this eruptive episode in our next post. 
 
Kīlauea has been erupting episodically since December 23, 2024, from two vents (north and south) in Halema‘uma‘u, in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Lava fountaining episodes, which generally last for less than 12 hours, are separated by pauses that can be longer than three weeks. 
 
🎥 Video of episode 46 on May 5, 2026. 
 
#Kilauea #tephra #lava

[Vincent Ledvina @Vincent_Ledvina]

There is a relatively large, snaking coronal hole facing Earth now. Here is the current view this morning. This feature is sending fast wind our way.

Effects from this coronal hole at Earth could begin around May 8, and we may see minor geomagnetic storming and potential mid-latitude auroral displays.

[Ellen Prager (StormCenter) @EPStormCenter]

Tsunamis & Space Weather? Research shows both don't travel as simple waves like from a pebble dropped in a pond. Energy directed in tsunamis by bathymetry, CMEs (Coronal Mass Ejections) get twisted & directed based on new @NASA PUNCH satellites. Will help better forecast impacts

[Stephanie Abrams @StephanieAbrams]

So much BIG hail in so many states!

[Ellen Prager (StormCenter) @EPStormCenter]

Fascinating discussion and interview with @NWSSWPC expert space weather forecasters! Space weather impacts electric grid, satellites, GPS, astronauts and . . . Homing pigeons!! Thx Shawn and Ken. #spaceweather

[Pattrn @pattrn]

Earth Day 2026 is all about the individual actions you can take to help in the global fight to slow climate change. But if that feels like a hard job, here are three easy ways you can still make a difference 🌍⬇️ #EarthDay

[Volcaholic 🌋 @volcaholic1]

Case and point!

[Volcaholic 🌋 @volcaholic1]

Japan: The Tsunami Warning has been downgraded to a Tsunami Advisory.

Waves of up to 1m are expected. Those near coastal areas, rivers, or lakes should evacuate to higher ground immediately.

[Volcaholic 🌋 @volcaholic1]

Tsunami waves of up to 3 meters are still expected.