Brian Richins

"Weather is my True Love" Meteorology, Storm Chaser: #USNavy Veteran 🇺🇸

[Matthew Cappucci @MatthewCappucci]

Have weather forecasts seemed less accurate lately? There's a major contributing factor: nearly half the morning weather balloons in the Lower 48 are "missing."

This is an ongoing crisis that is degrading critical severe weather forecasts that we all rely on. It's having real, tangible impacts on degrading forecast quality.

If you work in transportation, agriculture or commerce, this should matter to you.

Regardless of the causes, this negatively affects people of ALL political backgrounds. Weather affects everyone. And it's impacting ALL of us negatively.

We can't look at weather balloon data that doesn't exist. We can't pump nonexistent data into models. We can't rely as heavily on models that don't "know" what's happening above our heads.

This is especially concerning for severe weather forecasts. We can't go 18 hours without ascertaining how the atmosphere is layered, how much storm fuel has built up and if severe thunderstorms are going to erupt. The Storm Prediction Center has even acknowledged forecasting frustrations in at least one public bulletin.

As an atmospheric scientist myself, I can say firsthand – the forecasts I'm able to offer you are less accurate than they would otherwise be. I'm not able to predict severe weather with the confidence I normally would. That is extremely concerning.

The United States is "supposed" to launch balloons at 0Z and 12Z ideally – a.k.a. around 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern time. That's not happening. Many sites, due to staffing issues stemming from broader political and organizational issues, have pushed to 18Z, or early afternoon. That's not helpful for morning severe weather forecasts. In other words, you get less lead time. Less advanced notice. Quicker ramp-ups and ramp-downs to the forecast.

We're not able to get jet stream, temperature, moisture or wind profiles of the atmosphere each morning like we otherwise would.

Moreover, the World Meteorological Organization encourages 12Z soundings; that data is shared via the Global Observing System (GOS) under the World Weather Watch (WWW). That's not happening.

[Brian Richins @brian_richins]

Earthquake M5.6: Redwood Valley, California via @quakefeed https://t.co/SKy6VdgEAG

[217Problems @217Problems]

Effingham man films what it’s like to experience a tornado

[Jason Weingart @twisterhunters]

orbiting a strong tornado yesterday east of Effingham, Illinois

[Nate @nse_wx]

Final moments of the tornado that hit Streator, Illinois.

[Logan Shears @LShears64286]

@MaxVelocityWX Southeast of Streator 4 minutes ago

[Brian Richins @brian_richins]

@StasisChasing It’s good to have you back brother. Hope to see you out there this year.

[FOX Weather @foxweather]

DANGEROUS ICE STORM: A potentially historic ice storm is beginning to take shape across areas in the South, threatening widespread power outages for millions of Americans, major travel disruptions and a slew of other potentially catastrophic impacts. @IanOliverWX with the latest.

[Conservative Ladies of America - WA State @CLofWashington]

Pierce County Sheriff .@saveoursheriff testified this morning before the Senate Law & Justice in opposition to SB 5974, which seeks to de-certify elected sheriffs (among other problematic things).

[Brian Richins @brian_richins]

@NWSSeattle is the radar down, and if so, why are you guys not posting about it?

[Ari Hoffman @thehoffather]

BREAKING: In response to the massive daycare fraud being exposed by independent journalists using state websites, WA State Senator Lisa Wellman has pre-filed legislation to hide information about daycares and their operators from the public

[Nick shirley @nickshirleyy]

🚨 Here is the full 42 minutes of my crew and I exposing Minnesota fraud, this might be my most important work yet. We uncovered over $110,000,000 in ONE day. Like it and share it around like wildfire! Its time to hold these corrupt politicians and fraudsters accountable

We ALL work way too hard and pay too much in taxes for this to be happening, the fraud must be stopped.

[Brian Richins @brian_richins]

Merry Christmas, everyone and God bless

[NWS Seattle @NWSSeattle]

71 mph gust at Whidbey Island now. #wawx

[NWS Seattle @NWSSeattle]

Flash Flood Warning continues for King County, WA until 9:00 PM PST

[Brian Richins @brian_richins]

@WxScholl Could you imagine how much uplift you would need to have a hail stone the size of that?

[Brian Richins @brian_richins]

@tornadopaigeyy @BryceShelton01 @wendy_deyulis Been praying for you

[Brian Richins @brian_richins]

@TrooperBenKHP Thank you trooper Ben all your hard work you’ve given us

[Brian Richins @brian_richins]

@OKTornadoDB You should follow some people back

[Brian Richins @brian_richins]

If you’re celebrating a political killing on here and you’re following me, unfollowed me