Matt Lacke

Air Pollution Meteorologist. Northerner turned southerner. Tweets are my own.

[Chicago Bears @ChicagoBears]

WALK IT OFF.

#WPMOYChallenge + @idjmoore

[Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter]

Bears are back. With today’s win over the Eagles, they now are 9-3, are in first place in the NFC North, and currently hold the NFC’s No. 2 seed.

And next week, Week 14, they play at Green Bay.

[Dakota Smith @weatherdak]

Alrighty, ready to see something really cool?

The evolution of Hurricane Melissa's mesovortices at peak strength.

[Philip Klotzbach @philklotzbach]

#Hurricane #Melissa's pressure has dropped to 892 mb. That's tied with the Florida Keys Hurricane of 1935 for the 3rd lowest pressure for an Atlantic hurricane on record. Only Wilma (2005) - 882 mb and Gilbert (1988) - 888 mb have been lower. Lower pressure = stronger hurricane.

[Tropical Cowboy of Danger @FlynonymousWX]

Fifth and final pass through Hurricane Melissa for our crew today. Just after noon entering from the NW corner exiting SE.

[JCDH Air Quality @JCDH_AirQuality]

⚠️TUESDAY: CODE RED AIR QUALITY ALERT FOR PM2.5⚠️
Smoke from prescribed burns has significantly increased PM2.5 concentrations.
Some of the general public may experience health effects; sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

[JCDH Air Quality @JCDH_AirQuality]

Smoke from a prescribed burn permitted by @ALForestryComm could move in Jefferson Co. later today & get trapped under an overnight inversion. This could significantly elevate PM2.5 concentrations through mid-morning Tue.
Info on how to protect your health: https://t.co/mfB0k0xdw9

[Andrew Freedman @afreedma]

NEW: The Trump admin has informed NOAA that two buildings that are critical for weather forecasting will have their leases canceled. If this comes to pass, it's a really big deal. Includes weather fcst nerve center in College Park, Md.: https://t.co/MAzRvzMLrZ

[Al Roker @alroker]

Going into the severe weather and hurricane season, this cannot be good.

The Commerce Department has laid off hundreds of NOAA employees, many with specialized skills who work at one of the world's top climate science and weather forecasting agencies.
Why it matters: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is responsible for providing weather watches and warnings, monitoring and studying Earth's climate, as well as operating weather satellites and protecting marine life.
The layoffs of probationary employees that began Thursday hit soon after cuts at the behest of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency occurred at other climate and environment agencies.
The big picture: NOAA's missions require staff to work around the clock to monitor dangerous weather, earthquakes that could cause tsunamis, and other hazards.
In recent weeks, NOAA's National Weather Service has issued warnings for deadly flooding in Kentucky, heavy snow, frigid temperatures and other hazards across the country.
While NOAA had pushed for public safety exemptions from the layoffs for NWS meteorologists, not all were granted. A congressional aide reported hearing that "some" at NWS were spared but "not many."

[Ethan Clark wx @EthanClarkWX]

Here we go. Weather models and services could be impacted by the firing of NWS/NOAA meteorologists that started today. Effective immediately and until further notice, the National Weather Service (NWS) is indefinitely suspending weather balloon launches at Kotzebue, Alaska

[Dr. Levi Cowan @TropicalTidbits]

I never publicly comment on political matters because they are usually irrelevant to my work of providing hurricane data and forecasts to people in my personal capacity. Today though, it is highly relevant, and as a member of the meteorological community, I am angry.

Planned or ongoing bulk workforce cuts would irreparably harm the National Weather Service, NOAA, and their scientists who save innumerable lives by warning people in advance of tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, tsunamis, blizzards, and other life-threatening hazards. Many of you reading this may knowingly or unknowingly be alive today because of their work, or know someone who is. As a direct consequence of wounding the NWS and NOAA, the public would be less safe.

My personal mission to bring hurricane science, data, and forecasts to the public would not be possible without the weather observations, doppler radar stations, computer models, hurricane hunter aircraft, and weather satellites provided by NOAA and the NWS. Your favorite weather apps, TV meteorologists, and private weather companies would also be unable to function without this data or the civil servants who live and breathe it to synthesize it into public safety information.

All of these benefits cost each taxpayer the equivalent of a few cups of coffee per year, and surveys show most would be willing to pay much more. The American weather enterprise saves many, many times more money than it costs to run, making it one of the biggest bangs for your buck in the government. The impact of quality weather forecasts and infrastructure on society is multiplied many-fold by preventing economic disruptions, keeping public transportation efficient, and providing lead time to prepare for and mitigate disasters. Most importantly, it saves priceless lives.

Careful, long-term plans to streamline or reorient the weather enterprise in an evolving world are not bad, but *this plan* is insane. A feverish rush to take a cleaver to this workforce is self-destructive and dangerous to Americans who rely on the services they provide. It also cuts off the legs of young, passionate scientists who represent the future of meteorology in the new age of AI and other emerging technologies -- the very people we need in the field right now.

As a part of this community since the age of 8 when I began analyzing hurricanes with dial-up internet, I am heartbroken and concerned by what appears to be planned or already in motion. It also directly impacts my friends and family. I cannot be silent, despite knowing I do myself no favors by speaking out. I ask you to join me in advocating for @NWS and @NOAA if you value their work or the work that I am able to do because of them. There are many ways to make your voice heard.

That's all for now, thanks for reading.

[James Spann @spann]

Long time followers here know that I don’t do politics, and there’s no political content on this account. I vote; and that’s it. The world does not need another social media nitwit telling people how to think and vote. 

This post is not about politics, but about support for my friends that work for the National Weather Service, part of NOAA, a federal agency.

NWS meteorologists work long, hard hours serving the people of this country, not only during times of severe weather, but on the routine days as well.

Their surface and upper air observation networks along with computer models, radars, and satellites are critical for all meteorologists, including those of us in the private sector. 

Most NWS field offices are currently understaffed right now. I can only imagine morale is not especially high. 

Many high-level politicians follow this page, both Democrats and Republicans. I would encourage them and all of you to support my colleagues at the National Weather Service during this time. Their service is absolutely invaluable. 

If NWS products and services are reduced, we all suffer…especially during times of life-threatening weather. 

[Olivia Vidal @oliviavidaltv]

Ice hockey on Canal St., anyone?? 🤣
On a serious note— this is what the streets will be like tonight and tomorrow. VERY TREACHEROUS. #NewOrleans @FOX8NOLA

[Jeff Passan @JeffPassan]

BREAKING: The Chicago Cubs have acquired star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros, sources tell ESPN. Deal is done.

[Georgia Football @GeorgiaFootball]

Kings of the @SEC 👑

#GoDawgs

[Matt Lacke @mlackewx]

Took the Bears long enough!

[Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter]

Black Friday: For the first time in the 100-plus year history of the franchise, the Chicago Bears have made an in-season head-coaching change, firing Matt Eberflus.

[CIRA @CIRA_CSU]

A close-up of Hurricane Milton's eye.

[CIRA @CIRA_CSU]

Prolific lightning flashes within Hurricane Milton's eye wall.

An incredible full day view of the Category 5 storm.

[SportsCenter @SportsCenter]

Look what it means for Coach Hammock 🥺

[Matt Lacke @mlackewx]

NIU with the upset!!!

#NIU #NiuHuskies #TheHardWay

[ESPN @espn]

A SOUTH BEND STUNNER‼️

28-point underdog Northern Illinois beats Notre Dame for its first top-10 win in school history 😮