Michael Lowry
@michaelrlowry.bsky.social
Hurricane Specialist and Storm Surge Expert at Miami's WPLG-TV Local 10 News. Posts my own.
http://linktr.ee/michaelrlowry
http://linktr.ee/michaelrlowry
Pinned
Michael Lowry
@michaelrlowry.bsky.social
· May 31
Opinion | How Far Can We Degrade Our Hurricane Forecasting Before People End Up Dead?
www.nytimes.com
It's been death by a million papercuts to U.S. weather forecasts by the Trump administration, but yesterday's detailed 2026 budget feels like a deathblow. In today's @nytimes.com I ask: How far can we degrade our hurricane forecasting before people end up dead?
Reposted by Michael Lowry
Among the other outrages in today's news from the @washingtonpost.com, management has gutted the Pulitzer-winning climate team, according to @sammyroth.bsky.social. Their work has been so important — one more reason to be heartbroken today. And pissed. www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/washington...
Breaking: Washington Post gutting its climate team
Clean energy dies in darkness. Courtesy of Jeff Bezos.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Among the other outrages in today's news from the @washingtonpost.com, management has gutted the Pulitzer-winning climate team, according to @sammyroth.bsky.social. Their work has been so important — one more reason to be heartbroken today. And pissed. www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/washington...
Reposted by Michael Lowry
This was one of my favorite #AGU25 talks this year
New paper looks into "The debt burden of tropical cyclones and climate change"
=> across all TC-exposed countries, debt-to-GDP ratios are on average 30% higher due to the cumulative effects of TCs since 1990, while GDP levels are on average 10% lower
eartharxiv.org/repository/v...
=> across all TC-exposed countries, debt-to-GDP ratios are on average 30% higher due to the cumulative effects of TCs since 1990, while GDP levels are on average 10% lower
eartharxiv.org/repository/v...
The debt burden of tropical cyclones and climate change
eartharxiv.org
February 2, 2026 at 11:37 AM
This was one of my favorite #AGU25 talks this year
Reposted by Michael Lowry
A fun case study since there have been 72 million articles on the cold in the east and 4 on the warmth in the west
January 2026 temperature rankings compared to all Januarys since 1895.
February 1, 2026 at 5:16 PM
A fun case study since there have been 72 million articles on the cold in the east and 4 on the warmth in the west
Reposted by Michael Lowry
With the caveat that it's based on a forecast, per SERCC, this could be among the coldest "January 19 - February 1" two-week stretches on record in the East.
January 29, 2026 at 1:02 PM
With the caveat that it's based on a forecast, per SERCC, this could be among the coldest "January 19 - February 1" two-week stretches on record in the East.
Reposted by Michael Lowry
14% of all U.S. government STEM Ph.D.s have left the workforce since Dec. 2024, a huge brain drain. New hires replaced only about 9% of the departures (at 14 of the agencies studied).
January 27, 2026 at 3:17 PM
14% of all U.S. government STEM Ph.D.s have left the workforce since Dec. 2024, a huge brain drain. New hires replaced only about 9% of the departures (at 14 of the agencies studied).
Reposted by Michael Lowry
00Z HRRR forecasted flat ice accumulations are downright scary. Maximum ice corridor from TX to TN and another maximum in N GA through S Appalachia look to be areas that will see the worst of it with extensive tree & power grid damage. These areas also tend to have high socioeconomic vulnerability.
January 24, 2026 at 2:47 AM
00Z HRRR forecasted flat ice accumulations are downright scary. Maximum ice corridor from TX to TN and another maximum in N GA through S Appalachia look to be areas that will see the worst of it with extensive tree & power grid damage. These areas also tend to have high socioeconomic vulnerability.
Reposted by Michael Lowry
Do you appreciate @nws.noaa.gov's posts on Bluesky?
Did you know that this account is a pilot program that may or may not be continued and even expanded to NWS field offices?
NWS is soliciting comments here! www.surveymonkey.com/r/PrototypeN...
Press release:
www.weather.gov/media/notifi...
Did you know that this account is a pilot program that may or may not be continued and even expanded to NWS field offices?
NWS is soliciting comments here! www.surveymonkey.com/r/PrototypeN...
Press release:
www.weather.gov/media/notifi...
⚠️~132 million: Number of people under alerts for snow, sleet, & freezing rain.
A large, long-duration winter storm is expected to bring widespread heavy snow, sleet, & freezing rain from the Southern Rockies & Plains beginning Friday (Jan. 23), spreading eastward toward New England this weekend.
🧵
A large, long-duration winter storm is expected to bring widespread heavy snow, sleet, & freezing rain from the Southern Rockies & Plains beginning Friday (Jan. 23), spreading eastward toward New England this weekend.
🧵
January 22, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Do you appreciate @nws.noaa.gov's posts on Bluesky?
Did you know that this account is a pilot program that may or may not be continued and even expanded to NWS field offices?
NWS is soliciting comments here! www.surveymonkey.com/r/PrototypeN...
Press release:
www.weather.gov/media/notifi...
Did you know that this account is a pilot program that may or may not be continued and even expanded to NWS field offices?
NWS is soliciting comments here! www.surveymonkey.com/r/PrototypeN...
Press release:
www.weather.gov/media/notifi...
AMS really knows how to pick em!
January 22, 2026 at 3:11 PM
AMS really knows how to pick em!
Reposted by Michael Lowry
There’s a difference between ice freezing on flat surfaces, ice accumulating on trees and power lines and other things in the air that we don’t want to come down, and ice pellets falling from the sky. Pass it on.
Freezing rain also doesn’t accumulate on branches and power lines to the values seen in the models.
It accumulates at roughly 39% the value of flat ice, so for quick math divide all of those by 3.
Yes: major ice storm coming, 0.5-1” ice, power outages.
No: Widespread 2-3” of ice.
It accumulates at roughly 39% the value of flat ice, so for quick math divide all of those by 3.
Yes: major ice storm coming, 0.5-1” ice, power outages.
No: Widespread 2-3” of ice.
This would knock out power for tens of millions of people, for week*s*.
This is not a joke or exaggeration.
This is not a joke or exaggeration.
January 22, 2026 at 12:54 AM
There’s a difference between ice freezing on flat surfaces, ice accumulating on trees and power lines and other things in the air that we don’t want to come down, and ice pellets falling from the sky. Pass it on.
Reposted by Michael Lowry
Absolutely unreal.
January 21, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Absolutely unreal.
Reposted by Michael Lowry
US science after a year of Trump
A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.
go.nature.com/4jSm0ui
A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.
go.nature.com/4jSm0ui
US science after a year of Trump: what has been lost and what remains
A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.
go.nature.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:28 PM
US science after a year of Trump
A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.
go.nature.com/4jSm0ui
A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce.
go.nature.com/4jSm0ui
Reposted by Michael Lowry
At halftime, I decided to boot up my computer just so I could do this. You're welcome. #NCAAFB #CFP #Doink @sarahspain.com @cjzero.bsky.social
January 20, 2026 at 2:55 AM
At halftime, I decided to boot up my computer just so I could do this. You're welcome. #NCAAFB #CFP #Doink @sarahspain.com @cjzero.bsky.social
Can't imagine the swag bag that comes with the AMS student conference this year :)
January 17, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Can't imagine the swag bag that comes with the AMS student conference this year :)
Reposted by Michael Lowry
The National Weather Service is now hiring for both entry-level and seasoned meteorologist positions. Apply by January 29!
The entry-level positions are available in:
▪️ Houston, TX
▪️ Ft. Worth, TX
▪️ Hastings, NE
▪️ Great Falls, MT
▪️ Marquette, MI
Apply: www.usajobs.gov/job/854675700
The entry-level positions are available in:
▪️ Houston, TX
▪️ Ft. Worth, TX
▪️ Hastings, NE
▪️ Great Falls, MT
▪️ Marquette, MI
Apply: www.usajobs.gov/job/854675700
January 16, 2026 at 8:15 PM
The National Weather Service is now hiring for both entry-level and seasoned meteorologist positions. Apply by January 29!
The entry-level positions are available in:
▪️ Houston, TX
▪️ Ft. Worth, TX
▪️ Hastings, NE
▪️ Great Falls, MT
▪️ Marquette, MI
Apply: www.usajobs.gov/job/854675700
The entry-level positions are available in:
▪️ Houston, TX
▪️ Ft. Worth, TX
▪️ Hastings, NE
▪️ Great Falls, MT
▪️ Marquette, MI
Apply: www.usajobs.gov/job/854675700
Reposted by Michael Lowry
According to HURDAT2 (since 1949 but more reliable since the 1970s), only TWO tropical cyclones have formed between 180° and North America in January.
Both Ekeka (1992) and Pali (2016) formed in the central Pacific.
If a TC develops near Mexico this month, there is no match in the modern record.
Both Ekeka (1992) and Pali (2016) formed in the central Pacific.
If a TC develops near Mexico this month, there is no match in the modern record.
It was easy to be skeptical when only the GFS showed this, but with other global models now on board with a potential tropical cyclone in the East Pacific in **January** of all months… I’d be impressed if this comes to fruition
January 14, 2026 at 2:30 PM
According to HURDAT2 (since 1949 but more reliable since the 1970s), only TWO tropical cyclones have formed between 180° and North America in January.
Both Ekeka (1992) and Pali (2016) formed in the central Pacific.
If a TC develops near Mexico this month, there is no match in the modern record.
Both Ekeka (1992) and Pali (2016) formed in the central Pacific.
If a TC develops near Mexico this month, there is no match in the modern record.
Reposted by Michael Lowry
After the US admin cancelled the $B Climate + Weather Disaster dataset, @climatecentral.org hired the scientists who ran it and set it back up.
Now the 2025 numbers are in: it's 3rd highest year on record and highest year w/o land-falling hurricanes.
More: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
Now the 2025 numbers are in: it's 3rd highest year on record and highest year w/o land-falling hurricanes.
More: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
January 8, 2026 at 5:33 PM
After the US admin cancelled the $B Climate + Weather Disaster dataset, @climatecentral.org hired the scientists who ran it and set it back up.
Now the 2025 numbers are in: it's 3rd highest year on record and highest year w/o land-falling hurricanes.
More: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
Now the 2025 numbers are in: it's 3rd highest year on record and highest year w/o land-falling hurricanes.
More: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
Reposted by Michael Lowry
The 2025 L.A. wildfires rank as the 10th-costliest weather disaster in U.S. (and world) history, using inflation-adjusted data from 1980-2025 from Climate Central, based on foundational work from NOAA.
January 8, 2026 at 9:23 PM
The 2025 L.A. wildfires rank as the 10th-costliest weather disaster in U.S. (and world) history, using inflation-adjusted data from 1980-2025 from Climate Central, based on foundational work from NOAA.
Reposted by Michael Lowry
Reminder: Yes, large-scale events that cause at least $1 billion in direct economic impacts drive the bulk of annual US catastrophe losses. But the non-billion-dollar events still drive considerable aggregate costs.
Since 2010, non-billion-dollar events account for 24% of US losses ($544 billion).
Since 2010, non-billion-dollar events account for 24% of US losses ($544 billion).
January 8, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Reminder: Yes, large-scale events that cause at least $1 billion in direct economic impacts drive the bulk of annual US catastrophe losses. But the non-billion-dollar events still drive considerable aggregate costs.
Since 2010, non-billion-dollar events account for 24% of US losses ($544 billion).
Since 2010, non-billion-dollar events account for 24% of US losses ($544 billion).
Reposted by Michael Lowry
Hey! Florida didn't really lose the title of "Lightning Capital of the United States".
That headline comes from a lightning network that has previously said Maryland and New Jersey were more lightning prone than Florida.
NLDN says Florida is the lightning capital since at least 2019.
That headline comes from a lightning network that has previously said Maryland and New Jersey were more lightning prone than Florida.
NLDN says Florida is the lightning capital since at least 2019.
January 6, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Hey! Florida didn't really lose the title of "Lightning Capital of the United States".
That headline comes from a lightning network that has previously said Maryland and New Jersey were more lightning prone than Florida.
NLDN says Florida is the lightning capital since at least 2019.
That headline comes from a lightning network that has previously said Maryland and New Jersey were more lightning prone than Florida.
NLDN says Florida is the lightning capital since at least 2019.
FEMA "CORE" positions are central to FEMA's mission and keep the agency nimble (and functioning) in times of disaster. Past administrators on both sides of the aisle have aimed to strengthen and expand these positions. Don't see how federal disaster response and recovery continues after slashing 41%
January 6, 2026 at 2:26 AM
FEMA "CORE" positions are central to FEMA's mission and keep the agency nimble (and functioning) in times of disaster. Past administrators on both sides of the aisle have aimed to strengthen and expand these positions. Don't see how federal disaster response and recovery continues after slashing 41%
Reposted by Michael Lowry
ICYMI: House released FY26 budget directive doc for science agencies. Rejects elimination of NOAA Research, but moves key weather research programs including phased array radar to NWS. Also directs NOAA to report on the need for a new “extreme weather” federal R&D center. tinyurl.com/5hyvs9fj
Breaking News: House FY2026 science budget explanatory statement released
Now that the holidays are in the rear view mirror, Congress is working again on the budget for those agencies and departments that still do not have a Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
tinyurl.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:28 AM
ICYMI: House released FY26 budget directive doc for science agencies. Rejects elimination of NOAA Research, but moves key weather research programs including phased array radar to NWS. Also directs NOAA to report on the need for a new “extreme weather” federal R&D center. tinyurl.com/5hyvs9fj
Reposted by Michael Lowry
🚨🚨🚨 2025 finished in the top 10 for warmest year on record in the Contiguous U.S. (1895-present). For most of the areas from the Rocky Mountains westward, it was a top 5 warmest year. No areas had a historically cool year.
January 1, 2026 at 5:48 PM
🚨🚨🚨 2025 finished in the top 10 for warmest year on record in the Contiguous U.S. (1895-present). For most of the areas from the Rocky Mountains westward, it was a top 5 warmest year. No areas had a historically cool year.
So great to see the inimitable @drjeffmasters.bsky.social and family today...and in short sleeves! My kind of weather for late December in the South :) Nice to catch up outdoors before Old Man Winter returns tomorrow.
A meeting of the meteorologists! Great to meet up with @michaelrlowry.bsky.social and Kait Parker and kids, with my family, at the Atlanta Zoo today. Crazy record warm temps in the 70s for the 5th straight day for our vacation here.
December 28, 2025 at 7:57 PM
So great to see the inimitable @drjeffmasters.bsky.social and family today...and in short sleeves! My kind of weather for late December in the South :) Nice to catch up outdoors before Old Man Winter returns tomorrow.
Reposted by Michael Lowry
The Trump administration says it will dismantle a key climate-science center, while salvaging its forecasting capabilities. “Today, predicting the weather without considering the climate would be meteorological malpractice," Michelle Nijhuis argues.
The U.S. Is on the Verge of Meteorological Malpractice
The Trump administration says it will dismantle a premier climate center, while somehow keeping weather forecasting intact.
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 11:20 PM
The Trump administration says it will dismantle a key climate-science center, while salvaging its forecasting capabilities. “Today, predicting the weather without considering the climate would be meteorological malpractice," Michelle Nijhuis argues.
Reposted by Michael Lowry
A massive new report by over 100 scientists modeling the climate effects of the 2022 Hunga volcanic eruption finds "The record-high global surface temperatures in 2023/2024 were not due to the Hunga eruption": juser.fz-juelich.de/...
December 18, 2025 at 8:47 PM
A massive new report by over 100 scientists modeling the climate effects of the 2022 Hunga volcanic eruption finds "The record-high global surface temperatures in 2023/2024 were not due to the Hunga eruption": juser.fz-juelich.de/...