Shel Winkley
@shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
1.2K followers 1.4K following 380 posts
@climatecentral.org | Former KBTX Chief Meteorologist | AMS CBM #780 | TAMU Class of 2007 | 🔴 🌎 Climate Change is Real.
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Reposted by Shel Winkley
thomasronge.bsky.social
Back from a 105mi bike race through the TX Hill Country where the July floods caused unspeakable devastation (race fees went to flood relief). It's hard to directly attribute specific rain events to climate change, but we know that storms like these become more likely as CC worsens.
#ShowYourStripes
Cyclist in a climate stripes jersey. A road in the Texas Hill Country seen from a cyclist's POV. A road in the Texas Hill Country and a geological outcrop seen from a cyclist's POV.
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
Looking for more information?

• Climate Shift Index: csi.climatecentral.org

• Climate Change's effect on lingering summer heat: www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
October not really feeling like October used to around here?

That's because summer creep continues to eat into our fall months.

#bcstx now experiences the average last 90° day around 3 weeks LATER than we did back just 50-55 years ago.
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
Another sweaty, hot, above-average October day for #bcstx.

🌡️ Easterwood reached 92° this afternoon. A high 6° HOTTER than average for this time of the year
🔴 Human-caused climate change makes this type of late summer heat now 3x MORE likely to occur here in the Brazos Valley
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
Showers & storms are swirling in the northern Gulf around a low, sliding northwest into waters running 1–2°F warmer than normal for early October.

✅ Good news: hostile upper winds = no tropical development.
❌ Bad news: close enough to crank up humidity in the Brazos Valley—but not bring us rain.
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
Summer-like, record heat made at least TWICE more likely to occur on October 4th due to climate change.

Not to say every Gameday in early October will be this hot -- but we know 'summer creep' into the start of football season is becoming more common.

More info + data ➡️ impactsus.org/cfb/
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
"God will ask us if we have cultivated and cared for the world that he created for the benefit of all and for future generations, and if we have taken care of our brothers and sisters - what will be our answer, my dear friends?"

Story from BBC ⤵️
share.google/VCtmobYtPktK...
Pope Leo hits out at critics of global warming
In his first major statement on climate change, the pontiff criticises those who minimise climate change.
share.google
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
Also...if you were hoping for some rain anytime soon?
Keep on waiting.

Reminder: October *typically* is expected to be the WETTEST month of the year for #bcstx -- clocking 4.93".

Oct 2024 produced 0" of rain.

Last above-average October rainfall was...*checks notes* 2018
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
Remember when October used to feel like October?
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
With just 0.04" of rain, #bcstx just experienced the 4th DRIEST September of record in 136 years of record keeping.

For perspective, 2024's just-shy-of-0.75" tied as the 12th DRIEST of record
#txwx
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
"The situation in Texas highlights a growing problem in drought-prone parts of the country — and the world — as climate change alters precipitation patterns, intensifies drought and saps the availability of safe drinking water"

share.google/B0YjFBlBuGh0...
In South Texas, a town struggles for water
The city of Mathis typically pumps its drinking water from Lake Corpus Christi, but worsening drought conditions are expected to plunge water levels too low to safely extract usable water.
share.google
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
#Humberto strengthened 85mph in 24hrs.

The 3rd hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season...& 3rd to undergo Extreme Rapid Intensification (+58 mph in 24 hrs)

This. is. climate. change.

Unusually warm waters boosted Humberto’s strength, made 50x more likely by carbon pollution.
Reposted by Shel Winkley
climatecentral.org
#Humberto is officially a hurricane.
#Imelda is expected to form -- potentially as early as late Friday

How can warmer-than-average Atlantic temperatures impact the intensity of storms? What about the rain they bring?

Let's talk tropics ⤵️

youtube.com/shorts/qG5Jd...
How climate change warmed ocean waters could impact Hurricane Humberto & Imelda
YouTube video by climatecentral
youtube.com
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
📱 Come make meaningful content with us!

This gives a creative, climate-motivated creator the chance to bring science & data to life through digital storytelling.

Grow your video & editing skills while communicating climate change impacts. (Probably work in a little fun along the way, too!)
climatecentral.org
What @ariellemargot.bsky.social said.

We're hiring a Social Media and Digital Content Creator!
www.climatecentral.org/open-positio...
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
Anticrepuscular rays making for an A+ sunrise on this Thursday morning.
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
Tropical Storm #Humberto officially formed per NHC in "favorable environment w/ warm sea surface temperatures."

Currently, over waters ~1°F warmer than avg (50x more likely from climate change)

Next week: expected to interact with 2.5°F above avg waters (100x-300x more likely by human activities)
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
The U.S. generated a record 756,621 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity from 🔅solar and 🍃wind in 2024...

🏡...enough to power the equivalent of more than 70 million average American homes.

This is more than 3x what was generated just a decade ago.

🤠Texas led the way in wind generation in 2024
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
🎧You can also snag the episode at your favorite place to put podcasts into your ears

🟢Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0wXX...
🔴Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...
#ClimateMatters
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
🗣️"Conversation & communication are a solution to climate change."

Big thanks to "Hurricane" Hal for letting me come chat on the GeoTrek podcast to communicate the importance of communication & the way we are putting it to work at @climatecentral.org

Check it out ⤵️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQAJ...
Making Sense of Extreme Weather: Climate Communication and Attribution with Shel Winkley
YouTube video by GeoTrek
www.youtube.com
Reposted by Shel Winkley
thomasronge.bsky.social
The leaves are trying to tell us something.
Reposted by Shel Winkley
climatecentral.org
Over the last 24hrs, #Gabrielle capitalized on record ocean warmth to undergo Extreme Rapid Intensification, becoming a powerful 140mph Category 4.

🌡️Sea temps 2°-3°F ABOVE the late September average
🔴Ocean heat made at least 50x-100x MORE likely by human-caused climate change
Map showing Hurricane Gabrielle’s track near Bermuda. Colored shading highlights record-warm ocean areas. Text: “Ocean warmth made at least 50x–100x more likely due to climate change.” Storm symbols mark Gabrielle’s intensification from Cat 1 to Cat 4. Map of the Atlantic Ocean showing water temperature anomalies Sept 15–21, 2025. Large dark red area highlights record-warm waters where Hurricane Gabrielle traveled, surrounded by lighter red (above normal) and some blue (below normal) patche
shelwinkleywx.bsky.social
Is it the first signs of fall?
Or is it the first signs of drought?

*Whispers "it's drought..."*
Reposted by Shel Winkley
climatecentral.org
Happy Fall, Y'all!

Climate change is putting the spice in our PSL as the season gets hotter across the entire U.S.

Let's not leaf you hanging ⤵️
youtube.com/shorts/-2SqO...
Climate Change is adding extra spice to your PSL as it warms the season of fall
YouTube video by climatecentral
youtube.com