February Banter 2025

[mdhokie]

1 hour ago, IronTy said:

It's just he next logical step in our transition to Idiocracy.  Might be smart to buy PepsCo stock futures or stock up on Mountain Dew so you can arbitrage that shit in a few years.  

Hellz yea! 

[pazzo83]

Looks like Zach Labe was fired (if anyone follows his great stuff on the Arctic/Antarctic, among other things).

[87storms]

Ok, my wrist will get slapped for this...won't be the first time...

I'm kind of a centrist, tbh...left leaning, but both sides go too far at times.  That said, these are not good people running the country at the moment.  They preach individual freedoms unless it's something they don't believe in.  This is an objective take...there's nothing to really debate and, frankly, not worth the time and energy.  Trust me, approximately half my fam (maybe 40%) are Trumpers.  There's absolutely no getting through to them.  Unfortunately, the majority of these types of people have very little humility or shame.  You can still love them (as family and friends) and enjoy their company, and even learn a few things from them, but it is what it is.  Just gotta go out and vote, and speak loud and clear for what you believe in.

In other news, Crab Five is a great name for the Terps.  They're not a deep team, but they're a nice break from the Wizards.

Also, this week's weather has been kind of awesome.

[CAPE]

19 minutes ago, pazzo83 said:

Looks like Zach Labe was fired (if anyone follows his great stuff on the Arctic/Antarctic, among other things).

Zachary Labe

Research Physical Scientist (NOAA Federal)
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL),
Seasonal-to-Decadal Variability and Predictability Division
Email: [email protected]

CV
Google Scholar
ORCiD
ResearchGate
Web of Science

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS —

My current work explores the intersection of large-scale climate variability and change, extreme events, large ensembles, decadal prediction, and data science methods. In addition to academic research, I am very passionate about improving science communication through engaging data visualizations.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/26/us-climate-research-agency-noaa-cuts

Quote

Representatives from the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) breezed past security at headquarters earlier this month and demanded access to IT systems. Staff was also instructed to turn over editorial control of intranet sites to Doge, in emails that have been reviewed by the Guardian.

Workers have been asked to compile databases of contracts and grants that contain references to environmental policy or particular key words, including “climate change”, “diversity” and “environmental agreement”, for further evaluation.

Target.

[pazzo83]

dumbest fucking shit - why would you dismantle the very things that make the country exceptional.

[mdhokie]

7 minutes ago, pazzo83 said:

dumbest fucking shit - why would you dismantle the very things that make the country exceptional.

[RickinBaltimore]

So far so good for the Blues tonight. 

[Wxtrix]

a federal judge has ruled that OPM cannot order people in other departments to be fired and has requested that the OPM testify in court next month.

[TSSN+]

1 hour ago, Kmlwx said:

I'll shut up after this...but there's clearly trying times ahead and in progress for the science communities in all fields. But we as a forum do *not* have to let ourselves tear each other to pieces. We are all entitled to our opinions - and we should understand that you are very unlikely to change somebody's mind these days. All you will end up doing is wasting finger strength typing and getting your blood pressure up. 

It's very clear to me that a certain percentage of this forum are just going to absolutely let the world "climate" these days just destroy them inside and out no matter what. We can be better than this and it's why the mods and management have asked us to steer clear of the "that" topic. 

Above all - and even despite some of the frankly horrid post tones I've seen on here in the past day or two, we are better than this as a forum. Many of us have been here since the Eastern days and many of us even before that. I would like to hope that we are all still those same people who rang with giddy child-like energy when snow was pouring down outside our windows in the big dog storms. 

I'll call some people out but all in good natured fun...but I remember @DDweatherman - taking a video of maybe pea sized hail or smaller and absolutely just losing his shit. I still chuckle about that video to this day (at least I think it was him!). @mappy - and I sort of came into our forum days around the same time so I'll always have that bonding point with her (my weenie tag era...). @Wxtrix may have her detractors over the years, but frankly my experience is that towards me, at least, she was never anything but welcoming and kind. Rich Hitchens (who was a member here) actually crossed paths with me when I asked for an interview for my high school paper - years before we figured out we were both posting here/and on Eastern....I miss that dude. Rich, Dave (for those that know Dave), and I had an inside joke from the conferences years ago that always gave us a chuckle. @Ian - while he was still posting here was a staple of the forum for years. For those of us that attended conferences, who can forget Wiz dressing up as Hannah Montana and doing the worm in front of the Marriott in Baltimore in front of a drunk wedding party. And good lord @yoda has been a rock in my weather world for years...I just can't get rid of that dude  @Eskimo Joe has got to be the most endearing deb I've ever had the amazing misfortune of acquainting myself with (i say that in the most loving way lol). @H2O - how could I even write a single dig about that dude. @Maestrobjwa - We've clashed at times but you've never once told me to GTFO (you probably have wanted to countless times). And at this point - can't imagine this subforum without you! @Ji and @Stormchaserchuck1 - You both will probably hate being grouped together...but ya'll are the ones everyone loves to hate. @stormtracker - What the hell is there to say about you? You freaking made it so a bunch of weather nerds could hole up in a hotel MULTIPLE times in a row and get wasted and be totally obnoxious guests...you've started countless inside jokes, you've ruled with what I think is a ridiculously fair gavel....I mean hell...you never banned me even in the 2009-2011 period...and good lord you made it so that many of us could MEET IN THE FLESH....people like Paul f'ing Kocin (and many more). We were able to walk among some of our idols with your help....and some of those times literally felt like the cheesy scenes in a movie like Field of Dreams to me. And those aren't memories I will forget until my brain is mush. 

I left a ton of people I am very fond of out of that little ode above (and know that it's only because it was haphazardly and quickly written as word vomit)...but my bottom line here is that you can disagree with me...but the friendships that we have forged as a forum should easily be able to make it through whatever we are going through as a forum, country, and world. 

The amount of vile messages being posted here is just really sad to see. Maybe I'm just too naive as a person and maybe I just see too much good in people - but even the folks that people love to hate on in here - I've generally found a way to "make it work with" - with maybe an exception or two. 

We cannot let any of this F up what we have built here. It's not worth it to lose years of friendships. We've already lost members on here for health or age reasons...time flies too fast. Whether there's snow on the ground or not - it costs nothing for us to keep a little oasis of civility while the world seemingly burns around us. We can absolutely do this. But we all need to work together. 

So I ask that even if you can't keep it up - we all at least TRY to think before we post. Maybe take the edge off your messages if you re-read them and you just need to make them a little less vile. It can't hurt to do a quick read through. 

Weather has been formative to such big chunks of many of our lives...we'll get through this.

Knowing DDweatherman it probably was him lol 

[clueless]

Decimating NOAA should be discussed here. It’s a weather forum ffs. If you think this is somehow ok *somehow* you really shouldn’t  be here. 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

35 minutes ago, 87storms said:

Ok, my wrist will get slapped for this...won't be the first time...

I'm kind of a centrist, tbh...left leaning, but both sides go too far at times.  That said, these are not good people running the country at the moment.  They preach individual freedoms unless it's something they don't believe in.  This is an objective take...there's nothing to really debate and, frankly, not worth the time and energy.  Trust me, approximately half my fam (maybe 40%) are Trumpers.  There's absolutely no getting through to them.  Unfortunately, the majority of these types of people have very little humility or shame.  You can still love them (as family and friends) and enjoy their company, and even learn a few things from them, but it is what it is.  Just gotta go out and vote, and speak loud and clear for what you believe in.

In other news, Crab Five is a great name for the Terps.  They're not a deep team, but they're a nice break from the Wizards.

Also, this week's weather has been kind of awesome.

At risk (oh well!) of likewise getting a bit too political in this forum, I'll have to disagree with your 2nd paragraph somewhat.  I'm not one for "both-siderism" to be honest.  That's the bane of our awful media situation as it is because too few call out the truth.  While individuals, not necessarily politicians, on both the left and right may go too far in what they say, the FACT is that there is nothing on the political left in this country (i.e., Democratic party) anything like the right.  Not a single Democratic politician has proposed or done anything remotely similar to what the other side has done in terms of blatant violation of law, political norms, or ethics.  Nor have they put up a convicted felon on state charges and one charged with serious federal felony crimes as their standard-bearer for President.  One may disagree with proposed policies but it's nothing like what we see going on now.  I'm very much to the left in my views, and there are certainly aspects of some liberals that piss me off, but in terms of who is making policy, the Democrats are pretty centrist by world-wide standards.  Really, only one side is hell-bent on utterly destroying the very institutions that make this country what it is.  This all has me VERY worried and frightened to be honest.  But as I said, sorry to get too political here, maybe my inner @psuhoffman in part feels I must speak up just a little bit because these issues are now impossible to avoid.  Besides, it ain't going to be snowing anytime, which pisses me off, so screw it, I'll vent!

[pazzo83]

31 minutes ago, clueless said:

Decimating NOAA should be discussed here. It’s a weather forum ffs. If you think this is somehow ok *somehow* you really shouldn’t  be here. 

as should climate, and myriad other related topics that some snowflakes on here crumble at their mere mention by screaming "politics!!".  Honestly - this is a weather and science board.  If talking about weather and science is too much for your precious ears, leave.

[WxWatcher007]

2 hours ago, Kmlwx said:

I'll shut up after this...but there's clearly trying times ahead and in progress for the science communities in all fields. But we as a forum do *not* have to let ourselves tear each other to pieces. We are all entitled to our opinions - and we should understand that you are very unlikely to change somebody's mind these days. All you will end up doing is wasting finger strength typing and getting your blood pressure up. 

It's very clear to me that a certain percentage of this forum are just going to absolutely let the world "climate" these days just destroy them inside and out no matter what. We can be better than this and it's why the mods and management have asked us to steer clear of the "that" topic. 

Above all - and even despite some of the frankly horrid post tones I've seen on here in the past day or two, we are better than this as a forum. Many of us have been here since the Eastern days and many of us even before that. I would like to hope that we are all still those same people who rang with giddy child-like energy when snow was pouring down outside our windows in the big dog storms. 

I'll call some people out but all in good natured fun...but I remember @DDweatherman - taking a video of maybe pea sized hail or smaller and absolutely just losing his shit. I still chuckle about that video to this day (at least I think it was him!). @mappy - and I sort of came into our forum days around the same time so I'll always have that bonding point with her (my weenie tag era...). @Wxtrix may have her detractors over the years, but frankly my experience is that towards me, at least, she was never anything but welcoming and kind. Rich Hitchens (who was a member here) actually crossed paths with me when I asked for an interview for my high school paper - years before we figured out we were both posting here/and on Eastern....I miss that dude. Rich, Dave (for those that know Dave), and I had an inside joke from the conferences years ago that always gave us a chuckle. @Ian - while he was still posting here was a staple of the forum for years. For those of us that attended conferences, who can forget Wiz dressing up as Hannah Montana and doing the worm in front of the Marriott in Baltimore in front of a drunk wedding party. And good lord @yoda has been a rock in my weather world for years...I just can't get rid of that dude  @Eskimo Joe has got to be the most endearing deb I've ever had the amazing misfortune of acquainting myself with (i say that in the most loving way lol). @H2O - how could I even write a single dig about that dude. @Maestrobjwa - We've clashed at times but you've never once told me to GTFO (you probably have wanted to countless times). And at this point - can't imagine this subforum without you! @Ji and @Stormchaserchuck1 - You both will probably hate being grouped together...but ya'll are the ones everyone loves to hate. @stormtracker - What the hell is there to say about you? You freaking made it so a bunch of weather nerds could hole up in a hotel MULTIPLE times in a row and get wasted and be totally obnoxious guests...you've started countless inside jokes, you've ruled with what I think is a ridiculously fair gavel....I mean hell...you never banned me even in the 2009-2011 period...and good lord you made it so that many of us could MEET IN THE FLESH....people like Paul f'ing Kocin (and many more). We were able to walk among some of our idols with your help....and some of those times literally felt like the cheesy scenes in a movie like Field of Dreams to me. And those aren't memories I will forget until my brain is mush. 

I left a ton of people I am very fond of out of that little ode above (and know that it's only because it was haphazardly and quickly written as word vomit)...but my bottom line here is that you can disagree with me...but the friendships that we have forged as a forum should easily be able to make it through whatever we are going through as a forum, country, and world. 

The amount of vile messages being posted here is just really sad to see. Maybe I'm just too naive as a person and maybe I just see too much good in people - but even the folks that people love to hate on in here - I've generally found a way to "make it work with" - with maybe an exception or two. 

We cannot let any of this F up what we have built here. It's not worth it to lose years of friendships. We've already lost members on here for health or age reasons...time flies too fast. Whether there's snow on the ground or not - it costs nothing for us to keep a little oasis of civility while the world seemingly burns around us. We can absolutely do this. But we all need to work together. 

So I ask that even if you can't keep it up - we all at least TRY to think before we post. Maybe take the edge off your messages if you re-read them and you just need to make them a little less vile. It can't hurt to do a quick read through. 

Weather has been formative to such big chunks of many of our lives...we'll get through this.

I, for one, am VERY upset that I was not mentioned by name. I knew I should’ve reaped you when I had the chance.  

I came to this place because it was an opportunity to share my love of wx with others and despite the absurdity of this place the fundamental love of wx is what keeps me here.

Cheers 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

1 minute ago, pazzo83 said:

as should climate, and myriad other related topics that some snowflakes on here crumble at their mere mention by screaming "politics!!".  Honestly - this is a weather and science board.  If talking about weather and science is too much for your precious ears, leave.

I mean really, we endlessly parse the 84-hour NAM and the ICON for every single snow event, for crying out loud! 

[WxWatcher007]

3 minutes ago, Scarlet Pimpernel said:

I mean really, we endlessly parse the 84-hour NAM and the ICON for every single snow event, for crying out loud! 

And you know the sweet relief of the reaper’s blade is soon to arrive when we’re grasping at the CRAS and SREFs!

[pazzo83]

2 minutes ago, ravensrule said:

You're going to give yourself a seizure up in here. Take a chill. You're showing way too much of your NY side. 

I'm doing just fine - the country is not.

[Wxtrix]

4 minutes ago, ravensrule said:

You make no sense. I have no clue what the hell you're even talking about. Are you unable to speak plain English?. 

not sure why you are acting like this.

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

4 minutes ago, pazzo83 said:

"i just want to get away from the politics on this board!!".  YOU FUCKERS MADE IT POLITICAL.

[ravensrule]

Just now, pazzo83 said:

I'm doing just fine - the country is not.

So you can move to any of the other 192 Countries in the world. I'm sure they are MUCH BETTER. 

[ravensrule]

2 minutes ago, Wxtrix said:

not sure why you are acting like this.

I honestly have no clue what you're talking about. 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

7 minutes ago, WxWatcher007 said:

And you know the sweet relief of the reaper’s blade is soon to arrive when we’re grasping at the CRAS and SREFs!

Yup, when the weenies get CRAS, the Reaper in all his glory gets going!!  Off to carousel with you!!

[Maestrobjwa]

6 minutes ago, pazzo83 said:

as should climate, and myriad other related topics that some snowflakes on here crumble at their mere mention by screaming "politics!!".  Honestly - this is a weather and science board.  If talking about weather and science is too much for your precious ears, leave.

I understand the caution of the admins and mods here: not so much about folks "crumbling" i.e. being tok sensitive to talk about politics. It's about the risk of the whole dang board devolving into what Randy's Hood became. 

At the same time...this is a rare instance where the line between weather and politics is blurry because something political directly impacted the very weather stuff we discuss because it's, well...the NWS and NOAA! So it's gonna be hard to avoid the topic entirely. Very blurry line there, lol

[BTRWx's Thanks Giving]

19 minutes ago, pazzo83 said:

"i just want to get away from the politics on this board!!".  YOU FUCKERS MADE IT POLITICAL.

The issue is the layoffs to NOAA aren't even political.

[Kmlwx]

19 minutes ago, WxWatcher007 said:

I, for one, am VERY upset that I was not mentioned by name. I knew I should’ve reaped you when I had the chance.  

I came to this place because it was an opportunity to share my love of wx with others and despite the absurdity of this place the fundamental love of wx is what keeps me here.

Cheers 

I'm far too tiny to be reaped. You'll never catch me. 

Had it been during severe season I 100% would not have forgotten you!!! I swear! I have your diagram of severe weather risk categories in my "Critical Documents" folder on my NAS device at home. It's literally in the same folder as copies of my health insurance card and other vital docs...and no I am not kidding  

[Rhino16]

I could not be graduating with a met degree at a worse time. I don’t know what my next steps will be. May is an eternity from now. I could go grad, but I worry about funding and research. 

[RickinBaltimore]

On 2/24/2025 at 8:56 AM, RickinBaltimore said:

Well, hopefully the Blues keep Ovi off the scoresheet Thursday.

Mission accomplished. 

[Stebo]

I know I am not from this subforum obviously, but I did want to put in my two cents. What happened today is going to set back this country as a whole so badly. Weather observations/models/data that will rapidly disappear, is a necessary facet to so much. People have taken for granted what happens behind the scenes for far too long. We are going to see what happens very quickly as we might have a significant tornado outbreak next week. Any degradation of data between now and then will make things significantly harder.

I really feel for those who got fired today for no reason other than the whim of a couple of morons.

[Kmlwx]

56 minutes ago, TSSN+ said:

Knowing DDweatherman it probably was him lol 

I shouldn't speak too loudly though...I was going through old videos a few weeks ago and I found one where I am narrating snow falling out the front door and I say "WE HAVE SOME HEAVY SNOW FALLING HERE TODAY" and you can hear my mom in another room yell back "THAT'S NOT HEAVY." 

We're all weather weenies at heart that want heavy snow. 

[Eskimo Joe]

RE: NOAA/NWS

Call your elected representatives. Make a stink about it in person when they have town halls, but above all be respectful. Do not give them a reason to arrest you and strip your voting rights away. This is round #1. The decapitation of NWS will start in April.

[BTRWx's Thanks Giving]

2 hours ago, Kmlwx said:

I'll shut up after this...but there's clearly trying times ahead and in progress for the science communities in all fields. But we as a forum do *not* have to let ourselves tear each other to pieces. We are all entitled to our opinions - and we should understand that you are very unlikely to change somebody's mind these days. All you will end up doing is wasting finger strength typing and getting your blood pressure up. 

It's very clear to me that a certain percentage of this forum are just going to absolutely let the world "climate" these days just destroy them inside and out no matter what. We can be better than this and it's why the mods and management have asked us to steer clear of the "that" topic. 

Above all - and even despite some of the frankly horrid post tones I've seen on here in the past day or two, we are better than this as a forum. Many of us have been here since the Eastern days and many of us even before that. I would like to hope that we are all still those same people who rang with giddy child-like energy when snow was pouring down outside our windows in the big dog storms. 

I'll call some people out but all in good natured fun...but I remember @DDweatherman - taking a video of maybe pea sized hail or smaller and absolutely just losing his shit. I still chuckle about that video to this day (at least I think it was him!). @mappy - and I sort of came into our forum days around the same time so I'll always have that bonding point with her (my weenie tag era...). @Wxtrix may have her detractors over the years, but frankly my experience is that towards me, at least, she was never anything but welcoming and kind. Rich Hitchens (who was a member here) actually crossed paths with me when I asked for an interview for my high school paper - years before we figured out we were both posting here/and on Eastern....I miss that dude. Rich, Dave (for those that know Dave), and I had an inside joke from the conferences years ago that always gave us a chuckle. @Ian - while he was still posting here was a staple of the forum for years. For those of us that attended conferences, who can forget Wiz dressing up as Hannah Montana and doing the worm in front of the Marriott in Baltimore in front of a drunk wedding party. And good lord @yoda has been a rock in my weather world for years...I just can't get rid of that dude  @Eskimo Joe has got to be the most endearing deb I've ever had the amazing misfortune of acquainting myself with (i say that in the most loving way lol). @H2O - how could I even write a single dig about that dude. @Maestrobjwa - We've clashed at times but you've never once told me to GTFO (you probably have wanted to countless times). And at this point - can't imagine this subforum without you! @Ji and @Stormchaserchuck1 - You both will probably hate being grouped together...but ya'll are the ones everyone loves to hate. @stormtracker - What the hell is there to say about you? You freaking made it so a bunch of weather nerds could hole up in a hotel MULTIPLE times in a row and get wasted and be totally obnoxious guests...you've started countless inside jokes, you've ruled with what I think is a ridiculously fair gavel....I mean hell...you never banned me even in the 2009-2011 period...and good lord you made it so that many of us could MEET IN THE FLESH....people like Paul f'ing Kocin (and many more). We were able to walk among some of our idols with your help....and some of those times literally felt like the cheesy scenes in a movie like Field of Dreams to me. And those aren't memories I will forget until my brain is mush. 

I left a ton of people I am very fond of out of that little ode above (and know that it's only because it was haphazardly and quickly written as word vomit)...but my bottom line here is that you can disagree with me...but the friendships that we have forged as a forum should easily be able to make it through whatever we are going through as a forum, country, and world. 

The amount of vile messages being posted here is just really sad to see. Maybe I'm just too naive as a person and maybe I just see too much good in people - but even the folks that people love to hate on in here - I've generally found a way to "make it work with" - with maybe an exception or two. 

We cannot let any of this F up what we have built here. It's not worth it to lose years of friendships. We've already lost members on here for health or age reasons...time flies too fast. Whether there's snow on the ground or not - it costs nothing for us to keep a little oasis of civility while the world seemingly burns around us. We can absolutely do this. But we all need to work together. 

So I ask that even if you can't keep it up - we all at least TRY to think before we post. Maybe take the edge off your messages if you re-read them and you just need to make them a little less vile. It can't hurt to do a quick read through. 

Weather has been formative to such big chunks of many of our lives...we'll get through this.

Thank you!