As the year winds down and the holiday spirit begins to fill the air, we at Tempest are thrilled to embark on a festive journey with you. In this special edition of our newsletter, we've joined forces with some of our favorite partners to present a curated collection of gifts that bring together the best in smart home technology and weather monitoring to feature in our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide. Discover the latest and greatest in tech innovation and creativity as we highlight products from Rachio, Bird Buddy, Raspberry Shake, Tidbyt, Purple Air, WYND, and more. Our collaborative gift guide is designed to bring joy to the hearts of weather enthusiasts, tech aficionados, and smart home lovers alike. Enjoy!
FEATURED IN THIS YEAR'S GUIDE:
INVISIBLE CLOUDS ARE PARTIALLY TO BLAME FOR QUICKLY WARMING POLES
The poles are warming up to four times faster than the rest of the planet due to feedback loops that intensify the warming process like melting ice, which exposes darker surfaces that absorb more heat, leading to further warming—a phenomenon known as polar amplification. But climate models consistently underestimate polar warming, and scientists are beginning to consider that Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) may be a missing factor in these predictions. Rising greenhouse gas emissions raise concerns about PSCs becoming more prevalent over both poles, acting like a heat-trapping blanket and contributing to underestimated warming in climate models.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS LAUNCHED A FLOOD FORECASTING MAP
The National Weather Service has introduced a groundbreaking flood forecasting system, providing precise real-time data to pinpoint areas at imminent risk of flooding. This government initiative offers unprecedented detail by revealing specific roads, streets, and properties vulnerable to flooding from ongoing or upcoming rainstorms. The system marks a significant advancement, offering the first-ever real-time forecasts that identify city blocks likely to experience at least an inch of flooding over the next five days, visually represented on an online map in blue shading.
THE 2023 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON COMES TO AN END
Experts from the National Wildlife Foundation make the case for leaving the fallen layer of dead leaves in your lawn and garden this season. While it may be tempting to tame the chaos of your late fall yard and rake fallen leaves, twigs, and sticks, experts explain that the layer of fallen leaves serves as a crucial habitat for various creatures. It provides a vital space where they can locate food, take shelter, and sometimes complete their entire life cycle, ensuring their survival.
GARDENERS: HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW PLANT HARDINESS MAP?
The USDA Plant Hardiness Map, a sought-after resource for gardeners, received its first update in over a decade in late November. This update not only assists gardeners in discovering suitable plants for their (mostly warming) regions but also provides insights into how different U.S. regions have experienced global warming over the past 10 years. The map offers valuable guidance to growers, indicating which flowers, vegetables, and shrubs will likely thrive in specific regions, considering climate shifts that vary across the country.