Dinah V. Pulver

Hurricane Melissa now tied for strongest winds in an Atlantic storm With less than three months until the start of a new hurricane season, the National Hurricane Center is wrapping up some of its work on 2025 storms.

The high winds in Hurricane Melissa before it made landfall were even higher than originally calculated, and it's now tied for strongest winds in an Atlantic storm, the National Hurricane Center finds in final report. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Olympians, scientists marvel at the wonder of snow. Here's why As snow powers the Winter Olympics, you probably underestimate the simple snowflake. For starters, snow isn't technically white.

I could talk to David Robinson, New Jersey state climatologist, about snow for hours. It's a fascinating topic, and timely for the #WinterOlympics
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Assassination by frog? Scientists ponder a 'very surprising' report. Poison dart frogs have fascinated researchers. Now their toxin has allegedly been linked to the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The reported discovery of poison from an Ecuadorian dart frog, either actual or artificially created, in analyses taken from the body of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny raises more questions, experts told USA TODAY. Its use would be unprecedented in humans. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Wood storks to be taken off the 'endangered' list Forty years ago, wood stork populations in Florida were plummeting. But federal and private efforts have made a dramatic difference, officials say.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will remove the wood stork from its endangered species list, saying it has recovered to the point it no longer qualifies. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Icy weather highlights open questions about climate change effects There's a confounding dilemma for many folks trying to make sense of winter weather in the context of climate change.

Icy weather highlights open questions about climate change and cold weather. Spoiler: Climate change does not mean winter is going away, at least not anytime soon. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Extreme cold likely for hundreds of millions across US. Snow and ice also warned. See the maps and pay attention to these weather warnings this week. Check in with neighbors and family. If you have to travel, use caution! Keep warm gear in your car. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n... via @usatoday

A flurry of reports came out today on 2025 temperatures and where the year fell in rankings. See what @BerkeleyEarth @CopernicusECMWF @NOAA and @NOAASatellites had to say about 2025. Spoiler: More of the same expected in 2026. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n... @usa-today.bsky.social

President Trump doubles down on his dislike of 'windmills' while meeting with oil execs.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

#Florida citrus in crisis as invasive predator spreads disease across groves. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n... via @dinahvp.bsky.social

While meeting with oil industry executives about Venezuela, Trump reaffirms dislike for wind energy, saying "I'm not much of a windmill person." www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Trump withdraws US from dozens of international and @UN entities, including the IPCC and UN climate change @UNFCCC, a treaty signed by Pres. George HW Bush in 1992.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n... via @usatoday

www.instagram.com/p/DTElmp1DOF...

The struggling Florida citrus industry is winning skirmishes in its battle against cirus greening and it's giving some in the industry new hope. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Breaking news from a USA TODAY colleague this evening:
"A comprehensive review is underway and any vital activities such as weather research will be moved to another entity or location," said Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Thoughts?

www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

FEMA review council meeting canceled abruptly because White House hadn't been "fully briefed" on recommendations, which the council was scheduled to vote on.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p... via @usatoday

Could offshore drilling ruin America's coastlines? Many are worried.
usatoday.com/story/news/n... via
@usatoday.com (Photo credit to my colleague Nick Penzenstadler)

Trump administration's drilling program emerges to widespread opposition, but some groups voicing support.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

After nine years of collecting moisture drops from the blow of North Atlantic right whales, scientists say they have a new tool for checking the health of these massive endangered animals.
@whalesorg.bsky.social @sr3sealife.bsky.social @whoi.edu
usatoday.com/story/news/n...

This graphic shows four line graph time series and each are monthly from January 1984 through October 2025. The first graph is a 12-month running mean of global mean surface temperature anomalies. Anomalies are computed relative to a 1991-2020 baseline using ERA5 data. The second graph is monthly carbon dioxide abundance. The CO2 graph is the Keeling Curve. Current levels are 425 ppm. The third graph is monthly global methane abundance. Current levels are 1928 ppb. The fourth graph is monthly global nitrous oxide abundance. Current levels are 339 ppb. The three greenhouse gases show seasonal cycles and long-term increasing trends using data from NOAA ESRL. The global mean surface temperature anomaly record also exhibits decadal variability and a long-term increasing trend. All graphs are rising and shown in four different colors, including white, yellow, orange, and pink.

Greenhouse gas data is finally rolling in again, and my dashboard is back up-to-date. Unfortunately, the story hasn’t changed... 📈

More climate change indicator graphics at zacklabe.com/climate-chan...

Such a fun photo gallery of football games played in bad weather. www.usatoday.com/picture-gall...

The federal shut down meant a missed opportunity for research into Hurricane Melissa: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

A colleague is looking for a couple of folks for a story she's working on: @sarahdwire.bsky.social

Slurs, stereotypes and prejudice have long plagued members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and other minority religions in the U.S. as well. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Eight houses collapse over 3 days as hurricanes roar off East Coast and waves hit North Carolina's Outer Banks www.usatoday.com/story/news/n... via @usatoday

The total is up to 7 now. The Atlantic Ocean has swept away 7 homes on North Carolina's Outer Banks.
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

I really like this account and their marine life feed: bsky.app/profile/dary...

Wow.

www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

More houses collapsing on the Outer Banks. www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...