Dr. Robin Tanamachi

Assoc. prof at Purdue specializing in severe wx & radar. Storm chaser since 2001. All opinions expressed here are solely mine and not my employer's. She/her

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npub160e33h8l9wwp8yea4mrk3h34vdeacw4uvzgvfd8ursuu37uq9lxqylp3c6

NIP-05 Address

tornatrix@wx-social.mostr.pub

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nprofile1qqsd8uccmnljh8qnjv76a3mgmc6kxu7u827xpyxykn7pcwwglwqzlnqkxqyfy

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npub160e33h8l9wwp8yea4mrk3h34vdeacw4uvzgvfd8ursuu37uq9lxqylp3c6

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Last Notes

2025-02-11 15:56:09

NOAA employees must collectively scream into their pillows whenever [the current situation] comes up on listservs or social media, since they are forbidden from speaking about it publicly.

2025-02-11 13:09:07

Anyone who calls the federal grantmaking system a “gravy train” has clearly never written a grant proposal.

2025-02-11 13:03:53

My mom was clearing out some old papers and found a crumpled, dot matrix-printed grocery receipt from 1981.
The price for one dozen #eggs? 79¢.
P.S. The Huggies were for the infant version of me.
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/985/389/257/387/197/original/33e9fbb0d4d14ae9.png

2025-02-09 04:22:25

“Why do I need NOAA? I’ve got a weather app.”
Is equivalent to asking
“Why do I need farms? I can go to the supermarket.”
https://www.noaa.gov/about-our-agency

2025-02-07 02:46:18

Between rumored 25-50% cuts at NSF and 30% (budget) to 50% (staff) cuts at NOAA, it’s hard to be optimistic about the future of US science.
Science itself is still a worthy pursuit, regardless of whether it is politically popular.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/02/white-house-budget-proposal-could-shatter-the-national-science-foundation/
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/democrats-concerned-doge-is-targeting-noaa/

2025-02-07 02:38:15

The closing line 💀
https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/here-at-doge-weve-streamlined-every-aspect-of-americas-collapse

2025-02-07 02:30:22

The AMS President, Dr. Dave Stensrud (who also happens to be one of my former professors), urges readers to call Congress with their concerns about threats to the weather enterprise. https://blog.ametsoc.org/2025/02/06/on-recent-executive-orders-and-the-weather-and-climate-enterprise/

2025-01-21 02:30:38

Too much awful news today. So here’s a picture of my cat somehow falling asleep nestled in the crinkly paper in a shipping box.
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/863/990/956/845/585/original/8546b87bc40e398c.png

2025-01-19 17:18:14

One of Chuck Doswell’s most meaningful talks, “Storm Chasing’s End of Innocence,” given in the wake of the 2013 TWISTEX tragedy in which four storm chasers were killed by the El Reno, OK tornado. Long, but worth the time to watch. H/t Marcelo A. for posting in it its entirety. https://youtu.be/wdw2DyQXm-8

2025-01-19 14:35:29

If your “community” is based on a single, privately held company, maybe it’s time to reconsider your definition of “community”.

2025-01-18 19:08:43

My field lost a titan this morning.
Rest in power, Dr. Chuck Doswell, knowing how much good you did in this world. You advanced tornado and forecasting science and practice more than many other meteorologists combined. I shall miss your wise counsel and imperviousness to bullshit of all kinds.
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/850/928/558/260/081/original/b61cd732793e73cd.png

2025-01-16 21:52:24

For those interested, here are the planned locations of the AMS annual meeting in 2026 and beyond: https://www.ametsoc.org/index.cfm/ams/meetings-events/upcoming-meetings/annual-meeting/
#AMS2025 #AMS2026

2025-01-15 16:52:34

All the rock stars of Atmospheric Science Education Research (#ASER) are on this panel! Come hear what they have to say about turning teaching into research. (BTW, I did it, and I got tenure!) #AMS2025
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/833/406/732/461/994/original/e73af1da8b4f9413.png

2025-01-14 18:03:24

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If you were a home owner, there was an [insurance] provision for you. If you were a renter, too bad so sad. — Ashleigh Gardere

2025-01-14 17:46:15

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Every scientist has an obligation to translate their science to the public. — Nancy Rabalais

2025-01-14 17:37:41

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After a disaster, the rich will get richer, and the poor will get poorer. — Gen. Honoré
It doesn’t have to be that way — Ashleigh Gardere, responding
#AMS2025

2025-01-14 17:32:38

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All survivors deserve access to a recovery system that leaves them less vulnerable to future disasters. — Ashleigh Gardere #AMS2025

2025-01-14 17:17:02

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We created the New Orleans Index to track the recovery over time. It is still being used to predict long-term recovery from current disasters like Helene and the LA wildfires. — Allison Plyer

2025-01-14 17:11:43

Anything built by man can be destroyed by Mother Nature…. In a disaster, you’re never there on time. If you’re on time, you didn’t have a f***ing disaster. You had an inconvenience. And Anderson Cooper will beat you there. — Gen. Honoré
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/827/819/719/372/943/original/56ddd13aa5a0fa77.png

2025-01-14 17:07:06

You [meteorologists] have an important job to do [in disasters like Katrina]: Prediction. 80% of people in NOLA evacuated; it was the 20% who stayed behind that were the problem. The media focused more on the looting than people getting out. — Gen. Honoré

2025-01-14 17:03:21

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Our structures aren’t designed for collective flourishing. The system is designed to benefit some people more than others. Change is needed. —Ashleigh Gardere

2025-01-14 16:58:56

#AMS2025 Presidential panel discussion on the 20-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
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2025-01-14 16:35:25

Dr. Tony Reinhart: NSSL Scientists and Engineers are rethinking the entire paradigm of future operational radar based on PAR demonstrator results. #AMS2025
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2025-01-14 15:57:19

WSR-88D replacement by 2040, maybe? #AMS2025
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/827/527/564/140/909/original/5441b297196974fb.png

2025-01-14 13:34:34

Sunrise over Algiers Point, New Orleans, as seen from my hotel room window this morning. The large ship that passes by near the end is the Bluefin Pearl. Enjoy! #AMS2025
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/826/964/389/720/223/original/4789528f0eabe6da.mp4

2025-01-13 23:23:17

Not one, but two “Twisters” panels at #AMS2025. This one had a partially different cast of characters from the first. Here, Kendra Long (from Universal Studios) is talking about how amazed she was at the scrutiny people paid to every frame of the 30 second Super Bowl trailer.
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/823/616/856/666/228/original/176833637b435bf4.png

2025-01-13 20:27:22

I asked. They are repeaters for the wireless radio system used by the convention center staff. #AMS2025
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/822/926/415/447/490/original/0f2d5e00cded9454.png

2025-01-13 17:28:21

Sustaining students from diverse backgrounds is just as important as recruitment. — Dr. Mayra Oyola-Merced #AMS2025
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/822/221/335/654/285/original/e9a80a1e654561bf.png

2025-01-13 15:14:01

If you’re presenting at #AMS2025 and people are get up and leave during your talk, don’t take it personally. The Morial convention center is 1/4 mile long and three floors deep. People may need to leave one talk a few minutes early to hoof it to another session.
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/821/693/143/883/796/original/6a733dc75baa321a.png

2025-01-12 17:17:46

Got a front row seat to the Twisters panel! #AMS2025
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2025-01-12 14:12:18

Hotel light fixture needs nasty big pointy teeth why?
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/815/789/437/832/004/original/72b2050c4f43a7e4.png

2025-01-12 00:57:21

Safety tip for #AMS2025: as you leave the convention center to go to dinner, take your lanyard off so you don’t advertise your status as an out-of-towner to everyone on the street. (This is a known issue at large conferences.)

2025-01-12 00:40:42

Bourbon Street curbside memorial. There’s a large dump truck and police cars blocking the street to all but pedestrian traffic. #AMS2025
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/812/597/690/779/211/original/cd5cd7d9a1f465a7.png

2025-01-11 18:23:42

“The FAA has not authorized anyone unaffiliated with the Los Angeles firefighting operations to fly drones in the [temporary flight restriction areas].” 🤦‍♀️ https://laist.com/news/water-dropping-super-scooper-aircraft-is-grounded-after-colliding-with-a-civilian-drone

2025-01-11 18:06:29

One panel down! This was the severe weather career panel. The house was packed. #AMS2025
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2025-01-11 13:30:11

I would like to thank Past Me for leaving that smushed granola bar in the bottom of my laptop bag. After my flight delay last night, that bar was my dinner. #FirstWorldProblems

2025-01-11 04:46:37

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@nprofile…p5lu Like those numbers aren’t wildly speculative at this point, and growing by the minute!

2025-01-10 23:54:04

I’ve had “Imagine” playing on an endless loop in my head ever since hearing Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood sing it at President Carter’s state funeral yesterday. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house after that song. https://youtu.be/SgI-Q9AVvTA

2025-01-10 20:23:43

Flying saucer invasion #cowx
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/805/925/113/025/852/original/764f5e1ac87caed3.png

2025-01-05 14:36:46

Just a smidgen of #hoarfrost in the Boulder foothills this morning.
P.S. My iPhone can’t focus worth jack on slender branches.
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/776/246/177/762/865/original/502bebf1ea2663b8.png
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2025-01-04 22:40:19

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Last, but not least, one of my URAs, Owen Rahman, will present a poster in the student conference about his case study of a winter HSLC tornado from 2018: https://ams.confex.com/ams/105ANNUAL/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/458315

2025-01-04 22:39:53

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Assuming the tech cooperates, I'll demo in the Education Conference poster session a VR activity developed by Purdue Envision for my collaborative Radar Meteorology Course with COMET. Visitors to my poster will be welcome to try it out! https://ams.confex.com/ams/105ANNUAL/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/454807
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/772/486/723/923/616/original/a4ab1b5392b3b289.png

2025-01-04 22:39:03

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When it rains, it pours! I'll also be part of a "Women in the Field" panel on Tuesday hosted by @ams-women.bsky.social with the fabulous Drs. @kakosiba.bsky.social, @professoroyola.bsky.social, Amarilis Cotto, and Anastasia Tomanek. https://ams.confex.com/ams/105ANNUAL/meetingapp.cgi/Session/70735 https://bsky.app/profile/ams-women.bsky.social/post/3lcvb2rjtxs2n

2025-01-04 22:38:49

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In collaboration with Girls Who Chase, I'll be presenting in a session (also in the student conference) entitled: From Classroom to Cloud Base: The Basics to Kick Off Your Storm Chasing Journey https://ams.confex.com/ams/105ANNUAL/meetingapp.cgi/Session/71915 https://bsky.app/profile/ametsoc.bsky.social/post/3lemfegy2k222

2025-01-04 22:37:58

Very full docket for me at #AMS2025! I'm serving on three panels, presenting a poster, and leading a training. I have several other service activities and collaborator meetings that don't have a public component. ("Leisure of the theory class", my foot.) 🧵
In the Student Conference, I'll be on a Severe Weather Research and Career Panel with @cameronjnixon.bsky.social, @frqltg.bsky.social, and John Allen: https://ams.confex.com/ams/105ANNUAL/meetingapp.cgi/Session/71726

2025-01-04 17:39:31

For your #Caturday, Harper decided that this black foam block was her “prey.” She proudly brought it upstairs and delivered it to my feet, announcing the news with happy meows. She was amply rewarded with scruffles.
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/771/304/623/939/323/original/a8afe397348ad8fc.png

2025-01-02 00:10:29

My “nudge word” for 2025 is “focus”.
To remind me, I’m changing my laptop wallpaper to this portrait of the patron saint of focus: Yusuf Dikec. (Source: Getty Images)
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/755/855/542/854/377/original/323994be8ef0c486.png

2025-01-01 01:52:18

While we in North America wait for midnight, Greenland is putting on a natural fireworks show of its own. #aurora #newyear2025 https://www.youtube.com/live/5kf5GgfD_3U?si=EZtMhuAgwxZqbdFn

2024-12-31 19:02:09

We’re ringing in the new year with two very unwelcome house guests named Norovirus and Influenza A. #WashYourHands
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/748/981/727/479/986/original/1fcaf2b7cf536b72.png

2024-12-31 19:01:29

We’re ringing in the new year with two very unwelcome house guests named Norovirus and Influenza A. #WashYourHands

2024-12-31 16:18:40

A very happy retirement to Roger Edwards (@skypixweather.x.com) from SPC. Although we don’t see eye to eye on everything, we do agree on three of life’s most important priorities; tornadoes, cats, and tea. Happy trails, my friend!
Roger’s farewell message is appended to his last Day1 outlook. https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/archive/2024/day1otlk_20241231_1300.html

2024-12-30 21:01:38

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jonathan McCrea from the Irish radio program Futureproof about tornado field work. I am honored that they just re-aired our segment as one of their “best of 2024”. ☺️ https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/futureproof-with-jonathan-mccrea/the-best-of-2024

2024-12-30 17:14:49

It’s one of those days where I’m reviewing the wildfire evacuation plan with the fam. That’s one of the less-fun aspects of living in the foothills. The wind is whistling through every weak spot in the weatherstripping. #cowx
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/742/897/718/836/951/original/5c08449435d74758.png

2024-12-30 16:13:51

Again, Jimmy Carter was a badass. https://wapo.st/4fGfp2l

2024-12-30 15:43:10

Since I was born during the Carter administration, I don’t remember much of it. But what I do remember is the unwavering example President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, set for service and dignity after their time in the White House. May they RIP together.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/nation/watch-former-president-carter-helps-build-habitat-home-despite-black-eye

2024-12-28 22:55:40

Storm chasers (and their) live streams today are already beginning to struggle with low sun angle and decreasing daylight. One major drawback to cool season chasing is the shorter day length. This graphic is from timeanddate.com.
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/732/912/401/707/983/original/3b8e991862705295.png

2024-12-28 20:32:52

It’s one of those days when every single cell out ahead of the main convective forcing looks like a micro-supercell on reflectivity. #radar #lawx
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/732/346/997/523/448/original/e2b726b12de60bce.png

2024-12-28 17:06:27

“Tornado season” in the Southeast US defies being called a “season” at all. Stay weather aware if you live in or are traveling through LA/MS today. #lawx #mswx https://www.spc.noaa.gov/cgi-bin-spc/getpwo.pl?date=20241227

2024-12-27 01:06:10

Not that I am complaining, mind you
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2024-12-20 23:54:21

Colorado gettin’ its sunset on #cowx
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2024-12-19 20:01:00

After 15 years of marriage, I’m still convinced no compatibility algorithm would have matched me with this dude. We are a 100% organic couple. Happy anniversary, @nprofile…ttz9!
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/681/264/942/554/404/original/d5667773dc34658a.png

2024-12-18 19:43:13

I love how this morning’s wave cloud mirrored the structure of the Flatirons. #cowx
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2024-12-18 00:03:07

Because I finished my PhD program in February 2011, the OU grad college decided to cancel my tuition waiver. The day after I defended, I received a $3000 tuition bill. I was flat broke. Dean Moore offered to pay my tuition bill. I have never forgotten that. https://www.oudaily.com/news/ou-announces-death-of-dean-berrien-moore-iii/

2024-12-14 22:48:48

Flow. OMG. I’ve never seen a film with zero dialogue say so much. What a vibrant, original treat for me and D3 to watch in the theater together. https://youtu.be/ZgZccxuj2RY

2024-12-12 04:03:11

I kept one eye out the window all day, looking for that perfectly sculpted, saucer-shaped lenticular cloud. The sky tried, but didn’t produce one. At least, not while I was watching. #cowx
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2024-12-05 02:21:31

We're missing thundersnow back home. #INwx
KLAF 050153Z AUTO 31033G51KT TS FEW007 BKN043 OVC050 04/M02 A2971 RMK AO2 PK WND 32051/0152 RAB31E40 TSB47 PRESRR SLP066 P0000 T00391017

2024-12-02 15:39:12

Best of luck to those submitting to this year’s VORTEX-USA proposal call!
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2024-12-01 16:16:34

One of my favorite aspects of living in Colorado is watching how the mountains upstream sculpt the clouds.
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2024-11-28 20:23:45

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2024-11-27 18:30:03

Forget hammer time. It’s shovel time! #cowx
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2024-11-25 14:36:36

Someone asked me recently how many followers I have on social media. I replied honestly, “I don’t know, but it’s not zero.”
I’ve never been hung up on my follower count. My general practice is not to base my sense of self-worth on metrics that I can’t control. It’s a great way to live.

2024-11-23 16:14:04

Asterisk fixing the neighbor’s cat with a death glare. Neighbor’s cat doesn’t give a flip. #caturday
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2024-11-22 16:24:18

Fantastic video from NSSL describing efforts to make dual pol PAR into the next generation’s operational #radar. https://youtu.be/2TkHS-G0LmE

2024-11-20 19:45:55

The best compliment one scientist can give another: “I think you’re on to something.”

2024-09-08 01:00:41

That rabbit is so close, Asterisk can almost touch it…
#caturday
https://storage.googleapis.com/wx-social/media_attachments/files/113/099/223/871/612/168/original/6f6825b09f22d771.mp4

2024-06-30 00:34:29

I’ve seen worse updrafts! Taken from West Lafayette, looking WSW. Constant rumbling thunder. #INwx
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2024-06-17 22:50:34

I learned a new phrase today: Service bomb.
Def. When a person in a position of power over you publicly announces that you will perform a service task on your own time, with no substantive career benefit to you.
See also: Volun-told

2023-09-13 21:54:03

The sickest kid in the waiting room sat right next to me for 25 minutes. I want to take a Lysol bath.

2023-07-16 16:42:05

Bee with full pollen baskets on neighbors’ bee balm.
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2023-07-14 23:32:08

10 years ago today, I became a mom by choice. After celebrating my son’s birthday, I have some thoughts. The fact that motherhood is wonderful and absolutely worth strain, doesn’t make it any less exhausting or life-altering.
The only people who should have a say in whether or not you have children should be (1) you, and (2, if you choose to go the partnered parenting route,) your partner. No one else. Not the government, not your employer, not even your own parents. Zip. Zilch. Nada.