The Mental Health of Meteorologists

Disclaimer: This is a dark topic! If you are prone to triggers or get upset over certain depressive topics, I advise you not to read. If you are willing to read, I appreciate your concern to approach the topic and find ways to conquer the darkness that is mental health problems.

In January of 2020, I had the privilege of attending the American Meteorological Society 100th Anniversary Conference and being present for several panels on different subjects. This was my first experience like this and first trip that involved getting on a plane. The conference lasted five days (January 12-17) and had many different activities like panels, parties, exhibitions, and a poster hall. This was by far one of my favorite trips I have ever been on and I am so lucky to have been given the chance to go. This topic I am covering was one of the biggest panels I attended. There were four parts to it and I attended three.

“It’s all my fault”

Each forecaster has to take into consideration that their job has to do with a life or death situation for the people involved. Sometimes people get really lucky and get away safely, sometimes they don’t. Many casualties and injuries (major or minor) happen during severe weather and sometimes we can’t control that. This takes a toll on your mind after a while. But, how do you get over that? How do you get over the guilt of  someone’s death being your fault?

“You’ll never forget the day it happens. Write it down and reflect” – James Spann

There’s different ways to deal with the guilt. Therapy is one of the most popular ways to deal with a mental problem. Talking to someone you trust or someone that is there to help can make a major impact on your mind. I’ve heard some claim it to be “a weight lifting off their shoulders” or “less baggage to carry”. Some therapists may ask you to keep a journal and write down your feelings each day to try and keep you sane. They can also prescribe you meds to block out or tone down the messages in your head so that it is easier to get through the day.

“If you have a heart, you are going to feel it”

Have a social support system to be there for you during your times of need. Friends and family are a good example of a support system. Personally my family, boyfriend, and long distance friend are my support system and they help keep me sane. 

“We shouldn’t have to experience this”

Beliefs serve as barriers to our true feelings. We try to block them out thinking that this is not natural for us to think this way, or that feelings are wrong in the workplace. These feelings are not wrong. We feel these things to remind ourselves that the things around us can affect how we do things everyday. Second Hand Trauma is common within the workplace of meteorologists. Every time you forecast a storm, there’s the chance of someone’s life being put on the line of life or death. We risk this in hopes of a better outcome and to protect the ones we love.

“This kind of stuff sticks with you, not matter how long ago it was”

Repeated exposure to stressful events can have a cumulative effect on your health. So how do you deal with this? Dr. Claudette Pierre suggests to connect with loved ones, practice relaxation techniques, don’t hide your emotions, and to avoid using things such as substances to distract yourself from the problem. She also suggests understanding your roles and limits.

“We predict bad things”

With climate change, this topic is only going to get worse. The warming of the Earth is going to cause the storms that we predict to become worse and worse. Eventually (if we do nothing to stop it) the Earth will become inhabitable for humans to live on it. This is just going to cause more stress for the Meteorologists to handle. So ask yourself, do you want this to happen to you?

In conclusion,  just remember that we do predict bad things and that it doesn’t always turn out the way that we expect. It’s okay for this to happen. We are only human so not everything turns out perfect or the way that we want it to. If you experience problems like this, please go get help. Don’t try to handle all these issues by yourself. It’s going to cause more issues and problems in the future otherwise. Attempt to leave your house and go do something other than sitting in your house because you don’t have the motivation to do anything. Find something or someone that keeps you motivated and use that something or someone to get through the day.

Thank you for reading to learn more about the concerning topic.

Serina K. Croyle

Sources:

Elements, In The. “Mental Health in Meteorology – Part 1.” Theweatherjunkies, Weather Junkies Blog, 31 Jan. 2018, http://www.theweatherjunkies.com/single-post/2018/01/31/Mental-Health-in-Meteorology.

Exploring the Human Side of Meteorology http://nwafiles.nwas.org/jom/articles/2018/2018-JOM3/2018-JOM3.pdf

“Extreme Weather Events Linked to Poor Mental Health.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 5 Sept. 2019, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190905080114.htm.

Natural Disasters: Changes in Tornadic Activity

My fascinations reside within the chaos of severe weather, especially tornadoes. As I have educated myself more on the synoptic and global scales, I have asked myself many times how climate change will impact tornadoes. Will their winds intensify, and in return, cause more destruction? Will they mellow out and relieve the anxiety of the general public? With climate change having become a concept accepted by the majority of our nation, it is important that we understand what to expect in terms of day-to-day weather. Therefore, throughout this post, I will examine and explain tornado frequency, intensity, location, and how climate change is impacting each parameter.

North America: Rich with Ingredients

North America is home to most of the tornadoes that occur on our planet. More specifically, the atmosphere above the United States produces the bulk of tornadoes that are accounted for on an annual basis. More than 1,400 tornadic storms were recorded annually during the years of 2005-2015. The mid western region of the United States, commonly known as Tornado Alley, provides a conducive environment for these storms to generate. Tornado Alley’s thousands of miles of flat land are the common grounds for cool, dry air from the Rocky Mountains and Canada, and warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico. From this union, an updraft causes the warm air mass to lift into cooler regions of the atmosphere. However, the moisture from the warm air is conserved to then condense and form cumulonimbus clouds that deliver precipitation to the surface below them. Downdrafts and winds are delivered to Earth’s surface by vertical columns of cool air that bear a sinking motion. Thus, a thunderstorm is born. More importantly, the fact that these conditions of the United States allow for frequent thunderstorms serves as a catalyst for tornadic storms. Tornadoes are a product of supercells, which require instability, wind shear, and a lifting mechanism.

Change In Geographical Locations of Tornadoes

The fact that change and evolution of geological conditions are both time consuming processes means that tornadic activity will most likely remain within its current regions, for the most part. North America’s geographical features are expected to sustain their properties for years to come. With that being said, tornadoes will continue to occur within Tornado Alley, but their territory is anticipated to extend farther towards the eastern region. States that are predicted to have an increased trend in tornadic activity are Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. This shift is due to the fact that the changing climate is expected to claim the already limited moisture that the Southwest deserts possess, and in return, areas of dry air will migrate farther into Tornado Alley. Furthermore, climate models demonstrate that current wet environments will experience an increase in precipitation and moisture that correlate to climate change. Therefore, the Gulf of Mexico is a culprit of heightened precipitation and will be capable of instigating sufficient severe weather events with the eastward shift.

This image displays the upward trend of tornadoes pushing eastward.
Figure 1. Map displaying the upward trend of tornadoes pushing eastward

Will Storm Season Change?

The majority of tornadic storms typically conjure supercells that occur from May until mid to late July. With the results of the climate models mentioned above being kept in mind, storm season could take place earlier in the calendar year. A 2013 study led by Noah Diffenbaugh of Stanford University determined that high emissions could result in spring days containing greater occurrences of tornadoes compared to present frequencies. Diffenbaugh’s study exhibited a strong combination of wind shear and an unstable atmosphere that could allow supercells to discharge more tornadoes.

Frequency of Tornadoes

Long-term data for tornadoes is mainly comprised of observations and is not reliable when compared to other meteorological variables such as temperature. While more tornadoes are being reported throughout the United States than ever before, climatologists do not believe that human-induced greenhouse warming is the cause. The upward trend is most likely related to the fact that society appears to be reporting more tornadoes. Tornadic storms have become fascinating to the public eye in recent years, and many individuals have taken up storm chasing as a hobby. With the deliberate tracking and observation of these storms, there lies more of a chance that tornadoes will be seen and reported. Another factor is rapid population growth in North America. There are simply more community members to witness and report a tornado. Scientists are not completely disregarding the suggestion that climate change will increase the likelihood of tornadoes, but at this time, the science is relatively uncertain and does not show this direct link. Tornadogenesis is a complex process that is not completely comprehended in the meteorological community, so the uncertainty within this matter can prevent understanding of how climate change will impact tornadic storms.

Figure 2. Map displaying records of observed tornadoes from years 1950-2017

Intensity of Tornadoes

A misconception many infer is that climate change will cause tornadoes to intensify greatly. However, although tornadoes are not predicted to accumulate strength, thunderstorms are. At this point, models currently indicate that the United States will experience a boost in prevalence of unstable air, while wind shear will be reduced. Even more so, regional models indicate that atmospheric instability may increase enough to account for the weaker measures of wind shear that are expected. As a result of this prognosis, climatologists and meteorologists anticipate the frequency of severe storms of strong wind and heavy rain to increase, rather than destructive tornadoes and large hail. Furthermore, many locations throughout the country would experience a growth in the number of days that they could experience severe thunderstorms. Statistically, this number might escalate by the end of the twenty-first century.

Final Thoughts

Our planet is susceptible to change on different scales. Furthermore, human-induced climate change affects everything in our environment, locally and globally. Earth provides many exclusive geological features that are in jeopardy of destruction by the damaging floods and winds caused by these storms. Greenhouse warming is a culprit behind the upward trend of intense thunderstorms that spawn large quantities of precipitation and harsh winds. Additionally, models display that tornadoes spurred by greenhouse emissions promote an early kick off to the storm season, as well as an eastward push of their territory. These warnings should serve as an eye opener for society to become more aware of the problems caused by climate change, and whatever else our planet will face due to this matter. Take this as a storm warning, issued for our entire planet.

Signing off

-Shannon

Learn more about me, Kaila Teets

My name is Kaila Teets and I am currently a Junior enrolled at California University of Pennsylvania. Although I am a meteorology major, I am leaning more towards climate studies. I grew up in a large suburb on the west side of Chicago where my love for weather and climate began.

When I started college, I knew I definitely loved science, so I started off as a biology major. It wasn’t quite what I was looking for and I wanted to learn more about the non-living elements of the earth.

I knew I loved weather when I would watch large storms pass through as a kid. I recall being about 12 years old when I saw my first large storm that caused a large tree to fall on my house. I would sit by the window and listen to the tornado sirens go off, and as crazy as it sounds, I would almost be sad when the storm would come to an end. My love for climate started when I grew older and became interested in politics and the whole idea of climate change. I knew I wanted to be a part of the change to make the world a better place. In the future, I hope to apply as a weather officer in the Air Force. I always thought this would be a great way to kick start my career and learn some pretty cool things. It will also be a great way for me to explore new places and see weather patterns all over the world!

I have many interests outside of my studies. Sports have always been a huge part of my life. I played softball my whole life and was hoping for some college offers but unfortunately I tore my ACL in high school and had to have my knee reconstructed. After that I was lucky enough to make it on to the hockey team here at Cal, so that is what I mainly enjoy doing in my time that is not dedicated to schoolwork. I am also in several different clubs such as student government, which fulfills my political interests. I am also the treasurer of the sports club directors. I enjoy being a big part of what happens here on campus!

Brendan Wissinger About Me

Hello, I am Brendan. I’m a Climate Science major at California University of Pennsylvania minoring in Political Science. I am from a Small Town about 3 miles east of California, PA. I have Asperger’s Syndrome and ADHD.

I became interested in Climate Change when I was 8 years old. At a young age I loved the sciences in which started with learning about Meteorology and Space Sciences in First Grade, but I loved pretty much every science and I loved to watch documentaries on many different subjects and not just scientific ones, including ones about emergency services, construction, the military. I was about 8 when I found by accident a documentary about climate change scrolling through channels. I became concerned about it and designed a “carbon cleaner” to “fix” the problem. As I got older and learned more about Climate Change and the scale of the problem I became more and more alarmed and I decided to study it when I became an adult. I started calling, emailing and writing letters local politicians about it. I’ve met Climate Scientist Michael Mann and I started meeting local politicians and being involved or setting Climate Activism or Climate Informational Events. As my life progressed I decided to change my career to a Climate Change Policy Analyst, someone who designs policies to reduce Climate Change.

In High School my extracurricular activities were Boy Scouts (Which I did attain Eagle), Upward Bound, FFA, Envirothon, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and St. James Lutheran Church. My extracurricular activities in college are Meteorology Club, Sustainability Club, College Democrats, and Wildlife Society.

Who am I?

My name is Serina K. Croyle and I am a student at California University of Pennsylvania with a Major in Meteorology and a Minor in Music and I have had a fascination with storms since I was little. I remember as a little kid sitting on my grandparents sun porch, watching out the window every time it rained. Sometimes I was lucky and there was thunder, but at the time I was terrified of it. Years passed and when the big question came “What are you going to do with your life?” the first couple times I was asked I simply said “I don’t know”. 

Not long after that I was determined to become a music major and perform anywhere they would let me. My mindset was just me and my clarinet against the world. That dream came crashing down within the next couple years when I had gone into competitions and realized I wasn’t as amazing at playing as I thought.

By the time senior year had rolled around I was blindly searching at colleges trying to figure out who I wanted to be and how I was going to do that. I had applied to several schools as a Music Performance Major just to see if my dream could really become a reality. After going to an audition and seeing the end results I really thought that I could do it.They had offered me almost a free ride for the time that I would be going there. Not too long after that I had heard about this place and that it offered a Meteorology degree and was immediately interested. I applied right away and was accepted. This was definitely a last minute choice (or what felt like one).

Looking back at that I realized I made the better choice going here to study Meteorology than Music Performance (not to say music performance isn’t something that no one should do). I have enjoyed my time here so far and can’t imagine making any other choice.

This is Shannon Signing On

Hello and welcome to the Global Climate Change blog! My name is Shannon, and I am a 20 year-old meteorology student at California University of Pennsylvania! I would like to take this time to introduce myself before I begin posting content with respect to meteorology and climatology.

How it all Began

Meteorology always captured my best interest. I was first exposed to the meteorological field at the age of five when I watched Twister with my father. I was so passionate about what I learned from the film that I interrupted class multiple times the next day to share my thoughts about tornadoes to my kindergarten teacher. My poor teacher just wanted to proceed with class, but I would not let her do so until she and my classmates understood my excitement and fear of tornadoes. I began to compose my own “scientific books” in regards to how I thought tornadogenesis occurred. Additionally, any fictional story I was tasked to write throughout my elementary school career incorporated a tornado in some way…I made sure of it! Ultimately, my fear of severe weather grew into a respect that pushed me to educate myself and others. I never grew tired of the subject, and I only wanted to learn more. This is when I recognized that I was destined to be a meteorologist, and so I pursued!

Career Goals

I think it goes without saying, but I put my focus on severe weather and tornadogenesis. Upon completion of my Bachelor’s degree, I will complete a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering to expand my horizons and build off of the skills I already posses. I wish to forge a career analyzing data within the meteorological field. My ambitions are aimed at accomplishing any of the following: having some part in discovering more about tornadogenesis, designing more efficient tornado warning systems, or creating guidelines for new meteorological instruments for engineers to assemble.

Outside of School

Outside of my academic life, I enjoy quite a few hobbies in the fine arts spectrum. I have danced my entire life, with my strongest interests residing in the studies of contemporary, ballet, and jazz. I have also played the flute since the age of 9, and I did so in a competitive manner throughout middle school and high school. A rather new hobby I have engaged in is traveling throughout the United States. I have only visited 11 states so far, but I have plans of traveling to more in the near future. Idaho, Montana, Maine, and Louisiana are all at the top of my list! Other than that, I enjoy reading, building puzzles, and playing solitaire. However, one thing is for sure: you can always find me observing the radar!

I hope y’all enjoy our blogs and learn more about climate change from each of us and our interests!

Signing off

-Shannon

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started