Dr. Virginia Silvis
@vsilvis.bsky.social
Disaster scientist studying climate change adaptation, knitting my way through life one stitch at a time. Views are my own.
MI->OK->GA->PA
MI->OK->GA->PA
Reposted by Dr. Virginia Silvis
Losing 10-30% of the agency is very bad, don’t get me wrong, but it is arguably more critical to understand who is leaving. The drain of people who have EM experience in high level positions could single handedly make FEMA dead in the water for future responses.
www.cnn.com/2025/05/22/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/05/22/p...
DHS inserts staffers at FEMA in major shakeup before hurricane season | CNN Politics
The homeland security officials will replace several longtime FEMA leaders, marking an inflection point in the Trump administration’s takeover of the disaster relief agency.
www.cnn.com
May 22, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Losing 10-30% of the agency is very bad, don’t get me wrong, but it is arguably more critical to understand who is leaving. The drain of people who have EM experience in high level positions could single handedly make FEMA dead in the water for future responses.
www.cnn.com/2025/05/22/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/05/22/p...
Reposted by Dr. Virginia Silvis
OK, this is wild.
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
May 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
OK, this is wild.
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
In September 2023, geophysicists across the world started monitoring a very odd signal coming from the ground under them.
It was picked up in the Arctic. And Antarctica. It was detected everywhere, every 90 seconds, as regular as a metronome, for *nine days*.
What the HELL?
1/
Reposted by Dr. Virginia Silvis
If you care about NOAA research and good forecasts but don't know where to start with calling your congresspeople, this statement has some good talking points! Pick one or two things to focus on, and try to emphasize how those things are important to your state!
The 2026 budget passback plan calls for eliminating NOAA Research, the scientific backbone that keeps weather forecasts, alerts, and warnings accurate and effective. This would have disastrous consequences.
Read the AMS statement, in partnership w/ @nwas.org: bit.ly/4cz2RtC
Read the AMS statement, in partnership w/ @nwas.org: bit.ly/4cz2RtC
Stand Up for NOAA Research – The Time to Act is Now
The AMS is a global community committed to advancing weather, water, and climate science and service.
bit.ly
April 17, 2025 at 7:12 PM
If you care about NOAA research and good forecasts but don't know where to start with calling your congresspeople, this statement has some good talking points! Pick one or two things to focus on, and try to emphasize how those things are important to your state!
Reposted by Dr. Virginia Silvis
The 2026 budget passback plan calls for eliminating NOAA Research, the scientific backbone that keeps weather forecasts, alerts, and warnings accurate and effective. This would have disastrous consequences.
Read the AMS statement, in partnership w/ @nwas.org: bit.ly/4cz2RtC
Read the AMS statement, in partnership w/ @nwas.org: bit.ly/4cz2RtC
Stand Up for NOAA Research – The Time to Act is Now
The AMS is a global community committed to advancing weather, water, and climate science and service.
bit.ly
April 17, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The 2026 budget passback plan calls for eliminating NOAA Research, the scientific backbone that keeps weather forecasts, alerts, and warnings accurate and effective. This would have disastrous consequences.
Read the AMS statement, in partnership w/ @nwas.org: bit.ly/4cz2RtC
Read the AMS statement, in partnership w/ @nwas.org: bit.ly/4cz2RtC
Fuck.
“Craig McLean, a former NOAA chief scientist who said he got information from a person with first-hand knowledge, told The Associated Press that as many as 1,300 people will be fired in two rounds, 500 Thursday and 800 on Friday. That’s about 10% of NOAA’s workforce.”
Employees received emails Thursday informing them of their abrupt termination, despite a U.S. District Court ruling calling such firings’ legality into question coloradosun.com/2025/02/27/n...
February 28, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Fuck.
Reposted by Dr. Virginia Silvis
All probationary federal employees at NOAA’s EMC that’s responsible for keeping all US weather model systems running have been fired with 1 hours notice. And that includes me and colleagues. We will not go quietly because we care about the NOAA mission to protect the public.
February 27, 2025 at 9:18 PM
All probationary federal employees at NOAA’s EMC that’s responsible for keeping all US weather model systems running have been fired with 1 hours notice. And that includes me and colleagues. We will not go quietly because we care about the NOAA mission to protect the public.
Reposted by Dr. Virginia Silvis
When we say disasters aren’t natural this . . .
Hundreds of Federal Emergency Management Agency employees were fired as part of a wave of terminations of federal workers over the weekend. The cuts, which come in addition to the firing of over 200 last week, target probationary and contract employees.
FEMA is losing scores of employees. That could slow disaster response.
Cuts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency could affect people across the country who are struggling to rebuild and prepare for disasters.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 19, 2025 at 12:16 AM
When we say disasters aren’t natural this . . .
Reposted by Dr. Virginia Silvis
Many areas are seeing record snowfall this winter, thanks to global warming--or rather, global weirding!
How so?
It hasn't been cold enough for lakes other than Erie to completely ice over yet. As cold air sweeps across them, it's picking up moisture and dumping massive snowfall on the other side.
How so?
It hasn't been cold enough for lakes other than Erie to completely ice over yet. As cold air sweeps across them, it's picking up moisture and dumping massive snowfall on the other side.
🔵🔴⚠️The ongoing cold spell affecting USA and Canada is bringing heavy snowfalls and very low temperatures,triggering a #lakeeffectsnow that covers 800km from LakeSuperior to LakeOntario, with all the Great Lakes seen a in this Sentinel-3 view of Feb.17.
February 18, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Many areas are seeing record snowfall this winter, thanks to global warming--or rather, global weirding!
How so?
It hasn't been cold enough for lakes other than Erie to completely ice over yet. As cold air sweeps across them, it's picking up moisture and dumping massive snowfall on the other side.
How so?
It hasn't been cold enough for lakes other than Erie to completely ice over yet. As cold air sweeps across them, it's picking up moisture and dumping massive snowfall on the other side.
Reposted by Dr. Virginia Silvis
not paying indirect costs for research is like only paying the players in the Super Bowl.
can't have a Super Bowl without coaches, referees, security, janitors, announcers, stadium staff, and a stadium - and you can't have research without supporting people and facilities
can't have a Super Bowl without coaches, referees, security, janitors, announcers, stadium staff, and a stadium - and you can't have research without supporting people and facilities
February 9, 2025 at 11:00 PM
not paying indirect costs for research is like only paying the players in the Super Bowl.
can't have a Super Bowl without coaches, referees, security, janitors, announcers, stadium staff, and a stadium - and you can't have research without supporting people and facilities
can't have a Super Bowl without coaches, referees, security, janitors, announcers, stadium staff, and a stadium - and you can't have research without supporting people and facilities
Reposted by Dr. Virginia Silvis
A reminder of NOAA’s Effect on the National Economy
Their contributions impact all sorts of economic sectors, in addition to providing informative and life-saving information to the public
Their contributions impact all sorts of economic sectors, in addition to providing informative and life-saving information to the public
February 7, 2025 at 5:59 PM
A reminder of NOAA’s Effect on the National Economy
Their contributions impact all sorts of economic sectors, in addition to providing informative and life-saving information to the public
Their contributions impact all sorts of economic sectors, in addition to providing informative and life-saving information to the public
Reposted by Dr. Virginia Silvis
January 31, 2025 at 9:09 PM
My dogs thoughts on it being -2 deg F this morning
January 22, 2025 at 4:36 PM
My dogs thoughts on it being -2 deg F this morning
Reposted by Dr. Virginia Silvis
Energy EO holds up EV charging funding to states already appropriated by Congress. If fewer charging stations get built, fewer cars will drive on electricity. This will be bad for emissions, but it will also increase gasoline use, which will raise, gasoline prices. www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Unleashing American Energy – The White House
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1.
www.whitehouse.gov
January 21, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Energy EO holds up EV charging funding to states already appropriated by Congress. If fewer charging stations get built, fewer cars will drive on electricity. This will be bad for emissions, but it will also increase gasoline use, which will raise, gasoline prices. www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Reposted by Dr. Virginia Silvis
Here's the reality about the #LAFires this week: this isn't the first time ANY of these places have burned. Not even close. In 2018, we mapped CA fire history to look at fire frequency across SoCal. Santa Monica Mtns area burns more than anywhere else -- up to once per decade in a given spot. 🧵
January 9, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Here's the reality about the #LAFires this week: this isn't the first time ANY of these places have burned. Not even close. In 2018, we mapped CA fire history to look at fire frequency across SoCal. Santa Monica Mtns area burns more than anywhere else -- up to once per decade in a given spot. 🧵
Reposted by Dr. Virginia Silvis
The layers of bullshit that the Right generates during every disaster makes our jobs as disaster researchers so much harder.
You have to learn about and debunk their lies. By that time people are too worn down to take in actual criticism.
You have to learn about and debunk their lies. By that time people are too worn down to take in actual criticism.
January 9, 2025 at 3:47 AM
The layers of bullshit that the Right generates during every disaster makes our jobs as disaster researchers so much harder.
You have to learn about and debunk their lies. By that time people are too worn down to take in actual criticism.
You have to learn about and debunk their lies. By that time people are too worn down to take in actual criticism.
Bless, it’s past midnight. Why am I planning my writing goals for the next month? Also, why do I think I will be able to do all the writing this month? 🤪 #academicdelusions
November 26, 2024 at 5:35 AM
Bless, it’s past midnight. Why am I planning my writing goals for the next month? Also, why do I think I will be able to do all the writing this month? 🤪 #academicdelusions
Show me your pet and what they are named for
Clearly she’s a princess 👸
Clearly she’s a princess 👸
November 24, 2024 at 6:03 AM
Show me your pet and what they are named for
Clearly she’s a princess 👸
Clearly she’s a princess 👸
Reposted by Dr. Virginia Silvis
Pulling a few things over from the other place.
"209 out of 210 existing U.S. coal plants are now more expensive to run compared to replacement by new cheaper wind or solar energy in the same region."
🔌💡
www.forbes.com/sites/energy...
"209 out of 210 existing U.S. coal plants are now more expensive to run compared to replacement by new cheaper wind or solar energy in the same region."
🔌💡
www.forbes.com/sites/energy...
99% Of U.S. Coal Plants Are More Expensive Than New Renewables. A Coal-To-Clean Transition Is Worth $589 Billion, Mostly In Red States
Building new wind and solar is less expensive than 99% of existing coal capacity. This Coal Cost Crossover is worth $589 billion in new investment for coal communities across the U.S.
www.forbes.com
November 19, 2024 at 1:25 AM
Pulling a few things over from the other place.
"209 out of 210 existing U.S. coal plants are now more expensive to run compared to replacement by new cheaper wind or solar energy in the same region."
🔌💡
www.forbes.com/sites/energy...
"209 out of 210 existing U.S. coal plants are now more expensive to run compared to replacement by new cheaper wind or solar energy in the same region."
🔌💡
www.forbes.com/sites/energy...
Like many others, I am beyond done with the toxicity of the other place. I'm slowly migrating over from my profile there (vsilvis_wx). Let's talk some weather and social science with a sprinkling of knitting thrown in the mix!
November 14, 2024 at 8:55 PM
Like many others, I am beyond done with the toxicity of the other place. I'm slowly migrating over from my profile there (vsilvis_wx). Let's talk some weather and social science with a sprinkling of knitting thrown in the mix!
Hello world 🌎
Starting the migration over from the other place!
Starting the migration over from the other place!
November 14, 2024 at 8:20 PM
Hello world 🌎
Starting the migration over from the other place!
Starting the migration over from the other place!