Briefing Document: Holiday Traditions with a Military Twist

This document reviews two unique holiday traditions involving the US military: NORAD Tracks Santa and Operation Christmas Drop.

NORAD Tracks Santa

• Origin: The tradition began in 1955 when a Sears advertisement mistakenly printed the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) hotline number as Santa's phone number. Colonel Harry Shoup, the commander on duty, received calls from children and, rather than dismissing them, decided to provide updates on Santa's location.

Operation Christmas Drop

• Origin: Operation Christmas Drop started in 1952 when a WB-29 aircrew, seeing islanders waving from Kapingamarangi, decided to drop a bundle of supplies attached to a parachute.

The Long Road to Recovery: How Hurricanes Helene and Milton Continue to Impact Tampa Bay Residents

Meteorology Matters examines the ongoing challenges faced by residents in the Tampa Bay area in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Even in December 2024 area residents are dealing with hurdles months after the hurricanes, we are focusing on the struggles residents are encountering with FEMA, housing instability, and supply shortages.

Key Themes:

1. FEMA's 50% Rule and Damage Assessment Inconsistencies
2. Housing Instability for Renters
3. Supply Shortages and Extended Delays
4. Financial and Emotional Strain

Christmas 2024 Travel Briefing: Weather Impacts and White Christmas Predictions

This briefing summarizes key weather information for the Christmas 2024 holiday period, drawing from several weather forecasts and news articles.

Main Themes:

• Unsettled weather leading up to Christmas: Many regions will experience rain, snow, and potentially disruptive weather in the days preceding Christmas.
• Warmer temperatures for many on Christmas Day: A warming trend is expected across much of the US, bringing above-average temperatures and reducing the likelihood of snow in many areas.
• Limited White Christmas potential: While higher elevations in the West and areas near the Canadian border have the best chances, widespread snow cover on Christmas morning is unlikely across the contiguous US.
• Travel disruptions possible: Travelers should anticipate potential delays due to weather, especially in the days leading up to Christmas.

Meteorology Matters examines Miami and Tampa's vulnerability to hurricanes and climate change. Miami, despite its booming population and development, faces significant climate risks, including rising sea levels and increased flooding, yet many residents remain, prioritizing lifestyle over potential dangers. Tampa, similarly situated in a low-lying area, presents a high-risk scenario due to its rapid growth and the potential for catastrophic storm surge, with the upcoming Hurricane Milton posing an imminent threat. Both cities highlight the complex interplay between economic growth, environmental risks, and individual choices in the face of climate change. Experts express serious concern about the preparedness of both cities for extreme weather events.

Meteorology Matters examines the environmental impact of suburban sprawl, contrasting it with denser, more walkable urban neighborhoods. We explore the trade-offs between walkability, affordability, and living space, highlighting public preference for sprawling suburbs despite their higher carbon footprint. We look at the effects of suburban development on natural habitats, noting both habitat loss and surprising animal adaptations. Finally we examine strategies to reduce the climate footprint of suburban areas, suggesting policy changes, technological upgrades in homes and transportation, and individual actions to mitigate emissions.

Meteorology Matters looks at a Washington Post investigation into the deaths of six Impact Plastics employees during Hurricane Helene's flooding in Erwin, Tennessee. The investigation highlights the role of both the severe weather and allegedly inadequate employer responses in the fatalities, contrasting this with the successful rescue of hospital staff and patients. We also examine the deaths of workers at an Amazon warehouse and a Kentucky candle factory during a tornado. The lack of union representation contributed to the workers' inability to leave their workplaces before the disaster and emphasizes the importance of unions in ensuring worker safety and fair treatment. This boils down to the tragic consequences of prioritizing profit over worker safety in the face of extreme weather events.

Meteorology Matters reports on a major Thanksgiving Weekend lake-effect snowstorm impacting upstate New York and parts of the Great Lakes region. Significant snowfall accumulations of up to five or six feet are predicted, especially near Watertown, NY, and along the shores of Lakes Erie and Ontario. Hazardous travel conditions and widespread disruptions are anticipated, prompting warnings and travel restrictions. State and local authorities are mobilizing resources, including the National Guard and transportation crews, to respond to the storm's impact. The storm is expected to last through early Monday.

Meteorology Matters presents an analytical framework for standardizing tropical cyclone wind characteristics (mean wind speed, turbulence intensity, integral scale, gust factor, and peak factor) from various measurement conditions to a common reference. This framework uses equilibrium boundary-layer theory and is applied to data from seven tropical cyclones (four typhoons, three hurricanes), comparing results to existing standards (ASCE 7-10 and AIJ-RLB-2004). We continue to. examine gust factor variations based on coastal tower measurements during three landfalling typhoons. We explore the relationships between gust factor and turbulence intensity, height, wind speed, and direction, finding that gust factors are smaller than those in national codes and influenced significantly by shoreline confinement on sea wave development.