WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
@wdefaustenonek.bsky.social
Chief Meteorologist WDEF News 12, Chattanooga TN;
science journalist, emergency communications, consultancy available. Amateur Radio KG4GKE, #RockChalkJayhawk
https://austenonek.home.blog/
science journalist, emergency communications, consultancy available. Amateur Radio KG4GKE, #RockChalkJayhawk
https://austenonek.home.blog/
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
November 20, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
#TimeSaverTraffic: As of 11:15 PM EST, eastbound I-24 traffic slow just SE of downtown Chattanooga heading upslope to Missionary Ridge encountering a multi-vehicle accident at mile marker 181A, and a disabled vehicle at mile marker 181.8. Alternate routes suggested.
November 20, 2025 at 4:21 AM
#TimeSaverTraffic: As of 11:15 PM EST, eastbound I-24 traffic slow just SE of downtown Chattanooga heading upslope to Missionary Ridge encountering a multi-vehicle accident at mile marker 181A, and a disabled vehicle at mile marker 181.8. Alternate routes suggested.
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
This is wonderful, and shows where curiosity can take you and others (including professionals!) even if you're 8 years old. It helps too that the Astronomer Royal is aces.
Enquiry from an 8yo asking what the Fulton Orrery planets were? Apparently the #Kelvingrove museum staff didn't know, so he e-mailed the Astronomer Royal to find out! I also didn’t know, but the AstroSociety of #Glasgow did (after watching an old VHS recording on the topic!) 🔭 #histsci 1/2🧵
November 19, 2025 at 5:12 PM
This is wonderful, and shows where curiosity can take you and others (including professionals!) even if you're 8 years old. It helps too that the Astronomer Royal is aces.
"BREAKING: The National Centers for Atmospheric Research have confirmed a 252 mph wind gust in Hurricane Melissa measured on a dropsonde – a probe dropped from an airplane. That gust occurred "right before one of the dropsondes plunged into the ocean" at barely 750 feet above the ground." MyRadar@
November 20, 2025 at 3:27 AM
"BREAKING: The National Centers for Atmospheric Research have confirmed a 252 mph wind gust in Hurricane Melissa measured on a dropsonde – a probe dropped from an airplane. That gust occurred "right before one of the dropsondes plunged into the ocean" at barely 750 feet above the ground." MyRadar@
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Starbucks @sbworkersunited.org baristas are standing up to corporate greed and Starbucks’ unfair labor practices and demanding the fair contract they deserve.
No contract? NO COFFEE!
No contract? NO COFFEE!
November 19, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Starbucks @sbworkersunited.org baristas are standing up to corporate greed and Starbucks’ unfair labor practices and demanding the fair contract they deserve.
No contract? NO COFFEE!
No contract? NO COFFEE!
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
The amount of ice flowing from Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica has doubled in the span of three decades. These satellite images from 2001 and 2019 show the fracture and retreat of the glacier ice tongue floating on the Amundsen Sea, as it's melted from below.
🛰️ NASA
🛰️ NASA
November 19, 2025 at 3:48 AM
The amount of ice flowing from Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica has doubled in the span of three decades. These satellite images from 2001 and 2019 show the fracture and retreat of the glacier ice tongue floating on the Amundsen Sea, as it's melted from below.
🛰️ NASA
🛰️ NASA
#Weather101 is a free weather webinar presented by NWS Nashville available to anyone who wants to know more. Starting at 7 PM CST tonight, learn more about NWS damage surveys. Register/info here:
www.weather.gov/ohx/weather101
www.weather.gov/ohx/weather101
November 20, 2025 at 12:50 AM
#Weather101 is a free weather webinar presented by NWS Nashville available to anyone who wants to know more. Starting at 7 PM CST tonight, learn more about NWS damage surveys. Register/info here:
www.weather.gov/ohx/weather101
www.weather.gov/ohx/weather101
"The American Nurses Association (ANA) is concerned ...This will severely restrict access to critical funding for graduate nursing education, undermining efforts to grow and sustain the nursing workforce...."
www.nursingworld.org/news/news-re...
www.nursingworld.org/news/news-re...
Statement from the American Nurses Association on Proposed Federal Loan Policy Changes
Excluding nursing from professional degree classification jeopardizes efforts to strengthen and expand the U.S. nursing workforce
www.nursingworld.org
November 20, 2025 at 12:34 AM
"The American Nurses Association (ANA) is concerned ...This will severely restrict access to critical funding for graduate nursing education, undermining efforts to grow and sustain the nursing workforce...."
www.nursingworld.org/news/news-re...
www.nursingworld.org/news/news-re...
Thanks to everyone who voted in our RoofQuotes.com #WeatherPoll #QuestionOfTheDay. Correct answer: Rain.
New poll goes up at midnight at wdef.com/votenow
New poll goes up at midnight at wdef.com/votenow
November 20, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Thanks to everyone who voted in our RoofQuotes.com #WeatherPoll #QuestionOfTheDay. Correct answer: Rain.
New poll goes up at midnight at wdef.com/votenow
New poll goes up at midnight at wdef.com/votenow
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather #WaffleWednesday Forecast: Cool-ish tonight with fog developing later.
#WaffleHouseIndex remains at green.
#WaffleHouseIndex remains at green.
November 20, 2025 at 12:00 AM
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather #WaffleWednesday Forecast: Cool-ish tonight with fog developing later.
#WaffleHouseIndex remains at green.
#WaffleHouseIndex remains at green.
Thanks to @WDEFNews12 viewer Misty Johnson for a great #sunset from Birchwood TN... Wednesday's Clay Kissner Paving & Seal Coating #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay.
Got #weatherpix to share? Go to wdef.com/photos
Got #weatherpix to share? Go to wdef.com/photos
November 19, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Thanks to @WDEFNews12 viewer Misty Johnson for a great #sunset from Birchwood TN... Wednesday's Clay Kissner Paving & Seal Coating #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay.
Got #weatherpix to share? Go to wdef.com/photos
Got #weatherpix to share? Go to wdef.com/photos
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather 1% Lists Scenic City
@1-Percent-Lists-Scenic-City Dog Walking Forecast for Wednesday evening.
@1-Percent-Lists-Scenic-City Dog Walking Forecast for Wednesday evening.
November 19, 2025 at 11:20 PM
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather 1% Lists Scenic City
@1-Percent-Lists-Scenic-City Dog Walking Forecast for Wednesday evening.
@1-Percent-Lists-Scenic-City Dog Walking Forecast for Wednesday evening.
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather #BlipCast Wednesday: Our latest storm system passing through leaves behind some clouds but not much rain for the rest of today. Next few days could be soggy and maybe stormy.
Details tonight on @WDEFNews12
Details tonight on @WDEFNews12
November 19, 2025 at 10:45 PM
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather #BlipCast Wednesday: Our latest storm system passing through leaves behind some clouds but not much rain for the rest of today. Next few days could be soggy and maybe stormy.
Details tonight on @WDEFNews12
Details tonight on @WDEFNews12
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Speaking of bad science in media (and I am using the term "media" pretty loosely here), allow me to use The Daily Mail as evidence of why you should get your science information from reputable agencies rather than crap websites. I'm not going to link the article, but it looks like this:
1/n
1/n
November 19, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Speaking of bad science in media (and I am using the term "media" pretty loosely here), allow me to use The Daily Mail as evidence of why you should get your science information from reputable agencies rather than crap websites. I'm not going to link the article, but it looks like this:
1/n
1/n
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Chaos! This *incredible* new #jwst image shows shells of dust emitted over the last 700 years by a system of 3 aging stars. The 2 main stars tear through space at an astonishing ~2000 MILES PER SECOND, whereas the 3rd star cuts through the dust like a knife. More: science.nasa.gov/missions/web...
Webb First to Show 4 Dust Shells 'Spiraling' Apep, Limits Long Orbit - NASA Science
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has delivered a first of its kind: a crisp mid-infrared image of a system of four serpentine spirals of dust, one expanding
science.nasa.gov
November 19, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Chaos! This *incredible* new #jwst image shows shells of dust emitted over the last 700 years by a system of 3 aging stars. The 2 main stars tear through space at an astonishing ~2000 MILES PER SECOND, whereas the 3rd star cuts through the dust like a knife. More: science.nasa.gov/missions/web...
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
This has to have been agony to keep quiet this long! #stargate #stargateisback
josephmallozzi.com/2025/11/19/s...
josephmallozzi.com/2025/11/19/s...
Stargate Returns! - Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog
AMAZONG GREENLIGHTS A NEW STARGATE SERIES Yes, it’s true. 14 years after the franchise aired its last episode (SGU’s “Gauntlet”), a new Stargate series has been greenlit by Amazon. And it’s not a re...
josephmallozzi.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:55 PM
This has to have been agony to keep quiet this long! #stargate #stargateisback
josephmallozzi.com/2025/11/19/s...
josephmallozzi.com/2025/11/19/s...
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
"Illness is a moral failing" is a widespread, unspoken belief in the United States.
You see it in businesses and schools punishing people for calling out sick.
You see it in politicians and voters unwilling to fund even the most basic health programs.
And you see it in statements like this:
You see it in businesses and schools punishing people for calling out sick.
You see it in politicians and voters unwilling to fund even the most basic health programs.
And you see it in statements like this:
Markwayne Mullin: "Reward people for being healthy. Think about this. Healthcare is the only industry that you're not rewarded for taking care of your responsibility. If you think about homeowners insurance, if you're within 500 feet of a fire hydrant, your insurance goes down."
November 19, 2025 at 7:06 PM
"Illness is a moral failing" is a widespread, unspoken belief in the United States.
You see it in businesses and schools punishing people for calling out sick.
You see it in politicians and voters unwilling to fund even the most basic health programs.
And you see it in statements like this:
You see it in businesses and schools punishing people for calling out sick.
You see it in politicians and voters unwilling to fund even the most basic health programs.
And you see it in statements like this:
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
From Lori Marino, founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project; also of @safinacenter.bsky.social (gift link). www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/1760cd5...
The age of keeping whales and dolphins in captivity must finally come to an end
Research shows it is not possible for captive cetaceans to thrive in concrete pools
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:31 AM
From Lori Marino, founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project; also of @safinacenter.bsky.social (gift link). www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/1760cd5...
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Scientists are turning fiber-optic cables into virtual hydrophones to spy on the iconic Orca whales of Washington's San Juan Islands.
As Ben Tracy reports, this project could lead to insights about how whales cope with climate change and other stressors.
w/ @allenphilanthro.bsky.social
As Ben Tracy reports, this project could lead to insights about how whales cope with climate change and other stressors.
w/ @allenphilanthro.bsky.social
The Secret Sound of Killer Whales: Inside a New Ocean Listening Network
YouTube video by climatecentral
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Scientists are turning fiber-optic cables into virtual hydrophones to spy on the iconic Orca whales of Washington's San Juan Islands.
As Ben Tracy reports, this project could lead to insights about how whales cope with climate change and other stressors.
w/ @allenphilanthro.bsky.social
As Ben Tracy reports, this project could lead to insights about how whales cope with climate change and other stressors.
w/ @allenphilanthro.bsky.social
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Night Planner Forecast
November 19, 2025 at 9:01 PM
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Night Planner Forecast
"Adding an extra cruel layer of irony is that Trump was seated next to Mohammed bin Salman.... Bin Salman was asked about Khashoggi Tuesday, and Trump even jumped in to defend him while viciously suggesting that the murdered journalist had it coming. "
Must-read piece about what is so fundamentally rotten about American "journalism" today..
New — I wrote about the myriad ways journalism’s moral rot manifests, and how our crumbling institutions have created the conditions for it to fester:
November 19, 2025 at 4:36 AM
"Adding an extra cruel layer of irony is that Trump was seated next to Mohammed bin Salman.... Bin Salman was asked about Khashoggi Tuesday, and Trump even jumped in to defend him while viciously suggesting that the murdered journalist had it coming. "
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
The former largest iceberg on Earth, A23a, continues to break into pieces to the north of South Georgia Island in the southern Atlantic Ocean.
November 18, 2025 at 8:03 PM
The former largest iceberg on Earth, A23a, continues to break into pieces to the north of South Georgia Island in the southern Atlantic Ocean.
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
I'll be talking about #COP30, U.S. disengagement and the state of the climate crisis & climate action w/ Cory Smith and Hillary Howard of the @dcnewsnow.bsky.social #SunriseOnTheHill show tomorrow (Wednesday) morning live 8:30am ET
www.dcnewsnow.com/sunrise-on-t...
www.dcnewsnow.com/sunrise-on-t...
November 19, 2025 at 12:03 AM
I'll be talking about #COP30, U.S. disengagement and the state of the climate crisis & climate action w/ Cory Smith and Hillary Howard of the @dcnewsnow.bsky.social #SunriseOnTheHill show tomorrow (Wednesday) morning live 8:30am ET
www.dcnewsnow.com/sunrise-on-t...
www.dcnewsnow.com/sunrise-on-t...
Thanks to all who voted in tonight's RoofQuotes.com @WDEFNews12 #WeatherPoll #QuestionOfTheDay.
56% of voters chose the correct answer: King Lear.
New poll goes up on wdef.com/votenow at midnight.
56% of voters chose the correct answer: King Lear.
New poll goes up on wdef.com/votenow at midnight.
November 19, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Thanks to all who voted in tonight's RoofQuotes.com @WDEFNews12 #WeatherPoll #QuestionOfTheDay.
56% of voters chose the correct answer: King Lear.
New poll goes up on wdef.com/votenow at midnight.
56% of voters chose the correct answer: King Lear.
New poll goes up on wdef.com/votenow at midnight.
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
I don't know why the "Piggy" thing is bothering me so much. It's one more unforgivable thing in a list of 20,000 unforgivable things, but I've been mad about it for like 12 straight hours.
November 18, 2025 at 11:48 PM
I don't know why the "Piggy" thing is bothering me so much. It's one more unforgivable thing in a list of 20,000 unforgivable things, but I've been mad about it for like 12 straight hours.