Channel Title: Holt Hanley Channel Description: Growing up as a surfer in Northern California, weather has always been a big part of my life. When I was 14, I decided I wanted to become a broadcast meteorologist. I began working toward this goal by receiving a degree in Earth Science from Cal Poly. After the "Northern California Firestorm" in 2017, I decided to fine-tune my focus toward the intersection of weather and wildfire. I could see that wildfire was becoming a huge problem in California, and I hoped to one day be part of the solution. I earned a Master’s in Meteorology under the Fire Weather Research Laboratory, where my thesis utilized machine learning to predict extreme wildfire growth. Right now, I am working as a broadcast meteorologist at KSBW, where I try to communicate from a scientific perspective in as clear and concise a way as possible. My goal moving forward is to expand my knowledge of weather, wildfire, and science, and to improve my skills in communicating what I learn to as many people as possible. <video> Fire and Animal Interactions Description: If you’re an animal in a wildfire, you have two options: flee or take shelter. It all depends on how fast you are. A tortoise can find protection underground, while deer make a run for it. Trees aren’t the best place to be, so birds would fly away if they weren’t already busy picking off the prey trying to escape. If you had to pick, you'd probably want to be in the water, although aquatic animals face long-term impacts from wildfire, as increased erosion can reduce water quality. However, streamflow may also bring in woody debris, creating prime real estate for salamanders and fish. On land, fires can enhance habitats by promoting new sprouts and ecosystem diversity. And ecosystem might be the best word to use when talking about wildfire. Fire is interconnected with water, soil, plants, and animals, with feedbacks going in both directions. It’s also not always bad news, as fire is an important part of the California environment. Ultimately, there will be fire in California; it’s just a matter of what kind. Source: Ch 9: Fire In California's Ecosystems 2nd ed Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holthanley/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holthanley X: https://x.com/HoltHanley </video> <video> Ch 6: Characterizing Fire Regimes | Fire In California's Ecosystems Description: If we want to manage the California ecosystem well, it helps to know the historical pattern of wildfire in an area, and there are four main techniques we use to characterize these fire regimes. The first approach is sedimentary charcoal and pollen. After a fire, the charcoal will wash away and accumulate in areas like lake beds. A sediment sample is like a timeline, which allows you to estimate fire activity in the past. By analyzing the pollen, you can also classify what kinds of vegetation were present. A more precise timeline can be found through dendrochronology, where you count the tree rings and look for fire scars, while also potentially identifying the “stand-origin date.” We can also turn to anecdotal and written information, like reports, journals, and Native American oral histories. For more recent fires, we have all kinds of data, including mapped fire perimeters, aerial photographs, and satellite imagery. Source: Ch 6: Fire In California's Ecosystems 2nd ed Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holthanley/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holthanley X: https://x.com/HoltHanley </video> <video> Wildfire is neither “good” nor “bad” for plants. Description: Wildfire is neither “good” nor “bad” for plants. It’s similar to temperature or rain… Just a part of the ecosystem to which plants have adapted. In some cases, plants at scales ranging from individuals, to populations, to communities can even depend on a certain pattern of fire for their survival. Individual plants can be categorized as fire resisters or persisters. Resisters have structures that protect them from heat damage, such as thick bark. Many persisters are known as “sprouters” or “seeders.” Their means of survival is by postfire resprouting or repopulating burned areas through seeds stored in the soil. The extent and age structure of plant populations, or groups of individuals of the same species, respond to the entire fire regime, including fire seasonality, return interval, size, spatial complexity, intensity, and type. Plant communities, or groups of different plant populations, not only respond to the entire fire regime but also have feedback effects, which can alter how fire behaves within that ecosystem. Source: Ch 8: Fire In California's Ecosystems 2nd ed Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holthanley/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holthanley X: https://x.com/HoltHanley </video> <video> Palisades Fire | Eaton Fire | Kenneth Fire - Update & Forecast Jan 9, 2024 Description: Palisades Fire | Eaton Fire | Kenneth Fire - Update & Forecast Jan 9, 2024 0:00 = Introduction 0:15 = Palisades Fire 13:47 = Eaton Fire 28:09 = Kenneth Fire Apologies... Just realized I forgot to cover the Hurst Fire, but it doesn't look like there is much heat coming off of it and the last I checked some of the Evacuation Warnings are being downgraded. That's as of 7:21 pm Jan 9th, so be sure to stay updated with local resources. I plan on doing another update and forecast tomorrow evening. Fire perimeter advisement: Please note that fire maps indicate the general burn area but do not detail the measures being taken to protect buildings and homes. Even if a building or home is within the marked fire perimeter, it doesn't necessarily mean it has been damaged or destroyed. These maps are preliminary and may be updated. https://app.watchduty.org/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holthanley/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holthanley X: https://twitter.com/HoltHanley *Not official wildfire information. Always stay updated with Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, and current evacuation orders and warnings #PalisadesFire #EatonFire #KennethFire #HurstFire #california #wildfire </video> <video> Line Fire Update & Forecast | September 9, 2024 Description: Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holthanley/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holthanley X: https://x.com/HoltHanley </video> <video> Ch 9: Fire and Animal Interactions | Fire In California's Ecosystems Description: If you’re an animal in a wildfire, you have two options: flee or take shelter. It all depends on how fast you are. A tortoise can find protection underground, while deer make a run for it. Trees aren’t the best place to be, so birds would fly away if they weren’t already busy picking off the prey trying to escape. If you had to pick, you'd probably want to be in the water, although aquatic animals face long-term impacts from wildfire, as increased erosion can reduce water quality. However, streamflow may also bring in woody debris, creating prime real estate for salamanders and fish. On land, fires can enhance habitats by promoting new sprouts and ecosystem diversity. And ecosystem might be the best word to use when talking about wildfire. Fire is interconnected with water, soil, plants, and animals, with feedbacks going in both directions. It’s also not always bad news, as fire is an important part of the California environment. Ultimately, there will be fire in California; it’s just a matter of what kind. Source: Ch 9: Fire In California's Ecosystems 2nd ed Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holthanley/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holthanley X: https://x.com/HoltHanley </video> <video> Palisades Fire | Eaton Fire | Kenneth Fire - Update & Forecast Jan 10, 2024 Description: Palisades Fire | Eaton Fire | Kenneth Fire - Update & Forecast Jan 10, 2024 0:00 = Introduction = Palisades Fire = Eaton Fire = Kenneth Fire I plan on doing another update tomorrow. Fire perimeter advisement: Please note that fire maps indicate the general burn area but do not detail the measures being taken to protect buildings and homes. Even if a building or home is within the marked fire perimeter, it doesn't necessarily mean it has been damaged or destroyed. These maps are preliminary and may be updated. https://app.watchduty.org/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holthanley/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holthanley X: https://twitter.com/HoltHanley *Not official wildfire information. Always stay updated with Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, and current evacuation orders and warnings #PalisadesFire #EatonFire #KennethFire #california #wildfire </video> <video> Ch 7: Fire and Physical Environment Interactions | Fire In California's Ecosystems Description: “Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.” While fire’s interactions with the physical environment may not be as exciting as the show Avatar, wildfire can have significant impacts on soil, water, and air. The effects on soil can be either beneficial or detrimental. The burning away of vegetation and organic matter can enhance nutrient availability, but it can also lead to erosion, as hillsides are no longer held in place. Erosion can also be accelerated after fires because the soil becomes more water-repellent. With less water infiltration, you end up with more overland flow. This can impact water quantity and quality downstream as both flow rates and sedimentation increase. And even if you don’t live in California, you’ve probably seen the impact fire can have on air quality as smoke is transported downwind. This can affect the health and well-being of both human and biological communities. Source: Ch 7: Fire In California's Ecosystems 2nd ed Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holthanley/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holthanley X: https://x.com/HoltHanley </video> <video> What is the heat index? Description: Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holthanley/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holthanley X: https://x.com/HoltHanley </video> <video> Ch 8: Fire and Plant Interactions | Fire In California's Ecosystems Description: Wildfire is neither “good” nor “bad” for plants. It’s similar to temperature or rain… Just a part of the ecosystem to which plants have adapted. In some cases, plants at scales ranging from individuals, to populations, to communities can even depend on a certain pattern of fire for their survival. Individual plants can be categorized as fire resisters or persisters. Resisters have structures that protect them from heat damage, such as thick bark. Many persisters are known as “sprouters” or “seeders.” Their means of survival is by postfire resprouting or repopulating burned areas through seeds stored in the soil. The extent and age structure of plant populations, or groups of individuals of the same species, respond to the entire fire regime, including fire seasonality, return interval, size, spatial complexity, intensity, and type. Plant communities, or groups of different plant populations, not only respond to the entire fire regime but also have feedback effects, which can alter how fire behaves within that ecosystem. Source: Ch 8: Fire In California's Ecosystems 2nd ed Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holthanley/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holthanley X: https://x.com/HoltHanley </video> <video> Hurricane Milton Makes Landfall as a Category 3 | Central Coast Weather Forecast October 9, 2024 Description: WSR-88D radar images from Tampa and Key West show that Milton is a sheared hurricane, with the heaviest precipitation to the north of the center, and the eye open on the south side. This structure was confirmed by a recent Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter mission, where the eyewall was reported open to the southwest. The plane reported that the pressure has risen during the past few hours, with the latest center drop supporting a minimum pressure of 948 mb. Based on this pressure, and the reduction of measured flight-level winds, the intensity is estimated to be 105 kt. The highest Doppler velocities from the Tampa radar have been between 100 and 105 kt. Milton's recent motion has been northeastward (035 degrees) at about 15 kt. Track model guidance continues to insist that the hurricane will slow down a bit and turn more to the right very soon, taking the center near or just south of Tampa Bay later this evening. Milton's center is then expected to cross central Florida and turn east-northeastward as it emerges over the western Atlantic. Milton is likely to be right near the threshold of a major hurricane when it reaches the west-central coast of Florida this evening. Milton has grown in size today, particularly in the extent of 34- and 50-kt winds to the northwest of the center, and the northern eyewall appears most severe at the moment due to southwesterly shear. As a result, significant wind impacts are likely to occur north of the center, as well as to the south, regardless of the exact intensity at landfall. There will likely be a noticeable gradient of surge heights to the north of the landfall location, however, the risk of devastating storm surge still exists across much of the west-central and southwest coast of Florida given the size of the storm. Earlier scatterometer data suggested that Milton is already beginning to interact with a frontal boundary, and global model guidance suggests that the cyclone will become extratropical in about 36 hours over the western Atlantic. This is reflected in the new NHC forecast. Key Messages: 1. A large area of destructive storm surge, with highest inundations of 10 ft or greater, is expected along a portion of the west-central coast of the Florida Peninsula. Near the coast the surge will be accompanied by damaging waves. Water levels will rise rapidly as the eye approaches, and strong onshore winds on the backside of the hurricane will also cause a rapid rise in water as the center makes landfall. 2. Devastating hurricane-force winds are expected along portions of the west coast of Florida within the Hurricane Warning area. Life-threatening hurricane-force winds, especially in gusts, are expected to spread inland across the peninsula and to portions of the Florida east coast within the Hurricane Warning area tonight and early Thursday. Residents should be prepared to take shelter in an interior room, away from windows, as the core of the hurricane moves across the central Florida Peninsula. 3. The risk of strong tornadoes will continue into the evening hours across the southern and central portions of the Florida Peninsula. Be prepared to take immediate shelter in an interior room if a Tornado Warning is issued for your area. 4. Heavy rainfall across the Florida Peninsula through Thursday brings the risk of catastrophic and life-threatening flash and urban flooding along with moderate to major river flooding, especially in areas where coastal and inland flooding combine to increase the overall flood threat. Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holthanley/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holthanley X: https://x.com/HoltHanley </video> <video> Red Flag Warning Update & Forecast Description: RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR THE BAY AREA AND CENTRAL COAST AS STRONG OFFSHORE WINDS AND CRITICALLY DRY CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP... .Gusty north-northeast winds are expected to develop as an "inside slider" system moves into the Great Basin this weekend. Humidities will still be on the higher end at the start of the event on Thursday, but are expected to quickly dry out as low as the upper single digits Friday and Saturday. Peak winds are expected overnight tonight into Friday morning for the North Bay and Bay Area. Most areas across the region will be affected to some degree, with likely exceptions being the immediate Big Sur coast and the Marin/Sonoma coast. Winds largely on the order of 25-35 mph can be expected with gusts to 50 mph, isolated gusts to 65 mph across the highest terrain and ridgetops, most notably the North Bay Interior Mountains and the Diablo Range. Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holthanley/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holthanley X: https://x.com/HoltHanley </video> <video> Mountain Fire Update & Forecast | Nov 7, 2024 Description: Fire perimeter advisement: Please note that fire maps indicate the general burn area but do not detail the measures being taken to protect buildings and homes. Even if a building or home is within the marked fire perimeter, it doesn't necessarily mean it has been damaged or destroyed. These maps are preliminary and may be updated. https://app.watchduty.org/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holthanley/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holthanley X: https://twitter.com/HoltHanley *Not official wildfire information. Always stay updated with Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, and current evacuation orders and warnings #california #wildfire #MountainFire </video> <video> Wildfire can have significant impacts on soil, water, and air. Description: “Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.” While fire’s interactions with the physical environment may not be as exciting as the show Avatar, wildfire can have significant impacts on soil, water, and air. The effects on soil can be either beneficial or detrimental. The burning away of vegetation and organic matter can enhance nutrient availability, but it can also lead to erosion, as hillsides are no longer held in place. Erosion can also be accelerated after fires because the soil becomes more water-repellent. With less water infiltration, you end up with more overland flow. This can impact water quantity and quality downstream as both flow rates and sedimentation increase. And even if you don’t live in California, you’ve probably seen the impact fire can have on air quality as smoke is transported downwind. This can affect the health and well-being of both human and biological communities. Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holthanley/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holthanley X: https://x.com/HoltHanley </video> <video> It's not the heat... It's the humidity Description: Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holthanley/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@holthanley X: https://x.com/HoltHanley </video>

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Description

Growing up as a surfer in Northern California, weather has always been a big part of my life. When I was 14, I decided I wanted to become a broadcast meteorologist. I began working toward this goal by receiving a degree in Earth Science from Cal Poly.

After the "Northern California Firestorm" in 2017, I decided to fine-tune my focus toward the intersection of weather and wildfire. I could see that wildfire was becoming a huge problem in California, and I hoped to one day be part of the solution.
I earned a Master’s in Meteorology under the Fire Weather Research Laboratory, where my thesis utilized machine learning to predict extreme wildfire growth.

Right now, I am working as a broadcast meteorologist at KSBW, where I try to communicate from a scientific perspective in as clear and concise a way as possible.

My goal moving forward is to expand my knowledge of weather, wildfire, and science, and to improve my skills in communicating what I learn to as many people as possible.

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