This episode of Nova  where they, for reasons unknown, rename wet downbursts "rain bombs" is a mis-mash. They attempt to take things weather science has known for 50 years (discovered by the late Dr. Ted Fujita) and make them new discoveries. The producers also imply we cannot forecast them. None of that is true.  And, as you would expect, they try to tie downbursts to global warming -- in spite of a lack of evidence.  They do have some terrific video of downbursts. The one right after Dr. Marshall Shepherd's first appearance (above) is great. If you watch, notice the curl at the lower left side of the screen as the downburst spreads out. That is the fingerprint of a downburst.  © 1978 Michael R Smith The problem is that this science, including the curl, has been known since 1978 -- there's nothing new about it. It is found in Fujita's book on downbursts.  It feels like the producers ran out of ideas and Rain Bombs  is the result. I wish it had been better....

Another small area with a significant tornado risk.  The brown has a significant risk of tornadoes through tonight. 

Newman! Otto Have you ever noticed they are never in the same room together? Perhaps they are the same person.  [In fairness, I was filling my Diet Coke while Wayne Knight, the actor who played Newman was getting a coffee while waiting for a plane in New York. He is much better looking in person than on Seinfeld,  I suspect because the producers wanted him to appear poorly on camera as he was a semi-villain.]

We have a very small area with a significant tornado risk today.  The brown = a significant risk of tornadoes. Hatching = if a tornado occurs, it could be "strong" (EF-2 or stronger). 

To all of my colleagues, enjoy the day and the well-earned accolades.  We have eliminated  downburst-caused airline accidents  saving  hundreds of lives. The death rate from tornadoes has been cut by 95%!