Ed Brotak

Contributor at Freelance

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Articles

Dealing with extreme cold

Jan 8, 2025 | gcmonline.com | Ed Brotak

| Filed to: weather, Winterkill Cold weather can damage or kill turfgrass on golf courses, as northern superintendents know well. Photos by Marc SzablewskiIn the past, I have talked about the problems associated with extreme heat on golf course operations. On the other end of the temperature scale, extreme cold also causes its own set of issues.
Preparing for Extreme Weather Events – Mother Earth News

Sep 26, 2024 | motherearthnews.com | Ed Brotak

In Episode 227 of Mother Earth News and Friends, we chat with Ed Brotak, meteorologist and long-time contributor to Grit magazine, about how to stay safe and prepared for when the weather takes a turn. Understand your area and its weather threats, learn some severe-weather safety tips for the home, keep your property well-stocked, learn how to respond in an emergency, and more.
Mast bumping and mountain waves

Aug 23, 2024 | verticalmag.com | Ed Brotak

A recent article by Elan Head described three accidents in the previous six weeks that involved mast bumping. Mast bumping incidents are among the most catastrophic of accidents, with the ensuing crash typically being fatal. The threat of mast bumping is greatest when a helicopter is experiencing “low G” conditions. This can happen when the aircraft is descending at a rate equal to or greater than gravitational acceleration — 9.8 m/s2 or 32.2 ft/sec2.
A hidden threat: Non-convective low-level wind shear

Aug 7, 2024 | verticalmag.com | Ed Brotak

Published on: August 8, 2024Estimated reading time 4 minutes, 49 seconds. Wind shear is defined as a change in wind speed and/or direction over a short distance, either horizontally or vertically. Low-level wind shear (LLWS) can affect any type of aircraft, but is especially hazardous to helicopters as they often operate closer to the surface. Wind shear is also one of the most common causes of turbulence. This is when the air flow becomes irregular, with vertical eddies and currents.
Many facing above average wildfire risk in N. America as high summer temps forecast

May 16, 2024 | verticalmag.com | Ed Brotak

After a disastrous wildfire season last year in many parts of the world, concern grows for what this summer will bring in the Northern Hemisphere. Weather conditions are a critical factor, so let’s see what the forecast holds. The United States was the exception in 2023 with a quiet wildfire season. The 2.7 million acres burned was the least since 1998. The heavy rains and mountain snow in the West during the previous winter reduced fire potential there.
Adapting for Drought

May 4, 2024 | northeastohioboomer.com | Donna Hessel |Heather Wheatley |Ed Brotak

Gardening Sweet SpotsBy Donna HesselResidents in hot, dry states have created gardens using drought tolerant plants that thrive in those conditions. Cacti, succulents, aloe, yucca and ornamental grasses that love full sun and don’t require frequent watering are selections that can be grown in sandy soil or even in gravel beds. Lush, green lawns are few and far between. Fortunately, in northeast Ohio drought-resistant plants will survive a long dry spell. Drought Tolerant vs.
How can aviators detect and avoid lightning?

Apr 21, 2024 | verticalmag.com | Ed Brotak

On Oct. 24, 2023, at about 9:30 a.m. local time, a Sikorsky S-76C with 12 passengers and two pilots was struck by lightning over British Columbia’s Southern Gulf Islands while enroute to Victoria. The pilot’s instruments went temporarily blank for a few seconds before coming back on. Of more concern, it was determined after landing that two of the four tail rotor blades were blown off and the horizontal stabilizer was also damaged.
FAA study explores PIREPs improvements

Apr 10, 2024 | verticalmag.com | Ed Brotak

A six-month-long study by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) exploring options to modernize pilot reports (PIREPs) suggests that using VHF radio to submit and AI to process and distribute them could help improve the system.
NTSB highlights dangers of dust devils

Apr 8, 2024 | verticalmag.com | Ed Brotak

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a safety alert highlighting the dangers of dust devils to aircraft. A dust devil (also called dust whirls or whirlwinds) is a rapidly rotating column of air. It is typically made visible by the dust, dirt, or debris it picks up, although without such materials, it can be dangerously invisible.
Weather Preparations: Storm Proof House

Feb 27, 2024 | grit.com | Ed Brotak

Build a storm proof house to protect from severe weather with these ways to prepare and weatherproof your property, including advice on a hurricane-proof home. Extreme weather events can pose a threat to you and your home. To keep your property and loved ones safe, begin by investigating your risk in various weather situations. Risk mainly depends on where you live and the types of severe weather that can occur there.