Slowest start to Atlantic hurricane season…

[BIGUN 1,230]

4 hours ago, billvon said:

So if you have a hurricane that's hitting 60,000 feet it's absolutely going to be more intense.  However, its effect on smaller storms is not clear.  The gradient is still stronger, because even if the air at 50,000 feet is the same temperature, the lower atmosphere is still warmer.  But does that mean that more storms with less energy form, and peter out sooner?  Or do you get more monster storms and less smaller ones?  That's still up in the air - and is the subject of very intense research right now.

Thanks. Question. It's my understanding the Ozone Layer is between 45 & 90,000' Do the stronger storms have a negative or positive effect on that layer? 

EDIT: Never mind. Found it. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/5572/hurricanes-and-ozone#:~:text=Surrounding the eye of a,causing ozone concentrations to drop. 

Edited July 8 by BIGUN

[billvon 2,741]

A small preview of the future -

In New York City, the Third Avenue bridge got stuck open, because the span expanded in the heat and wouldn't fit into the roadway when it tried to close.  Never happened before.

US infrastructure is not designed to handle the increasing levels of heat we are seeing, and this will happen more and more often as the climate heats up.  Perhaps climate change deniers could pay for the costs associated with this, since according to them it's not happening.

[Phil1111 1,088]

19 minutes ago, billvon said:

...  Perhaps climate change deniers could pay for the costs associated with this, since according to them it's not happening.

Actually they are somewhat. In US states where insurance costs are well regulated the costs are somewhat close to risks. But in GOP states where "free markets" rule. They pay costs well beyond the liability:

The red areas in the image on the left show areas with the most risk. The image on the right showing red areas where homeowners pay premiums 2-3 times the actual risk. ALL in GOP predominant counties. Gotta just love the stupidity of GOP leadership.

Typically republican they drink their own Kool-Aid where competition and good corporations will protect the public. NYT story yesterday.

By somewhat, insurers are pulling out of many markets and premiums are jumping 10-15% a year in many areas.

Edited July 10 by Phil1111

[JoeWeber 2,573]

Just now, Phil1111 said:

Actually they are somewhat. In US states where insurance costs are well regulated the costs are somewhat close to risks. But in GOP states where "free markets" rule. They pay costs well beyond the liability:

The red areas in the image on the left show areas with the most risk. The image on the right showing red areas where homeowners pay premiums 2-3 times the actual risk. ALL in GOP predominant counties. Gotta just love the stupidity of GOP leadership.

Typically republican they drink their own Kool-Aid where competition and good corporations will protect the public. NYT story yesterday.

By somewhat, insurers are pulling out of many markets and premiums are jumping 10-15% a year in many areas.

Well, EXCUSE ME!!!!! What solar system are you from????? Banks require insurance for your home and car loans. That’s why the government passed Insurance For All act so gougers couldn’t screw us. That’s because the government knows that banks, if we couldn’t get insurance, would protect their money by charging 20% interest like the vultures at the credit card companies. And that’s why the Supreme Court gave authority to oversee and regulate to the (cue Rod Serling and the music) regulatory agencies in the Chevron against Fisherman decision some years ago. So no offense to Canadians ( who had their asses handed to them at the NATO summit for being moochers) but here in Ameristan we have it covered.

[Phil1111 1,088]

21 minutes ago, JoeWeber said:

.... So no offense to Canadians ( who had their asses handed to them at the NATO summit for being moochers) but here in Ameristan we have it covered.

Canadians suffer from a British heritage(France excluded in this example). So a somewhat indifference to looking after their teeth is a part of that. Naturally with the constant bombardment of American TV where straight teeth, bleached smiles, etc. are illustrated as necessary for success. The Canadian government just came out with a new national program for free dental care.

So the trough decision was made, quarterly cleanings, bleaching, x-rays, etc. Or nuclear attack submarines to replace the three Canadian subs that haven't sailed in years.

So when the US sends hurricanes to Canada. They will be met with straight teeth and brilliant smiles. Thanks America.

Edited July 10 by Phil1111

[JoeWeber 2,573]

Just now, Phil1111 said:

Canadians suffer from a British heritage(France excluded in this example). So a somewhat indifference to looking after their teeth is a part of that. Naturally with the constant bombardment of American TV where straight teeth, bleached smiles, etc. are illustrated as necessary for success. The Canadian government just came out with a new national program for free dental care.

So the trough decision was made, quarterly cleanings, bleaching, x-rays, etc. Or nuclear attack submarines to replace the three Canadian subs that haven't sailed in years.

So when the US sends hurricanes to Canada. They will be met with straight teeth and brilliant smiles. Thanks America.

Okay, I hadn't really thought about it closely so thank you. Good to know that at least our tourist hurricanes are welcome. 

[normiss 726]

9 hours ago, JoeWeber said:

Well, EXCUSE ME!!!!! What solar system are you from????? Banks require insurance for your home and car loans. That’s why the government passed Insurance For All act so gougers couldn’t screw us. That’s because the government knows that banks, if we couldn’t get insurance, would protect their money by charging 20% interest like the vultures at the credit card companies. And that’s why the Supreme Court gave authority to oversee and regulate to the (cue Rod Serling and the music) regulatory agencies in the Chevron against Fisherman decision some years ago. So no offense to Canadians ( who had their asses handed to them at the NATO summit for being moochers) but here in Ameristan we have it covered.

20%????????????? Hmm...I've not seen that rate in many years. 

[kallend 1,836]

6 hours ago, normiss said:

20%????????????? Hmm...I've not seen that rate in many years. 

As of July 8, 2024, the average interest rate for a new credit card in the United States is 24.84%, according to LendingTree.  The average annual percentage rate (APR) for credit cards that have been assessed interest has almost doubled in the last 10 years, from 12.9% in 2013 to 22.8% in 2023

[normiss 726]

8 minutes ago, kallend said:

As of July 8, 2024, the average interest rate for a new credit card in the United States is 24.84%, according to LendingTree.  The average annual percentage rate (APR) for credit cards that have been assessed interest has almost doubled in the last 10 years, from 12.9% in 2013 to 22.8% in 2023

USAA is offering 12.6, but to be honest, I've not cared about the interest rate on any of the cards I have. I don't carry that debt over into the nest billing cycle. That's just crazy. That is paid off every month. Using their money and collecting points for free airfare or to pay down the bill is all I ever do. Interesting that it shows me at a max of 3% credit card use per month - but never any interest. 

[wolfriverjoe 1,464]

22 hours ago, normiss said:

20%????????????? Hmm...I've not seen that rate in many years. 

 

15 hours ago, normiss said:

USAA is offering 12.6, but to be honest, I've not cared about the interest rate on any of the cards I have. I don't carry that debt over into the nest billing cycle. That's just crazy. That is paid off every month. Using their money and collecting points for free airfare or to pay down the bill is all I ever do. Interesting that it shows me at a max of 3% credit card use per month - but never any interest. 

Well, then you are financially stable and fiscally responsible.

Unfortunately, not everyone is.
For people who don't have much money and a 'less than perfect' credit history, getting decent interest rates is nearly impossible.

While the car commercials love to tout interest rates at or near zero, the reality for many people is in the mid to upper teens.

[Phil1111 1,088]

15 minutes ago, wolfriverjoe said:

 

Well, then you are financially stable and fiscally responsible.

Unfortunately, not everyone is.
For people who don't have much money and a 'less than perfect' credit history, getting decent interest rates is nearly impossible.

While the car commercials love to tout interest rates at or near zero, the reality for many people is in the mid to upper teens.

53% of card holders don't carry a balance and the average balance is $7550 with an average rate of 21.5%

[gowlerk 2,103]

19 hours ago, normiss said:

USAA is offering 12.6, but to be honest, I've not cared about the interest rate on any of the cards I have. I don't carry that debt over into the nest billing cycle. That's just crazy.

Paying your CC off every month is only for people who understand math.

[brenthutch 420]

8 minutes ago, gowlerk said:

Paying your CC off every month is only for people who understand math.

And what day your account cycles.

[SkyDekker 1,303]

44 minutes ago, brenthutch said:

And what day your account cycles.

??

Mine are just set to be automatically paid....never have to worry about missing a date.

[normiss 726]

1 hour ago, SkyDekker said:

??

Mine are just set to be automatically paid....never have to worry about missing a date.

Never! To 'noid to allow any external entity just take my money!

If your budget is too tight for problems with due dates, maybe you shouldn't be using a credit card.

That's what debit cards are for, albeit with significantly less protection.

[SkyDekker 1,303]

7 minutes ago, normiss said:

Never! To 'noid to allow any external entity just take my money!

If your budget is too tight for problems with due dates, maybe you shouldn't be using a credit card.

That's what debit cards are for, albeit with significantly less protection.

Has nothing to do with a tight budget. I don't spend on my CC money I don't have. Just don't have to worry about manually paying a bill, since they money is always there.

[normiss 726]

2 hours ago, SkyDekker said:

Has nothing to do with a tight budget. I don't spend on my CC money I don't have. Just don't have to worry about manually paying a bill, since they money is always there.

Both Skymama and I are rather obsessive with watching ALL the numbers. It pays off quite well to keep it controlled.

But I get what your point as well.

I've just seen a lot of folks with VERY tight budgets and barely getting by, not paying attention to their money, then all it takes is one small overdraft and they can be behind in their bills for years. That one overdraft can create a LOT of fees when it cascades into scheduled payments.

I think American banks and CC's count on those people.

[JoeWeber 2,573]

21 hours ago, normiss said:

USAA is offering 12.6, but to be honest, I've not cared about the interest rate on any of the cards I have. I don't carry that debt over into the nest billing cycle. That's just crazy. That is paid off every month. Using their money and collecting points for free airfare or to pay down the bill is all I ever do. Interesting that it shows me at a max of 3% credit card use per month - but never any interest. 

Yep, buying truck loads of Jet-A sure does build up the air miles.

[brenthutch 420]

Meanwhile in the Atlantic…
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Mind you, this is NOT a prediction it is merely an observation (for those of you having trouble discerning the difference)

[SkyDekker 1,303]

2 hours ago, normiss said:

Both Skymama and I are rather obsessive with watching ALL the numbers. It pays off quite well to keep it controlled.

We track every cent in our budget. I can tell you what I may have spent at a specific restaurant over the last 5 years. How much I spent on gifts for which family member, how much on groceries, or travel etc. Every cent of income and every cent of expense is tracked and accounted for.

[SkyDekker 1,303]

2 hours ago, JoeWeber said:

Yep, buying truck loads of Jet-A sure does build up the air miles.

I am still flying on points I collected when for a few years I could pay my rent on my credit card....

[brenthutch 420]

1 hour ago, SkyDekker said:

I am still flying on points I collected when for a few years I could pay my rent on my credit card....

You still rent? No wonder you are so bitter and hateful to a property owner/landlord (like me)

[wmw999 2,322]

That’s a damn nasty thing to say, and anyway he didn’t say he rents; he only said he had rent a few years ago.

Wendy P. 

[lippy 869]

44 minutes ago, brenthutch said:

You still rent? No wonder you are so bitter and hateful to a property owner/landlord (like me)

What kind of landlord are you that you assume tenants ought to hate the property owner?  Says more about you than it would about him, but nothing that's not obvious from reading your drivel.

[brenthutch 420]

6 minutes ago, lippy said:

What kind of landlord are you that you assume tenants ought to hate the property owner?  Says more about you than it would about him, but nothing that's not obvious from reading your drivel.

When my average tenant rents my property for 4+ years I think I am doing ok. 

Edited July 12 by brenthutch