Sign in

WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek

@wdefaustenonek.bsky.social
680 followers 309 following 3.6K posts

Chief Meteorologist WDEF News 12, Chattanooga TN; science journalist, emergency communications, consultancy available. Amateur Radio KG4GKE, #RockChalkJayhawk austenonek.home.blog

PostsRepliesMedia
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
#SomewhereDeepInTheNight: "What does it take to image hundreds of nebulas? Today’s image contains the entire Sharpless Catalog of H II Regions, totaling 313 objects. Zoom in and explore! " NASA APOD science.nasa.gov/image-articl...
science.nasa.gov
APOD: 2026 October 2 - The Complete Sharpless Catalog: 313 Nebulas - NASA Science
What does it take to image hundreds of nebulas? Today’s image contains the entire Sharpless Catalog of H II Regions, totaling 313 objects. Zoom in and explore!
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Thanks to WDEF News 12 viewer Dave from Hixson for a view from his front porch... Friday's HEP Heating #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay. Got #weatherpix to share? Go to wdef.com/votenow
Thanks to WDEF News 12 viewer Dave from Hixson for a view from his front porch... Friday's HEP Heating #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay. 

Got #weatherpix to share? Go to wdef.com/votenow
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Take a minute this weekend to vote for your favorite HEP Heating #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay at www.wdef.com/votenow/ ... We'll announce the winner on @WDEFNews12 Prime News At 7 on Monday.
Take a minute this weekend to vote for your favorite HEP Heating #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay at https://www.wdef.com/votenow/  ... 
We'll announce the winner on @WDEFNews12 Prime News At 7 on Monday.
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
WDEF-TV NEWS 12 FRIDAY EVENING BLIPCAST 10.2.2026
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Dinner And A Movie for Friday evening - take the rain gear along just in case.
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
"Overall, only 60 percent (44 of 73) of the facilities both masked and isolated the actors. Only about 55 percent of emergency departments did both, while 68 percent of clinics and 67 percent of urgent cares passed. " arstechnica.com/health/2026/...
arstechnica.com
Patient-zero drill put health facilities to the test—40% of them failed
Actors with makeup and fake symptoms staggered into 73 healthcare facilities.
010
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather - Allergy Report for Friday, courtesy of Chattanooga Allergy Clinic
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather - Allergy Report for Friday, courtesy of Chattanooga Allergy Clinic
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather - As of 4:10 PM EDT, showers developing just NW of the WDEF News 12 viewing area with thunderstorms over Middle TN near Nashville, all moving northeast along the main line. Expecting more rain/thunder over the area into Friday evening.
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Evening Rush Hour conditions for Friday
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Late Night Snacktime forecast
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Late Night Snacktime forecast
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#SomewhereDeepInTheNight: "Have you ever seen the full moon rise? This colorful image was photographed last weekend in Sicily, just outside the town of Nicosia, in Italy. It is a composite photograph that shows the Moon rising as the sky turns darker. " NASA APOD science.nasa.gov/image-articl...
science.nasa.gov
APOD: 2026 October 1 - Harvest Moon with Erupting Mount Etna - NASA Science
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
"Although flowering is common during the transition from winter to spring, this year the rocky, brownish dunes that make up the desert’s traditional landscape have turned into a vibrant, colorful carpet of wildflowers" [AP NEWS] apnews.com/article/chil...
apnews.com
Earth’s driest desert is covered in wildflowers right now
Spring has arrived in the Southern Hemisphere, and even Chile's Atacama Desert is blossoming. Known as the driest nonpolar desert, it's now covered in flowers due to heavy rains from the El Niño weath...
000
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
FCNL @fcnl.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
📢📢📢“The public deserves to know how our government is justifying the cold-blooded murder of hundreds of civilians." "Today’s order is a huge step in the right direction of ensuring that the government does not get to summarily execute people based on secret law.” @aclu.org
democracynow.org
Judge Orders Pentagon to Provide Rationale for Lethal Boat Strikes
A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the Pentagon to let him review its secret legal justification for lethal boat strikes in the Caribbean and the Pacific before he decides whether to release it. The...
7232104
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Center for Climate Integrity @climateintegrity.org · 01/10/2026
🚨 NEW: Middlesex County, New Jersey, is suing Exxon, Chevron, Shell, BP, and other Big Oil companies to hold them accountable for "decades of climate deception" that "has resulted in severe and devastating damage." Read the complaint: climateintegrity.org/uploads/medi...
1205
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
"It is very possible that 1914 and 1907 produced uncounted hurricanes. Reliable data dates back only to 1966, the year the U.S. began routine satellite weather monitoring." Yale Environment 360 e360.yale.edu/digest/2026-...
e360.yale.edu
For the First Time in a Century, the Atlantic May See No Hurricanes
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather School Day Forecast for Friday
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather School Day Forecast for Friday
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
For the North Atlantic... 1. Subtropical Central Atlantic (Remnants of Fay): Any formation chances should end by Sunday due to very strong upper-level winds. * Formation chance through 48 hours...low...10 percent. * Formation chance through 7 days...low...10 percent.
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather - #Sunset Thursday from the Island Cove Marina & Resort webcam on the EPB Fiber Optics Weather Cam Network
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather - #Sunset Thursday from the Island Cove Marina & Resort webcam on the EPB Fiber Optics Weather Cam Network
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
#BannedBooksWeek is coming.
000
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Phil Plait @philplait.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Somebody's had a long day
My dog Daisy with a white head and big brown patch over one eye, half asleep with her head on the arm of a couch
626210
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Perseverance Image Bot 📡 @persevereimgbot.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Sol 1995: Front Right Hazcam, acquired at 16:39:24.984 (local mean solar time)
An image taken by the Perseverance rover on Mars
0274
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Zack Labe @zacklabe.com · 01/10/2026
What a trainwreck. 📉
1310923
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather #Blipcast for Thursday evening.... Summer temperatures hanging on as long as possible with rain/thunder back in the forecast. Details tonight on WDEF News 12
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Allergy Report for Thursday, courtesy of Chattanooga Allergy Clinic. Tree and grass pollen on the rise.
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Allergy Report for Thursday, courtesy of Chattanooga Allergy Clinic. Tree and grass pollen on the rise.
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Evening Rush Hour conditions for Thursday
000
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
semperloquatius.bsky.social @semperloquatius.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (again) and hands the GOP senators' butts to them.
20789382126
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
"Dude... it helps to be smart if you're going to be mean." - Rob Wilco to Bucky Katt, #GetFuzzy
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
"Dude... it helps to be smart if you're going to be mean." - Rob Wilco to Bucky Katt, #GetFuzzy www.poynter.org/commentary/2...
poynter.org
Sen. Eric Schmitt confused the Hawks and Hawkeyes and the political press had a field day - Poynter
The Missouri senator accused Jack Smith of perjury over an Atlanta Hawks game. Smith had actually watched Caitlin Clark play … in Maryland.
010
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Starship Celtica ☀️ @starshipceltica.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Galaxies in a cosmic house of mirrors www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... The orange galaxies concentrated on one side of the cluster are not actually part of the cluster and are much farther away from us.
115041
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Prof. Eliot Jacobson @climatecasino.net · 30/09/2026
Your 'moment of doom' for Sept. 30, 2026 ~ Uncharted! "A series of deadly heat waves from May to August overwhelmed Germany’s healthcare ... and led to an estimated 16,000 heat-related deaths during the summer, the most heat mortalities ever recorded in the highly developed country."
insideclimatenews.org
Mass Heat Wave Deaths in Europe Show Climate Extremes Are Outpacing Adaptation Efforts - Inside Climate News
As preparedness lags, many regions around the world could be overwhelmed by rising temperatures, climate experts warn.
611650
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
September 2026 ends dry,hot. October begins with heat & chances for rain into the weekend. Also also: new #Skywarn sessions scheduled. --- All that and much more in tonight's @WDEFNews12 exclusive video #weatherblog #WeatherOvertime sponsored by Epikos Comics Cards & Games. youtu.be/3BUtA5YF25Q
000
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Prof. Eliot Jacobson @climatecasino.net · 30/09/2026
Your 'bonus moment of doom' for today: 365 million Hiroshimas. "The explosive addition of thermal energy, which was almost 40 times greater than all the energy humanity used that year, comes amid far-reaching changes to the deep water bodies fundamental to life on Earth."
theguardian.com
World’s oceans absorbed record heat equal to 40 times annual global energy use
The injection of thermal energy comes amid an increasing rise in sea levels and continuing acidification
12484256
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Jack Cousteau ⚓️ @angrywaterman.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
It's downright weird to sneak into October without a major Atlantic hurricane.
2496
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Vincent Zimmerman @zimmermanv66.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
sciencedaily.com
NASA’s Curiosity rover just hit 5,000 days on Mars and sent back this stunning view
NASA’s Curiosity rover marked 5,000 Martian days by capturing morning and afternoon views that were blended into a striking Mars “postcard.” The panorama shows Curiosity, its tracks, and the enormous ...
14912
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Center for Climate Integrity @climateintegrity.org · 30/09/2026
@govjayinslee.bsky.social reflects on meeting a man whose home was destroyed in the Spokane fires this summer. “I thought about his courage, and contrasted it by the rank cowardice of the executives of these oil companies, who [are] now too cowardly to accept responsibility for this."
1194
Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Center for Climate Integrity @climateintegrity.org · 30/09/2026
“The Court is preparing to hear a case of enormous national consequence after one of the Justices who participated in granting review concluded days before the hearing that he should no longer participate. If Alito was the fourth vote, this case should be dismissed.”
consumerwatchdog.org
Alito Recusal Raises New Question: Should Supreme Court Be Hearing Suncor v. Boulder At All?
Did Alito’s vote put Suncor v. Boulder before the Supreme Court? Alito recused when Court rejected Honolulu climate case presenting nearly identical…
0104
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
If Isaias forms and fails to reach hurricane status, 2026 would once again stand alone in the history books. If we don’t get another storm at all then 2026 would accomplish the unprecedented feat of having no hurricanes at all. www.clickorlando.com/weather/2026...
clickorlando.com
The 2026 hurricane season just made history...again
With Hanna failing to reach hurricane strength, 2026 surpasses both 2013 (Humberto) and 2020 (Hanna), where the 8th, ‘H’ storm, broke the drought.
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather - Dinner & A Movie forecast for Wednesday evening
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
"Today, Flock technology assists your officers in more than one million crimes solved annually," But a CBS News review finds the claim that Flock helped solve a million crimes in 2025 is not supported by the available evidence. " www.cbsnews.com/news/flocks-...
cbsnews.com
Flock's CEO claims its tech "solved" 1 million crimes last year. The company's own methodology undercuts that claim
Flock has made unsupported or inconsistent statistical claims in the past, according to a CBS News review and criminal justice experts.
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather #SkyBlog12 #BackyardAstronomy - The International Space Station will make a SUPER bright pass over the WDEF News 12 viewing area tonight, rising in the NW just after 8:00 PM EDT, setting in the southeast around 8:11 PM. #KeepLookingUp
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather #SkyBlog12 #BackyardAstronomy - The International Space Station will make a SUPER bright pass over the WDEF News 12 viewing area tonight, rising in the NW just after 8:00 PM EDT, setting in the southeast around 8:11 PM. #KeepLookingUp
010
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Quick check of Wednesday evening's headlines. Stay tuned as you'll see all about these topics and much more tonight on @WDEFNews12 at 5:30, 6, 7 & 11, and at wdef.com
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Air Quality Report for Wednesday
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Air Quality Report for Wednesday
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
“A system with no transparency is a system with no accountability, and that should terrify all of us,” apnews.com/article/ice-...
apnews.com
Human rights groups ask UN panel to help end ICE's effort to hide locations of detainees
Human rights advocates have asked a United Nations panel to intervene in a new U.S. government practice that they say amounts to the “enforced disappearance” of noncitizens.
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Allergy Report for Wednesday
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Allergy Report for Wednesday
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Rush Hour conditions for Wednesday afteroon
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
As September ends and October begins, you might expect slightly cooler temperatures? Now this year. Back to the 90's for a few days. --- All that and much more in tonight's WDEF News 12 exclusive video #weatherblog #WeatherOvertime sponsored by Epikos CCG www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVQ0...
001
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Thanks to WDEF News 12 viewer Misti Osmialowski for a placid view on the Hiwasse River... Tuesday's HEP Heating #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay. Got #WeatherPix to share? Go to wdef.com/photos
Thanks to WDEF News 12 viewer Misti Osmialowski for a placid view on the Hiwasse River... Tuesday's HEP Heating #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay. 
Got #WeatherPix to share? Go to wdef.com/photos
000
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Tuesday evening #Blipcast
010
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
#AdoptDontShop -- Meet Blessing, a sweet and beautifully well-mannered 5-year-old Carolina Dog who truly lives up to her name. Check out all the pets looking for their #FureverHome at Humane Educational Society www.wdef.com/pet-of-the-w...
#AdoptDontShop -- Meet Blessing, a sweet and beautifully well-mannered 5-year-old Carolina Dog who truly lives up to her name.

Blessing is the kind of dog who makes being a good girl look easy. She is calm, observant, and thoughtful, with a gentle temperament and lovely manners.

She’s food motivated, listens well, and is already house-trained, making her an especially wonderful companion for someone looking for a dog who is ready to settle into home life.

Check out all the pets looking for their #FureverHome at Humane Educational Society

https://www.wdef.com/pet-of-the-week-blessing/
022
WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
WDEF TV NEWS 12 WEATHER OVERTIME - MON SEPT 28 2026 Another round of 90's as we leave September and head into October. All that and much more in tonight's WDEF News 12 exclusive video #weatherblog #WeatherOvertime sponsored by Epikos Chattanooga Comics Cards & Games. youtube.com/live/T28zAUT...
WDEF TV NEWS 12 WEATHER OVERTIME - MON SEPT 28 2026
Another round of 90's as we leave September and head into October. Then, a leftover hurricane will bring rain and thunder back to the area by week's end. 
---
All that and much more in tonight's WDEF News 12 exclusive video #weatherblog #WeatherOvertime sponsored by Epikos CCG Chattanooga Comics Cards & Games. 

https://youtube.com/live/T28zAUTINII
000