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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek

@wdefaustenonek.bsky.social
687 followers 310 following 3.7K posts

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

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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 9m
CNN Climate and Weather spoke to five climate scientists about this year’s intense El Niño and the misconceptions they’re hearing. Editor Maggie Koerth and Senior Reporter Andrew Freedman recount what they learned." CNN Weather www.instagram.com/reel/DehT5Ri...
instagram.com
Instagram
Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 25m
[AP NEWS] "As early voting begins in the 2026 midterms, social media users are claiming that if a poll worker marks a ballot it will be disqualified." apnews.com/article/fact...
apnews.com
FACT FOCUS: Social media posts falsely claim ballots marked by a poll worker will be disqualified
As early voting begins in the 2026 midterm elections, social media users are warning each other about what could allegedly happen if a poll worker marks a ballot before it is fed into a scanner.
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 1h
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather - #Blipcast for Thursday evening
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 2h
#LastChanceToSee
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Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
4fuxake @blueheartedly1.bsky.social · 9h
👇👏💙
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 2h
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Allergy Report for Thursday afternoon, courtesy Chattanooga Allergy Clinic
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Allergy Report for Thursday afternoon, courtesy Chattanooga Allergy Clinic
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 3h
HES Chattanooga is in need of cardboard trays! We use these as disposable litterboxes for our kitties, and we go through a LOT of them every week! Our supply has nearly run out, so we would really appreciate donations! Thank you all for your continued support of our shelter and the animals ❤
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 3h
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Evening Rush Hour Forecast conditions for Thursday
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 3h
" @Poynter’s #pressfreedom reporter Angela Fu reports on the impacts of a shrinking local news landscape, how #independentjournalists are also being targeted, and how journalists are working around restrictions." 🔗Read the story: buff.ly/hX45N1Y
buff.ly
A shrinking local press is making it easier for public officials to restrict access - Poynter
Reporters across the country say they’re being denied credentials, shut out of government spaces and stonewalled by public officials
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 19h
Thanks to @WDEFNews12 viewer Molly Darnell from Evensville for a view of a #rainbow against cloudy skies over Lake Chickamauga... Wednesday's HEP Heating #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay. Got #weatherpix to share? Go to wdef.com/photos
Thanks to @WDEFNews12 viewer Molly Darnell from Evensville for a view of a #rainbow against cloudy skies over Lake Chickamauga... Wednesday's HEP Heating #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay. 
Got #weatherpix to share? Go to wdef.com/photos
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 20h
#BackyardAstronomy - #Sunset then #Moonset on Wednesday evening with the new crescent Moon accompanied by the star Antares. #KeepLookingUp
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 21h
"They're basically confirming what the judge said, that the reason that the press passes were vacated by President Trump is because he doesn't like these news organizations and what they publish and broadcast." www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
pbs.org
Attorney for banned outlets on legal fight over White House press access
A federal judge has once again ordered the White House to restore access for three news organizations President Trump banned last month over their coverage of his administration. The judge ordered ful...
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 21h
"This is no longer a warning for the future; it is a diagnosis of the present." CBS NEWS www.cbsnews.com/news/climate...
cbsnews.com
Climate change pushed Earth to its limits in 2026 as certain "vital signs" reach record extremes, report says
Climate change has pushed the planet's environmental systems "deeper into uncharted territory," researchers said in a new report centered on the state of Earth's climate in 2026.
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 21h
[UPI NEWS] "On Sunday, #Perseverance's odometer reached 28.1 miles, surpassing the 28.06-mile record set by NASA's Opportunity rover. Perseverance reached the milestone on its 2,006th Martian day, or sol, covering the distance in about five and a half years... " www.upi.com/Top_News/US/...
upi.com
NASA rover breaks Mars record after slow-mo 28-mile trek across the Red Planet - UPI.com
NASA's Perseverance rover has officially become the most well-traveled vehicle on Mars.
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Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
4fuxake @blueheartedly1.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
This 👇
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Frosted Poptart @toastertrollop.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
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M Meerkat @kackbro.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Let's Try Bernie's Way.......
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🇺🇸IBWizard🏳️‍🌈 🇺🇦 🌻😷 🖖 @ibwizard.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
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ebisback.bsky.social @ebisback.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Thanks Zelenskyy 💥💙
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Tom Booker @tbooker1.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
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Martin Napier @mnapier76.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
thehill.com/homenews/613... #context
thehill.com
Kelly calls to remove Hegseth ‘immediately’ over public execution plan
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) called on the Trump administration to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from his post “immediately” over the Pentagon chief’s plan to livestream the …
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Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Stephanie Mathis, MLS(ASCP) 😷💜 @stephmu00mls.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
🇺🇸💪☮️🎉❤️‼️ kennedyhumanrights.org/press/stephe...
kennedyhumanrights.org
Stephen Colbert to Receive 2025 Ripple of Hope Award from RFK Human Rights - Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center
Kerry Kennedy, president of Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights, today announced that Stephen Colbert, Host, Executive Producer, and Writer of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, has been named a 2025...
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Reposted by WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek
Starship Celtica ☀️ @starshipceltica.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
NASA’s Perseverance Sets Off-World Record for Total Distance Driven www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xaxu... science.nasa.gov/blogs/persev...
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 21h
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Dinner And A Movie Forecast for Wednesday - - - #RollFilm
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
"A small fleet of #Saildrones are embarking on a new mission: circumnavigating Antarctica! Learn more about this project" NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research www.noaa.gov/news/saildro...
noaa.gov
Saildrone research fleet to circle Antarctica for 5 years
NOAA and partners to test limits of technology and science
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Allergy Report for Wednesday evening - courtesy of Chattanooga Allergy Clinic
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Allergy Report for Wednesday evening - courtesy of Chattanooga Allergy Clinic
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
#Skyblog12 #BackyardAstronomy - Look to the southwest skies tonight as the newly crescent Moon will pass very close to the red giant star Antares in Scorpius. Skies will be hazy thanks to high pressure keeping wildfire smoke around but otherwise mostly free of clouds. #KeepLookingUp
#Skyblog12 #BackyardAstronomy - Look to the southwest skies tonight as the newly crescent Moon will pass very close to the red giant star Antares in the constellation Scorpius.
 Skies will be hazy thanks to high pressure keeping wildfire smoke around but otherwise mostly free of clouds. 
#KeepLookingUp
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Wednesday evening #Blipcast weather update - Warm for the next couple of days before temperatures drop towards late Friday.
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Next virtual #Skywarn training session courtesy US National Weather Service Peachtree City Georgia will be tonight from 6-8 PM EDT. www.weather.gov/ffc/skywarns...
Next virtual #Skywarn training session courtesy US National Weather Service Peachtree City Georgia will be tonight from 6-8 PM EDT. 

https://www.weather.gov/ffc/skywarnsched
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
#LifeInTheFishbowl #CantPleaseEveryone I would love to help fix whatever the problem is. You took the time to email me instead of just changing the channel. However, your complaint is akin to walking into a library and complaining that the librarian didn't bring you THE BOOK you wanted.
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Another record high blown away for the Chattanooga area ... previous was 87 last set in 1954.
Another record high blown away for the Chattanooga area ... previous was 87 last set in 1954.
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Evening Rush Hour conditions for Wednesday
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather #WeatherAlmanac: It's official - Chattanooga broke a record high that has stood since 1954.
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Late Night Snacktime forecast
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Late Night Snacktime forecast
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
"This year's International #ShakeOut Day is October 15, when millions of people worldwide will participate in earthquake drills at work, school, or home! At 10:15 a.m. (local time) on 10/15, you can join millions of people across the world practicing earthquake safety." www.shakeout.org
"This year's International #ShakeOut Day is October 15, when millions of people worldwide will participate in earthquake drills at work, school, or home!

At 10:15 a.m. (local time) on 10/15, you can join millions of people across the world practicing earthquake safety." 

https://www.shakeout.org/
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
No rain or storms this time around, but could start our best chance of some cooler - more October-like - type of weather soon. All that and much more in tonight's WDEF News 12 exclusive video #weatherblog #WeatherOvertime sponsored by Epikos CCG Comics Cards & Games. youtube.com/live/DHcYFVn...
youtube.com
WDEF TV NEWS 12 WEATHER OVERTIME - TUE 10.13.2026^
YouTube video by Meteorologist Austen Onek
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather - #DinnerAndAMovie for Tuesday. #RollFilm
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Thanks to @WDEFNews12 viewer Bruce Brown of Rossville for a view of hawks in flight over some clouds in the distance... Tuesday's HEP Heating #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay. Got #weatherpix to share? Go to wdef.com/photos
Thanks to @WDEFNews12 viewer Bruce Brown of Rossville for a view of hawks in flight over some clouds in the distance... Tuesday's HEP Heating #WeatherWindow #PictureOfTheDay. 

Got #weatherpix to share? Go to wdef.com/photos
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Air Quality Report for Tuesday evening
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Air Quality Report for Tuesday evening
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
"In the past year, 170 newspapers have closed or merged, causing the number of news deserts to rise by 26, the largest increase in at least five years, according to a new study... Read more about what’s driving the spike in #newsdeserts" @Poynter www.poynter.org/business-wor...
poynter.org
Local newspaper closures have surged to more than three a week - Poynter
A new Medill study found 170 papers closed or merged over the past year, while 26 more counties became news deserts
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Tuesday evening #Blipcast weather update. More tonight on @WDEFNews12 and at wdef.com/weather
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
The News Literacy Project - 👀 In this month's edition of Scroll Smarter, we discuss approaches for talking to those who have dismissed credible information. What questions can you ask to dig into the issue without them disengaging?" newslit.org/news-and-res...
newslit.org
Scroll Smarter: Addressing radical distrust - The News Literacy Project
Addressing doubt in credible sources, parents’ impact on kids’ screentime, teens turning to AI chatbots for mental health advice, and explaining journalism to tweens.
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
As of 4:40 PM EDT, Chattanooga broke a record high of 88 which has stood since 1954.
As of 4:40 PM EDT, Chattanooga broke a record high of 88 which has stood since 1954.
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather #AllergyReport for Tuesday, courtesy Chattanooga Allergy Clinic
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather #AllergyReport for Tuesday, courtesy Chattanooga Allergy Clinic
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
You might have heard about the #MilankovitchCycles and how they affect weather/climate on our home in space. Want to know more? Head to UTC Clarence T. Jones Observatory this Sunday for their latest #StarParty and lecture. #KeepLookingUp www.utc.edu/arts-and-sci...
You might have heard about the #MilankovitchCycles and how they affect weather/climate on our home in space. Want to know more? Head to UTC Clarence T. Jones Observatory this Sunday for their latest #StarParty and lecture. #KeepLookingUp 

https://www.utc.edu/arts-and-sciences/departments-and-programs/department-of-physics-and-astronomy/jones-observatory/star-parties/2026-fall-star-party-schedule
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather Rush Hour Conditions for Tuesday afternoon
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Starship Celtica ☀️ @starshipceltica.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Desert Stairway to Heaven science.nasa.gov/image-articl... Our own Milky Way galaxy rising behind the expansive Atacama Desert in Chile, the band of zodiacal light on the upper left
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WDEF Chief Meteorologist Austen Onek @wdefaustenonek.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
#WDEFWeather #News12Weather One more degree hotter for Tuesday afternoon and we will tie a record high temperature that hasn't been tied/broken since 1954.
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ebisback.bsky.social @ebisback.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
Truth 💥
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Saneman @saneman.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Happy genocide in the name of Christianity day! (Tomorrow.)
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