2025 Earth Changes Forecast (3 Mercury Retrograde Periods)

  EARTH CHANGES 2025—What Will the New Year Bring?

By Cal Orey

As I predicted for 2024... West Coast Earthquakes, Strange twisters, Southeast Hurricanes and Mega Blackouts to Northern Lights and Northeast Flooding! And now, for 2025 the year of The Snake--look forward to transformation, renewal--some good some bad. Most of all, be prepared mind, body, and spirit.

It’s here! The New Year promises political changes and Earth moves. Looking ahead to 2025, there will be Earth changes and human-caused disasters. Activities such as urbanization, deforestation, and industrial processes will contribute to environment woes and may lead to more frequent natural disasters.

Astrologically speaking, periods such as Mercury Retrograde—there are three this year—come linked with communication disruptions to mega blackouts. Also, events like Full Moons and New Moons can influence human behavior and environmental conditions.

So, the combo of wildfires, increasing earthquakes, potential surprise disasters (such as oil spills to quakes on hidden faults), may create chaos and challenges for the nation. But there is an upside:  environmental management, disaster preparedness, and looking at scientific data can help provide you with peace of mind even though you can’t control Old Man Winter and Mother Nature.

 WEATHER WATCH

 ·       West Coast: The NOAA forecast for the West Coast in 2025 shows a higher change of above-average snowfall in the Sierra Nevada region. Blame it on La Nina (Pacific Ocean cooler temperature anomaly) which triggers more precipitation during winter months. The Farmer’s Almanac supports this outlook, predicting a snowy winter for the West Coast… Caveat: Snowfall forecasts for the winter 2025 suggest that while higher elevations will see above-average snowfall due to La Nina (Pacific Ocean cooler temperature anomaly), lower elevations around Reno-Tahoe are projected to experience below-average precipitation and potentially drier conditions. This controversy arises from warmer temperatures that can lead to more rain and less snow at these altitudes, particularly during critical storm events.

·         South: For the Southern United States, forecasts suggest a mix of normal to slightly above-average temperatures with potential for drought in some regions. The NOAA claims some regions may experience below-average rainfall, with dry spells.

·         Northeast: The Northeast is projected to have a colder-then-average winter with increased odds of snowstorms. Both NOAA and the Farmer’s Almanac show that this region may see snowfall events throughout the winter months.

·         Midwest: In the Midwest, forecasts predict a variable winter with periods of cold and snow and milder weather. The potential for severe weather such as ice storms are noted by both forecasting agencies.

SHOCKING SHAKERS

·       The West Coast was on rock and roll during the latter part of 2024.  In December, an offshore Northern California 7.0 with a tsunami warning happened; a strong and shallow 5.8 temblor hit Yerington, Nevada and was felt in the sierras, Sacramento to the SF Bay Area; and tremors hit Southern California throughout the year.

·       The San Andreas Fault Zone continues to be linked to northern California earthquakes and is overdue for the Big One. A 7.5 or greater is likely to happen in 2025. Regions likely to be the epicenter include Offshore Northern California, San Francisco Bay Area, and Southern California.

·       Northeast quakes despite being smaller magnitudes than the West Coast are often felt more and farther. Expect at least two noteworthy shakers…

·       …And the New Madrid Zone may be hit by a strong jolt with aftershocks that’ll rattle nerves and make international news. Ditto with the Southern states, not excluding Texas or Oklahoma.

 

HURRICANES, TWISTERS, OH MY!

·       HURRICANES: Superstorms (including blackouts) will happen and in the Gulf States like they did in 2024. While that year Texas and the Carolinas were ground zero, in 2025 Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida are in the line of destruction.

·       TWISTERS: will come with hurricanes in these regions but also the Midwest and even the West Coast; it got its first tornado alert ever on Friday the 13^th, December 2024. On the 14^th in the afternoon, Scotts Valley, Northern California was struck by a twister like a disaster film.

·       WILDFIRES: up and down the West Coast will continue to wreak havoc on people, pets, infrastructure, and the environment. Not only do the flames threaten lives but the poor air quality will become more of a reality.  Staying indoors to using air purifiers will become even more common for health’s sake.

 

ON THE FRINGE

Yes, more solar events (solar flares to solar storms) like in 2024 will happen and come with the Northern Lights in unlikely states. But remember, these light shows come with blackouts, communication disruptions, and delays in flights and road travel causing inconvenience to woes depending on the severity of the happening.

As the United States faces unpredictable political changes and discord, Earth changes will encourage people to work together to survive severe weather and earthmoving events. Political parties will be a moot point (like it is on a small island in Alaska where people band together during shake-ups to maintain shelter and forage food). It will be survival and helping your neighbors first—unifying us to be one. The end results? We will be a happier, healthier and safer nation.

SHAKING IT UP

While the West Coast (Hawaii, Alaska, California, and Nevada) is more apt to experience tremors, the New Madrid Zone, East Coast, and even the South are not immune to shaking. As fracking will be continued around the nation, it’s time to prepare. Here’s a checklist:

Before the Shake: Get Ready!

ü  Sign up for earthquake alerts on your phone: (Watch your cat or dog’s odd behavior, too! —so you’ll know when a quake may be coming.)

ü  Make an Emergency Kit: Prepare a health-focused ER kit with water, non-perishable snacks, first aid supplies, and any med you may need for you and your pet.

ü  Do Pet Prep: Keep your pets’ essentials handy—food, water, cat crate, dog leash, and comfort items. Animals (like my cat) can often sense changes in the environment, so let them have a safe space.

During the Quake: Stay Safe!

ü  Drop, Cover, Hold On:  When the shaking starts, drop to your hands and knees to prevent falling down or being in harm’s way with glass or heavy furniture. Cover your head and neck under sturdy furniture if available or use your arms to protect yourself.

ü  Think Pet Safety: If you have pets with you, keep them close and reassure them with a soothing voice.

ü  Chill Out: Don’t log onto your computer during the tremor, wait until the shaking stops and you are safe.

After the Tremor: Check-In!

ü  Explore Your Surroundings: Once the temblor is over (remember, aftershocks can and do occur), check for injuries (to yourself and others) and ensure it’s safe to move around.

ü  Hydrate & Nourish: Drink water (calms the nerves) and eat something light (if you feel queasy like I did) to maintain energy levels after the stress of an earthquake.

ü  Tune In Mental Health Matters: Talk about what happened with friends or family; sharing experiences can help reduce anxiety.

By following these health tips before, during, and after an earthquake, you’ll be better prepared to handle tremors. (Find out more about earthquake preparedness and animals sensing oncoming earthquakes in The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes, by Cal Orey, published by Sentient.)

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, romance, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series, and Courage with Paws. (Book 2) Time Traveler Tabby, and a thrilling co-authored sci-fi series--The Ghost Ships to be released this winter.  She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com

January is National Hot Tea Month--The Healing Powers of Tea (Must-Have Gift Book)

  TEA is the Super Gift Book for Winter Wellness...

January is National Hot Tea Month

Courtesy Cal Orey

 Disease-Fighting Antioxidants —

Tea’s Healing Powers Are Remarkable

Dear Reader,

What if I told you just by sipping the delicious “medieval miracle” you could . . . 

• Relieve throbbing back pain . . . 
• Drop 7 pounds of fat and flab in 3 days . . . 
• Lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer . . . 
• Stave off viruses, colds, and superbugs . . . 
• Curb insatiable sweet cravings . . . 
• Shrink painful hemorrhoids . . . 
• Relieve aching joint discomfort . . . 
• And much more . . . 

With this powerful healing elixir — backed by 3,000 modern-day studies — you could . . . 

Finally end the frenzy of buying a mountain of assorted pills, needless ointments, serums, and syrups.

Odds are you already have it in your kitchen cupboard.

I’m talking about tea. YES, TEA — grandma’s favorite beverage is today’s red-hot superfood!

Right now, you can get dozens of tea remedies that really work in Cal Orey’s book, The Healing Powers of Tea. And you don’t have to buy it . . . 

Newsmax is giving you The Healing Powers of Tea — a 292-page book — absolutely FREE!

Inside this blockbuster book you’ll discover 50 tea “cures” for everything from anxiety and constipation to dermatitis, coughs, depression, warts, insect bites, sinusitis, memory lapses, cavities, digestive troubles, diarrhea, and so much more.

There are also do-it-yourself beauty recipes . . .  household remedies to detox, clean, polish, even “destink” your home of dog . . .  and dozens of delicious tea-infused recipes from breakfast to dessert!

But not just any tea will do . . . 

While it’s packed with powerful disease-fighting antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols, you can’t just pour a cup, sip it down and expect it to work.

It all boils down to this . . . 

There’s a special secret to making the “medieval miracle” work to transform your health and your home . . . 

To bring out its magical healing powers, you need to know which variety of tea to drink and which special ingredients you need to mix with your tea.

And it’s not just the wildly popular black, green, and herbal teas as you’ll discover here.

The good news is you don’t have to guess or work your way through a sea of endless tea boxes and canisters!

Everything you need to know for finding the right tea and the right combination, steeped at the right time, is inside The Healing Powers of Tea.

Your FREE BOOK is waiting. Click here.

When you get your FREE BOOK, be sure to open it and discover which tea banishes belly bloat, heartburn, and gas . . .  helps you empty your bowels easily again . . .  staves off hunger pangs . . .  boosts energy . . .  keeps skin looking younger and more beautiful . . .  lowers artery-clogging cholesterol . . .  helps you get a good night’s, sleep and more.

One more thing . . . 

Be sure to look for the simple tea plan to help you lose up to 7 pounds in 3 days! Click here to claim your FREE BOOK now.

Snowball Cookies and Tea Christmas Memories

 By Cal Orey

Christmas Cookies with a Cuppa Tea for Holidays

As one of my favorite memories go, in early wintertime I was living in Eugene, Oregon with a small group of nomadic friends. One cold day with a bit of snow on the ground and slippery black ice (foreign to a San Francisco native), I stayed indoors and baked cookies. There wasn’t a single cookbook or baking tools in the kitchen, so I had to rough it and make do with the few food items I found in the cupboards and fridge. I recalled my mom’s recipe for Snowball or Butterball Cookies. Five ingredients, a bowl, spoon, cookie sheet is about all you need--and black tea while you bake--and chamomile to get you through the ordeal.

In hindsight, the scene was funny. 

Once the cookies were baked and good to go, I was boxing them up to mail to relatives for Christmas—but my six down-to-earth looking roomies (and two dogs) in a tiny, spartan kitchen were eating the white butter nut balls faster than I could box the goodies and I felt flustered because it was a lost battle. The cookie monsters won. This easy-to-make recipe is inspired by post-hippie snow days on the road in December.

Snowball Cookies

1 stick European style butter, softened

¼ cup confectioners’ sugar (about ½ cup extra for rolling after baked)

1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted

1 capful pure vanilla extract

¼-1/2 cup nuts (walnuts or pecans), chopped

In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add flour and mix until creamy. Stir in vanilla. Fold in nuts. Place cookie dough on a floured cutting board and roll into a ball. Put onto a sheet of foil and into the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.  Use a small ice cream scoop (about 1/8 cup size) and scoop dough into balls. Roll into a ball shape and place on nonstick cookie sheet or lined with parchment paper. Bake cookies in a 350 degree oven for 12 minutes or until bottom of cookies are light brown. Do not over bake. Place in balls into sugar immediately. After cooled repeat. Makes 8-10. You can double the recipe as well as freeze the cookies in an airtight container. Note: Simple is elegant like silver balls on a Christmas tree. However, if you to be more festive, add 1-2 teaspoons orange rind to cookie dough and/or sprinkle cinnamon on top after the cookies are rolled in sugar to give it a snickerdoodle taste.

There are dozens and dozens of holiday cookies to make. This quick, easy recipe is a super way to begin, though. Sometimes, less is more.  Not only are they affordable, ingredients are likely in your kitchen, but they are small. Also, two will fill you up and not out. Pair with a cup of tea for a morning or afternoon energizing snack to after dinner delight--and it's perfect wherever you are and what the weather gods are doing with their magic.

— Cal Orey, M.A., is an author and journalist. Her books include the Healing Powers Series (Vinegar, Olive Oil, Chocolate, Honey, Coffee, and Tea) published by Kensington. (The collection has been featured by the Good Cook Book Club.)  TEA was picked up by Newsmax--and is available in their online shop. It is also available at kobo, amazon, barnesandnoble, walmart, target, and other stores.

Guard Against Old Man Winter--Colds, Flu, Viruses

Protect yourself from winter woes

By Cal Orey

As a busy author and one of the many "worried well" I am on guard against pesky colds and flu during  winter. Back in the summer of 1999, I arrived at Tahoe. I finished my first Healing Powers book on vinegar. Then, I penned books such as Doctors' Orders: What 101 Doctors Do to Stay Healthy, and it was followed by the Healing Powers series, nine timeless books on how to put nature’s foods to work to keep healthy mind, body, and spirit. I know too well that good nutrition with a healthful lifestyle is a plan to bolster the immune system. The glitch is, people with a healthy immune system are not immune—but by using chill out secrets they may heal faster if hit with a cold, flu, Covid, or winter allergies and viruses. So, here are ten natural bug-busters that Southern California-based Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D., recommended to his patients to keep from getting influenza, straight from my book Doctors' Orders. 

1. Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking water, herbal teas, and vitamin C-rich liquids (I like fortified OJ with calcium and vitamin D) can flush out any toxins that you accumulate.

2. Wash your hands frequently. Viruses can be transmitted by shaking someone's hand and then touching your face, nose or mouth. (This is probably the most important strategy. Doctors will tell you too wash with soap and water for about 20 seconds. Yep, I have been doing it.)

3. Eat right.  Medical researchers will tell you there are many disease-fighting antioxidants that have antiviral and antibacterial activity. So eating nutritious fresh fruit and vegetables daily will help keep your immune system strong. Don’t forget fish (I love Alaskan salmon which I get once a week from our butcher at the local Safeway), whole grains (such as oatmeal and fortified cereal like Total), onions and garlic which help stave off winter woes, too.

4. Treat yourself well. "I try to minimize junk food,” said Dr. Sahelian, “but I do succumb to chocolate [the dark stuff contains heart-healthy magnesium) or calcium-rich ice cream once or twice a week," he says. "It's possible that lots of sugar can interfere with the proper functioning of the immune system."

5. Take vitamin C. Most of the research says that it improves the immune system. Personally, I prefer to get the much needed vitamin in a glass of OJ or a whole orange.

6. Take echinacea. This herb is touted to have both antibiotic and immune-stimulating properties. But note, it's best used as a preventive measure before you get the flu.

7. Zinc yourself well... "Zinc lozenges are the most powerful," he says. Zinc is a potent virus-fighters that can cut the time you spend in misery.

8. Drink herbal teas. "Warm liquids help loosen mucus," explains Dr. Sahelian. I recall his story about going to Alaska and he was on a nature tour with a group of people in a van. He did catch a cold. However, drinking green tea helped the good doctor heal fast.

9. Exercise, exercise, exercise. "It helps me sleep more deeply at night. Deep sleep is a time when the immune system has a chance to regroup itself and get revitalized," notes Dr. Sahelian. I agree. So far this winter I haven’t caught the sniffles. I give credit to the endorphin high from my rowing machine and lifting weights.

10. Chill out. By keeping your stress levels down, you can keep your immune system up and healthy. Chillaxing is a challenge for this Type-A author. Recently, I’ve been listening to tunes more to practicing being mindful. I have discovered if I don’t worry about the past or the future and stay in the present it’s a calming place to be.

Germ-Fighting Four Thieves Rx

In the Middle Ages, four robbers in France stole belongings from sufferers of the Black Plague. The thieves’ timeless antidote for survival was the herbal solution they used during looting. In a spray bottle, combine 48 ounces apple cider vinegar, 2 drops eucalyptus oil, 2 drops lavender oil, 2 drops lemon oil, and 3 cloves garlic. Vinegar, essential oils, and herbs contain antibacterial and antiviral compounds. Wipe surfaces to destroy germs.

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, history, romance, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the Healing Powers series. She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com

Happy Superfoods to Beat SAD

 7 HAPPY FOODS TO BEAT TAHOE’S WINTER BLUES

 By Cal Orey, M.A.

As a long-time resident of Lake Tahoe, in the late spring to fall I tend to my yellow aspens and red maples, bask in the warm sunshine on the deck, and walk my Aussie along scenic trails. But as Old Man Winter rolls in, the first storms hit, and suddenly, the sun is nowhere to be found. The slain piles up, and with it comes a wave of melancholy for sunny days. I realize how much I miss those happy days in the gardens with pots of wild lavender plants; and the lack of sunlight begins to affect my mood.

Welcome to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of blues that hits during early winter when daylight hours are shorter. In places like Tahoe, where snowfall can block out sunlight, you, too, may feel waves of gloom and doom…

 So, can happy foods come to the rescue? Sure, superfoods like these seven can help boost feel-good brain chemicals--dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin-- during darker months in Tahoe, and might indeed brighten your day!

 1. Fatty Fish:  Salmon (Atlantic type is available here) is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to boost serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin helps regulate mood and higher levels can lead to feelings of happiness and well-being. Try: Add seasons like rosemary, thyme, parsley (fresh or dried) and lemon slices for flavor.

2. Walnuts. Nuts are high in magnesium, which play a role in regulating serotonin production. A deficiency in magnesium has been linked to anxiety and the blues. Try: Munch on 1/4 cup walnuts mixed with 1/4 cup raisins as a quick snack.

3. Kale and Spinach. These green veggies are packed with a B-vitamin that helps make dopamine—that brain chemical linked to pleasure. Higher dopamine levels can improve mood and motivation. Try: A ready-made kale mix or raw spinach salad and add fresh tomatoes with a splash of red wine vinegar and olive oil.

4. Whole Grains. Think fortified whole grain cereal like oatmeal that help stabilize blood sugar levels, which can prevent mood swings. Whole grains also promote serotonin due to their fiber content, leading to improved mood. Try: Eat a bowl fortified whole grain cereal (I like Total) and add fresh fruit, and the fortified sunshine vitamin D and calcium-fortified organic low-fat milk.

5. Berries. Blueberries and strawberries are rich in antioxidants that fight oxidative stress in the brain, lowering symptoms of winter blues. They support overall brain health, contributing to better mood. Try: Savor 1/2 cup fresh berries plain or mix into 1 cup of low sugar yogurt.

6. Coffee. Ah, java can boost mood by boosting dopamine levels due to caffeine's stimulating effects on the nervous system. Moderation is key. Lose sugar, cream, and whip...Try: Brew a cup of premium blend and add a splash of vitamin D-fortified organic low-fat milk.

7. Potatoes: Taters contain carbs that help increase serotonin; they also provide vitamin B6, which is essential for a calming feel-good effect which can boost mood and help sleep. Try: Bake a russet potato and flavor with chives, black pepper, and a sprinkle of Parm shavings.

 So, I, and you, too, may dread SAD during Tahoe's winters due to reduced sunlight from cloud cover, but embracing happy foods can boost your overall mood and well-being until springtime rolls in.

  LIGHTEN UP!

·         Get outdoors in the sunshine on warmer days.

·         Exercise will make you feel better.

·         Open all blinds during the daytime.

·         Place cozy throws on furniture, warm comforters on beds.

·         Live in rooms full of light and amusement.

·         Layer clothing.

·         Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas.

 CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, romance, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series, and Courage with Paws. (Book 2) Time Traveler Tabby, and a thrilling co-authored sci-fi series--The Ghost Ships to be released this winter.  She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com

January 2025 is National Hot Tea Month - Celebrate with The Healing Powers of Tea GIFT BOOK

 Courtesy author Cal Orey--GIFT BOOK

Disease-Fighting Antioxidants —  Tea’s 

Healing Powers Are Remarkable 

Dear Reader,

What if I told you just by sipping the delicious “medieval miracle” you could . . . 

• Relieve throbbing back pain . . . 
• Drop 7 pounds of fat and flab in 3 days . . . 
• Lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer . . . 
• Stave off viruses, colds, and superbugs . . . 
• Curb insatiable sweet cravings . . . 
• Shrink painful hemorrhoids . . . 
• Relieve aching joint discomfort . . . 
• And much more . . . 

With this powerful healing elixir — backed by 3,000 modern-day studies — you could . . . 

Finally end the frenzy of buying a mountain of assorted pills, needless ointments, serums, and syrups.

Odds are you already have it in your kitchen cupboard.

I’m talking about tea. YES, TEA — grandma’s favorite beverage is today’s red-hot superfood!

Right now, you can get dozens of tea remedies that really work in Cal Orey’s book, The Healing Powers of Tea. And you don’t have to buy it . . . 

Newsmax is giving you The Healing Powers of Tea — a 292-page book — absolutely FREE!

Inside this blockbuster book you’ll discover 50 tea “cures” for everything from anxiety and constipation to dermatitis, coughs, depression, warts, insect bites, sinusitis, memory lapses, cavities, digestive troubles, diarrhea, and so much more.

There are also do-it-yourself beauty recipes . . .  household remedies to detox, clean, polish, even “destink” your home of dog . . .  and dozens of delicious tea-infused recipes from breakfast to dessert!

But not just any tea will do . . . 

While it’s packed with powerful disease-fighting antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols, you can’t just pour a cup, sip it down and expect it to work.

It all boils down to this . . . 

There’s a special secret to making the “medieval miracle” work to transform your health and your home . . . 

To bring out its magical healing powers, you need to know which variety of tea to drink and which special ingredients you need to mix with your tea.

And it’s not just the wildly popular black, green, and herbal teas as you’ll discover here.

The good news is you don’t have to guess or work your way through a sea of endless tea boxes and canisters!

Everything you need to know for finding the right tea and the right combination, steeped at the right time, is inside The Healing Powers of Tea.

When you get your FREE BOOK, be sure to open it and discover which tea banishes belly bloat, heartburn, and gas . . .  helps you empty your bowels easily again . . .  staves off hunger pangs . . .  boosts energy . . .  keeps skin looking younger and more beautiful . . .  lowers artery-clogging cholesterol . . .  helps you get a good night’s, sleep and more.

One more thing . . . 

Be sure to look for the simple tea plan to help you lose up to 7 pounds in 3 days! 

Early Sneak Peek at 2025 Earth Changes Forecasts

 EARTH CHANGES 2025—What Will the New Year Bring?

By Cal Orey

As I predicted for 2024... West Coast Earthquakes, Strange twisters, Southeast Hurricanes and Mega Blackouts to Northern Lights and Northeast Flooding! And now, for 2025 the year of The Snake--look forward to transformation, renewal--some good some bad. Most of all, be prepared mind, body, and spirit.

It’s here! The New Year promises political changes and Earth moves. Looking ahead to 2025, there will be Earth changes and human-caused disasters. Activities such as urbanization, deforestation, and industrial processes will contribute to environment woes and may lead to more frequent natural disasters.

Astrologically speaking, periods such as Mercury Retrograde—there are three this year—come linked with communication disruptions to mega blackouts. Also, events like Full Moons and New Moons can influence human behavior and environmental conditions.

So, the combo of wildfires, increasing earthquakes, potential surprise disasters (such as oil spills to quakes on hidden faults), may create chaos and challenges for the nation. But there is an upside:  environmental management, disaster preparedness, and looking at scientific data can help provide you with peace of mind even though you can’t control Old Man Winter and Mother Nature.

 WEATHER WATCH

 ·       West Coast: The NOAA forecast for the West Coast in 2025 shows a higher change of above-average snowfall in the Sierra Nevada region. Blame it on La Nina (Pacific Ocean cooler temperature anomaly) which triggers more precipitation during winter months. The Farmer’s Almanac supports this outlook, predicting a snowy winter for the West Coast… Caveat: Snowfall forecasts for the winter 2025 suggest that while higher elevations will see above-average snowfall due to La Nina (Pacific Ocean cooler temperature anomaly), lower elevations around Reno-Tahoe are projected to experience below-average precipitation and potentially drier conditions. This controversy arises from warmer temperatures that can lead to more rain and less snow at these altitudes, particularly during critical storm events.

·         South: For the Southern United States, forecasts suggest a mix of normal to slightly above-average temperatures with potential for drought in some regions. The NOAA claims some regions may experience below-average rainfall, with dry spells.

·         Northeast: The Northeast is projected to have a colder-then-average winter with increased odds of snowstorms. Both NOAA and the Farmer’s Almanac show that this region may see snowfall events throughout the winter months.

·         Midwest: In the Midwest, forecasts predict a variable winter with periods of cold and snow and milder weather. The potential for severe weather such as ice storms are noted by both forecasting agencies.

SHOCKING SHAKERS

·       The West Coast was on rock and roll during the latter part of 2024.  In December, an offshore Northern California 7.0 with a tsunami warning happened; a strong and shallow 5.8 temblor hit Yerington, Nevada and was felt in the sierras, Sacramento to the SF Bay Area; and tremors hit Southern California throughout the year.

·       The San Andreas Fault Zone continues to be linked to northern California earthquakes and is overdue for the Big One. A 7.5 or greater is likely to happen in 2025. Regions likely to be the epicenter include Offshore Northern California, San Francisco Bay Area, and Southern California.

·       Northeast quakes despite being smaller magnitudes than the West Coast are often felt more and farther. Expect at least two noteworthy shakers…

·       …And the New Madrid Zone may be hit by a strong jolt with aftershocks that’ll rattle nerves and make international news. Ditto with the Southern states, not excluding Texas or Oklahoma.

 

HURRICANES, TWISTERS, OH MY!

·       HURRICANES: Superstorms (including blackouts) will happen and in the Gulf States like they did in 2024. While that year Texas and the Carolinas were ground zero, in 2025 Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida are in the line of destruction.

·       TWISTERS: will come with hurricanes in these regions but also the Midwest and even the West Coast; it got its first tornado alert ever on Friday the 13^th, December 2024. On the 14^th in the afternoon, Scotts Valley, Northern California was struck by a twister like a disaster film.

·       WILDFIRES: up and down the West Coast will continue to wreak havoc on people, pets, infrastructure, and the environment. Not only do the flames threaten lives but the poor air quality will become more of a reality.  Staying indoors to using air purifiers will become even more common for health’s sake.

 

ON THE FRINGE

Yes, more solar events (solar flares to solar storms) like in 2024 will happen and come with the Northern Lights in unlikely states. But remember, these light shows come with blackouts, communication disruptions, and delays in flights and road travel causing inconvenience to woes depending on the severity of the happening.

As the United States faces unpredictable political changes and discord, Earth changes will encourage people to work together to survive severe weather and earthmoving events. Political parties will be a moot point (like it is on a small island in Alaska where people band together during shake-ups to maintain shelter and forage food). It will be survival and helping your neighbors first—unifying us to be one. The end results? We will be a happier, healthier and safer nation.

SHAKING IT UP

While the West Coast (Hawaii, Alaska, California, and Nevada) is more apt to experience tremors, the New Madrid Zone, East Coast, and even the South are not immune to shaking. As fracking will be continued around the nation, it’s time to prepare. Here’s a checklist:

Before the Shake: Get Ready!

ü  Sign up for earthquake alerts on your phone: (Watch your cat or dog’s odd behavior, too! —so you’ll know when a quake may be coming.)

ü  Make an Emergency Kit: Prepare a health-focused ER kit with water, non-perishable snacks, first aid supplies, and any med you may need for you and your pet.

ü  Do Pet Prep: Keep your pets’ essentials handy—food, water, cat crate, dog leash, and comfort items. Animals (like my cat) can often sense changes in the environment, so let them have a safe space.

During the Quake: Stay Safe!

ü  Drop, Cover, Hold On:  When the shaking starts, drop to your hands and knees to prevent falling down or being in harm’s way with glass or heavy furniture. Cover your head and neck under sturdy furniture if available or use your arms to protect yourself.

ü  Think Pet Safety: If you have pets with you, keep them close and reassure them with a soothing voice.

ü  Chill Out: Don’t log onto your computer during the tremor, wait until the shaking stops and you are safe.

After the Tremor: Check-In!

ü  Explore Your Surroundings: Once the temblor is over (remember, aftershocks can and do occur), check for injuries (to yourself and others) and ensure it’s safe to move around.

ü  Hydrate & Nourish: Drink water (calms the nerves) and eat something light (if you feel queasy like I did) to maintain energy levels after the stress of an earthquake.

ü  Tune In Mental Health Matters: Talk about what happened with friends or family; sharing experiences can help reduce anxiety.

By following these health tips before, during, and after an earthquake, you’ll be better prepared to handle tremors. (Find out more about earthquake preparedness and animals sensing oncoming earthquakes in The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes, by Cal Orey, published by Sentient.)

CAL OREY, M.A., is a bestselling author-novelist specializing in topics such as adventure, health, romance, and science. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English (Creative Writing) from San Francisco State University. Her books include the popular Healing Powers series, and Courage with Paws. (Book 2) Time Traveler Tabby, and a thrilling co-authored sci-fi series--The Ghost Ships to be released this winter.  She is a South Lake Tahoe local. Her website is www.calorey.com