--- title: "Blessed Weather Pattern Looks Exactly Like a Ninja Turtle" description: "Over the weekend, one of the famed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles apparently rolled right over large swaths of the US as part of a summer storm system." date: "2022-07-19" modified: "2022-07-19" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/weather-pattern-ninja-turtle" categories: - "Climate Change" - "Environment" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "climate change" - "pop culture" - "the digest" - "weather" --- # Blessed Weather Pattern Looks Exactly Like a Ninja Turtle ![Over the weekend, one of the famed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles apparently rolled right over large swaths of the US as part of a summer storm system.]() *\Image: NWSSPC\* ## Forecast: Cowabunga They're lean, green, and mean — not to mention [an incredible team](). They're the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and over the weekend, one of them apparently rolled right over large swaths of the US — according to predictive radar of a summer storm system, at least. On Sunday, the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction arm [tweeted a photo]() of a prognosticated weather pattern covering much of the Gulf and East coasts. And ever-watchful Twitter users pointed out, the satellite imagery bore a striking resemblance to the masked members of the fictional crime-fighting turtle clan. Naturally, comical Twitter fan fiction abounded shortly thereafter. As [one user wrote](): "Donatello: 'Hey Leo, I think Michelangelo has been messing around with the weather machine I invented.'" Sadly, the unidentified mutant reptile in question [appeared to melt]() later on. https://twitter.com/DuffyOnWCMF/status/1549107004450508805 ## Ninjutsu Pattern It's been a [horrific few weeks]() for [climate news](). Global temperatures and resulting wildfires are [threatening lives, livelihoods](), [and infrastructure]() worldwide, and amid these devastating climate catastrophes — which are [likely just the beginning]() — the UN's secretary general ominously [warned that humanity]() has a choice: "collective action, or collective suicide." Incredibly grim. Alas, though our [terrapin champion]() may have [*splinter*ed]() off, it was fun while it lasted. We'll take any lighthearted weather news where we can, and we can only hope that the next time we're standing in the eye of a storm, it just so happens to be the eye of the turtle. **More on summer weather:** [*Studio Power Goes out While Weatherman Warns about Rolling Blackouts* ]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()