Weather Geeks

Guest: Deke Arndt, Chief of Climate Monitoring Branch, NOAA's NCEIIntro: The way we look at our world is fundamentally changing. Across the globe we’ve seen dramatic changes to our ecosystems as species adapt to the ever changing earth. Humanity now wages a battle to save the planet, whether they know it yet or not. While everyday occurrences like floods, hurricanes, drought, or fires represent weather; their effect on humanity is shaped by our climate. Today we are joined by Deke Ardnt, editor of the State of the Climate Report and Chief at NOAA’s Climate Monitoring Branch.

Guest: Lucas McDonald, Walmart Director of Emergency OperationsIntro: Many of us know the familiar names of disaster response like the American Red Cross, FEMA, or the National Guard, but how about a name like WALMART? Today we welcome Lucas McDonald, Director of the Emergency Operations Center for Walmart, who has played key roles in organizing the company’s disaster relief efforts for more than a decade. We’ll get an inside look at how they help prepare communities for impending disasters and how their disaster response teams spring into action to help those in need after the storm.

Guest: Rick Smith, WCM at NWS Norman, OKIntro: Many of us use some form of social media every day, and when severe weather threatens your city, social media can play a vital role in sharing life-saving information. With so many voices out there, it’s important to know who to trust… Meteorologist Rick Smith, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the NWS in Norman, OK, is one of those trusted voices. He is widely known for his tireless efforts in using social media to inform and educate the public to further our goal of becoming a Weather-Ready Nation. We’ll discuss some of the advantages and challenges meteorologists face in the social media landscape and how we can ALL improve as communicators going forward!

Guest: Dr. Phillip ChilsonIntroduction:  The future is here, and so is the rise of unmanned aerial systems, commonly known as drones. Picture this; an army of small drones sampling the lower atmosphere, instantly filling the gaps in our forecasting abilities! This new technology is starting to find a place in the field of atmospheric sciences and beyond. Our guest today, Dr. Phillip Chilson from the University of Oklahoma, has been working hard to harness the full potential of drones.

Guest: Dr. Howard Kunreuther, Wharton Risk Management & Decision Processes CenterIntro: We’ve heard the words before: “I didn’t think this would happen to me...” As meteorologists, our job is to communicate the weather forecasts and the risks that go along with them. But with all these warnings, why are people still unprepared when disaster strikes? Today, we welcome Dr. Howard Kunreuther who has spent years of his career trying to answer this question. We’ll discuss the inherent biases many of us have when it comes to disaster preparedness, and we’ll outline strategies he recommends to ensure we are prepared for the next catastrophe.  

Guest: Dr. Mark PowellIntroduction: Our ability to see into a hurricane has been changed by technology at RMS HWind. Using data directly from hurricane reconnaissance, HWind creates an unparalleled visualization of a tropical cyclone’s wind field. Along with satellite observations, these images allow us to see hurricanes in 4K! This ability is what caught the attention of RMS, a risk management company. How can creating a high resolution wind analysis of a tropical cyclone help manage risk? We’ll answer that question today as we’re joined by Dr. Mark Powell, the lead researcher who developed this product. 

Guest: Levi CowanIntroduction: As hurricane season rolls along, meteorologists, emergency managers, and just plain weather geeks will turn to Tropical Tidbits for in depth tropical information. Tropical Tidbits dot com is arguably one of the most widely used meteorological websites in the community today. This week on Weather Geeks we’re joined by a familiar voice; creator and founder of Tropical Tidbits dot com, Levi Cowan. 

Guest: Andrew Blum, author and journalistIntro: Today, we can pick up our cell phone or turn on the TV and find out what the forecast will be a week from now! It is because of a vast global-network of people and technology that weather has gone from something we merely observe, to something we can predict. Today we are joined by Andrew Blum, the author of "The Weather Machine.” In the book, Blum takes a minute to step back, and marvel at this amazing technological achievement. 

Guest: Dr. Catherine Edwards, Assistant Professor, UGA Department of Marine SciencesIntro:  Hurricane intensity forecasts have been a major focus within the meteorological community for decades.  Improvements in track forecasts have outpaced those in intensity, largely because our ability to sample these tropical monsters can be a difficult task.  Satellites high above the ocean surface provide vital information for models, but with the deployment of new underwater instruments, data being collected BELOW the ocean surface may help improve satellite observations AND those much sought-after intensity forecasts.  Today, we welcome Dr. Catherine Edwards whose fleet of underwater gliders are already making a splash... 

Guest: Pete Gaynor, FEMA’s Acting AdministratorIntro: In the new millennium, the United States has been struck by dozens of tropical cyclones, ranging from rain-soaked tropical storms to catastrophic Category 5 hurricanes.  Regardless of the intensity, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, more commonly known as FEMA, has been in place for every single event. Today, we have the current acting administrator Pete Gaynor with us.  In just a short period of time in office, he has had to manage intense river flooding in the Midwest this spring and currently Hurricane Dorian scraping up the Southeast coast. We’ll discuss how his journey has unfolded thus far and how his extensive background in Emergency Management has prepared him for the task.

Weather Channel's Dr. Matt Sitkowski and Meteorologist & Weather Geeks Producer Sarah Dillingham discuss the latest forecast and impacts expected from Hurricane Dorian. Look for more updates here on the Weather Geeks podcast and on air at the Weather Channel as we track this dangerous hurricane!

Weather Channel expert Dr. Greg Postel and Meteorologist & Weather Geeks Host Dr. Marshall Shepherd discuss the latest forecast and impacts expected from Hurricane Dorian. Look for more updates here on the Weather Geeks podcast and on air at the Weather Channel as we track this dangerous hurricane!

Weather Channel experts Dr. Greg Postel and Dr. Matthew Sitkowski discuss the latest forecast and impacts expected from Hurricane Dorian. Look for more updates here on the Weather Geeks podcast and on air at the Weather Channel as we track this dangerous hurricane!

Weather Channel experts Dr. Greg Postel and Dr. Matthew Sitkowski discuss the latest forecast and impacts expected from Hurricane Dorian. Look for more updates here on the Weather Geeks podcast and on air at the Weather Channel as we track this dangerous hurricane!

Weather Channel Tropical Experts Dr. Rick Knabb and Dr. Greg Postel, along with Meteorologist & Weather Geeks Producer Sarah Dillingham discuss the latest forecast and impacts expected from Hurricane Dorian. Look for more updates here on the Weather Geeks podcast and on air at the Weather Channel as we track this dangerous hurricane!

Weather Channel expert Dr. Greg Postel and Meteorologist & Weather Geeks Producer Sarah Dillingham discuss the latest forecast and impacts expected from Hurricane Dorian. Look for more updates here on the Weather Geeks podcast and on air at the Weather Channel as we track this dangerous hurricane!

Guest: Jeff Lindner, Harris County Flood Control District MeteorologistIntro:  Hurricane Harvey is one of the costliest tropical cyclones on record, even though it stalled out for days over a small area. However, that area was the 4th largest city in the United States: Houston, Texas. Communities and government agencies had to come together to mitigate Harvey’s unrelenting rainfall that was nearly 5 feet in some areas. Today, we have Jeff Lindner, nicknamed the “Hero of Harvey,” who worked tirelessly as a meteorologist for the Harris County Flood Control District. We’ll ask him about his experience living and working in Houston during Harvey and what the city has done since to prevent another flooding catastrophe.

Guest: Ray BanIntro: The Weather Channel has been around for over 37 years and has seen the evolution in both the television and digital space over multiple decades.  My guest today was an integral part of The Weather Channel’s growth for nearly 27 of those 37 years. Ray Ban was TWC’s Executive Vice President of Programming and Meteorology and is now a consultant for the company, while teaching a broadcasting class at his alma mater, Penn State.  After so many years in the weather communication industry, Ray has a great deal of experiences and wisdom to pass down to the next generation of meteorologists that you may be watching on TV someday!

Guest: Art SmithIntro:  A lot of you listeners geek out about more than just the weather...myself included!  You have other passions and hobbies that you explore and expand over time, whether that be reading, biking, or...like my guest today...cooking!  Renowned and award-winning chef Art Smith has cooked for many notables including President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Lady Gaga. He is also a successful restaurateur, bringing his signature southern cuisine all across the country.  However, what you may NOT know about Art is that he is also a geek like us when it comes to the weather and climate, especially since they have an impact on the success of his wonderful restaurants. 

Guest:  Paul Newman, Chief Scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Intro:  With the daily discussions regarding climate change and rising sea levels, one may forget one of the first environmental crises that the world needed to come together to stop: the hole in the Ozone layer.  Today’s guest has not only never forgotten, but he has been a leader in combating the increase of the Ozone hole ever since it was discovered in the 1970’s. Paul Newman is a chief scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and is the co-chair of the Scientific Assessment Panel to the Montreal Protocol.  Newman has recently taken the scientific spotlight as a main voice in the new PBS special about the Ozone Hole and what was done to heal it. Now he lends his voice to our podcast today...