Weather Geeks

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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Ellen Prager, Marine Scientist & AuthorIntro: You can always find my next guest anywhere that there is a coastline, and odds are, she may be getting ready to dive into it!  Dr. Ellen Prager is one of the biggest names in earth and ocean science communication, having done countless speaking engagements and written a handful of books.  The ocean is one of Earth’s most unexplored avenues and Dr. Prager has made it her mission to understand this landscape, or should I say waterscape, and make it understandable to all audiences, fellow doctors and children alike! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guests: Dr. Rick Knabb, Weather Channel Hurricane Expert, & Rebecca Moulton, Natural Hazards Planning & Disaster Response Meteorologist for FEMA2018’s hurricane season thrust itself upon the history books, starting on Memorial Day weekend with subtropical storm Alberto making landfall, then Hurricane Florence scraping North Carolina with flooding rains in September, and finally Category 5 hurricane Michael destroying homes and lives along the Florida panhandle in October.  With all of these storms, meteorologists and emergency managers had to CONSTANTLY work together to refine their communication to keep everyone in the storm’s path safe. Today, I have two of those people who are at the top of their game: Dr. Rick Knabb, previous NHC director and current Weather Channel hurricane expert, and Rebecca Moulton, Natural Hazards Planning & Disaster Response Meteorologist for FEMA.  Today we will be looking back at how we ALL did in 2018 and what we can improve going into the new hurricane season.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Paul Sutter, AstrophysicistIntro: 50 years ago, mankind took a giant leap as America successfully landed 3 humans on the moon! Today, we’re remembering this monumental event in world history as we celebrate Apollo 11’s mission and what it meant for the future of space exploration.  We’ve invited Astrophysicist Paul Sutter, Agent to the Stars, to discuss the science behind this lunar mission and how it set the stage for human spaceflight for decades to come. Plus, we’ll explore what’s next on the horizon as our country is making new strides to return to space...and maybe even put a human on Mars! Buckle up as we take this discussion to infinity....AND BEYOND!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Stephanie Pilkington, PhD Candidate & researcher with the NIST Center for Risk-Based Community Resilience PlanningIntro: For decades the Saffir-Simpson Scale has been the scale used to warn people about the destructive power of an approaching hurricane…..but recently it has come under fire because it is based solely on wind and does not speak to the other hazards hurricane present. So, a group of civil engineers has developed a model in which they say can truly forecast the power of a hurricane….Today we talk to a member of that group...Stephanie Pilkington….to discuss the inner workings of this model.  We’ll dive into a discussion on how we one day can use such models to protect both life and property as we explore the true measure of a hurricane….See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Kristen Rasmussen, CSU Asst. ProfessorIntro: Today’s guest is no stranger to researching some of Mother Nature’s most powerful storms! Dr. Kristen Rasmussen is an Assistant Professor at Colorado State University, and today we’ll get an inside look at her team’s recent trek to Argentina for the RELAMPAGO field campaign. We’ll discuss what makes these storms so powerful and find out how the local weather services and communities respond to such extreme conditions. Plus, we’ll discuss how severe storms may behave in a warming world. Could climate change be setting the environment up for even more explosive storms? We’ll unravel the details next...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Kevin Kloesel, Director of Oklahoma Climatological SurveyIntro: The word “bust” when describing the outcome of a high profile event in forecasting has become more frequently used as of late. It's even referred to, at times, as “the b word”. But why is this word thrown around so much when forecasts have become so good? These high profile events seem to be held at a higher standard. Today Dr. Kevin Kloesel, of the University of Oklahoma, joins us to talk about this very thing!Find him on Twitter as @texasembassy, and make sure to follow us while you're there! @WeatherGeeksSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest:  Dr. Neil Jacobs,  Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction  Intro:  Meteorologists look at a handful of different models when making their forecasts. This includes the ECMWF, or Euro model and the GFS, or American model. The latter has been under some scrutiny in the community, as it tends to be less accurate than the European, model.  Some believe its shortcomings are tied to the lack of government funding for research initiatives to improve it. My guest today has an EPIC proposal on how we can fix this! Dr. Neil Jacobs serves as the acting head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, and has already had his hand in the creation and improvement of weather modeling systems. He’s already taking that experience to the White House, and we’re excited to hear his future plans!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Stewart Williams, DTN/PGA MeteorologistIntro:  Fore!!!  From the skies above to the finely-manicured blades of grass beneath their feet, today’s guest knows how important it is to get it right when forecasting for the PGA Tour.  We’re sitting down with DTN’s Lead Senior Meteorologist, Stewart Williams, who has spent more than 20 years providing forecasts for the Tour and its world-renowned golfers. While the players have their own game plan, Mother Nature doesn’t always play nicely.  We’ll discover how a simple wind shift or a wilted blade of grass can make a huge impact on course conditions. Plus, when severe weather threatens, we’ll get an inside look into the decision-making process that helps keep people safe.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: John RossIntro: On June 6th, 1944, more than 160,000 allied forces stormed the beaches of France during WWII. This day would be etched into the pillars of history as D-day. This year, as we remember the 75th Anniversary of landing on the beaches of Normandy, we look back at the forecast behind the mission and how weather prompted one of the biggest scheduling changes in modern history. Today we’re joined by John Ross author of The Forecast for D-Day, And the Weatherman behind Ike’s Greatest Gamble. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Louis UccelliniIntro: Today’s guest needs no introduction… We’re sitting down with Dr. Louis Uccellini, Director of the National Weather Service and NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services.  Dr. Uccellini has been making major contributions to the meteorological field for more than 40 years and has been a driving force in positioning the U.S. to be a Weather-Ready Nation.  He recently announced his candidacy to become the next President of the World Meteorological Organization, and we’ll discuss his future goals for the organization and its Members across the globe.  Finally, as NOAA prepares for the upcoming U.S. GFS Model upgrade, we’ll explore what this means for our country’s forecasting capabilities and its position within the numerical modeling community. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Jenni Evans, AMS PresidentIntro:The American Meteorology Society is very close to my heart, as I was its president back in 2013.  During that time, I had to learn about what it takes to lead an organization with thousands of people from different backgrounds and ages, but all with one common passion...the weather!  My next guest knows EXACTLY what I’m talking about, as she is the CURRENT AMS president! Jenni Evans is a professor at Penn State University and director of PSU’s Institute for CyberScience, where she leads over 200 faculty members...but leading AMS is an entirely different ballgame, especially when you are leading the organization through its 100th year!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Adam Houston, University of Nebraska-LincolnIntro: If you are a Weather Geek, odds are you have seen the movie Twister, where two storm chasers are fighting to research strong tornadoes in the heart of Tornado Alley.  To conduct the research, they are using a device called DOROTHY, which was revolutionary in the movie. Now, what if I told you that my next guest is also using revolutionary technology to study tornadoes...but it is utilized more commonly than you think?  Adam Houston from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and his team are using drones as a pivotal tool in their study of supercells, which is aiming to aid forecasters in predicting tornado formation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Karen Kosiba, Atmospheric Scientist at CSWRIntroduction: From lake-effect snow bands to destructive tornadoes, today’s guest has studied them all!  Dr. Karen Kosiba’s research is focused on unraveling the intricate dynamics behind some of nature’s most dangerous weather.  She believes that taking her work into the field is key to helping us better understand and predict severe weather. We’ll get an inside look on what it’s like to experience a storm from inside a mobile radar, plus we’ll discuss one of her latest research endeavors which took her south of the equator to chase some of the world’s most intense storms.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For some of you listeners that may or may not know, Weather Geeks used to be a television show on The Weather Channel. However, one year ago this week, we re-launched the program on this podcast format. This gave us the ability to have more in-depth discussions and really geek out with our favorite guests. For our one year anniversary, we are going to count down our Top 10 favorite episodes of the podcast so far.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GUEST: Gina McCarthy, former EPA AdministratorDESCRIPTION: ACHOOO!!! It’s springtime for millions of Americans, and unfortunately, that IS something to sneeze at. Today we’re sitting down with former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to find out how climate change could actually be making our allergy seasons worse. What could this mean for millions of allergy sufferers? We’re also counting down to April 22, 2020 when we’ll celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. We’ll talk about how this passionate global movement began and how it continues to bring international communities together to help protect and repair our amazing planet. Join us as this becomes the biggest global environmental movement in history!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guests: Dr. Tanya-Brown Giammanco & Dr. Ian GiammancoIntro:  What if you could recreate a Great Plains hailstone in a laboratory? What could we learn from hurling dozens of these stones toward a building? Today’s guests hail from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety where a team of scientists is doing just that! This team, led by Dr. Tanya Brown-Giammanco and Dr. Ian Giammanco, is using 3D printers to replicate hailstones collected across the Plains and test how well structures can withstand an impact. Hail damage across the U.S. can total over $1 billion annually, and we’ll discuss how their research can be used to reduce costly property losses in the future.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Mike Chesterfield, Director of Weather Presentation, The Weather ChannelIntro:  Weather affects all 5 senses. You can TASTE the snowflakes on your tongue during the first snowfall of the year. You can TOUCH the raindrops as they fall from the sky. You can HEAR the rumbles of thunder as a storm rolls your way. You can SMELL the rain when you step outside on a wet day. And finally, sight. You SEE weather EVERYWHERE. And my guest today, Mike Chesterfield, is bringing the weather to life THROUGH your television screen using The Weather Channel's Immersed Mixed Reality technology. It is something you have to see to believe...  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Forbes TompkinsIntro: With the transition from winter to spring upon us, some may find themselves swapping snow shovels for sandbags. The right policies can help communities be better prepared before the next flood. Today’s guest, Forbes Tompkins, an officer for The Pew Charitable Trust’s flood-prepared communities initiative, leads work to modernize federal policies so the country’s infrastructure is more flood-ready. Today we’ll talk about solutions that can keep U.S. communities safe during the peak flood season of spring and beyond.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Rear Admiral David TitleyDescription: David Titley is a retired Rear Admiral and Chief Oceanographer of the US Navy, former NOAA Chief Operating Officer, Director of the Center for Solutions to Weather and Climate Risk and professor of meteorology at Pennsylvania State University. It is an impressive resume for a well respected individual that is so involved with raising awareness on the challenges and opportunities climate change presents to the world. David shares with us some of his latest work, successes, and also discusses the greatest hurdles that remain in the policy arena when it comes to climate change action. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Jon Davis, Chief Meteorologist at RiskPulseDescription: More than 20% of the US Economy is directly affected by the Weather.  The energy and agriculture sectors are particularly vulnerable to losses that can mount as a result of heat waves, droughts, flooding and cold. Just a couple of degrees can make or cost companies millions of dollars. There is a group of meteorologists who make it their jobs to connect the weather to these lucrative markets and their forecasts can ultimately give their clients that competitive edge.  Today we’ll talk with Jon Davis, Chief Meteorologist at RiskPulse, about the fascinating world of weather forecasting for the commodity markets.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Walker Ashley, professor & researcher at Northern Illinois UniversityDr. Walker Ashley is a professor at Northern Illinois University who focuses onexamining the impacts of severe and hazardous weather on society. With more extremeweather events on the rise, we see an increasing number of vulnerabilities being exposedwithin communities, leading to wide spread loss of life and property. Improving thecommunication of risks imposed by severe weather is a major focus of scientists and somepolicy-makers. Today we’ll discuss how urban sprawl and development, local infrastructure,and even socioeconomic factors have been found to play a major role in how a disasterunfolds. We’ll also explore ways we can mitigate or prevent future disasters throughpreparedness and risk assessment.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Phil Magney, Founder & Principal Advisor for VSIDescription: While we listened to our record collection years ago, some of us dreamed of a future with cars flying through the air...while that may not be where we are headed, self-driving vehicles are here and there are big businesses working on the challenges to bring this to fruition. Weather is perhaps the biggest challenge...how can technology handle changing road conditions while keeping everyone safe? We are joined by Phil Magney, founder of VSI, a leading researcher of active safety and automated vehicle technologies to discuss what is being done to make sure weather doesn’t put on the brakes to the future of automated vehicles. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Stephen Bennett, Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Riskpulse Your package is shipped, but it is still 3 days out...3 days of traversing through weather to get to you. Will storms cause a delay? Does the product need refrigeration? Can the product be left out in the cold? What if the answers to these questions started before the order went out for shipping? Taking the weather forecast into account - charting and changing the way your package gets delivered...it could mean big savings for you and companies. Well...this technology exists and Stephen Bennett, Founder and Chief Operating Officer for Riskpulse if here to tell us all about it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Matthew Cappucci, Undergraduate at Harvard & Capital Weather Gang Contributor Description: It’s been a special weather phenomenon for meteorologists for a long time, but Jim Cantore took it to a whole new level in 2015...Thundersnow!! Winter storm fans routinely share their videos of lighting during a heavy snow, but just how does lighting form in winter storms? How rare is it? There are many open questions and today we are joined by a rising star in the meteorological community, Matthew Cappucci to get some answers. Matthew has researched thundersnow, is a contributor to Capital Weather Gang and will be graduating from Harvard in a few weeks! So, let’s dive in and breakdown how a flash of light and clap of thunder can give so many people a jolt of excitement!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Ovie Mughelli, Former NFL Pro Bowl Running Back, Sustainability Advocate, Creator of Comic  Book Gridiron GreenDescription: Former NFL pro bowl running back Ovie Mughelli talks about his incredible journey from All Pro NFL running back to sustainability advocate. Mughelli will fill us in on why he feels a comic book that features a superhero character that becomes the guardian to the plant could be the key to changing the climate narrative and what role did his kids play in launching his unexpected second career choice….This is a discussion that is not one you’ll want to miss.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We go inside the storm with Jim Cantore. As we dive deep into his 30 plus year journey at The Weather Channel, we find out: how have things changed; some of Jim’s most memorable moments; and what will the future bring. All that and more from one of Weather’s most influential names.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Brett Kern, NFL Punter for Tennessee TitansDescription: In a game where inches can mean the difference between the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat, punters can make all the difference in the world. One NFL punter has found a way to turn his inner weather geek into a real advantage on the gridiron. Today we’ll talk with two time pro-bowl punter and current member of the Tennessee Titans, Brett Kern, to talk about how his dream of one day chasing tornadoes is helping him excel at his NFL career.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GUEST: Jim Bridenstine, Administrator of NASADESCRIPTION:From flying high above the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, to being elected as a Congressman of Oklahoma in the U.S. House of Representatives, our guest has dedicated his life to serving his country. Today we’re excited to welcome newly confirmed NASA Administrator, Jim Bridenstine.  Jim hails from Tulsa, OK where he became all too familiar with extreme weather, so he understands the importance of improving our forecasting capabilities. We’ll discuss the major piece of legislation he helped pass to support the expansion of weather research and forecasting. Plus, we’ll hear about his evolution on issues like climate change and how the work at NASA can further our understanding of its impacts. If that’s not enough, we’ll also get Jim’s thoughts on the future of space exploration. Could it include a visit to Mars? It’s all next!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Mark Maxwell, founder and owner of sportsweather.comDescription:  This week on Weather Geeks, we sit down with Mark Maxwell. He is the creator of sportsweather.com, a data-driven weather service site he created to give sports gamblers and fantasy players a competitive edge in an increasingly popular and lucrative niche in the world of sports. So if you want to add never-before-available weather-related insights to your sports betting or fantasy strategy, this podcast’s for you!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guests: Dr. Jon Martin & Dr. Michael Morgan - Professors, University Of Wisconsin-MadisonDescription: They can cancel school, shut down airports and the big ones can even paralyze cities for days...winter storms track all across the country ever year. They are complicated weather systems where details of temperature structure, pockets of dry air and subtle bands of intense snowfall make all the difference between a few flurries and feet of snow. University of Wisconsin - Madison professors Dr. Jon Martin and Dr. Michael Morgan join us today to discuss why winter storms behave the way they do, how we can understand them better and how a shrinking cold pole in the northern hemisphere might alter these storms in the near future. Get ready weather geek fans...we are really going to roll up our sleeves and get into the details of winter storms!   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Steve Bowen, Director (Meteorologist), Aon When natural disasters strike they can impact just about every aspect of life... The ultimate cost of such disasters is a science of its own and no one is more familiar with those costs than those charged with insuring all that is important to us. Today we’ll talk with Steve Bowen, Director and meteorologist at Aon, to look back at the weather related disasters of 2018...plus…fascinating conversation that will explain how Mr. Bowen utilizes analytics to help communicate & prepare the world for the risks associated with a future that promises to bring more and more extreme weather events.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. James McClintock, Endowed University Professor of Polar and Marine BiologyUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamThis week on Weather Geeks we go to the bottom of the earth….Antarctica! A white desert covered in snow and ice. But did you know plants and algae make up an underwater forest at its edges and that these plants can be used to develop drugs to help with cancer and the flu?! Dr. James McClintock from The University of Alabama - Birmingham joins us to discuss why studying this part of the world is important and why so many people are making the trip down to Antarctica to learn more about the region and experience climate change in action. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest:  Gabriel Sassone & Jacques Kerner - Avalanche StudiosDescription:Today on Weather Geeks we dive into a world where extreme weather is the most dangerous game. Video games continue to push the bounds of depicting accurate atmospheric physics in virtual worlds. But how are these gaming “engines” built? How is weather recreated in a virtual world? We’ll get the answers from Gabriel Sassone and Jacques Kerner from Avalanche Studios, which recently released Just Cause 4, a game where weather is not only a main character but a core element of the story and how you play. The experience is amazing, the weather is realistic, and the process to get there is fascinating.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: David Inmon, UPS Airlines MeteorologistDescription:It’s that time of year again! Millions of packages will be delivered this holiday season. One of the busiest companies getting packages from here to there is UPS and we are joined today by David Inman, an airlines meteorologist with the company. So, just how does weather play a role in meeting the delivery deadline? How are logistics changed as a result of the forecast? And how about this time of year… does the pressure ramp up, especially if the surface pressure dives down? All this and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Richard Alley, Evan Pugh Professor, Penn State UniversityDescription:Oftentimes, when a scientist explains their work to the public there is a breakdown of communication. The person listening gets lost in the complex explanation and foreign terminology. But there are small handful of amazing scientists that have an incredible ability to communicate... keeping the audience engaged and wanting more. And today we are joined by one such person, Dr. Richard Alley from Penn State University. We are going to talk glaciology, meteorology, and climatology and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Tom Niziol, Winter Weather Expert at The Weather Channel. DescriptionThe first snowstorm this year for New York City should not have been this memorable. A manageable 6 inches of snow come down in a hurry, but the region was gridlock early on in the event. Was this a forecast fail? A communication calamity? Or pitiful planning? The Weather Channel Winter Weather Expert Tom Niziol has spent decades forecasting and communicating winter weather. He joins us today to talk about this event and the handful of others where winter weather seems to catch cities by surprise. Just what can be done to prevent the situations from happening again? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Clark Schweers, Principal; BDO Forensic Insurance and Recovery PracticeDescription:Natural disasters happen every year all across the country changing the lives of those directly affected forever. Just look at this year’s hurricanes, the deadly and destructive wildfires in California...but there is also an indirect effect to these disasters that ripples across the country and hits the wallet of nearly every American. Clark Schweers joins us today from BDO Global to breakdown how weather and natural disasters have lasting impacts for millions, well after the rebuilding has begun and in some cases fully completed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Judah Cohen, Director of Seasonal Forecasting at Atmospheric & Environmental ResearchDescription:Colored leaves are on the ground and some flakes have already fallen. Winter is just around the corner and everyone is wondering how cold will it get? How much snow will fall? Today, Dr. Judah Cohen gives us a sense of what we can expect. We dive into seasonal forecasting and examine how today’s weather can provide clues into next month's weather. What is El Nino’s role? Why is Siberian snow cover important, and why do we need to pay attention to the stratosphere...thousands of feet above where planes fly? We’ll break it all down as we discuss the 2018-2019 winter outlook.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Harry Enten, Senior Writer and Analyst, CNN PoliticsDescription: Millions of Americans will be voting this November for their favorite candidate. When they head out to the polls some will enjoy sunshine, others will get cold and rain, and maybe even a few folks will see snowflakes. Weather might even keep some people from even heading out the door. Just how does weather affect elections...and more generally politics? Today, we’ll pose these questions and more to Harry Enten from CNN Politics. Harry has a passion for both weather and for politics. We'll look back at what history has taught us and what the future may hold for the intersection of weather & politics. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guests: The Weather Channel meteorologists: Stephanie Abrams, Jen Carfagno, Chris BruinDescription:Hurricane Michael stormed ashore the Florida Panhandle earlier this month. Lives were upended and changed forever. Millions watched the full fury of the hurricane unfold live on their screens. And today we are joined by three field reporters that covered the storm: The Weather Channel meteorologists Stephanie Abrams, Jen Carfagno and Chris Bruin. We hear their stories as they take us through the before, during and after of live coverage of a category 4 hurricane. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest:Tom Skilling, WGN-TV Chief MeteorologistDescription: From the outside looking in, living in the Midwest during the winter months can be brutal! Frigid temperatures that take your breath away and blizzards that stack snow feet high!  But today’s guest knows a thing or two about Midwest winters...and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Tom Skilling has been the on-air meteorologist at WGN-TV in Chicago since 1978...for those counting, that is 40 years!  In that span of time, it can feel like the media and television industry can change as much as the weather...We’ll talk about those changes and so much more with legendary broadcast meteorologist Tom Skilling. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest:Dr. Rick Knabb, Hurricane Expert, The Weather ChannelDescription: Communicating a weather forecasting is tricky task, but the challenges associated with hurricane forecasts bring a whole new set of hurdles. Dr. Rick Knabb, former director of the National Hurricane Center joins Dr. Marshall Shepherd to discuss how to avoid hurricane hype and stick with the impacts when talking to the public. It isn't as easy as you might think... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest:Dr. Elizabeth Austin, Forensic Meteorologist, Founder WeatherExtremeDescription: Shoeprints in the snow, the absence of dew, or maybe DNA preserved in a puddle of rainwater....seemingly trivial clues in an active crime scene, but to forensic meteorologists, these are the subtle leads that can put a suspect away for murder. Dr. Elizabeth Austin, a forensic meteorologist who's worked on countless criminal cases, joins us to discuss this fascinating profession and her role in a new series this fall on The Weather Channel called Storm of Suspicion. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guests:  Dr. Katharine Hayhoe - An Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University, Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People.Dr. Alan Townsend - Townsend currently is director of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research and professor in the Environmental Studies program at the University of Colorado at Boulder.Description: During this week's Weather Geeks podcast Dr. Shepherd had the privilege of talking with Dr. Kathryn Hayhoe and Dr. Alan Townsend, 2 scientists featured in a short-form film series entitled Let Science Speak. Dr. Shepherd was also interviewed for this short-form film series aimed at building a groundswell of bipartisan support for scientists on the front lines of solving our planet’s gravest challenges. Let Science Speak highlights not only what is at risk for our lives, our country, and our planet when science is under attack, but what that means for the humans behind the research, and the people behind the facts.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest:Jenna Jambeck, PhD. - Associate Professor in the College of Engineering at The University of GeorgiaToday we're sitting down with Dr. Jenna Jambeck, Associate Professor in the College of Engineering at The University of Georgia who teaches environmental engineering with a focus on solid waste. What do you think happens to those plastic bottles and other trash when you toss it? Dr. Jambeck, along with a team of reasearchers, estimates that millions of metric tons of plastic waste entered our oceans in 2010, and by 2025, that amount could increase by 10 fold! We'll discuss various waste management solutions being implemented worldwide and learn how we can improve such infrastructure to keep our planet looking beautiful and trash free.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guests: Jen Henderson, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow with the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences in Boulder, CO.  Julie Demuth, PhD - Research Scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in the Mesoscale and Microscale Meteorology Lab Description:Today, we’re excited to welcome Dr. Jen Henderson, a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences in Boulder, CO and Dr. Julie Demuth, a Research Scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in the Mesoscale and Microscale Meteorology Lab. Both are dedicating their research to understanding the social science between severe weather warnings and why people make the decisions they do in the face of potentially damaging and life-threatening weather. Preservation of life is their main mission, and they hope to accomplish this by bridging the gap between sociology and meteorology by leading the charge to find the best ways to communicate life-saving information to the public! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Jan Null, CCM - Department of Meteorology & Climate Science, San Jose State University Description:Today, we’re excited to welcome Jan Null, Certified Consulting Meteorologist with the Department of Meteorology and Climate Science at San Jose State University. Jan has spent decades forecasting and studying weather across the U.S., especially in California, and he “prides himself on being able to predict the unpredictable.”  He served as Lead Forecaster at the National Weather Service in the Bay Area for more than 24 years and in total has more than 40 years of experience as an operational and forensic meteorologist, serving as an expert witness in hundreds of cases. Jan has dedicated much of his career to becoming an expert on all things El Nino and La Nina, and he has also been a pioneer researcher studying and raising awareness to prevent hot car deaths involving children.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GUEST: Jim Bridenstine, Administrator of NASADESCRIPTION:From flying high above the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, to being elected as a Congressman of Oklahoma in the U.S. House of Representatives, our guest has dedicated his life to serving his country. Today we’re excited to welcome newly confirmed NASA Administrator, Jim Bridenstine.  Jim hails from Tulsa, OK where he became all too familiar with extreme weather, so he understands the importance of improving our forecasting capabilities. We’ll discuss the major piece of legislation he helped pass to support the expansion of weather research and forecasting. Plus, we’ll hear about his evolution on issues like climate change and how the work at NASA can further our understanding of its impacts. If that’s not enough, we’ll also get Jim’s thoughts on the future of space exploration. Could it include a visit to Mars?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.