WeatherBrains 887: Weather Weenies

WeatherBrains Episode 887 is now online (January 16th, 2023). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE podcast for you!

Tonight’s show focuses on the Penn State Campus Weather Service, which is the oldest and largest student-run forecast organization in the country.  Founded in 1972, it has over 100 active members and provides weather forecasts for 11 regions in Pennsylvania.

Our first Guest WeatherBrain attended Penn State for undergraduate and graduate studies.  He’s a full time meteorologist for American Electric Power based in Columbus, Ohio.  Ed Kieser, welcome!

Our next WeatherBrain is a distinguished Professor of Meteorology at Penn State, specializing in severe storms research.  He is Associate Department Head at Penn State, and oversees the Master’s and PhD programs.  Paul Markowski, welcome!

Next WeatherBrain appearing earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Meteorology from Penn State in 2007 and is the morning meteorologist for KOMO-TV in Seattle.  Kristin Clark, thanks for joining us tonight.

Our next WeatherBrain graduated from PSU in 2011 and previously worked as weekend meteorologist for WABI-TV in Bangor Maine and also worked at WANE-TV in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  He is currently Executive Producer of Weather World.  Rob Lydick, thanks for joining us.

Last but certainly not least, Guest WeatherBrain Jacob is the weekend meteorologist at KFYR-TV in Bismarck, North Dakota.  He graduated from Penn State in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Meteorology and Atmospheric Science.  Jacob Morse, thanks for coming on tonight!

Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com.

• Background on the Penn State Campus Weather Service (05:30)
• Influence of AccuWeather (43:00)
• Notable events covered by Penn Staters (01:16:00)
• Future of weather communications (01:24:00)
• The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (No segment this week)
• This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:31:30)
• National Weather Round-Up (No segment this week)
• E-Mail Segment (01:33:40)
• and more!

Web Sites from Episode 887:

PSU Campus Weather Service

Kristin Clark Twitter

Rob Lydick Twitter

Picks of the Week:

Paul Markowski – Reinvigorating and Modernizing Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology Education, Teaching, Science, and Research – AMS 2023

Kristin Clark – SondeHub Tracker

Jacob Morse – The Children’s Blizzard – January 12, 1888

Ed Kieser – Record high temperature of 65 in Columbus, OH

Rob Lydick – Keystone Mesonet

James Aydelott – Oklahoma defeats Penn State in 1986 Orange Bowl

Jen Narramore – Thomas Grazulis Tweet on SIGTOR

Jen Narramore – Thomas Grazulis Tweet on SIGTOR #2

Rick Smith – Out

Neil Jacobs – Out

Troy Kimmel – Giant “Luecke” Signature

Kim Klockow-McClain – Out

Bill Murray – Foghorn

James Spann – Powerful laser can redirect lightning strikes

The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore, Dr. Neil Jacobs, and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.