Archive for January, 2008

WeatherBrains 103: A Guest from NC

WeatherBrains Episode 103 is now online (January 14, 2008). This is THE netcast audio program for people who love everything weather.

Terri BennettTerri Bennett is our special guest this week. Terri has worked in the Charlotte, NC, media market for much of the last 17 years but recently found herself without a job when her former station did not renew her contract. Faced with no job but also happy in Charlotte, she has embarked on an effort to present the weather via the Web. Hear about Terri’s efforts as well as her thoughts on global warming and some of the forecast challenges in North Carolina.

Schools and Severe Weather: The recent severe weather event in the Southeast resulted in schools dismissing early once again. James Spann and Brian Peters have some strong opinions on this action, so it is one of the rant topics of the show.

Plus, JB Elliott has more chilling weather facts with much of the northern hemisphere in some bone chilling weather.

And the mailbag has been positively brimming with notes from listeners, so Kevin Selle recaps some of those emails.

From The Weather Center:

  • WeatherBrains 101: There’s a lot of ways to describe how we feel, and sometimes the combination of wind and temperature can have a big impact. This week the distinguished professor takes on wind chill.
  • This Week In Weather History: As you might imagine, the week of January 15th through 21st would feature something cold, but could it also feature the nearly unthinkable? Mr. Bill Murray takes a look at some of the big cold events that affected this week.

Listener SurveyListener Surveys: Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to fill out the Listener Survey. It just takes a minute or two, and we love to hear from you. The best parts are learning where you are from and hearing your thoughts and comments on the show. Click here to take the survey

Web sites from Episode 103:

Authors of the Storm: Meteorologists and the Culture of Prediction

Terri Bennett

Lightning: Going up to down?

Join your host, James Spann, from ABC 3340 in Birmingham along with J. B. Elliott, Kevin Selle, and Brian Peters for this look at the field of weather in the latest episode of WeatherBrains.

We love to hear from you! To leave a recorded message, call 1-888-247-8627. Some calls may be used in future episodes. Also, feel free to post comments to the site and send us an email at question@weatherbrains.com.

WeatherBrains 102: Getting to the Guts of It

WeatherBrains Episode 102 is now online (January 7, 2008). This is THE netcast audio program for people who love everything weather.

Special Guest: Vince Condella Vince is chief meteorologist at WITI-TV, Fox 6, in Milwaukee, where he has worked for 25 years. And they’ve just had a spectacular severe weather episode in January. Vince talks about their coverage and fields some questions about what might have happened if the weather had occurred during the big game. WITI has a relatively small viewing area within about 50 miles of their location, and Vince talks about the tornado season for Milwaukee along with their equipment. And Kevin poses the question of what is the biggest forecast challenge in Milwaukee.

Forecasting the Weather: Meteorologists use all sorts of modern equipment to forecast the weather, but there are still many folks who have some old ways to do it – hear about using pig guts to prognosticate.

Book Suggestions: JB and Kevin suggest a couple of books that have a slant toward weather interests. Plus the mailbag and other round table items from the Weather Brains gang.

From The Weather Center:

  • WeatherBrains 101: Professor Peters is crystal clear on this topic – hoar frost – those fine crystals you sometimes see on your car on cold mornings.
  • This Week In Weather History: January 8th through 15th featured a big snow storm that blocked rail routes. Bill Murray looks at some of the big snow events that affected this week.

Listener Survey
Listener Surveys: Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to fill out the Listener Survey. It just takes a minute or two, and we love to hear from you. The best parts are learning where you are from and hearing your thoughts and comments on the show. Click here to take the survey

Web sites from Episode 102:

WITI-TV Weather

Vince Condella’s video bio

Ames, IA, Tornado Outbreak

The Guts of the Story

Join your host, James Spann, along with Brian Peters, J. B. Elliott, Kevin Selle, and our special guest, Vince Condella, for this look at the field of weather in the latest episode of WeatherBrains.

We love to hear from you! To leave a recorded message, call 1-888-247-8627. Some calls may be used in future episodes. Also, feel free to post comments to the site and send us an email at question@weatherbrains.com.