Archive for June, 2008

WeatherBrains 126: A Chicago Meteorologist Plus More

WeatherBrains Episode 126 is now online (June 23, 2008). The netcast audio program for people who really love weather.

Giner Zee An action packed Weather Brains episode! We start off with a very special guest, Ginger Zee from television station WMAQ, NBC5 out of Chicago. Ginger worked as an intern for James Spann several years ago, and she’s one of the most successful interns to come through his mentorship. A waterspout on Lake Michigan got her interested in weather at the age of 8 and she has worked at NBC5 since 2006 as the weekend meteorologist handling a double shift from 6 to 10 am and 5 to 10 pm.

Weather Brains again talks with Kory Hartman who brings the spotlight to a storm chase that ended up destroying the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in Iowa where four scouts died in a tornado on June 11th. Kory also ended up driving into the tornado as it was weakening. As a result of the events, Kory has started a fund to benefit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch. For information or to make a donation, go to www.severestudios.com/donate and help out.

And the mailbag is running over with questions for which we try to provide some form of semi-intelligent answer.

From The Weather Center:

WeatherBrains 101: The name comes from the Latin meaning branch or twig, but it’s something many of weather enthusiasts have seen. Virga is rain falling from the clouds but evaporating before reaching the ground. Weather Brains 101 takes a look at this often dramatic visual aspect of weather.

This Week in Weather History: Bill Murray recaps an intense June hurricane, Audrey.

Listener SurveyListener Surveys: Okay, we continue to drive this topic into the ground, but we really do like to hear from you. Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to fill out the Listener Survey. The survey takes just a minute or two to complete and provides us with an opportunity to learn where you are and hear your thoughts and comments on the show. Click here to take the survey.

Web Sites from Episode 126:

Ginger Zee biography

DesMoines Register story on Little Sioux Sout Ranch tornado

Omaha, NE, NWS Web Page

Join James Spann, JB Elliott, and Brian Peters for another fascinating netcast on the weather.

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.

Jun 24, 2008 | 1 comment View Post

WeatherBrains 125: The Topic is Flooding

WeatherBrains Episode 125 is now online (June 16, 2008). The netcast audio program for people who really love weather.

With major flooding going on across the Nation’s bread basket, we place a call to the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast office in Des Moines, Iowa. Lead forecaster Miles Schumacher takes a few minutes to discuss the overall weather situation with us plus give us the local perspective on the flooding. The 2008 floods have smashed records from the 1800s. And I mean smashed. The old records were around 20 feet but the crest in Cedar Rapids was around 32 feet – not quite double. And when those things happen, forecasters are really in new territory.

The Weather Brains crew of James Spann, JB Elliott, and Brian Peters discuss some of these event in weather. The experience of these guys brings a unique view of the field of meteorology. And where in the world do you suppose it could be 108 below in June?

Amateur radio has a big day coming up on June 28 and 29 called Field Day. Kevin Pauley, one of our listeners, reminds of the event and two of the Weather Brains crew are amateur radio operators. And we find out a small tidbit that James and Brian came to amateur radio in slightly different ways.

And the mailbag is running over with questions for which we try to provide some form of reasonably intelligent answer.

From The Weather Center:

WeatherBrains 101: How about convection? Thunderstorms and summer just go together, but did you know there are two kinds of convection? The illustrious, wi-fi borrowing professor delves into surface based and elevated convection.

Listener SurveyListener Surveys: Okay, we continue to drive this topic into the ground, but we really do like to hear from you. Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to fill out the Listener Survey. The survey takes just a minute or two to complete and provides us with an opportunity to learn where you are and hear your thoughts and comments on the show. Click here to take the survey.

Web Sites from Episode 125:

Des Moines NWS Forecast Office

Amateur radio field day PSA

Join James Spann, Brian Peters, and JB Elliott for another fascinating netcast on the weather.

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.

Jun 17, 2008 | 0 comments View Post
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