Archive for May, 2009

WeatherBrains 175: America’s Weather

WeatherBrains Episode 175 is now online (May 31, 2009). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE netcast audio program for you!

wb053109.mp3

Our very special guest this week is Jack Williams. If you’ve ever read USA Today you’ve probably seen his name. And Jack has just published a new book on America’s weather called The AMS Weather Book, The Ultimate Guide to America’s Weather. Jack worked since 1982 with USA Today after several different jobs in the newspaper industry. Jack brings a really unique perspective to weather and education.

Other discussions in this weekly podcast include topics like:

  • Relatively quiet across the fruited plain
  • Frost advisories in the Northeast US
  • Alaska continues warming
  • Only 1.4 percent snow cover in lower 48
  • Mt. Washington wind 70 with hail
  • and more!

    • Our mail bag gets opened by the Email Officer, Kevin. Keep that mail coming.

    From The Weather Center:

    WeatherBrains 101: Hurricanes have a tremendous structure with some unusual names. So this week we look at moats and stadiums, all of which occur in hurricanes.

    TWIWH: Bill Murray looks back at the week of June 2nd. D-Day goes down in history as one of the biggest events ever, but did you know that weather played a key role along with forecasts? Bill has the all the details.

    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 175:

    The AMS Weather Book, The Ultimate Guide to America’s Weather

    Jack Williams’ Web Site

    AMS Weather Book

    Picks of the Week:

    Kevin Selle – Terry Heaton’s PoMo Blog

    Brian Peters – National Hurricane Center

    James Spann – Third International Conference on Climate Change

    JB Elliott – No Pick but has an excellent excuse – still gets the horn!!!

    Bill Murray – AMS Online Journal

    Join James Spann, JB Elliott, Kevin Selle, Bill Murray, and Brian Peters as they come together for another fascinating netcast about 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 drop us an email at email at (at symbol) weatherbrains dot com.

    May 31, 2009 | 0 comments View Post

    WeatherBrains 174: May 27 Tornadoes

    WeatherBrains Episode 174 is now online (May 27, 2009). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE netcast audio program for you!

    wb052709.mp3

    May 27th is a big day in tornadoes that many of the Weather Brains crew has had experience with.

    Weather Brains gang member Brian Peters talks about his experiences as part of the survey team looking at the after effects of the Jarrell, TX, tornado. Brian was asked to handle the aerial survey of the Jarrell Tornado which destroyed the western portion of Jarrell killing 27 people. A couple of interesting facts about the tornado was it’s slow movement – about 7 miles an hour – and it moved from northeast to southwest.

    JB Elliott talks about another May 27, 1973, tornado in Brent, AL, that wiped out the NWS radar, a WSR-57, that served as the main warning radar for Central Alabama. Five people were killed in Brent, AL. James Spann was also involved with this one as a ham radio communicator coming to help with getting word in and out of the disaster area. John Brasher, a photographer with the Centreville Times at that time, also gives his personal account of riding out the tornado in the NWS WSMO where the radar was located.

    Our mail bag continues to get notes from all over, so Kevin digs into the bag.

    From The Weather Center:

    WeatherBrains 101: Hurricanes have eyes. So our meteorological optician takes a look at this phenomena that gets a lot of attention including something called eye wall replacement cycle.

    TWIWH: Bill Murray looks back at the week of May 26th which includes one of the biggest natural disasters in the history of this country.

    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 174:

    Brent Tornado Information

    Picks of the Week:

    Brian Peters – Jarrell, Texas, Tornado Images from SPC with additional links

    James Spann – he stole the link from Mr. Peters

    JB Elliott – JB likes the John Brasher site above

    Dr. Tim Coleman – no pick – gets the horn

    Kevin Selle – All Things Digital

    Bill Murray – Jack Williams AMS Weather Book

    Join James Spann, JB Elliott, Kevin Selle, Dr. Tim Coleman, and Brian Peters as they come together for another fascinating netcast about 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 drop us an email at email at (at symbol) weatherbrains dot com.

    May 27, 2009 | 0 comments View Post
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