WeatherBrains 623: In My Older Age I’ve Been Off
WeatherBrains Episode 623 is now online (December 26, 2017). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE netcast audio program for you!
Our guest WeatherBrain for this episode is Dr. Pam Heinselmann. Dr. Heinselman’s primary research objective is to determine how to best capitalize on phased array radar capabilities to address 21st century forecast and warning needs including the NOAA Weather and Water strategic mission goal to increase lead time and accuracy for weather and water warnings and forecasts. She is accomplishing this objective through a combination of innovative scanning strategy design, leadership of data collection and analysis activities, active involvement with end users, and graduate student mentorship. Working with radar data has been Dr. Heinselman’s passion, as indicated by her earlier teamwork that was recognized by a NOAA Bronze Medal in 1998 and Silver Medal in 1999 for improvements to NEXRAD algorithms.
In July, 2009, Dr. Heinselman was selected for the 2008 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The PECASE Award is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government upon outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their careers. This award recognizes her research and leadership accomplishments in using phased array radar for observing hazardous weather. Subsequently, in October, 2009, her Heinselman et al. 2008 paper entitled, “Rapid Sampling of Severe Storms by the National Weather Radar Testbed Phased Array Radar” was chosen for the OAR Outstanding Paper of the Year Award. In 2010, her publication also won the Professor Dr. Vilho Vaisala Award.
Dr. Heinselman is a Ph.D. graduate of the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology (2004) and an M.S. and B.S. graduate (1994 and 1992, respectively) of the St. Louis University Department of Earth and Atmospheric Science. She is orginally from Westminster, MD.
Other discussions in this weekly podcast include topics like:
- Extremes:
- Episode pre-recorded so not much weather info
- Mild for some
- Cold for some
- Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice
- and more!
Our email bag officer was out for this episode.
From The Weather Center:
WeatherBrains 101: WeatherBrains 101 is off for the holidays, but it will return after the first of 2018. Merry Christmas!
Listener 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 623:
FACETS in the National Weather Service
Picks of the Week:
Pam Heinselmann – Warn on Forecast webinar
Kim Klockow-McClain – Publicly Sharing Weather Information
Bill Murray – True/False Film Fest
Brian Peters – WFO Fort Worth write-up of 1929 snowstorm
Kevin Selle – No pick means fog horn!
James Spann – Arctic Oscillation and Polar Vortex Analysis & Forecasts
The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Bill Murray, Aubrey Urbanowicz, Rick Smith, Nate Johnson, Kevin Selle, and Brian Peters. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating netcast about weather.
Maureen McCann knew she wanted to be a broadcast meteorologist since the age of 4, when Hurricane Gloria blew through her New England hometown. So, it’s fitting that Maureen has landed in Central Florida, since it was a hurricane that sparked her interest in weather in the first place. A native of Massachusetts, Maureen joined News 13 from KMGH in Denver. Beyond her work in-studio, she was often reporting live in blizzards and severe weather. In 2011, her storm chase adventures transformed into a 30-minute special, “Tracking Twisters,” which was honored with an Emmy Award and a Colorado Broadcasters Association award.
