Archive for December 26th, 2023

WeatherBrains 936: The Candy Was In The Difax Machine

WeatherBrains Episode 936 is now online (December 25th, 2023). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE podcast for you!

Tonight’s show features a very special guest.  He’s been a beacon of knowledge and insight in the weather enterprise for decades.   His passion for meteorology has inspired countless people to pursue careers in the weather field.  He’s a household name and a trusted voice who recently announce his retirement.  He’s retiring after a 45 year career at WGN-TV in Chicago. Tom Skilling, welcome!

Tom Skilling | Chicago | WGN TV

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

  • AI and meteorology (20:30)
  • Impacts of high latitude blocking on weather (41:00)
  • Teaching patterns and storylines with the public/growing literacy in broadcast meteorology (42:00)
  • Dealing with social media communications during active weather (47:30)
  •  The importance of valuing viewers in broadcast meteorology (01:15:30)
  • Historically challenging weather events to forecast (01:21:00)
  • Filtering out and discerning misinformation online as a forecaster (01:27:00)
  • Future of broadcast meteorology (01:34:30)
  • The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:42:03)
  • This Week in Tornado History With Jen (No segment this week)
  • National Weather Round-Up
  • E-Mail Segment (01:45:40)
  • and more!

Web Sites from Episode 936:

Greg Carbin on Facebook

45th Anniversary of Tom Skilling’s first day on WGN-TV

Picks of the Week:

James Aydelott – Kitten experiencing snow for first time, from Buitengebieden on X

Jen Narramore – Eight Minutes in August: The F5 Plainfield Tornado of 1990

Rick Smith – Out

Neil Jacobs – The Man Who Fell From Space

Troy Kimmel – Foghorn

Kim Klockow-McClain – High Rise Twice the Size of Devon Tower Could Make Its Way To OKC

Bill Murray – Foghorn

James Spann – Op Product Viewer

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.