Archive for April, 2024

WeatherBrains 950: Fifty Years Ago…

WeatherBrains Episode 950 is now online (April 1st, 2024). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE podcast for you!

Tonight on WeatherBrains we tell the story of a generational tornado outbreak that happened 50 years ago.   We look back at the Super Outbreak of April 3rd, 1974.

Our first Guest WeatherBrains for tonight’s episode has a great deal of experience in public service, having worked in libraries for twenty years.  Her current position is Executive Director for the Greene County Historical Society in Xenia, Ohio, a position she’s held since January of 2008.  She served as a society board member for three years and she stepped into the position when the former Director retired from the position.  Catherine Wilson, welcome!

Our second Guest WeatherBrain is the Mayor of Guin, Alabama.  He’s served over thirty-five years of appointed and elected roles in his hometown and is now serving as Mayor.  Beginning with the Park and Recreation Board for twenty years, he then served on the City Council and was then elected Mayor of the City in 2004.  During his tenure, he created the first strategic plan for the city and led projects to revitalize downtown.  Mayor Phil Segraves, it’s an honor to have you on with us tonight.

HdL Companies names Phil Segraves business development manager in Birmingham - Birmingham Business Journal

Bruce Jones of Midland Weather Radio also is back to discuss the importance of NOAA Weather Radio and its timely warnings and information.

****Also you can now get 25% off a NOAA Weather Radio at MidlandUSA.com by using PROMO CODE SPANN25****

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

  • April 1st, 1974 precursor outbreak (09:05)
  • Xenia, Ohio tornado (12:00)
  • Audio clip from Episode 114 featuring J. B. Elliott discussing Guin tornado (16:55)
  • Looking back at Guin tornado from the perspective of Mayor Segraves (18:00)
  • Heroes during the Super Outbreak (23:00)
  • Changes in Xenia in the years after 1974 (36:00)
  • Guin tornado survivor interview clip (46:50)
  • Importance of remembering and reflecting on events like 1974 (49:15)
  • Wisdom and lessons learned from 1974 (01:05:45)
  • Role of 1974 in the future development of weather radio (01:10:35)
  • 50th Anniversary planned events (01:16:15)
  • The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (No segment this week)
  • This Week in Tornado History With Jen (No segment this week)
  • E-Mail Segment (No segment this week)
  • and more!

Web Sites from Episode 950:  

AMS Weather Band

Midland Radio

Picks of the Week:

Bruce Jones – Remembering the Stories of ’74: The Hoosier Experience of the 1974 Tornado Super Outbreak

James Aydelott – Out

Jen Narramore – Guin, AL F5 Tornado April 3, 1974 – Tornado Talk

Rick Smith – Out

Neil Jacobs – Out

Troy Kimmel – ANA 787 gets struck by lightning climbing out of Seattle airport

Kim Klockow-McClain – Out

Bill Murray – LYK Radio – April 3rd, 1974 disaster

James Spann – 2024 Eclipse Forecasts

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.