WeatherBrains Episode 1038 is now online (December 8th, 2025). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE podcast for you!
On WeatherBrains this week, we’re diving deep into the Weather Prediction Center’s Winter Program – how they forecast snow and ice, the challenges of nailing accumulation totals, the coordination calls with NWS field offices, and what the future may hold for winter weather headlines.
Joining us are two of WC’s best: Peter Mullinax, a lead winter forecaster who produces national snow and ice guidance, Key Messages, and a wide range of surface, short-range, rainfall, and tropical products; and Dr. Owen Shieh, WPC’s Warning Coordination Meteorologist, providing national-level decision support for winter storms, flooding, and extreme temperatures. He returns after last week’s episode, bringing his deep background in emergency management, training, and operational meteorology from JTWC to the U.S. Navy Reserve.
Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com.
- How many people work at the Weather Prediction Center? (15:30)
- WPC Ops Program (15:45)
- WPC’s Excessive Rainfall Outlook (18:00)
- What is the Winter Storm Severity Index (WSSI)? (26:00)
- Why does the SPC do the Winter Weather mesoscale discussions? (40:00)
- Does WPC use MBM, and what is their future plan? (47:00)
- Probabilistic Precipitation Portal (49:15)
- AI and its assistance to WFOs in the future (01:08:00)
- Reducing common gaps between WFO and WPC messaging (01:13:30)
- Probabilistic Precipitation Portal good/bad (01:19:00)
- Job-seeking advice at the WPC (01:27:00)
- The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:30:30)
- This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:33:15)
- E-Mail Segment (01:34:15)
- and more!
Web Sites from Episode 1038:
Picks of the Week:
Owen Shieh – NWS Probabilistic Precipitation Portal
Owen Shieh – WPC URRD (Urban Rain Rate Dashboard)
James Aydelott – Creek turnpike bridge over the Arkansas River
Jen Narramore – National Weather Network
Rick Smith – Dan Robinson – Winter Driving Education YouTube Channel
Troy Kimmel – EverythingWeather App on Google Play
Kim Klockow-McClain – John Fausett Song: One Team
John Gordon – Godzilla atmospheric river in Pacific Northwest
Bill Murray – Out
James Spann – Nick Petelos on X: Kilauea video
The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore, John Gordon, and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.
