WeatherBrains Episode 1059 is now online (May 4th, 2026). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE podcast for you!
Guest WeatherBrain Jan Null joins us tonight on WeatherBrains. Armed with over 50 years experience as a meteorologist, he earned his Bachelor of Science from UC-Davis and his Master’s Degree from San Jose State University. He’s been an adjunct professor at San Francisco State University since 1987. Jan, welcome!
University of South Alabama student Jackson Quinn also joins us tonight as Guest Panelist. He serves as the 2026 AMS Student Chapter President. We will be discussing heat risks for FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities, as well as other pressing topics in the world of weather. It’s great to have you on tonight, Jackson!
Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com.
- Greensburg, KS EF5 anniversary (01:00)
- Jan Null’s meteorology background (09:45)
- What is CWSU (Center Weather Service Unit Information)? (12:00)
- Biggest event Jan worked on the West Coast (15:30)
- SeCAPS South Alabama student-run symposium (22:00)
- 3 broad categories of heat-related deaths of children in vehicles (31:30)
- Heat-related data concerning people living in extended power outages (43:00)
- Jackson’s project at SeCAPS (49:30)
- Compare/contract outcomes with other World Cups and similar events at locations with similar climatology (01:00:00)
- Development of vehicle seat sensors (01:06:00)
- NCAA college football games and their heat rules (01:09:00)
- Deeper dive into pediatric vehicular heat stroke (01:12:30)
- Summer of 1980 heatwave (01:14:00)
- The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:21:30)
- This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:23:15)
- E-Mail Segment (01:25:30)
- and more!
Web Sites from Episode 1059:
Picks of the Week:
Jan Null – National Meteorologists Day
Jackson Quinn – SeCAPS Home Page University of South Alabama Meteorology
James Aydelott – “The Formation and Early Evolution of the Greensburg, Kansas, Tornadic Supercell on 4 May 2007” by Howard B. Bluestein
Jen Narramore – Bill Randby breaks down weather phenomenon that was caught on video during Creighton Prep soccer
Rick Smith – Everything Hikers Know About Lightning Safety is Wrong
Troy Kimmel – Golden Gate Weather Services
Kim Klockow-McClain – Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change data
John Gordon – WeatherNation on X: Rare “Ash Devil” spotted in Phelan, CA
Bill Murray – Out
James Spann – New Texas Hailstone Record Confirmed by NOAA and Partners
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.
