WeatherBrains Episode 1061 is now online (May 18th, 2026). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE podcast for you!
This week’s WeatherBrains podcast is ALL about space weather. Our very own Tony Rice will quarterback tonight’s episode. The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center’s Science and Operations Officer Rob Steenburgh will join us as Guest WeatherBrain, as well as Shawn Dahl. Shawn is the Head of Decision Support Services at the Space Weather Prediction Center. Rob and Shawn, thanks for joining us tonight!
Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com.
- Day to day operations at the SWPC (07:00)
- What does an operational Forecaster do at SWPC hour by hour? (09:00)
- Protocol of geomagnetic storm event: From detection to arrival (12:30)
- Various difficulties of forecasting space weather (19:00)
- Challenges of communicating early warnings and providing customized information (31:00)
- Artemis II/NASA deep dive (37:00)
- SWPC coordination/partnership with other countries (46:00)
- Struggles with estimating intensity of incoming geomagnetic storms (59:00)
- Terrestrial vs space weather forecasting (01:01:00)
- When is the best time to see the Milky Way? (01:11:00)
- Space weather chasers (01:19:00)
- The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:32:45)
- This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:34:15)
- E-Mail Segment
- and more!
Web Sites from Episode 1061:
Picks of the Week:
Shawn Dahl – Parker Solar Probe
Tony Rice – Space Jellyfish Predictor
James Aydelott – Video of tornado East of Ciudad de Mexico
Jen Narramore – Forecasting D-Day: The Science Behind History and the Story Behind PRESSURE
Rick Smith – Forecasters rely on phased array radar for tornado warning
Troy Kimmel – Doppler on Wheels (DOW) on X: May 17th Saint Libory, NE tornado
Kim Klockow-McClain – Mitigating Space Weather Risks in High-Risk Satellite Orbits
John Gordon – Aaron Jayjack on X: Wakeeney, KS I-70 video
Bill Murray – Out
James Spann – NWS Warning Alerts
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.
