WeatherBrains Episode 1071 is now online (July 27th, 2026). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE podcast for you!
This week’s WeatherBrains episode is all about the 1976 Big Thompson Flash Flood.
Joining us tonight as Guest WeatherBrain is meteorologist Matt Kelsch. He earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Oklahoma and has written numerous papers on mountain meteorology and hydrology. Retiring in 2022, he’s an avid outdoorsmen, biker and gardener. It’s great to see you tonight, Matt!
Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com.
- WSR 88-D NEXRAD (10:45)
- World Meteorological Organization: What They Do (13:00)
- What tools were available for the NWS in 1976? (15:00)
- Significant 2013 Colorado flood (21:30)
- Photos of 1976 Big Thompson Flash Flood damage (27:00)
- July 28th, 1997 Spring Creek Flood at Fort Collins, CO (32:00)
- Proven success of converting creeks to floodways in 2013 (35:30)
- Devastating 1889 Johnstown, PA flood (37:30)
- Meteorological setup of Fort Collins 1997 Spring Creek flood (43:30)
- 2013 Colorado Flood (Great Erosional Flood) meteorological setup (48:30)
- Social science perspective on Call-To-Action for general public during floods (59:30)
- 500 Year Flood vs 1000 Year Flood (01:01:30)
- Profound lack of snowfall in Colorado during winter of 2025-2026 (01:10:00)
- Tips for meteorologists to better forecast and anticipate major flash flooding in present day (01:12:00)
- What is the definition of a flash flood? (01:14:00)
- Flash Flood Watch/Warning protocol in 1976 (01:16:00)
- The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (No segment this week)
- This Week in Tornado History With Jen (No segment this week)
- E-Mail Segment (01:31:30)
- Sneak peak at future WeatherBrains episodes! (01:27:00)
- and more!
Web Sites from Episode 1071:
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Picks of the Week:
Matt Kelsch – Real-time Air Quality Monitoring by PurpleAir
James Aydelott – River Photo
James Aydelott – Photo of sculpture by Bradley T. Mullnix
Jen Narramore – Rare waterspout near Montreal, Canada on July 23rd, 2008
Rick Smith – Out
Troy Kimmel – Out
Kim Klockow-McClain – Out
John Gordon – Matt Kelsch paper “Flash Flood Cases, Summary of Characteristics”
John Gordon – Bob Maddox paper “Synoptic and Meso-a Scale Aspects of Flash Flood Events”
Bill Murray – Out
James Spann – 40 Years Later, Jim Cantore on Mount Rushmore of TV Weather
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.
