WeatherBrains 998: Bangers and Mash

WeatherBrains Episode 998 is now online (March 3rd, 2025). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE podcast for you!

Tonight’s Guest WeatherBrain is a retired meteorologist with thirty-five years of experience at the NWS.  That includes twenty-six years as a SOO, and he’s been a leader with forecaster training, mesoscale analysis and radar interpretation, which helps NWS offices improve proving warning decision-making and lead times for severe weather hazards.  Pete Wolf, welcome to WeatherBrains!

NWS Jacksonville on X: "Today we celebrated the 35+ years ...

Also, Bruce Jones joins us to discuss the importance of NOAA Weather Radio and its integration in order to save lives.  Welcome back, Bruce!

NWS Jacksonville on X: "Today we celebrated the 35+ years ...

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

  • Critical Fire Danger for several areas around the country (05:15)
  • Petersburg, VA F4 tornado/outbreak on August 6th, 1993 (9:45)
  • Key changes seen with Doppler radar/Warning systems since the early 1990s (13:45)
  • WoFS (Warn on Forecast System) (15:25)
  • Appreciating the important tools of hodographs and soundings (18:00)
  • SW Oklahoma sounding analysis (Live on 03/03/25) (21:15)
  • Reconciling SRH in QLCS situations (28:00)
  • Tools needed to downscale warnings (43:15)
  • No relation between VIL (Vertically Integrated Liquid) and tornado formation (56:15)
  • Least-understood radar signatures by meteorologists (01:09:00)
  • Improving efficiency of operations in the NWS (01:13:30)
  • AI-generated weather broadcasters and battling automation (01:20:00)
  • NOAA banned from having its own app (01:29:00)
  • The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (No segment this week)
  • This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:35:22)
  • E-Mail Segment (01:37:00)
  • National Weather Round-Up
  • and more!

Web Sites from Episode 998:

Midland Weather Radio

My Monster Storms/Pete Wolf on X

Monster Storms Main Page

Picks of the Week:

Bruce Jones – “But Wait … There’s More!: Tighten Your Abs, Make Millions, and Learn How the $100 Billion Infomercial Industry Sold Us Everything But the Kitchen Sink”

James Aydelott – Forecast Sounding From SWOK

Jen Narramore – NWS Louisville on X: Final Forecast Discussion from Meteorologist in Charge John Gordon

Rick Smith – Out

Troy Kimmel – Roswell, NW extreme winds

Kim Klockow-McClain – SPC Severe Thunderstorm Forecasting Video Lecture Series

Bill Murray – Foghorn

James Spann – Director of NWS Louisville retires after nearly four decades

The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.

Mar 04, 2025 | 0 comments View Post

WeatherBrains 997: Merry Go Round of Craziness

WeatherBrains Episode 997 is now online (February 24th, 2025). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE podcast for you!

Tonight’s Guest WeatherBrain is a retired Lead Forecaster for the Storm Prediction Center with nearly four decades of Federal service, specializing in severe convective storms and tornado forecasting.  He’s a passionate storm chaser, researcher, and an advocate for weather safety.  He co-founded the Electronic Journal of Severe Storms Meteorology and remains an influencial voice in meteorology.  Roger Edwards, it is great to see you!

Also, Bruce Jones joins us to discuss the importance of NOAA Weather Radio and its integration in order to save lives.  Welcome back, Bruce!

NWS Jacksonville on X: "Today we celebrated the 35+ years ...

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

  • Roger’s arrival at OU and opening horizons in meteorology (20:30)
  • Connections between operations, research, and visual conceptualization (34:00)
  • Importance of critical thinking in the science (35:00)
  • Importance of growing, building, and passing on knowledge gained in the field of meteorology (40:30)
  • Witnessing rapid progress of technology and applying that to visuals in the field (41:50)
  • Trade-offs between improving technology and what it can show us and lead to development of theory (49:00)
  • May 4, 2003 High Risk (01:01:00)
  • Mesonets and scan strategies (01:05:00)
  • Storm chaser responsibilities (01:12:00)
  • Reduced funding and its impact on severe weather forecasting and research (01:17:00)
  • Loss of institutional knowledge and looking forward (01:23:00)
  • Memorable shifts at SPC (01:36:00)
  • The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:38:19)
  • This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:40:15)
  • E-Mail Segment
  • National Weather Round-Up
  • and more!

Web Sites from Episode 997:

Midland Weather Radio

Roger Edwards on X

Picks of the Week:

Roger Edwards – Al Moller – “The Zen of Weather Forecasting”

James Aydelott – Pro tip: Gravity is a cruel hunter When there is a bare, wind-swept spot with no snow, it might be polished ice.

Jen Narramore – Out

Rick Smith – Jamposium 2025

Troy Kimmel – Experimental Beach Forecast Webpage

Kim Klockow-McClain – Federal agencies can ignore “What did you do last week?” email, Trump administration says

Bill Murray – Foghorn

James Spann – Planetary Defense

The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.

Feb 25, 2025 | 0 comments View Post
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