WeatherBrains Episode 1084 is now online (October 26th, 2026). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE podcast for you!

This week’s WeatherBrains episode is all about Flood Inundation Mapping and how it is changing hydrology and decision support within the National Weather Service.

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

• Spring Forward, Fall Back! (00:30)
• FIM (Flood Inundation Mapping) (06:00)
• Molly Cornelissen’s early years in meteorology! (08:00)
• Jeff Dobur’s early years and his career path into hydrology (11:00)
• When did FIM get started?  (12:30)
• What does a River Forecast Center look like and what does it do?  (15:30)
• Major FIM and National Water Model (NWM) successes in 2026 (29:00)
• Remedies for creeks that were not previously gauged, modeled, or forecasted (47:00)
• How many FIMs exist and where do you obtain training to use it? (52:30)
• FIM KML Tool (01:00:30)
• Probabilistic Flood Inundation Mapping (01:13:00)
• Largest hurdles to improving FIM development (01:15:00)
• The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (No segment this week)
• This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:20:00)
• E-Mail Segment (01:21:30)
• Sneak peak at future WeatherBrains episodes! (01:28:30)
• and more!

Web Sites from Episode 1084:  

NOAA National Water Prediction Service

Alabama Weather Network

Picks of the Week:

Jeff Dobur – Categorical Flood Inundation Mapping (CatFIM) Locations

Molly Cornelissen – USGS FIM Program

James Aydelott – Effingham High School Red Regiment BOA 10/24/26

Jen Narramore – Haynado video!

Rick Smith – Out

Troy Kimmel – WeTransfer

Kim Klockow-McClain – Making Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) Work for Multiple Users: Improving the Design of FIM for Decision Support

Bill Murray – Out

John Gordon – Mark J. Rebilas on X: Four favorites from today’s chase to SE Arizona for supercell storms with a 5% chance of tornadoes

James Spann – James Spann on X: Good morning to everyone except this guy!

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.