WeatherBrains Episode 1062 is now online (May 26th, 2026). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE podcast for you!

This week’s WeatherBrains episode is all about lightning.  

Joining us tonight will be Dr. Mary Ann Cooper, internationally recognized for her work in lightning injury prevention.  She’s an emergency physician, and has received awards from both the medical and the lightning communities.  She has a BS in biochemistry and completed her medical internship in Cincinnati.  We are also joined by John Jensenius, longtime NWS meteorologist and lightning safety specialist.  He’s been in the weather business for over four decades.  We will discuss lightning injuries, safety, myths, and how to better protect people during thunderstorms.  Thanks for joining us!

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

• Getting the media involved in lightning safety (24:30)
• Annual lighting fatalities and average trends (25:30)
• 30/30 lightning rule (34:00)
• “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors” (37:30)
• Lightning back to basics:  Voltage, temps, thunder, ect (39:30)
• What is a flashover?  (46:30)
• Lasting nervous system injuries after lightning strike (01:01:00)
• “The Deadly Dozen” (01:10:30)
• Lightning safety and cars:  What is fact and fiction? (01:15:00)
• ACLE (African Centres for Lightning Education Network) (01:23:00)
• The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (No segment this week)
• This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:28:45)
• Sneak peak at future WeatherBrains Episodes (01:31:00)
• E-Mail Segment 
• and more!

Web Sites from Episode 1062:  

African Centres for Lightning Education Network

National Lightning Safety Council

Alabama Weather Network

Books – Cope Disaster Champions

Picks of the Week:

John Jensenius – “The Clouds Outside My Window” by John Jensenius

James Aydelott – May 26-27, 1984 Tulsa Memorial Day Flood

Jen Narramore – Forecasters rely on phased array radar for tornado warning

Rick Smith – Out

Troy Kimmel – Out

Kim Klockow-McClain – Mexico tornado

John Gordon – Burns Israelsen on X: Pyrocumulus cloud

Bill Murray – Out

James Spann – James Spann on X: Houston/Henry County Alabama tornado

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.