Off the Radar

Latest Episodes:

Jim Cantore: Weathering Life Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

For nearly four decades, Jim Cantore has been America's most trusted voice in extreme weather. But in this deeply personal conversation, Emily sits down with the meteorological icon to explore the man behind the legend.

Jim opens up about his New England childhood and the path that led him to The Weather Channel's early days, when cable television was still finding its footing. He shares candid stories from those formative years that shaped both his career and his character.

The conversation takes a heartfelt turn as Jim discusses the personal storms that tested him more than any hurricane ever could—his family's health battles and the challenge of being a father while spending countless days on the road chasing weather across the country. With remarkable honesty, he reveals how these experiences changed his perspective on what truly matters.

Jim and Emily also dive into the future of hurricane coverage in an evolving media landscape, and he addresses head-on the swirling rumors of retirement.

This episode captures Jim at his most genuine—vulnerable about his struggles, proud of his journey, and refreshingly human. Expect laughter, heartache, and revelations that show why this broadcasting legend has remained so beloved by colleagues and viewers alike.

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Meteorologist On Set Aug 05, 2025

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When the cameras start rolling, there’s one person film and TV productions can’t do without — the meteorologist. This week on Off the Radar, host Emily Gracey is joined by The National Weather Desk’s summer intern Ben Tomfohrde to talk with Brett Zweiback, the on-set weather expert trusted to keep high-budget shoots safe when the weather turns.

From hit TV shows like Stranger Things and The Walking Dead to blockbuster films like Jurassic World, Brett’s job is to make sure thunderstorms, lightning, or high winds don’t bring million-dollar days to a halt. He also shares how his skills extend beyond entertainment, as a forensic meteorologist working on legal cases and insurance investigations through his company, Spot On Weather.

It’s a fascinating look at the high-stakes world of TV and film production, weather safety, and the unexpected places a career in meteorology can take you.

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NOAA Weather Radio: Old Tech, New Relevance Jul 29, 2025

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When Hurricane Helene knocked out cell towers for weeks and Texas floods left communities without power or internet, one piece of technology kept working: NOAA Weather Radio. In this essential emergency preparedness episode, we explore why this 50-year-old analog technology is more critical than ever in our digital age.

The episode opens with a powerful story from Dr. Neil Jacobs, incoming NOAA Administrator, about how a weather radio saved his life during a 1996 tornado. But this isn't just about nostalgia – it's about survival when modern technology fails.

Host Emily Gracey sits down with Bruce Jones from Midland Weather Radios to discuss the fascinating history of weather radio, practical setup and usage tips, and address swirling rumors about the future of the NOAA weather radio network. You'll learn why backup communication systems are essential, how weather radios work when cell service fails, and why every emergency kit needs this reliable technology.

Whether you're a prepper, weather enthusiast, or just want to keep your family safe, this episode reveals why the humble weather radio deserves a spot alongside your smartphone in your emergency preparedness arsenal.

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After the Flood: Finding Hope in the Aftermath Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

On July 4th, 2024, flash flooding in the Texas Hill Country claimed multiple lives, including children, leaving a nation searching for answers. In this essential episode, host Emily Gracey talks with Dr. Kim Klockow McClain - NOAA meteorologist, social scientist, and mother - about how we move forward from tragedy.

Dr. McClain explains why flash flood warnings are more complex than they appear, addresses the conspiracy theories that emerge after disasters, and offers hope for better science, communication, and community healing. This conversation focuses on learning from loss and building resilience in an era of extreme weather.

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Shark Myths vs. Reality: What You Need to Know This Beach Season Jul 15, 2025

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For a lot of people, summertime means beach season. But depending on where you live, you may have seen an increase in reported shark encounters over the past few years. In this episode, we're going off the radar with Greg Metzger, the Chief Field Coordinator for the shark work conducted through the South Fork Natural History Museum on Long Island. We'll be discussing how our changing climate is causing an increase in shark/human interactions, debunking myths about sharks, and telling us how beachgoers can stay safe this summer. Guest hosted by Brian Pietrus!

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Gettysburg's Weather Secrets: Why Every Observation Matters Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

This week, Emily is going off the radar back to 1863! She'll be talking to Dr. Jon Nese, an Associate Head of Penn State University's Program in Meteorology and Atmospheric Science. Dr. Nese isn't just a meteorologist; he's also studied and written about how weather influenced the American Civil War! We'll explore how different weather elements affected everything about the Gettysburg campaign, discover the surprising place where Dr. Nese found the meteorological evidence that brings this story to life, and discuss why his deep dive into 160-year-old weather records serves as a powerful reminder of just how critical reliable weather observation is in our modern world.

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From the Vault: Cruise Forecasting Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Craig Setzer has a unique job - he's Royal Caribbean's Chief Meteorologist. In this episode that originally aired in 2024, Craig shares what it's like predicting storms, waves, and wind along constantly moving cruise routes. Craig offers a behind-the-scenes look at how he works with ship captains to keep passengers and crew safe and comfortable.

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Hugo: The Most Violent Flight in Hurricane History Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

In September 1989, NOAA hurricane hunters became the first to encounter Hurricane Hugo—and nearly became its first victims. Flying at 1,500 feet, they hit G-Forces in the Category 5 storm's eyewall, losing control of the aircraft nearly plunging it into the ocean.

The flight was so violent that some crew members never flew into another hurricane. Today we'll hear from Dr. Jeff Masters, the meteorologist who was on board that historic flight, then explore the science of measuring turbulence with Dr. Josh Wadler from Embry-Riddle, who has developed a metric to quantify how rough these flights get—and confirms this remains the most violent hurricane hunter flight on record.

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Top 10 Storm Surges in American History with Hurricane Hal Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

A storm surge causes coastal flooding, widespread devastation, and death. When a hurricane hits, the winds can blow away homes; but historically, a storm surge has been the deadliest part of a hurricane in the US. It can sweep houses right off their foundations and lead to a greater loss of life than hurricane winds alone. To better understand this phenomenon - and to grasp just how devastating and deadly it can be - we're going off the radar with Dr. “Hurricane Hal” Needham to discuss the biggest storm surges in American history.

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The Weather Officer: A Father's Day Story Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

June 15th is Father's Day, and this week we're going off the radar with author Kelly V. Porter. She's honoring her late father, Alonzo Smith Jr., who was one of the first Black American meteorologists in history and the subject of Kelly's book, The Weather Officer. Join Kelly and Emily for an emotional and eye-opening historical perspective on the history of meteorology and race in America as we pay tribute to this barrier-breaking dad.

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