Off the Radar

Latest Episodes:

Wave Watchers: The Science of Tsunami Detection Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever wondered how tsunamis are detected? We recently spoke with a survivor of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. This week we’re talking with Dr. Stuart Weinstein, Deputy Director of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. We’ll discuss the tsunami warning system, emergency evacuation, and why the 2004 tsunami was so deadly. We’ll also cover the possibility of a freshwater tsunami in the Great Lakes, and the science behind tsunami formation and detection.

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Off the Radar: Best of 2024 Dec 31, 2024

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Join meteorologists Emily Gracey and Andrew Buck Michael as they countdown Off the Radar's most memorable episodes from 2024. From flying into the eye of a Category 5 with hurricane hunters to exploring the real science behind Hollywood weather movies like "The Perfect Storm" and "Twister," this special episode revisits a year of extraordinary weather stories. Discover how cutting-edge wind modeling is revolutionizing baseball, and relive the show's most fascinating deep dives into meteorology and earth science. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to Off the Radar, this top 10 countdown showcases the unique perspectives and untold stories that made 2024 an unforgettable year in weather.

Listen to exclusive clips and behind-the-scenes insights as Emily and Andrew share their favorite moments where science, storytelling, and severe weather collide.

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The 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami: A Story of Survival Dec 17, 2024

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A massive 9.1 magnitude earthquake under the ocean. A series of tsunami waves moving almost 500 miles an hour. Nearly a quarter of a million people dead across 14 countries. Today we’re going off the radar to talk about one of the largest seismic events ever recorded: the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, also known as the Boxing Day Tsunami. My guest this week is marine biologist Dr. Dwayne Meadows. He was in coastal Thailand when the deadliest tsunami in history came crashing in, and he was almost a victim of its destructive power. Dwayne was swept out to sea by its powerful waves – and despite the odds, he survived. We’ll be discussing this harrowing event, how to vacation safely along coastal areas, and the impact a tsunami can have on a survivor’s mental health.

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Humanizing Hurricane Forecasting: A New Era in Hurricane Messaging Dec 10, 2024

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The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has come to an end. In this episode, Deputy Director Jamie Rhome reveals how the National Hurricane Center is transforming hurricane communication by shifting focus from technical storm tracking to human-centered hazard messaging. The conversation explores innovative communication strategies that prioritize saving lives, emphasizing the critical importance of making forecasts more accessible, actionable, and meaningful to communities in potential storm paths.

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Rivers in the Sky: Understanding Atmospheric Rivers Dec 03, 2024

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You may have heard the term “atmospheric river” in recent years – but what does it mean? Did you know that it’s literally akin to a river in the sky? Or that they carry water vapor content that’s comparable to twenty-five Mississippi Rivers? Today we’re going Off The Radar to discuss ARs with the scientist that put this weather phenomenon on the map. Dr. Marty Ralph is the Director of the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. We’ll be diving into the ways the West Coast gets their precipitation, how we rank them, and the impact they have on weather across the globe.

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Plymouth: A Colony Shaped by Climate Nov 26, 2024

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You probably think you’ve heard the story of the first Thanksgiving – but did you know that the weather was a major factor in both the Pilgrims leaving England, and landing at Plymouth Rock? Or that trees can tell us what the weather was actually like during the winter of the first Thanksgiving? This week we’re going Off the Radar with Paleo-Climatologist Dr. Curt Stager and Historian Rebecca Fraser to learn the real story of the first Thanksgiving in American history. Put away the leftover turkey and settle in for a history lesson over 400 years in the making!

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The International Space Station: From Liftoff to Reentry Nov 19, 2024

Show notes

November 20, 1998 marked the launch of the first module of the International Space Station. Over time, the ISS grew to be the size of a football field, circling the globe every 90 minutes at 17,500 miles per hour. Today we are joined by NASA Astronaut Dr. Stan Love. Stan was part of the team that got the ISS up into orbit and will play a crucial role in bringing it back down to Earth. We'll discuss the important work that's been done over the past 25 years and why it's now time for the mission to end. We'll also look ahead to the next steps in the Artemis program as NASA transitions out of low-Earth orbit and into Deep Space!

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Above the Clouds: Tales from a Mt. Washington Observer Nov 12, 2024

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Atop New Hampshire's 6,288-foot Mount Washington, weather observers have studied the "world's worst weather" for decades. The invaluable data from this natural laboratory has shaped modern meteorology and has aided weather prediction, aircraft design, and engineering. Join us as we sit down with former Mount Washington observer (and current WGME Chief Meteorologist) Charlie Lopresti to explore this remarkable peak where future meteorologists find inspiration, weather records are shattered, and nature reveals the raw power of our atmosphere.

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Can Weather Sway the Election? Nov 05, 2024

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It's election day and across the country, voters are braving the elements to make their voices heard. But could the rain, snow, or even extreme temperatures on this crucial day sway the outcome of the election? In this episode we'll explore the surprising ways that Mother Nature can influence the results on ballots. From historical data showing partisan advantages on rainy election days, to the potential impacts of this year's major weather events, we'll talk to political scientist Dr. Robert Stein about how the weather forecast could forecast the future of our democracy.

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The Science Behind The Perfect Storm Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

In late October 1991, the Halloween Storm, famously depicted as "The Perfect Storm" in film and literature, struck the Atlantic coast and tragically claimed 13 lives. In this episode, we'll learn about the storm's evolution from the perspective of a high seas forecaster who tracked it in real-time 33 years ago. Joe Sienkiewicz from the National Weather Service provides insights into the unique weather conditions that converged to create this devastating storm, as well as how maritime forecasting has evolved over the past three decades. We'll also hear from WGME Meteorologist Emily Santom, who recently explored this historic event in a retrospective.

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