Weather Geeks

Latest Episodes:

Alan Sealls: A Lifetime in Weather and the Future of AMS | Re-released Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

RECORDED FEBRUARY 21, 2025; Originally released April 30, 2025

Guest: Alan Sealls, AMS President-Elect

For decades, broadcast meteorologists have been the trusted voices guiding us through hurricanes, tornadoes, and everyday forecasts. But behind every great weathercaster is a deep passion for both science and communication. Few embody that balance as well as Alan Sealls—a highly respected meteorologist, educator, and soon-to-be President of the American Meteorological Society. As we head into more uncertain times, Alan will certainly have a lot on his plate in 2026 as he manages the relationship between academic, government, broadcast, and private meteorologists all across the country. How will his tenured career translate to get this done? Let’s ask him right now on Weather Geeks

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of a Weather Geek
03:07 Career Trajectory and Passion for Meteorology
06:04 Navigating Challenges in Meteorology
09:00 The Importance of Education and Communication
12:00 Lessons Learned in the Broadcasting Industry
15:05 Community Engagement and Impact
18:04 Secrets to Effective Communication and Teaching
20:57 Engaging Communication in Meteorology
22:21 Approaching Severe Weather Coverage
25:42 The Impact of Technology on Meteorology
27:54 The Future of Broadcast Meteorology
30:01 Leadership and Representation in Meteorology
34:13 Exploring African American Contributions to Meteorology
39:57 Alan Sealls' Literary Contributions

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Exclusive: Jim Cantore and Dr. Neil Jacobs Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Dr. Neil Jacobs

Every forecast, every watch or warning, every piece of storm research in America… starts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

And there’s a new leader in charge: Neil Jacobs.

Over the past year, as he waited for Congress to confirm his nomination, NOAA saw cuts to staffing, research and observations.

All while the infrastructure that predicts our weather keeps right on aging.

The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore sat down with Neil Jacobs, for an exclusive interview- his first as head of NOAA.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to NOAA and Leadership Changes
02:55 Priorities in Weather Forecasting
06:00 Advancements in Forecasting Technology
08:50 The Role of AI in Weather Prediction
12:03 Challenges in Weather Data Collection
15:00 Improving Public Awareness and Response
18:09 The Future of Weather Forecasting
21:01 Navigating Controversies and Public Trust
23:57 Looking Ahead: The Next Five Years
26:50 Conclusion and Call to Action

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Weather Out West | Re-released Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

RECORDED FEBRUARY 25, 2025; Originally released March 26, 2025

Guest: Daniel Swain

Winds are howling outside Los Angeles, California on a dry January day. The hillsides north and east of the city erupt in flames. A wall of fire begins to consume neighborhoods faster than firefighters can keep up. As wind-driven embers continue to fly down hill - a thousand miles away, Daniel Swain’s phone begins to light up. Journalists, companies, officials - all want answers to California’s extreme weather and the impact of climate change. On this week’s episode of Weather Geeks we learn how one high schooler, with a blog, ignited his career to become one of the leading communicators on climate change and the Weather out West.

Chapters:

00:00 California's Wildfires and Climate Change
10:08 Daniel Swain: The Weather Geek's Journey
19:52 The Importance of Effective Communication
27:05 Linking Climate Change to Extreme Weather
40:05 Understanding the Complexity of Weather Events

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chasing Hail | Re-released Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

RECORDED MARCH 4, 2025; Originally released March 12, 2024

Guest: Dr. Sean Waugh, National Severe Storms Laboratory research scientist

As we’ve seen in the movies, and real life, tornadoes are some of the most destructive forces in nature, capable of leveling homes and damaging entire communities in a matter of minutes. And what about hail? It causes BILLIONS and billions of dollars in damage in the US every year. But how do we get up-close, real-time data on these violent storms in order to learn what is needed for better predictions? That’s where cutting-edge field research comes in. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re diving into the world of storm observation and mobile weather technology with Sean Waugh from NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory. From deploying instrumented drones and mobile mesonets to braving the extreme environments of tornadoes and hailstorms, his work is helping scientists better understand the atmospheric conditions that drive severe weather for years to come…

Chapters

00:00 The Destructive Power of Tornadoes and Hail
02:58 Sean Wu: A Journey into Meteorology
05:57 Innovative HAIL Camera Technology
08:47 Chasing Hail: The Challenges and Safety Measures
11:59 Observing Hail: The Role of High-Speed Cameras
14:46 Mobile Mesonets: Gathering Atmospheric Data
17:59 Machine Learning and AI in Weather Prediction
21:02 AI in Meteorology: Enhancing Forecasting Accuracy
24:23 Hands-On Learning: Training the Next Generation of Meteorologists
26:00 Tornado Research: Understanding Formation and Behavior
28:05 Behind the Scenes of Twisters: A Meteorologist's Role
32:20 Authenticity in Film: The Science of Twisters
36:41 Passion in Meteorology: Inspiring Future Generations

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Deep Dive into Google DeepMind | Re-released Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

RECORDED JANUARY 22, 2025; Originally released FEBRUARY 12, 2025

Guests: Dr. Ilan Price, Senior Research Scientist, & Matt Willson, Research Engineer

From the Euro to the GFS to the Canadian, there are multitudes of models that forecasters use to predict our daily weather. There are models for short-term severe forecasting, 10-day outlooks from your local news, and even models that predict our climate years into the future. As technology advances, so do all of these models and the technology we are focusing on today on Weather Geeks is AI. While it may seem like a buzzword these days, it can be used to enhance our industry and help us all reach our common goal: saving lives and property. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ilan Price to discuss GenCast, Google’s weather forecasting model that is entirely powered by AI. How does it stack up to the models we know and love? The answer may surprise you…

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI in Weather Forecasting
02:10 Meet the Experts: Ilan Price and Matthew Wilson
06:34 Understanding GenCast: The AI Weather Model
10:47 Machine Learning vs Traditional Forecasting
13:22 Data Sources and Ethical Considerations
15:10 Handling Extreme Weather Events
21:15 Validation and Verification of GenCast
23:26 Impact of GenCast on Weather Forecasting

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2025 Weather Wrap-Up Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

It’s been one wild ride through the atmosphere this year — from record-breaking heat waves to snowstorms that made us double-check the map, a hurricane that rewrote history, and tornadoes that left meteorologists speechless. Today, we’re taking a step back (and maybe a deep breath) to relive the biggest, boldest, and most unbelievable weather moments of the year. We’ll break down what happened, why it happened, and what it all means for the climate conversations ahead. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back, and join us as we revisit the skies that shaped our 2025 one storm at a time.

Chapters

00:00 Weather Highlights of 2025
10:13 Devastating Fires in Los Angeles
16:53 Break 1
16:58 Severe Weather and Tornadoes
24:54 Flooding Across the Country
25:49 Understanding Extreme Weather Events
28:49 The Importance of Flash Flood Warnings
31:35 The Impact of Urbanization on Flooding
33:53 Break 2
33:54 Analyzing the Quiet Hurricane Season
40:01 Hurricane Melissa: A Case Study
45:13 The Role of AI in Weather Forecasting
47:57 The Importance of Meteorological Workforce

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Weather Guys at Wisconsin Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

Guests: Dr. Steven Ackerman and Dr. Jonathan Martin

For most of us, weather talk is a quick chat about the weekend forecast or a snowy commute. But in Wisconsin, “The Weather Guys” have turned those conversations into something much bigger — a beloved radio show that brings science, stories, and a touch of humor to the airwaves. For years, they’ve been breaking down everything from blizzards to climate change, making meteorology both accessible and fun. Today, we’ll sit down with Dr. Steven Ackerman and Dr. Jonathan Martin to hear how their show began, what keeps listeners tuning in, and why Wisconsin weather makes for some of the best conversations around.

Chapters

00:00 The Birth of Weather Talk
00:45 How They Became Weather Geeks
03:02 Research Insights and Contributions
08:08 Engaging the Public Beyond Academia
11:44 Break 1
11:45 The Importance of Public Engagement
14:12 The Dynamics of Show Planning
15:29 Memorable Questions from Callers
17:00 Balancing Complexity in Communication
18:38 Break 2
18:40 Wisconsin Weather: A Unique Landscape
21:30 The Changing Landscape of Weather Communication
24:35 Advice for Young Meteorologists
27:21 The Future of Weather and AI

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ken Burns vs. Mother Nature: Behind the Scenes of The American Revolution Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Ken Burns

He’s an Award-Winning Filmmaker known for his documentary films and television series, many of which chronicle American history and culture. Some of his most popular works include the Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, the National Parks, Prohibition, the Roosevelts, the Vietnam War, and Country Music. Behind the majestic shots and carefully chosen words, there’s another character always in the frame: the weather. From outracing clouds to chasing snow that just won’t fall, even filmmaker Ken Burns has learned that Mother Nature doesn’t always take direction. While shooting his newest series The American Revolution, weather wasn’t just a backdrop — it was a full-fledged co-star. Today, we’ll talk with Ken about the challenges and surprises of filming history in real weather, how climate and geography shaped the American Revolution, and why sometimes the best storyteller is the sky.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ken Burns and His Work
01:10 The Role of Weather in Filmmaking
02:22 The American Revolution: A Complex Narrative
04:19 Challenges of Capturing Weather in Filmmaking
07:14 The Importance of Authenticity in Storytelling
09:36 Weather's Impact on Historical Events
12:13 Technological Advancements and Their Influence
14:27 The Unpredictability of History
17:31 The Drama of Real Weather in Storytelling

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From Cocoa to Climate: Weather at Mars, Inc. Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Alex Tomoff

When you think of weather and meteorology, you probably picture storm chasers, satellites, or your local forecast. But what about chocolate? At Mars, Inc. — the company behind favorites like M&M’s and Snickers — weather isn’t just background noise, it’s a critical part of the business. From the cocoa fields that depend on rainfall, to the sugar supply impacted by drought, to the logistics of getting chocolate safely from factory to shelf, weather touches every step. And standing at that intersection is today’s guest: Alex Tomoff, the meteorologist of Mars, Inc. We’ll find out how forecasting shapes the future of candy, agriculture, and sustainability — and yes, even your sweet tooth.

Chapters

00:00 The Intersection of Weather and Chocolate
01:46 Alex Tomoff's Journey to Meteorology
04:38 Day-to-Day as a Meteorologist at Mars, Inc.
07:44 Understanding Key Ingredients: Cocoa, Sugar, and Peanuts
10:50 Break 1
10:52 Climate Change and Its Impact on Cocoa Production
13:40 Logistics and Supply Chain Challenges
16:29 Weather Risk Communication in the Private Sector
20:25 Break 2
20:27 Sustainability Initiatives at Mars, Inc.
22:35 Innovations in Agriculture and Climate Resilience
25:24 The Role of Technology in Weather Forecasting
28:27 Advice for Aspiring Meteorologists

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Supporting Virginia from the Green Screen to Capitol Hill Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Sean Sublette

When science and policy meet, the results can shape the way communities prepare for the future. Our guest today, meteorologist and science communicator Sean Sublette, is on a mission to make sure that scientific insight has a stronger voice in Congress. From years of forecasting and breaking down weather impacts for the public, Sean now sees an opportunity to bring that same clarity and perspective to the policymaking table. We’ll talk with him about why science matters in the halls of government, how weather and climate knowledge can translate into smarter decisions, and what it means to bridge the gap between data, communication, and action.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sean Sublett and His Journey
00:24 Introduction to Sean Sublett and His Journey
02:46 The Evolution of Weather Communication
05:46 Challenges in Meteorology and Communication
08:38 The Role of Meteorologists in High-Impact Events
10:11 Break 1
10:11 Transitioning from Meteorology to Politics
14:22 Bridging Science and Policy
17:31 The Importance of Listening in Politics
20:28 Break 2
20:31 Weather and Climate in Policy Making
23:31 Challenges Facing the Weather and Climate Enterprise
26:15 Learning from the Political Process
28:56 Advice for Scientists Engaging with Policymakers

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected