Weather Geeks

Latest Episodes:

Shipping, Safety, and Storms: Forecasting for Amazon Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Dr. Josh Kastman

When you think about Amazon, you probably picture two-day shipping, Prime Video, or that familiar brown package on your doorstep. But behind the scenes, the company has to navigate one force that doesn’t follow a schedule: the weather. From hurricanes threatening delivery routes to heat waves impacting worker safety, weather impacts nearly every aspect of Amazon’s operations. And at the center of it all is Dr. Josh Kastman, Amazon’s Chief Meteorologist. Today, we’ll explore how one of the world’s biggest companies forecasts, prepares for, and adapts to the atmosphere’s every move.

Chapters

00:00 The Role of Weather in Amazon's Operations
02:56 Josh Kastman's Journey to Meteorology
05:52 A Day in the Life of Amazon's Chief Meteorologist
09:03 Safety First: Preparing for Severe Weather
12:03 Communicating Weather Risks Effectively
14:21 Break 1
14:53 Forecasting Tools and AI in Meteorology
18:08 Community Engagement and Disaster Relief
21:02 The Importance of Communication in Forecasting
22:41 Break 2
22:42 Lessons from the Private Sector
27:07 Global Weather Challenges and Solutions
29:55 The Excitement of Meteorology in the Private Sector
32:57 Advice for Future Meteorologists

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Balanced Weather: Cutting Through the Storm of Misinformation Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Alan Gerard

From tornado outbreaks to hurricane landfalls, few have had a front-row seat to as many high-impact weather events as Alan Gerard. After decades of service with NOAA and the National Weather Service, Alan now brings his expertise to the public through Balanced Weather, a Substack dedicated to delivering clear, measured, and science-driven weather insights. In this episode, we’ll talk with Alan about the biggest changes he’s seen in forecasting, the challenges of communicating severe weather without hype, and why independent weather voices are more important than ever. Whether you’re a Weather Geek or just someone who wants to better understand the skies above, this conversation will offer a rare look at the intersection of science, communication, and public trust…

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Alan Gerard and His Journey in Meteorology
05:20 Evolution of NOAA and National Weather Service
12:43 The Birth of Balanced Weather and Its Mission
23:21 Challenges in Modern Weather Forecasting
31:15 The Role of Independent Weather Voices
33:43 Future Aspirations for Balanced Weather

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Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Fighting for Clean Transportation Oct 08, 2025

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Guest: Dr. Rachel Muncrief

When we think about tackling climate change, it’s easy to picture solar panels and wind farms. But there’s another piece of the puzzle that impacts us all, every single day: how we get from point A to point B. Transportation accounts for a major share of global greenhouse gas emissions, but it’s also an area of rapid innovation and urgent opportunity. From cleaner fuels in shipping lanes to electric trucks on highways, the road to a stable climate runs straight through the way we travel and transport goods. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by Dr. Rachel Muncrief from The International Council on Clean Transportation, which is an organization leading the charge to transform global transportation systems with science-backed policy and practical solutions. We’ll talk about where progress is being made, what challenges remain, and why rethinking transportation is critical for a climate-resilient future. Let’s hit the road!

Chapters

00:00 The Role of Transportation in Climate Change
14:57 Electrification of Vehicles: Opportunities and Challenges
29:54 Decarbonizing Shipping and Aviation
42:11 Equity in Clean Transportation

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Cones, Chaos, and Clarity: The State of Hurricane Modeling Oct 01, 2025

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Guest: Dr. Andy Hazelton, University of Miami

When a hurricane’s on the horizon, we turn to the forecast models—those swirling graphics and spaghetti plots that try to predict where the storm will go and how strong it might get. But behind every line and cone is a team of scientists working to make those models faster, smarter, and more accurate. One of those scientists is Dr. Andrew Hazelton, a hurricane modeling specialist who’s worked on some of the most advanced tools used by the National Weather Service. From tracking rapid intensification to improving ensemble forecasts, Dr. Hazelton has been on the front lines of one of the most complex challenges in meteorology. Today, we talk about where hurricane modeling stands, where it’s heading, and what it means for those of us who rely on it when the next storm takes aim.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hurricane Modeling
03:03 Dr. Andrew Hazelton's Journey into Meteorology
06:04 The Role of Hurricane Hunters
08:57 Key Components of Hurricane Models
12:01 Advancements in Hurricane Forecasting Models
14:53 The Impact of AI on Hurricane Forecasting
18:02 Real-Time Testing and Model Validation
21:00 The Importance of Ocean Conditions
23:54 Future of Hurricane Forecasting
26:52 Challenges in Communicating Hurricane Forecasts
29:35 Final Thoughts on the Current Hurricane Season

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Weathering the Storm: Policy, People, and Public Safety Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Rep. Eric Sorensen, IL-17

When severe weather strikes, the National Weather Service is on the front lines saving lives, but what happens when those front lines are short-staffed as storms get stronger? As a former broadcast meteorologist turned Congressman, Representative Eric Sorensen knows firsthand how critical timely, accurate forecasts are for every community. That’s why he’s helping lead a bipartisan push in Congress to fully staff the National Weather Service, reclassify meteorologists as critical to public safety, and ensure that rural and underserved communities aren’t left behind when minutes matter most. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re talking with Rep. Sorensen about why a fully staffed and supported NWS is essential for our country’s safety, and how weather policy can—and should—transcend politics in the face of a changing climate. Let’s get into it…

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of a Fully Staffed National Weather Service
03:08 Congressman Eric Sorensen's Journey and Achievements
06:07 Flood Mitigation and Climate Change Challenges
08:53 Bipartisan Efforts for Weather Workforce Improvement
11:53 The Role of Meteorologists in Public Safety
15:10 Addressing Staffing Shortages in the National Weather Service
17:56 Proposals for Weather Safety and Research
20:51 The Need for an NTSB for Weather
23:54 The Future of Weather Forecasting and Public Safety

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From Lab to Lawn: Making Storm Prep Practical Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Rachael Gauthier, IBHS

From hurricane shutters to fortified roofs, storm prep advice is everywhere, but how do you know what actually works? At the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, science leads the way. They test building materials, simulate real storms, and turn hard data into practical, life-saving guidance. Today, we're joined by Rachael Gauthier, a passionate voice for resilience and preparedness, to break down what science-backed storm prep really looks like and how it can protect your home and your family. Whether you're on the coast, in tornado alley, or somewhere in between, this is one conversation that just might help you weather the next big one.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Storm Preparedness
04:28 The Role of IBHS in Resilience
10:06 Building Codes and Industry Collaboration
14:09 Home Improvement for Resilience
16:15 Fortified Homes and Community Standards
25:29 Wildfire Preparedness and Mitigation
30:40 Cost-Benefit Analysis of Resilient Building
38:01 Practical Tips for Homeowners

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Using Virtual Reality to Weather the Storm Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Dr. Grace Ahn, University of Georgia

When a hurricane threatens, the most dangerous part often isn’t the wind—it’s the water. Storm surge can arrive fast, rise high, and turn familiar streets into life-threatening hazards. But what if you could experience that danger in a safe way, before it ever happens? Dr. Grace Ahn at the University of Georgia has developed Weather the Storm, a virtual reality experience that puts people inside a realistic hurricane scenario to show just how quickly conditions can turn deadly. By combining immersive visuals, sound, and storytelling, her work is helping coastal residents—and even emergency planners—understand the stakes and make better decisions when the next storm comes.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding the Threat of Hurricanes
05:00 The Role of Virtual Reality in Risk Communication
10:35 Experiencing the Simulation: A Deep Dive
15:27 Reactions and Engagement: The Impact of VR
20:46 Expanding the Reach: Community Involvement and Education
25:43 Future Directions: Beyond Hurricanes
30:18 The Power of Combined Communication Methods

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Now Boarding: Turbulence Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Ignacio Gallego-Marcos, Founder of Turbli

If you have ever flown, odds are that you have experienced turbulence. Whether it was minor, or severe enough to make you never want to fly again, turbulence is part of everyday aviation. Our next guest has spent the past several years working on modeling to forecast WHERE and WHEN turbulence might be the worst. Ignacio Gallego-Marcos is using his engineering background to simulate turbulence, and in the summer of 2020 launched Turbli.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to turbulence and Turbli
03:04 Ignacio's Journey: From Engineering to Aviation
05:58 Understanding Turbulence: Causes and Types
08:50 Modeling Turbulence: Techniques and Challenges
11:58 Addressing Fear of Flying: Insights and Solutions
14:48 Turbulence Patterns: Locations and Routes
17:55 The Future of Turbulence Forecasting
20:50 Business Model of Turbli: Revenue and Accessibility
23:42 Climate Change and Turbulence: Trends and Predictions
26:52 Final Thoughts and Resources for Fearful Flyers

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Cloud Warriors: The Front Lines of Weather Forecasting Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Tom Weber

When we talk about weather forecasting, we often picture meteorologists at a green screen or storm chasers racing toward a supercell. But behind every forecast is a global network of scientists, technologists, and communicators working on the front lines of climate and extreme weather. In his book Cloud Warriors, journalist Tom Weber introduces us to the pioneers transforming how we understand and respond to the atmosphere. From data-gathering drones and AI-powered models, to humanitarian efforts in the face of heat waves and famine, Weber’s reporting highlights the people pushing weather science into the future while trying to protect the most vulnerable among us.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cloud Warriors and Weather Enterprise
01:42 Tom Weber's Journey to Becoming a Weather Geek
07:03 The Importance of the Weather Enterprise
15:52 Storm Chasing and Research in Meteorology
16:19 Understanding the Weather Enterprise
20:17 The Balance of Government, Academia, and Private Sector
23:18 Experiences in Storm Chasing with NSSL
30:46 The Role of Technology in Weather Communication
35:00 Understanding Weather Forecasting and Human Behavior
38:51 The Role of Technology in Weather Communication
44:46 Advancements in Weather Modeling and AI
54:52 The Importance of Weather Literacy and Public Awareness

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Megalodons, Mermaids, and Climate Change - Oh My! Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

Guests: Dr. Ellen Prager & Dave Jones

Ever heard someone say sharks are growing legs, or that peeing on a jellyfish sting actually helps? Yeah… same here. The ocean and atmosphere are full of wonder but also full of wild claims that just won’t go away. That’s where today’s guests come in. Dr. Ellen Prager and Dave Jones teamed up to write Megalodons, Mermaids, and Climate Change—a book that tackles your strangest, silliest, and most surprising weather and ocean questions with real science and a healthy dose of humor. From ancient sea creatures to climate change misconceptions, nothing’s off the table. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re setting the record straight, laughing a little, and reminding ourselves why curiosity is one of the best tools we have in the fight against misinformation.

Chapters