Weather Geeks

Latest Episodes:

The Weather Gods Curse the Gettysburg Campaign Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Dr. Jon Nese

When we think of the Battle of Gettysburg, we picture tactics, terrain, and turning points but what about the temperature? The clouds? The crushing heat, the unexpected storms, the impassable rivers? In their book The Weather Gods Curse the Gettysburg Campaign, meteorologist Dr. Jon Nese and historian Jeffrey Harding uncover a side of the Civil War that’s often overlooked: the weather. Using firsthand accounts and reconstructed data, they reveal how atmospheric conditions shaped everything from troop movements to morale, and may have influenced the outcome of one of the most pivotal campaigns in American history. Today on Weather Geeks, we go beyond the battlefield to explore how weather wasn’t just a backdrop to Gettysburg—it was an active player. Let’s take a step back in time… and check the forecast.

Chapters

00:00 The Weather's Role in Gettysburg
18:34 Uniforms and Soldier Experiences
21:08 The Impact of Weather Forecasts on Strategy
23:22 Historical Weather Analysis and Its Importance

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Little House, Big Climate: Lessons from Laura Ingalls Wilder Aug 06, 2025

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Guest: Dr. Barb Mayes Boustead

When we talk about climate change, the conversation is often full of data, models, and projections, but sometimes, the most powerful insights come from stories. Long before satellites and Doppler radar, Laura Ingalls Wilder was documenting the weather in her own way: through her vivid accounts of prairie blizzards, scorching droughts, and the struggle to survive it all. In a brand new book connecting Wilder’s writings to the realities of climate change, author Dr. Barb Boustead shows us that the past doesn’t just inform the present—it can shape how we care for the future. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re talking about the intersection of literature, climate memory, and what we choose to protect when nature pushes back.

Chapters

00:00 The Power of Stories in Climate Change
11:58 Resilience in the Face of Unpredictable Weather
23:34 Lessons from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Experiences
35:19 Connecting Literature and Climate Preparedness

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From Sparks to Surveillance: The Science Behind ALERTCalifornia Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Dr. Neal Driscoll

Wildfire season used to have a start and end date, but in today’s climate, it feels like it never really stops. As flames race across parched landscapes and smoke clouds drift for miles, the stakes for early detection, response, and resilience have never been higher. Enter ALERTCalifornia, a groundbreaking program using high-tech cameras, real-time data, and cutting-edge research to help first responders and communities stay one step ahead of disaster. At the center of it all is Dr. Neal Driscoll, who is leading this powerful collaboration between science, public safety, and technology. How can a network of mounted cameras change the way we fight wildfires? And what’s next for one of the most advanced wildfire monitoring systems in the world?

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Wildfire Challenges
02:43 The Alert California Program
06:06 AI and Camera Technology in Fire Detection
08:52 Collaboration with CAL FIRE
11:56 Operational Impact and Community Involvement
14:56 Weather's Role in Fire Management
17:43 Data Integration and Future Prospects
20:53 Public Engagement and Awareness
23:48 Cascading Disasters and Multi-Hazard Approach
26:52 Future of Alert California and Technology Advancements
29:39 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Economic Value of Hurricane Forecasts Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Dr. Renato Molina, University of Miami

Every year, hurricanes threaten lives, infrastructure, and the economies of coastal communities—but what if better forecasting could actually save billions of dollars? Turns out, it already has! But how can we put a dollar value on something as complex as a weather forecast? Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by Dr. Renato Molina of the University of Miami, who has dived deep into the economic impact of improved hurricane forecasts. From the costs of misjudged wind speeds to the hidden value of getting the forecast right, his research shows just how powerful—and expensive—information can be when a hurricane is on the horizon.

Chapters

00:00 The Economic Impact of Hurricane Forecasting
07:10 Understanding Forecast Accuracy and Economic Value
13:25 Protective Spending and Recovery Costs
20:08 Quantifying the Value of Forecast Improvements
29:56 Connecting Research to Policy and Industry

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A Deeper Look into the Iowa Mesonet Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Daryl Herzmann, Iowa State University

Whether you’re a farmer tracking rainfall, a storm chaser following severe weather, or just someone who loves keeping an eye on the sky, today’s episode is for you! We have the pleasure of talking with Daryl Herzmann about the Iowa Environmental Mesonet: a powerful network of weather stations that collects and organizes real-time weather data across the state. We’ll dive into his journey into Meteorology, his role in managing this extensive project, and some of the many data-driven insights you need to to stay informed. From temperature trends and precipitation patterns to storm analysis and climate impacts, we break down the numbers and explain what they mean. Chances are you’ve relied on the Mesonet’s data without even realizing it! So, stick around- this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet
03:02 Daryl's Journey into Meteorology
05:54 Understanding the Iowa Mesonet
09:10 Data Collection and Archiving Challenges
12:05 The Role of the Iowa Mesonet in Weather Forecasting
14:48 Real-Time Data and Its Applications
18:01 The Future of the Iowa Mesonet
21:12 Climate Change Insights from Data
24:05 The Impact of AI on Meteorology
26:59 Conclusion and Future Directions

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Texas Flood Disaster Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Weather Geeks Team

What began as Fourth of July thunderstorms in Kerr County, Texas rapidly evolved into a catastrophic flash flood that overwhelmed campgrounds, highways, and homes. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re dedicating our episode to understanding the flood disaster in Texas’ Hill Country, how it happened so fast, and how we can better prepare for the next time the sky opens up. We’ll unpack the meteorological setup as well as the human and infrastructural challenges in warning, evacuation, and rescue. This isn’t just a weather story—it’s a community story, and a wake-up call for every corner of the country vulnerable to sudden flooding.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding the Texas Hill Country Flood Disaster
01:39 Meteorological Insights and Communication Challenges
05:00 Analyzing the Meteorological Setup
09:32 The Role of Terrain and Hydrology
18:12 The Impact of Communication on Preparedness
25:02 Cloud Seeding Myths and Misunderstandings
27:22 Lessons Learned for Future Flood Events
27:50 The Deadly Overnight Flooding Event
29:02 The Importance of a Nightly Weather Check
29:30 Enhancing Flood Warnings and Public Response
31:18 The Role of Forecasting in Emergency Management
33:44 Public Perception and Weather Warnings
35:41 Psychology of Weather Response
37:31 The Need for Effective Warning Systems
39:54 Advocating for Weather Radios
41:22 The Impact of Climate Change on Flooding
43:49 Understanding Extreme Weather Events
45:57 The Role of Sea Surface Temperatures
51:30 The Human Element in Weather Events

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Going for Gold, No Matter the Weather Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

Guests: Bejan Abtahi & Maria Augutis

Every four years the most incredible athletes from around the globe gather to showcase their athletic abilities in the Olympics. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee plays a pivotal role in providing critical resources to ensure the athletes excel on the Global Stage. One of the biggest influencers of the games can be the weather. Joining us today are Bejan Abtahi and Maria Augutis. Bejan is an Olympic Performance Advisor for the USOPC and Maria is a Meteorologist with Sveriges Television and StormGeo. They work together to achieve a common goal: making the greatest sporting event in the world even greater! Let’s talk about it…

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Olympic Weather Connection
03:08 The Role of Weather in Olympic Performance
05:57 Meteorological Insights for Athletes
09:02 Storm Geo's Contribution to Olympic Weather Forecasting
12:02 Weather Challenges in Olympic Locations
15:11 Weather Sensitivity in Olympic Events
17:52 Preparing Athletes for Weather Conditions
20:52 Collaboration Between Meteorologists and Olympic Teams
24:00 Air Quality and Athlete Performance
27:02 Climate Change and the Future of the Olympics
30:06 Advice for Future Meteorologists

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Detecting Wildfires from Orbit Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Chris Van Arsdale, Google Climate & Energy Research Lead

Wildfires aren’t just a summer problem anymore. This past January, California faced an unusual and intense wildfire outbreak, with flames ripping through communities and forcing thousands to evacuate. What if we could catch wildfires in their earliest stages, before they spiral out of control? That’s the goal of Google’s FireSat, a revolutionary satellite system designed to spot fires as small as a campfire and deliver updates every 20 minutes. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re talking to Chris Van Arsdale, a leader behind the FireSat project, about how it all works and how they are using AI to help the firefight before it even starts

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Wildfire Challenges and Firesat
03:10 Chris Van Arsdale's Journey to Google and Climate Research
06:09 Understanding the Firesat Satellite System
09:01 Operational Use and Future of Firesat
11:48 The Role of Google in Wildfire Detection
15:06 Machine Learning and Data Challenges in Fire Detection
18:10 Implications for Firefighting Strategies
20:52 Future Data Applications Beyond Fire Detection
23:58 Global Interest and Collaboration on Firesat
26:49 Environmental and Security Considerations
29:59 Sustainability and Future Launch Plans for Firesat
32:50 Global Applications and Community Engagement
35:56 Final Thoughts on Firesat's Impact

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Observing Tornadoes with the OTUS Project Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Guests: Nelson & Louis Tucker

When it comes to tornadoes, getting close is both the goal and the danger. For decades, scientists have relied on radar, storm chasers, and ground-based instruments to study these violent storms. But what if we could send something right into the heart of a developing tornado? Maybe something small, nimble, and packed with sensors? That’s the mission behind the OTUS Project. Using cutting-edge drone technology, this team is pushing the boundaries of what we can safely and accurately observe from inside tornadic storms. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by members of the OTUS Project to talk about how UAVs are changing the way we study tornadoes, what it’s like to deploy them in the field, and how this data could lead to better forecasts and ultimately, save lives.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Otus Project
01:37 Personal Journeys into Meteorology
06:12 Understanding Tornadoes: The Need for Data
10:17 Drone Technology in Tornado Research
14:59 A Day in the Life of a Tornado Chase
19:39 Challenges and Risks in the Field
21:32 First Experiences Inside a Tornado
24:50 Collaborations and Data Sharing
26:34 Measuring Wind Inside Tornadoes
30:19 Choosing Storms and Navigating Obstacles
32:12 Regulatory Hurdles and Networking
34:17 Future Aspirations for the Otus Project

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Building Back Better from Hurricanes Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Dr. Brian Bledsoe, University of Georgia

When a hurricane makes landfall, we expect the strongest impacts to hit the coast. But Hurricane Helene proved that the story doesn’t end there. With hurricane-force winds reaching more than 350 miles inland, this storm challenged the way we think about extreme weather risk. Are we truly prepared for the full reach of a hurricane, not just this decade but for centuries to come? Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by Dr. Brian Bledsoe from the University of Georgia, who is an expert on infrastructure and making future building more resilient. There are many opportunities to build back better, smarter, and safer after these events happen, and hopefully strive to not have to rebuild in the same places over and over. From infrastructure challenges to communication gaps, we’ll explore what needs to change to keep these communities—both coastal and inland—safe.

Chapters