Weather Geeks

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Why 40% Chance of Rain Confuses Everyone And How to Fix It Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Dr. Anne Heggli, Assistant Research Professor at the Desert Research Institute

Weather forecasts are more than just high and low temperatures or the chance of rain—they’re a complex mix of data, models, and probabilities. But how do we effectively communicate uncertainty in forecasts? And why do so many people struggle with understanding probability-based predictions? It may be easy for us Weather Geeks, but we need to make weather forecasts accessible to as many people as possible, which is exactly the challenge our guest today is tackling! Dr. Anne Heggli wears many hats in her professional life, but her excellence in water resource management across the western United States will teach all of us how to process data and uncertainty just a little better after this episode of Weather Geeks…

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Weather Forecasts and Uncertainty
03:00 The Importance of Water Resource Management
05:53 Communicating Probabilistic Forecasts
09:13 Visual Communication in Weather Forecasting
12:03 Challenges in Communicating Weather Risks
14:51 Hurricane Forecasting and the Cone of Uncertainty
19:07 The 40% Chance of Rain Explained
29:52 The Future of Data Visualization in Weather
36:00 Engaging Communities in Weather Preparedness

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Tackling Fast Fashion Sustainability May 28, 2025

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Guest: Pamela James, CEO & Founder of Paloma St. James

It’s no mystery that industrialization has a negative impact on the environment; however, an unexpected contributor is the fashion industry. Recent studies have shown that the production of textiles contributes nearly to 8-10% of global carbon emissions, superseding emissions from the aviation and shipping industries combined. Designer and CEO, Pamela James, joins us today to discuss her take on sustainable fashion and the concept of modularity. We’re a society of mass production and overconsumption, but today you’ll see that less really is more.

Chapters

00:00 The Environmental Impact of Fashion
05:48 Defining Sustainable Fashion
11:57 Sourcing and Sustainability in Fashion
19:51 The Disconnect in Textile Production
26:14 The Impact of Super Capitalism
36:48 Innovations in Modular Fashion

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Pixies, Gnomes, and Jets - Oh My! May 21, 2025

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Guest: Dr. Levi Boggs, Georgia Tech Research Institute

When we think of lightning, we picture bolts striking the ground during a thunderstorm—but not all electrical activity stays within the lower atmosphere. High above the clouds, mysterious and fleeting flashes of light dance across the sky—sprites, blue jets, and gigantic jets—phenomena that are still not fully understood. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re exploring the enigmatic world of upper atmospheric electrical phenomena with Dr. Levi Boggs, whose latest research is shedding new light on these elusive events. From cutting-edge observations to the impact these events may have on aviation, space weather, and even our understanding of lightning itself, we’re thrilled to have Dr. Boggs here to break it all down!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Upper Atmospheric Electrical Phenomena
04:58 Transient Luminous Events: Types and Characteristics
10:58 Differences Between TLEs and Traditional Lightning
16:02 Observing TLEs: Opportunities and Challenges
20:58 Research Focus: Gigantic Jets and Their Impacts
25:14 Challenges in Studying Transient Luminous Events
28:22 The Importance of Observations in TLE Research
31:31 Field Campaigns and Citizen Science
33:05 Understanding Lightning Through TLE Research
36:24 Future Aspirations in TLE Research

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Revolutionizing Weather Prediction with Microsatellites May 14, 2025

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Guest: Dr. Al Gasiewski, Chief Scientist at Weather Stream

From hurricanes to heat waves, accurate weather forecasting relies on one crucial factor: data. But much of our atmospheric data comes from outdated or sparse observation networks, leaving gaps in our understanding of rapidly changing weather patterns. Enter microsatellites—small but powerful spacecraft revolutionizing how we monitor the atmosphere in real time. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re diving into the world of orbital micro systems with Dr. Al Gasiewski, a leading expert in satellite-based meteorology and the founder of Weather Stream. His work is changing the game by using microsatellites to provide faster, more detailed, and more frequent weather observations than ever before.

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Intersection of Weather and Urban Landscapes May 07, 2025

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GUEST: Dr. Dev Niyogi, Professor at University of Texas at Austin

Cities aren’t just concrete jungles—they’re microclimates of their own, shaping the weather in ways you might not expect. From intensifying heat waves to influencing severe storms, urban landscapes play a critical role in our atmosphere. But how exactly does this work, and what can we do to make cities more resilient in the face of extreme weather? Today on Weather Geeks, we’re diving into the fascinating intersection of meteorology and urban landscapes with one of the leading experts in the field, Dr. Dev Niyogi. His research has uncovered how cities modify their own weather, impact storm patterns, and even contribute to climate change on a local scale!

Chapters

00:00 The Urban Climate Connection
08:08 Understanding Urban Weather Dynamics
15:13 The Role of Cities in Extreme Weather
19:56 Engineering Resilient Urban Environments
25:12 Future Directions in Urban Meteorology

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Alan Sealls: A Lifetime in Weather and the Future of AMS Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

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

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Safety vs. Schedule: The Parental Perspective on School Weather Closures Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Stephen Wooten, Researcher

As a parent, there’s nothing more important than making sure your child is safe—especially when severe weather threatens their school day. Whether it’s the decision to delay, dismiss early, or shelter in place, we rely on school officials to make the right call. But as any parent knows, those decisions aren’t always black and white. Should schools be more cautious, or are they sometimes too quick to pull the trigger? And how much say should parents have in the process, if at all? Today on the show, we’re chatting with Stephen Wooten, a researcher who has been studying how parents feel about the tough calls schools have to make. As both a Weather Geek and a parent, this conversation hits close to home.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Weather Decisions for Schools
02:49 Understanding Parental Perspectives on School Weather Protocols
06:07 Research Methodology: Gathering Insights from Parents
08:59 Key Findings: Preferences for Early Dismissals
11:54 Infrastructure and Safety: Parents' Concerns
14:51 Communication: Building Trust Between Schools and Parents
17:57 The Role of Social Media in Weather Communication
20:55 Future Directions: Enhancing School Weather Protocols
23:57 Conclusion: Balancing Safety and Parental Preferences

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Inside Georgia Tech’s Severe Storms Research Center Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

Guest: John Trostel, Director

From towering supercells to fast-moving derechos, severe storms are some of the most powerful and unpredictable forces in nature. Forecasting these storms requires cutting-edge technology, real-time data analysis, and years of research to improve early warning systems and save lives. That’s where institutions like the Severe Storms Research Center at Georgia Tech come in. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re diving into the groundbreaking work being done at SSRC—from tracking lightning patterns to developing new storm prediction models. We’re thrilled to welcome John Trostel, the director of SSRC, to tell us all about it…

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Severe Storms and SSRC
03:10 The Role of Co-op Observers in Weather
06:13 The Birth of the Severe Storms Research Center
09:03 Understanding Severe Storms in the Southeast
12:08 Innovative Radar Technology and Its Applications
15:02 Lightning Mapping and Its Importance
18:01 Microclimates and Their Impact on Weather
20:54 Future Research Directions and Collaborations
23:51 Distinguishing SSRC from Other Research Entities
27:11 Vision for Future Storm Research Technology

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Rebuilding Resilience: Lessons from Hurricane Helene in North Carolina Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Jenny Dissen, NCICS

When a hurricane strikes, the immediate damage is only part of the story. The real test comes in the days, weeks, and even years after the storm—when communities must rebuild, adapt, and prepare for what’s next. Hurricane Helene left its mark on North Carolina, exposing vulnerabilities but also sparking efforts to create a more resilient future. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by Jenny Dissen of the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies (NCICS). She leads Engagement for the Institute, and has been instrumental in some efforts to assess Helene’s impact and help communities recover, using data-driven strategies to strengthen preparedness for future storms. How do we learn from past disasters to build a more resilient tomorrow? That’s what we’re diving into today.

Chapters

00:00 The Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
11:12 Personal Experiences During the Storm
19:18 Infrastructure Vulnerability and Resilience
34:20 Community and Partner Collaboration for Recovery
39:04 Preparing for Future Disasters

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Is NOAA Going to be Okay? Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

Guest: Dr. Rick Spinrad, Outgoing NOAA Administrator

From predicting hurricanes and monitoring our oceans to leading cutting-edge climate research, NOAA plays a critical role in protecting lives, property, and our planet. The phone that you may be listening to this podcast on right now would not have weather apps without NOAA. The computer you may be listening on won’t have easily accessible radar data over the internet without NOAA. But as the world faces more extreme weather and environmental challenges, strong leadership for the administration is more important than ever, especially in the face of political turmoil. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re sitting down with Dr. Rick Spinrad, the outgoing NOAA Administrator, to reflect on his tenure and the future of the agency. What were his biggest accomplishments? What challenges remain? And perhaps the biggest question of all—is NOAA going to be okay?

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to NOAA and Its Importance
09:55 The Role of Private Sector in NOAA's Mission
19:55 Challenges Faced by NOAA
30:11 Successes During Dr. Spinrad's Tenure
35:57 Future Directions for NOAA

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