Weather Geeks

Guest: Bryan Norcross - Hurricane Specialist at Local 10 MiamiDescription: His first weather report came over the radio back in 1969 and spoke of a hurricane named Camille heading toward the Gulf coast. Since then Bryan Norcross has covered dozens of major weather events - including Hurricane Andrew, which changed South Florida and his life forever. Bryan has worked at local new stations, national cable networks including and The Weather Channel. He has seen it all, done it all and has the stories to prove it. Today we hear about Bryan’s 50 years in broadcasting - a career filled with incredible timing, amazing achievements and a whole lot of fun.

This week on Weather Geeks we go to the front lines of the firefight. The 2018 deadly and devastating wildfires could get even worse as brave men and women put their lives on the line. We explore the day to day conditions that help and hurt the effort and explore the factors that makes their job so dangerous. Weather Channel Correspondent Dave Malkoff, tells some of their stories and explains what it's like to battle these monster fires. Joining the conversation is Jess Gardetto from the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. We look at the factors making this season so bad and what it will take to get some of these fires out before the rainy season - which is still months away. GuestsDave MalkoffThe Weather Channel corespondent  Jess GardettoDeputy Chief, External Affairs - BLM National Fire and Aviation - National Interagency Fire Center

GuestDr. Paul SutterAstrophysicist, writer, speaker, producer and podcast host DescriptionThis week on Weather Geeks Astrophysicist Dr. Paul Sutter joins us. Paul is an "Agent to the Stars" - passionately interacting with the public in science outreach. He is host of the "Ask a Spaceman!" podcast, where he answers space questions posted on social media. And today we get to ask him questions...with topics ranging from the the cosmos to communicating the complicated. It is sure to be an entertaining, engaging, and educational.

Guest: Dr. David Novak, Director, Weather Prediction CenterDescription: Whether it is forecasting an epic flood event days before the first raindrop or warning the public about an upcoming blizzard when it comes to tracking storms the meteorologists at The Weather Prediction Center play a critical role in keeping Americans safe from the dangers of weather. This week, meet the man in charge of directing this critical group of forecasters. Dr. Dave Novak joins me to discuss Weather Prediction Center operations, forecasting challenges and what the future might look like.

Guest: Astronaut Terry Virts Description:This week on Weather Geeks we are honored to have International Space Station Commander Terry Virts. Terry first flew into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2010. Four years later he returned and spent 200 days aboard the ISS taking more photos from space that any other astronaut. Many of these photos appear in his book “View From Above”. We’ll talk about that view, space travel, the fragility of our planet and much more.

Guest: Ed Mansouri, CEO & Founder WeatherSTEMDescription:Just because you are a meteorologist doesn’t mean you aren’t exempt from the hazards of severe weather...and our guest proves this point. Ed Mansouri, founder and CEO of WeatherSTEM, a company that utilizes a network of weather stations for emergency planning purposes, agriculture needs, and K-12 education, recently had lightning cause damage at his house while he and his kids were home. We’ll hear more about his experience and how it ties into his company's education and safety initiatives. We’ll also learn about WeatherSTEMs new statewide mesoSTEMs...you won’t believe all of the information provided by this network of weather stations.

Guest: Angela Fritz - Deputy Weather Editor for the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang This week on Weather Geeks - Take the hot tempers inherent to any science or political discussion, combine them, and give them a national stage to debate on one of the most prominent weather blogs on the web, located at the heart of the political world - The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang based in Washington, D.C.  We will discuss the nightmare that can be communicating science through a high-profile public medium, dominant across social media, where there are no rules, all gloves are off and users can crush peers with both informed and ill-informed opinions all while hiding behind anonymous usernames.

From the Weather Geeks Archives - Most Americans probably don't realize that the first ones behind enemy lines are often a small group of meteorologists who are sent in to harms way to collect the weather data needed to give the U.S. armed forces the home field advantage they need to win the battles necessary to protect our freedom. Major Jonathan Sawtelle, a former Special Operations Weather Team operations officer, will provide amazing insight into this truly special force.

Guest: Stephanie Abrams On Camera MeteorologistThe Weather Channel In a time not too long ago, schoolboys would be the ones taking math and science classes so they can grow up to become engineers or doctors, while schoolgirls would take more general studies so they can focus on becoming housewives. Only recently have women smashed through the glass ceiling, championing careers in STEM. As an on-camera meteorologist for The Weather Channel for 15 years, Stephanie Abrams has seen her fair share of hurricanes, nor’easters and everything in between!  In that time, the titles have changed from “weather girl” to “meteorologist,” and Stephanie is a prominent one.

Guests: Craig FugateFormer FEMA AdministratorChief Emergency Management Officer at One ConcernLaura LightbodyProject DirectorFlood-Prepared CommunitiesHe has made a career of managing natural disasters and served as the FEMA Administrator during the Obama Administration, but this week’s guest has been out of the federal government for over a year, so we have some catching up to do with long time Weather Geeks friend Craig Fugate. We’ll look back at some of the biggest events of his career, cover his view of FEMA today, and discuss how things are changing in the world and why that may mean more work for emergency managers.

When it comes to climate change the discourse is often heated, but today’s guest is the calm before, during and after the storm. Author, speaker and strategist Katharine Wilkinson is all about climate action. Creative ways to save the earth. Join us for a conversation that delves into science, navigates through the vitriol surrounding climate change and lands on messages of hope, positive stories of success happening now and those planned for the future.

He has been on the job for only one year, but this week’s guest has faced a career of natural disasters! Harvey, Irma, Maria, tornadoes, floods and yes, even lava have kept FEMA Administrator Brock Long on the go. How is he doing? What has he learned about the job? Where is FEMA headed? These questions and more for America’s top emergency manager, FEMA Administrator Brock Long.

This week on Weather Geeks we mark the 5 year anniversary of the largest tornado ever recorded...the 2013 El Reno tornado. We’ll discuss how unusual the tornado was and how it changed or didn’t change the way people chase and research storms today. The Weather Channel’s Mike Bettes, who’s heart pounding story of being tossed about by the tornado, kicks off the conversation. We are also joined by author Brantley Hargrove, who’s new book, The Man Who Caught the Storm, chronicles the life of legendary storm chaser, Tim Samaras. Tim was one of 8 people that lost their life due to the tornado. Stories of intrigue, reflection and scientific discussion, all on this episode of Weather Geeks.

Al Roker has been giving forecasts for ‘your neck of the woods’ for over 20 years...He is America’s Weatherman, appearing on the TODAY show, Nightly News and a host of other television and news shows over the years. He has a knack for channeling his on-air charisma into many different media platforms, including penning a New York Times best seller, dishing out award-winning cookbooks, and lending his voice to critically-acclaimed movies.  In this week's Weather Geeks podcast we learn about Al’s deep passion for weather, how he continues to evolve with the ever-changing media landscape and how he manages to balance it all.

This week on Weather Geeks we go to the bottom of the earth….Antarctica! A white desert covered in snow and ice. But did you know plants and algae make up an underwater forest at its edges and that these plants can be used to develop drugs to help with cancer and the flu?! Dr. James McClintock from The University of Alabama - Birmingham joins us to discuss why studying this part of the world is important and why so many people are making the trip down to Antarctica to learn more about the region and experience climate change in action. 

Dr. Greg Forbes's journey has taken him from studying tornadoes with famous tornado scientist Dr. Ted Fujita to molding young meteorological minds as a professor at Penn State University to becoming the Severe Weather Expert at the Weather Channel where he has warned more people about approaching tornadoes than another other human in history.  This week get a first hand peek into the brain of the Storm Master, the man who knows mother nature's most destructive and awe inspiring creation like none other.

World renowned tornado experts Dr. Howard Bluestein and Dr. Victor Gensini break down the mystery of forecasting tornadoes as only they can. Learn the tricks of the trade from the scientists that get out of the classroom and forecast from out in the field.

We go inside the storm with Jim Cantore. As we dive deep into his 30 plus year journey at The Weather Channel, we find out: how have things changed; some of Jim’s most memorable moments; and what will the future bring. All that and more from one of Weather’s most influential names.

From the Weather Geeks Archives - Dr. Shepherd is joined by Dr. Alexa Van Eaton, a physical volcanologist interested in explosive eruptions. Her work examines how volcanic plumes evolve and interact within a complex atmosphere and biosphere. Her current projects include studying volcanic lightning and perhaps most interesting of all, examining “the strange story of volcanic hail."

From the Weather Geeks Archives - Dr. Shepherd is joined by the Commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, to discuss his mission, the role of science in modern warfare and how the changing climate is already impacting the NAVY.