In one of the more difficult episodes to record, Jarod and Walker explain ways that you (the consumer) can better consumer weather information. They talk about their main goals when delivering weather information, even some of their pet peeves from viewers. Later, one of the common questions asked by anyone who works in the television: What do you do during commercial breaks? Well, it depends. Take a listen!
1:00 - We're not trying to sound like jerks
1:55 - Know where you live
3:55 - We are the only ones running our social media accounts
8:20 - We can't answer your specific questions
9:50 - Every storm will be covered, but not every storm is created equal
10:17 - Cut-ins are for everyone or no one
12:20 - Advanced notice is the whole point of severe weather coverage
13:35 - Some questions can't be answered
14:15 - "How bad is it gonna get in ______?"
15:30 - Forecasts are all about possibilities
16:55 - Most severe threats are quite conditional for any one area
17:20 - "When is it going to hit my house?"
18:10 - We are as specific as we can be
19:55 - Read the information
22:20 - Again, we're not trying to sound like jerks
22:35 - We take pride in our work
24:25 - Stay up to date with the forecast
26:00 - Forecasts are designed to change
32:20 - We don't mean anything personally
35:40 - The anatomy of a commercial break
38:25 - There is downtime in a show
39:20 - Extraneous conversations happen, but it depends on the day
42:40 - Shows aren't always perfect
43:35 - Tense times happen
46:00 - Hitting your groove for the week
Extreme weather events are unavoidable, but they are also very difficult to forecast. In this episode, Jarod and Walker discuss the aspects of preparing the public for impactful weather events, plus certain scenarios that are almost impossible to predict. And, later... you may not know this, but meteorologists are human. A television station is really no different than your workplace, and we all have bad days. The guys will talk about how they get through a day when they're not feeling their best.
0:30 - Flash flood event from July 3, 2022 in southern Arkansas
1:15 - Background on the event
4:45 - Some flood, others stay dry
7:30 - Forecasting the March 2016 Floods
8:30 - If we put it in the forecast, yes... we think it's going to happen.
9:10 - We just wanna get it right/'Price is Right' rules
11:00 - 'Weather extremists'
11:45 - Harvey's outlandish rain totals
13:30 - Drawing the line in winter weather events
14:05 - Winter systems in New York
16:00 - Meteorologists have to make the final decision
17:10 - Be a better weather consumer
20:05 - Everyone has bad days at work
22:00 - Cutting social corners
25:05 - Personal issues happen, and we all have to deal with it
26:00 - Being introverted in broadcast
As the Atlantic Hurricane Season continues to pick up pace, Jarod and Walker go through some of the basics of tropical meteorology. Not a lot of super nerdy, deep-diving here... simply because hurricanes and tropical systems are quite complex. Tropic talk doesn't stop there, as Jarod and Walker recount some of their most vivid memories from past hurricane seasons.
1:15 - Areas most likely impacted from tropical systems
2:45 - Why can't hurricanes survive over land?
3:10 - Hurricanes are heat engines
4:30 - Worst impacts are in isolated areas
6:40 - Most likely ArkLaMiss impacts from landfalling tropical systems
8:00 - Landfalling tropical systems' impacts on local agriculture
9:00 - Tropical moisture and the rain it can produce
10:45 - Inland, tropical tornadoes and where they typically occur within a storm
15:20 - Ray Stevens and 'The Mississippi Squirrel Revival'
16:35 - Walker evacuating from Katrina
22:00 - Walker recounts Hurricane Michael
23:50 - Young Jarod learns about Andrew
25:30 - Watching family impacts from a major hurricane
28:00 - Jarod's "Deal or No Deal" fiasco
34:00 - Jarod over-caffeinates for Isaac
High pressure and summer usually mean oppressive heat and humidity in the southern United States. So far, 2022 is no different than any other year. Jarod and Walker discuss the science behind summer heat, and compare it to an especially brutal summer from just over a decade ago. After that, we all have a TV show (or two) that we know an embarrassing amount from. They'll discuss theirs, but what's yours?
0:40 - "Heat domes" are normal
2:15 - Counting the records of June 2011
3:10 - Summer heat's usual suspects
4:00 - Humidity just makes things worse
5:20 - The most extreme temperatures experienced
6:00 - That time the air conditioner died in the studio...
6:45 - Some records are a little sketchy
7:50 - Relative humidity bad, dew point temperature good
10:10 - Accidentally altering the climate of your home
11:30 - Walker's most quotable television show
12:10 - Walker's Spongebob ally
13:45 - Jarod is obsessed with The Office
15:40 - Learning the state capitals for no reason
16:20 - Honorable mention TV shows
17:30 - Quotable movies
18:15 - Remembering Gilbert Gottfried with a horrible impression
In this episode, Jarod sits down with one of his best friends, Phillip Smith. Phil is a former active duty officer in the U.S. Navy, and now lives near Philadelphia with his wife and kids. The two discuss his many stops during his service, their appreciation of golf, with some other nonsense mixed in.
1:00 - Phil's background
2:15 - U.S.S. New York
6:50 - Making the move to becoming a weather officer
7:45 - Anti-submarine warfare
8:45 - Offutt Air Force Base
9:20 - Getting married on base
10:45 - Moving to Monterey
11:30 - Living in Philly, cheesesteaks
14:25 - Learning the game of golf
16:15 - Remembering the former Selman Field Golf Course (Monroe, Louisiana)
17:10 - Weather forecasting for "national assets"
19:30 - Nuclear fallout prediction
21:30 - Using the same information in different ways for the same goal
The 2022 Spring Severe Weather Season produced numerous, violent tornadoes across the central and southern United States. However, it's one violent tornado that *didn't* happen that's received a lot of attention over the past several weeks. Walker and Jarod discuss erroneous storm damage reports, Tornado Emergencies, and the verbiage they prefer to use on air when discussing tornadoes. After that, who doesn't love a good dipping sauce? (Walker, apparently.) The two dive into a dipping sauce/condiment discussion that goes from ketchup to cream cheese.
1:30 - What is a Tornado Emergency?
2:30 - Erroneous report prompts a Tornado Emergency
4:00 - False reports happen, and most aren't intentional
5:20 - Reviewing the Swartz (Ouachita Parish) tornado
7:00 - Tornadoes: Possible, apparent, confirmed
10:20 - Straight-line winds vs. tornado
13:00 - Even meteorologists make mistakes
13:30 - Need. More. Radars.
14:50 - Shortening tornado warnings
19:10 - Ketchup: The Crutch Condiment
21:00 - Walker despises ranch dressing
21:50 - Walker's love affair with Cane's and/or Zaxby's sauces continues
22:55 - A salute to honey mustard
25:10 - Mayo, Miracle Whip, and the like
26:00 - Walker *gasp* hates sour cream
27:05 - Is barbecue sauce underrated?
28:15 - A less than flattering discussion on relish
28:45 - Teriyaki for Mr. Snowden
29:20 - Sweet and sour sauce
30:05 - Using/not using steak sauce
30:55 - Other assorted condiments
34:00 - Hot sauces!
It's been a busy several weeks. Scheduling changes, severe weather, and a studio remodel have kept Walker and Jarod busy... but, they'll catch you up on some of the new items in their newscasts. They also briefly discuss the new Doctor Strange movie (no spoilers given), before deep-diving into their ideal movie snacks. Season 2 is off and running!
1:00 - The news/weather/sports teams have a new set!
3:40 - Working together more within newscasts
4:20 - New additions coming to MyArkLaMiss.com/extra
9:20 - Recapping the severe weather season
12:50 - Jarod, Walker see the new Doctor Strange movie (again, no spoilers)
13:30 - Official movie ratings (out of 10) for Doctor Strange
15:20 - Popcorn deserves its own category
16:40 - Nachos are not an ideal movie snack
17:00 - Sneaking cereal into a movie theater
21:00 - Walker needs his Icee
21:50 - Who doesn't snack at a movie theater?
23:10 - Jarod's sweet snacks
24:30 - Approaching candy burnout
25:00 - The diet of a middle schooler
26:45 - Kit-Kats should just taste like Kit-Kats
Jarod and Walker discuss working a major severe weather outbreak while in the midst of a studio demolition and remodel. Also, the adrenaline and fast pace of severe weather coverage can leave them both feeling puny afterward. Aaaaaaand, yes... it's been one year since Jarod lost his cool on the ArkLaMiss, scolding viewers who were calling the station as they cut into "The Masked Singer" for tornado warning coverage. Both he and Walker discuss the event.
1:50 - A brief background on NWS storm surveys
2:40 - If you have tornado evidence, send it to the NWS
3:35 - EF-Unknown tornadoes
5:10 - Our station is getting a new news set/studio
5:40 - The limitations of a temporary set
6:55 - A brief pat on the back for the meteorology community
7:40 - NWS works through their own limitations, too
10:00 - Just watch someone and be informed
11:15 - Comfort levels in the temporary studio
13:06 - Sweating during severe weather
13:40 - Coming down from severe weather adrenaline
16:10 - Respectable fear of Mother Nature, "perfect sleeping weather"
18:00 - 25-year-old Jarod vs. 35-year-old Jarod
18:35 - Batteries do die sometimes
19:15 - Tornado Whack-a-mole
20:45 - Timing makes a big difference
22:20 - We've seen them before, and we'll see them again
25:00 - Making it to r/PublicFreakout
25:22 - "The Rant"
27:05 - Wasted time
28:30 - Don't call the weather center during severe weather
29:25 - People hate to miss Primetime, some people don't want to stream
30:15 - Live sports make us nervous
30:25 - "We don't wanna do this"
31:05 - FCC requires the delivery of life-saving information
32:00 - "Dad-ing" the ArkLaMiss
34:50 - Our viewers are awesome!
35:50 - Would you do it again?
36:30 - Dateline viewers will turn you into Dateline episode if you cut into Dateline
38:00 - Lotta memes
40:40 - The viewers will swoop in!
41:20 - Our society is very short-term memory-based
42:20 - Brian's reaction
43:18 - Walker says something in French
Severe weather season is here, so Episode 9 pivots in that direction. Jarod and Walker discuss tornado warning trends from each National Weather Service office over the last fifteen years. Which area do you think issued the most warnings? The answer may surprise you. Plus, Walker covered his first on-air tornado warning in late February. Jarod and Walker reflect on how severe weather coverage works, the emotions behind it, and the team effort that is involved.
1:35 - Discussing the data we're using
3:00 - Who is #1?
3:25 - Tornado warnings don't necessarily translate to tornadoes
4:25 - Discussing the rest of the top offices
6:45 - Traditional "Tornado Alley"
7:20 - Storm chasing in the Southeastern U.S.
9:30 - Coastal states stay busy
10:00 - Remembering the Hattiesburg tornado
11:10 - Areas prone for violent tornadoes
12:40 - Zero tornado warnings in fifteen years
15:15 - Tornadoes in landfalling tropical systems
20:00 - Walker's first tornado warning
20:20 - The best kind of tornadoes
21:05 - Walker's initial reactions, jumping into the pool
22:35 - Furious viewers
26:30 - Jarod can't recall his first tornado warning
27:50 - The television tightrope
28:30 - Severe weather can produce severe anxiety
31:15 - Treat all tornado warnings the same
34:10 - The steps of severe weather coverage
37:50 - Production Appreciation Time
Jarod and Walker discuss a recent tweet that struck the ire of many in the weather world. Are meteorologists going to be replaced by our cell phone apps? Plus, the geographical/economical disconnect that often shows in social media across the country. Later, who does their hair and make up? Do they really build their own forecasts? Don't you guys just read a teleprompter? Jarod and Walker discuss the some of the things you may not know about their profession.
1:15 - Snippy on Twitter
2:25 - The conversation-starter
3:30 - TV news is changing
4:30 - Social media changed everything
5:00 - "Nobody cares what anybody else has to say about anything"
6:20 - Apps vs. Meteorologists
8:20 - Differing opinions are still allowed
11:00 - What do viewers want out of their weather team?
12:00 - Who is Aunt Elda?
13:40 - The "lost signal" of the Flyover States
15:30 - Everyone's dealing with something
16:40 - TV meteorologists still have a loyal following
17:30 - You're gonna be old one day
23:15 - Jarod almost got a technical foul at a Christian basketball tournament
25:00 - Your own personal hair/make up artist
26:00 - Bargains are a wardrobe staple
27:05 - Using a teleprompter during newscasts
29:00 - Building your own forecast
31:30 - Viewer feedback is encouraged
32:20 - Guys like Target, too
34:40 - No purple hair
35:40 - "It's not about you"
37:25 - Companies don't like morons and terrible people
A viewer wrote in on this topic, so Episode 7 discusses how the team knows "who works when" during breaking weather events. As you'll hear, there isn't a lot of rhyme or reason... it just sort of depends on the situation. Also, when severe weather is over, Walker and Jarod tend to crash... but, not before chowing down on their favorite "crash meals". What are your favorites?
0:35 - Not much severe weather lately
2:30 - Main working shift times at our station
4:00 - Chief Meteorologists are almost always available
5:05 - Operations for the "Ruston Tornado"
6:45 - News production is critical to informing you
7:45 - Technical director appreciation time
10:45 - When to use a "crash meal"
11:40 - West Monroe has a Waffle Neighborhood
12:15 - Remembering the West Monroe Shoney's
13:20 - Memories of Cici's Pizza
14:00 - Accelerated reading, limousine rides, pizza parties, and a cat meowing in the background
14:25 - Book It! and personal pan pizzas
15:05 - Jarod's cat seriously starts to throw a tantrum
15:55 - Zaxby's Sauce vs. Cane's Sauce
16:30 - Walker thinks all ketchups are created equal
17:55 - Walker's Waffle Special
19:00 - Waffle House and the March 2016 Floods
24:00 - Breakfast food is your BFF
25:15 - Eggs are a cross-species breakfast
Jarod and Walker discuss how their confidence in a forecast can impact how they relay information to viewers. After that, they discuss their favorite board games... and that spirals into a hodge-podge of memories, stories, and parental guidance. You'll just have to listen to see what we mean.
1:05 - What is forecast confidence?
2:50 - High confidence Harvey
3:30 - Confidence in winter weather forecasting
4:05 - Feast or famine forecasts
6:20 - No sympathy can be expected
8:25 - Jarod and Walker sorta look the same
9:45 - Weather treasure maps
11:15 - Weather 'Clue'
13:30 - Are you a 'Monopoly' person?
14:20 - Walker is a railroad magnate
15:25 - Three reasons why Credit Card Monopoly is better
17:00 - Candyland appreciation
17:30 - Jarod's in-laws are highly competitive
18:25 - Dominoes appreciation
20:35 - Classic "non-board" board games
20:55 - DON'T CONSTRUCT THE MOUSE TRAP!
22:22 - We won't Wordle
24:05 - Other rec room games
25:30 - 'Sting Ping' [if you have a ping pong table and teenagers, proceed with caution]
26:45 - Brothers are psychological manipulators
Episode 5 ends the Pilot Pack, and starts off discussing how the weather team works with three different National Weather Service Forecast Offices to relay breaking weather information to you. Also, online sportsbooks are now legal in Louisiana. Jarod and Walker discuss the hypothetical wagers of a "weatherbook".
3:25 - County warning areas and television markets
4:20 - There are 122 National Weather Service offices...
5:00 - How television markets split Arkansas
5:45 - How NWS offices split Arkansas
8:05 - Working with SEVEN NWS offices
9:15 - Meteorologists don't always agree
11:15 - Warning/advisory criteria varies
15:20 - Watches have to end somewhere
21:30 - The ultimate goal of severe weather coverage
24:00 - Sportsbook ads in your sleep
25:15 - Walker's Weather Wagers
26:50 - Overnight low curling
32:15 - Jarod's Weather Bets
36:55 - "Rain in the winter is like your birthday..."
In Episode 4, Walker and Jarod discuss the science and typical methods behind building a weather forecast... from computer modeling to upper-air observations. They also discuss the ever-present role of human forecasters. In the second segment, the two discuss the differences between handling winter weather in the South versus the Northeast.
2:00 - Where to start a weather forecast?
3:05 - Computer forecast modeling
5:00 - Different types of computer models
9:00 - When to use certain model guidance
10:15 - Weather happens above ground, too
12:55 - Upper-air observations (a.k.a. weather balloons)
15:55 - Weather forecasting just keeps getting better
16:55 - Forecasting extreme weather events
21:40 - No magic pill for winter weather
23:25 - De-icing the ArkLaMiss
25:20 - How the Northeast preps for winter weather
26:25 - College Walker had to shovel his own snow
27:00 - Shoutout to roommates named Grady
27:50 - Sliding over Bayou DeSiard
29:20 - Biscuits and gravy
In Episode 3, Walker and Jarod discuss (by listener request) the educational journey to becoming a meteorologist. Yes, it involves math and physics and chemistry... no big surprises there. And, as broadcast meteorologists, nerves are something that everyone has to combat. How comfortable do Jarod and Walker feel on television?
2:30 - Learning about colleges in New York
6:00 - The path to a degree in atmospheric sciences/meteorology
13:10 - Breaking university equipment (on accident)
16:50 - Jarod and Walker's scholastic struggles
19:35 - A message to all college students
23:15 - Discussing comfort on-air
26:45 - Stages of a broadcast career
27:30 - Ryan Seacrest is legit
28:10 - Crutch phrases
30:25 - Hating your own voice
33:15 - Potty-mouth problems
Episode 2 takes listeners through the new ArkLaMiss Weather Extra page on MyArkLaMiss.com. Jarod and Walker discuss the thought process behind creating the page, and what you can find. Jarod and Walker also discuss what they would be doing if meteorology didn't exist. Everyone has to have a back up plan, right?
2:50 - Planning a new website
3:45 - The frustrations of social media
9:20 - Exploring "Extra"
11:30 - Introducing "Ag Central"
17:45 - What is "Mark the ArkLaMiss"?
25:00 - What would you be doing without weather?
26:40 - Walker was a swimmer, and a pretty good one
28:45 - Walker and Jarod were almost quitters... almost
29:45 - Some meteorologists are jerks
33:15 - Working in Alaska
Our first episode is a simple "hello" to the platform, letting folks know what to expect from this podcast, some quick ground rules, and a background of who we are as meteorologists.
2:33 - Who we are and where we're from
6:20 - A running list of our "rules" (there are only two of them)
8:05 - Possible future subjects of the podcast
9:40 - A tease to changes coming to MyArkLaMiss.com
