In this episode of Weather Geeks, Dr. Marshall Shepherd speaks with Ignacio Gallego Marcos, founder of Turbly, about turbulence in aviation. They discuss Ignacio's journey from engineering to creating a user-friendly turbulence forecasting tool, the causes and types of turbulence, and the challenges of modeling it. Ignacio shares insights on addressing fear of flying, the impact of climate change on turbulence patterns, and the future of turbulence forecasting. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding turbulence for both passengers and pilots, and offers resources for those struggling with fear of flying.

Jen Carfagno and journalist Tom Weber engage in a discussion about his book, “Cloud Warriors.” The book delves into the global network of scientists, technologists, and communicators who work together to understand and respond to climate and extreme weather. Tom recounts his journey from childhood fascination with tornadoes to becoming a dedicated weather journalist. The conversation explores the significance of weather literacy, the role of technology in forecasting, and the delicate balance between traditional and AI-driven models. They also discuss the societal impact of weather events and the crucial importance of effective communication to safeguard public safety.

In this episode of Weather Geeks, Jen Carfagno discusses ‘Megalodon’s Mermaids and Climate Change’ with Dr. Ellen Prager and Dave Jones. They explore ocean science, weather, and the importance of addressing misinformation with humor and curiosity. The conversation focuses on data in climate change, social media’s impact on misinformation, and effective science communication.

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. Chapters00:00 The Weather's Role in Gettysburg18:34 Uniforms and Soldier Experiences21:08 The Impact of Weather Forecasts on Strategy23:22 Historical Weather Analysis and Its Importance See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. Chapters00:00 The Power of Stories in Climate Change11:58 Resilience in the Face of Unpredictable Weather23:34 Lessons from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Experiences35:19 Connecting Literature and Climate Preparedness See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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? Chapters00:00 Introduction to Wildfire Challenges02:43 The Alert California Program06:06 AI and Camera Technology in Fire Detection08:52 Collaboration with CAL FIRE11:56 Operational Impact and Community Involvement14:56 Weather's Role in Fire Management17:43 Data Integration and Future Prospects20:53 Public Engagement and Awareness23:48 Cascading Disasters and Multi-Hazard Approach26:52 Future of Alert California and Technology Advancements29:39 Conclusion and Call to Action See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. Chapters00:00 The Economic Impact of Hurricane Forecasting07:10 Understanding Forecast Accuracy and Economic Value13:25 Protective Spending and Recovery Costs20:08 Quantifying the Value of Forecast Improvements29:56 Connecting Research to Policy and Industry See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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! Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet03:02 Daryl's Journey into Meteorology05:54 Understanding the Iowa Mesonet09:10 Data Collection and Archiving Challenges12:05 The Role of the Iowa Mesonet in Weather Forecasting14:48 Real-Time Data and Its Applications18:01 The Future of the Iowa Mesonet21:12 Climate Change Insights from Data24:05 The Impact of AI on Meteorology26:59 Conclusion and Future Directions See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Weather Geeks, Jen Carfagno and Dr. Marshall Shepard analyze the catastrophic flash flood in Kerr County, Texas, examining meteorological conditions, communication challenges, human factors, the role of terrain, the impact of climate change, and the importance of effective weather messaging and preparedness strategies.

In this episode of Weather Geeks, Dr. Marshall Shepherd and guests Bijan Abtahi and Maria Augutis discuss the impact of weather on Olympic athletes, the collaboration with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, climate change challenges, air quality importance, and weather sensitivities in sports.

In this episode of Weather Geeks, Jen Carfagno discusses with Chris Van Arsdale from Google the Firesat project, a satellite system using AI and machine learning for early wildfire detection, its operational challenges, and its impact on firefighting and climate research.

The conversation delves into the innovative Otus Project, where founders Nelson and Louis Tucker discuss their meteorological journeys, the challenges of severe weather data collection, the technical aspects of drone deployment, the risks of storm chasing, and the collaborative efforts with other researchers, emp

In this episode of Weather Geeks, Jen Carfagno and Dr. Brian Bledsoe explore the lessons from Hurricane Helene, highlighting the necessity of resilient infrastructure, improved flood risk communication, interdisciplinary collaboration, and comprehensive planning to safeguard communities against extreme weather and climate change.

In this episode of Weather Geeks, Jen Carfagno and Dr. Anne Hegley explore the intricacies of weather forecasting, focusing on communicating uncertainty, water resource management, visual communication, community engagement, hurricane forecasting, probability interpretation, and the use of augmented reality and social media to improve public understanding.

In this episode of Weather Geeks, Jen Carfagno and Pamela James discuss the environmental impact of the fashion industry, emphasizing sustainable practices, the challenges of fast fashion, and the need for regulation and innovation.

In this episode of Weather Geeks, Jen Carfagno interviews Dr. Levi Boggs about upper atmospheric electrical phenomena, specifically transient luminous events (TLEs) such as sprites, blue jets, and gigantic jets. Dr. Boggs shares his journey into the world of atmospheric electricity, the characteristics and differences of TLEs compared to traditional lightning, and the challenges of observing these elusive events. The conversation also delves into ongoing research regarding the impact of gigantic jets on the environment and technology, including potential effects on satellite communications. In this episode of Weather Geeks, Jen Carfagno speaks with Dr. Levi Boggs from Georgia Tech Research Institute about the challenges and advancements in studying Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) such as gigantic jets and red sprites. They discuss the difficulties in capturing observations, the importance of citizen science, and the potential for future research and technology to enhance understanding of these phenomena. Dr. Boggs shares insights on how TLEs can inform our understanding of traditional lightning and expresses his aspirations for future research endeavors.

In this episode of Weather Geeks, Dr. Marshall Shepherd interviews Dr. Al Gasiewski, a leading expert in satellite-based meteorology and co-founder of WeatherStream. They discuss the critical role of data in weather forecasting, the innovative use of microsatellites to improve atmospheric monitoring, and the importance of thermodynamic variables in predicting weather patterns. The conversation also covers the challenges and opportunities in developing micro satellites, the evolution of public-private collaboration in weather data, and the broader applications of weather information across various industries. Dr. Gasiewski shares insights into the future of remote sensing and the potential impact of their upcoming satellite constellation on weather forecasting accuracy.

In this episode of Weather Geeks, Dr. Marshall Shepherd interviews Dr. Dev Niyogi about the intricate relationship between urban environments and weather patterns. They discuss how cities not only experience weather but actively shape it, influencing rainfall, storm dynamics, and climate change. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding urban microclimates, the role of urban planning in mitigating extreme weather impacts, and the future of urban meteorology, emphasizing the need for innovative models and partnerships to enhance resilience in growing cities.

In this episode of Weather Geeks, Alan Sealls shares his journey from a young weather enthusiast to a respected meteorologist and educator. He discusses his passion for meteorology, the challenges he faced in his career, and the importance of effective communication and education in the field. Alan emphasizes the significance of community engagement and the lessons learned throughout his broadcasting career, providing insights into what makes a successful meteorologist and educator. In this engaging conversation, Alan Sealls shares his insights on effective communication in meteorology, the importance of empathy during severe weather coverage, and the transformative impact of technology on the field. He discusses the evolving landscape of broadcast meteorology, the significance of leadership and representation, particularly for African Americans in the field, and his recent literary contributions that highlight his career and the beauty of weather.

In this episode of Weather Geeks, Jen Carfagno speaks with researcher Stephen Wooten about the complexities of school decisions during severe weather events. They explore parental preferences regarding early dismissals, the importance of communication between schools and parents, and the role of infrastructure in ensuring student safety. Wooten shares insights from his research, highlighting the need for better trust and transparency in school protocols, as well as the impact of social media on parental decision-making. The conversation emphasizes the importance of balancing safety with parental concerns in the context of severe weather preparedness.