Weather Geeks

The Hollywood Climate Summit

Wed, 13 May 2026 07:05:00 -0000

GUEST: Allison Begalman

Hollywood is known for big ideas, big creativity, and big storytelling — but in recent years, one of the biggest forces reshaping the industry isn’t a genre or a trend… it’s the climate crisis. And at the center of that movement is Allison Begalman. As the co-founder of the Hollywood Climate Summit, Allison has built a space where filmmakers, writers, activists, scientists, and executives come together to ask a simple but powerful question: What if the stories we tell could help shape a more sustainable future? Today, we’re diving into how she’s mobilizing the entertainment world to take climate action seriously — not just in documentaries or disaster films, but in the everyday narratives that reach millions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Climate Crisis in Hollywood
03:53 The Birth of the Hollywood Climate Summit
10:29 Barriers to Climate Storytelling
13:25 Break 1
14:23 Climate-Informed Storytelling vs. Climate-Themed Content
19:57 Successful Examples of Climate Storytelling
24:44 The Role of Social Media in Climate Advocacy
24:52 Break 2
29:18 Measuring Impact in Climate Storytelling
31:37 Future Vision for the Hollywood Climate Summit

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Rethinking Natural Hazards

Wed, 06 May 2026 07:05:00 -0000

Guest: Max Van Wyk De Vries, Assistant Professor at the University of Cambridge

From wildfires sparking power outages, to hurricanes triggering chemical spills, today’s disasters rarely unfold in isolation. They cascade, compound, and collide — creating challenges far more complex than any single hazard on its own. At the University of Cambridge, the Complex and Multihazard Research Group is leading the charge to better understand these interconnected risks, and to help communities, governments, and industries prepare for a more uncertain world. In this episode, we sit down with the program head of the group Max Van Wyk De Vries to explore how their research is reshaping the way we think about hazards, resilience, and the future of global risk.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Complex and Multi-Hazard Risks
10:47 The Role of Human Activity in Natural Hazards
14:04 Break 1
19:24 Techniques and Methodologies in Hazard Research
23:41 Break 2
29:24 Future Challenges and Opportunities in Multi-Hazard Risk Management

Geeking Out with Inspector Planet!

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:05:00 -0000

Guest: Dr. Tracy Fanara

If you’ve ever fallen down a science rabbit hole on social media and thought, “Wow… I just learned something and had fun doing it,” there’s a good chance you’ve crossed paths with Inspector Planet. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Tracy Fanara — scientist, investigator, and one of the most recognizable voices in modern science communication. She’s built a career on asking bold questions, testing claims, and making complex science feel approachable, playful, and empowering. We’ll talk about how she spreads weather geekiness online, what it takes to cut through misinformation with creativity and humor, and why making science joyful might be one of the most powerful tools we have.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Tracy Fanara and Inspector Planet
02:35 The Journey to Science and Engineering
05:42 The Birth of Inspector Planet
08:31 Career Path and NOAA Experience
11:35 Understanding Florida Red Tide and the 2018 Water Crisis
17:10 Break 1
17:42 Project INKI: Transforming Flood Data into Actionable Intelligence
23:25 The Importance of Communication in Science
27:47 Break 2
29:33 Leveraging Social Media for Science Communication
35:25 Future of Science and Technology in Environmental Research

Turning Climate Data into Music

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:05:00 -0000

Guests: Harlan Brothers and Jamie Perera

We spend a lot of time looking at climate data — charts, maps, graphs, trends. But what if, instead of staring at the numbers, we listened to them? What if rising temperatures, shifting seasons, and accelerating change had a sound? Today’s guests, Harlan Brothers and Jamie Perera, are pioneers in a growing and fascinating field known as climate data sonification. They take datasets that often feel distant or abstract and translate them into music and sound — turning climate change into something you don’t just understand, but feel. In this episode, we’ll explore how sound can open new doors to climate communication, why art and science don’t have to live in separate worlds, and how listening to the planet might help us connect with it in a whole new way.

Chapters

00:00 The Intersection of Sound and Climate Data
08:33 Understanding Sonification: Transforming Data into Sound
19:25 Break 1
19:44 Artistic Choices in Sonification: Making Data Listenable
27:06 Break 2
27:45 The Audience of Sonification: Education, Art, and Engagement
37:34 Future of Climate Data Sonification: Collaborations and Innovations

Keeping the Spark Alive: Lightning, Data, and Curiosity

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:05:00 -0000

Guest: Chris Vagasky, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Few things in weather grab our attention quite like lightning. It’s fast, powerful, a little bit mysterious — and for today’s guest, it’s been a lifelong fascination. Joining us is lightning expert Chris Vagasky, a scientist whose career has sparked everything from groundbreaking lightning safety work to a new chapter with Wisconet, one of the most advanced surface observation networks in the country. While his day-to-day role may have evolved, his passion for understanding and explaining lightning has never dimmed. In this episode, we’ll talk about career pivots in meteorology, why high-quality observations matter so much during severe weather, and how you keep your scientific spark alive even as your job changes. So stay grounded, because this conversation is charged with insight, curiosity, and a whole lot of lightning science.

Chapters

00:00 The Fascination with Lightning
14:30 Break 1
14:33 Career Pivot and WiscoNet
26:36 Break 2
26:54 The Future of Weather Communication and AI

Measuring Tornadoes from Space

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:05:00 -0000

Guest: Dr. Connell Miller, Western University

When a tornado tears through the landscape, one of the first questions we ask is, how strong was it? Answering that usually means boots on the ground, surveying damage piece by piece. But what if part of that story could be told from hundreds of miles above Earth? Today, we’re joined by Dr. Connell Miller, whose research explores how satellite data can be used to detect and measure tornado damage from space, especially in rural and agricultural areas where traditional damage indicators can be hard to find. We’ll talk about using vegetation signals to infer tornado intensity, how this approach could complement ground surveys, and what it means for improving tornado climatology and post-storm analysis.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tornado Research and Satellite Data
05:46 Innovative Use of Satellite Data in Tornado Assessment
12:12 Correlation Between Satellite Data and Ground Surveys
14:00 Break 1
17:56 Limitations and Future of Satellite Data in Tornado Rating
25:03 Break 2
25:05 AI and Automation in Tornado Damage Assessment

Stop and See the Clouds

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:05:00 -0000

Guest: Dr. Bruce Albrecht, University of Miami

Most of us look at the sky every day but let’s be honest, we usually only glance up long enough to decide if we need an umbrella. But what if your phone could actually help you notice the atmosphere again? Not doomscrolling… cloud-scrolling! Today we’re joined by Dr. Bruce Albrecht, the mind behind SeeMyClouds — the app that’s turning sky-gazing into a social, creative, totally addictive hobby. Whether you’re a cirrus superfan, a cumulus connoisseur, or someone who just likes a good sunset photo, Bruce is here to talk about why clouds deserve their moment…and how his app is bringing weather geeks and casual sky-watchers together one snapshot at a time.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cloud Appreciation
02:56 Bruce Albrecht's Journey in Meteorology
05:50 The Science of Cloud Microphysics
09:06 Exploring Cloud Radar Technology
11:17 Break 1
11:49 Inspiration Behind See My Clouds App
15:02 The Role of Social Media in Cloud Appreciation
18:00 Features and Functionality of See My Clouds
20:10 Break 2
21:08 Potential for Scientific Research
24:03 Understanding Cloud Seeding
26:55 Final Thoughts on Cloud Enthusiasm

Looking Back at Winter 2025-26

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:05:00 -0000

Guest: Paul Goodloe, Weather Channel Meteorologist

Winter is officially in the rearview mirror and while some parts of the country were digging out from snow and ice, others were wondering if winter ever showed up at all! So today, we’re doing something a little different. We’re sitting down with a familiar face from The Weather Channel, meteorologist Paul Goodloe, to look back at the season that was. From headline-making storms like Winter Storms Fern and Hernando, to the surprisingly quiet winter across much of the Western United States, there’s plenty to unpack. So grab a warm drink — or maybe start thinking about putting the snow shovel away — as we recap the biggest winter weather moments of the season.

Chapters

00:00 Winter Weather Overview
10:55 Paul Goodlow's Journey to Meteorology
13:39 Characterizing the Winter of 2025-2026
19:44 Break 1
19:46 Winter Storm Fern: A Deep Dive
31:19 Break 2
31:21 Winter Storm Hernando: The Big Nor'easter
32:16 Hurricane Forecasting and Model Accuracy
34:53 The Impact of AI in Weather Forecasting
35:08 Experiencing Winter Storm Hernando
39:25 Blizzard Conditions and Snow Accumulation
41:48 Comparing Winter Storms: Fern vs. Hernando
46:07 Public Response to Weather Forecasts
48:15 The Western Winter: A Lack of Snow
54:23 Avalanche Risks and Climate Change
58:24 Wildfire Threats Due to Low Snowpack
01:00:02 Looking Ahead: Weather Patterns and Droughts

Inside the Forecast: From the Air Force to the White House

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 07:05:00 -0000

Guest: Lt. Col. Andrew Gay

Forecasts don’t just matter for farmers, travelers, or weekend plans — they can influence decisions that ripple across the globe. Few people know that better than Major Andrew Gay, who has served as a meteorologist in the U.S. Air Force, at the White House, and at the Pentagon. In those roles, weather wasn’t simply data — it was mission-critical information that could impact safety, security, and strategy at the highest levels. Today, we’ll hear how his career has bridged science and service, and what it takes to forecast when the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Weather Forecasting
02:51 Andrew Gay's Journey to Meteorology
05:56 Career Path in the Air Force
08:53 Supporting Military Operations
11:44 Weather Forecasting at the White House
12:30 Break 1
14:44 Current Role and Responsibilities
17:55 Challenges in Weather Forecasting
21:52 Emerging Technologies in Meteorology
22:26 Break 2
25:06 Effective Science Communication
29:50 Advice for Aspiring Meteorologists

Inside the American Weather Enterprise Association

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:05:00 -0000

Guests: Doug Hilderbrand & Jennifer Sprague-Hilderbrand

When you think about the weather world, you might picture satellites spinning overhead, supercomputers crunching data, or meteorologists trying to explain that yes, the cone is not the size of the storm. But behind all of that is a whole community of people working together to keep us informed and safe. Today, we’re joined by two people who know that ecosystem better than almost anyone: Doug and Jennifer Hilderbrand, co-founders of the American Weather Enterprise Association. Together, they’re building a space where the public, private, and academic sectors can actually talk to each other — and maybe even agree on a few things — to strengthen the entire weather community. We’ll dive into why they launched the association, what they hope to change, and how collaboration can help us all navigate a future with more complex storms, more data, and more demand than ever.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Weather Community
03:04 Personal Journeys into Meteorology
06:03 The American Weather Enterprise Association Explained
07:56 The Importance of Economic Valuation in Weather
13:16 Break 1
13:45 Building a Strong Foundation for the Future
20:00 Advocacy and Engagement with Policymakers
25:50 The Personal Dynamics of Building an Organization
26:30 Break 2
32:02 Conclusion and Future Directions

Inside Severe Season: A Conversation with the SPC Director

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:05:00 -0000

Guest: Dr. Russell Schneider

Spring may mean blooming flowers and warmer days, but for meteorologists, it means something else entirely: severe weather season is officially here. As we head into the months when thunderstorms sharpen, tornadoes spin up, and the atmosphere becomes anything but predictable, there’s one place every forecaster and weather enthusiast looks to: the Storm Prediction Center. Today, we’re joined by the Director of the SPC Dr. Russell Schneider, the person who helps oversee the outlooks, mesoscale discussions, and tornado and severe thunderstorm watches that millions depend on when the stakes are high. We’ll look back at what last season taught us, talk about what’s on the horizon for this year, explore how new tools — including emerging AI guidance — are shaping the forecasting landscape, and discuss the growing influence of storm chasers and open-access model data.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Severe Weather Season
01:03 Dr. Russell Schneider's Journey to Meteorology
04:42 Understanding the Storm Prediction Center (SPC)
10:17 Reflections on the 2025 Severe Weather Season
11:54 Break 1
12:38 Shifts in Tornado Activity and Trends
15:54 The Spectrum of Severe Weather Hazards
22:08 Preparing for the 2026 Severe Weather Season
25:20 Break 2
25:49 Innovations in Weather Forecasting Technology
30:01 Communicating Weather Risks Effectively
33:53 The Role of Storm Chasers and Social Media