WeatherBrains 1054: I Want My Own Radar; I've Earned It
WeatherBrains
Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is a legend in the Weather Enterprise and is the quintessential Tornado Master. Dr. Howard Bluestein is a Professor Emeritus and George Lynn Cross Research Professor in the School of Meteorology at the University of Oklahoma. He recently retired after spending more than 48 (WOW!) years as a meteorology professor at OU. Dr. Bluestein remains active in research and storm chasing, and for decades he pioneered the use of advance mobile doppler radar systems to study severe storms and tornadoes. He's also a renowned author and photographer, and...
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WeatherBrains 1053: Social Media Jabronis
WeatherBrains
Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is the Director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami. He previously led its Hurricane Specialist Unit and served as a senior hurricane specialist, producing forecasts and warnings for tropical cyclones in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific. His work focuses on improving hurricane track and intensity forecasts, integrating new data into models, and training meteorologists on forecasting and communication. Before joining NHC leadership, he was the Science and Operations Officer at the Weather Prediction Center, where he guided scientific practices and staff...
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WeatherBrains 1052: He Pulled It Out Of His You-Know-What
WeatherBrains
Tonight's WeatherBrains episode is all about marine weather! We discuss wave forecasting, marine hazards, and the many products issued for mariners. Guest WeatherBrain for tonight's episode is Chris Landsea. He was formerly the Science and Operations Officer for 11 years at NHC, and he's now the Chief of TAFB (Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch) at the NHC. He has served in this role since 2019. Chris, it's great to have you on tonight's episode. Guest WeatherBrain and meteorologist Brian Lamarre was formerly the Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM)...
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WeatherBrains 1051: Oh My Cod!
WeatherBrains
Tonight's WeatherBrains is all about the NWS Storm Prediction Center (SPC)'s convective outlooks. Guest WeatherBrain and SPC forecaster Bill Bunting joins us tonight. He grew up in Virginia Beach, VA where we experienced a series of hurricanes and Nor'easters at a very young age. He attended Old Dominion University as well as OU where he earned his Bachelor's Degree. He's been with the National Weather Service since 1985, where he's worked primarily at local offices in Norman (OK), Kansas City (MO) and Fort Worth (TX). He was Chief of Forecasting Operations at SPC in...
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WeatherBrains 1050: VCP Dance
WeatherBrains
Tonight's WeatherBrains episode will cover the Purdue Meteorology Program. The Panel takes a deep dive into both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Guest WeatherBrain Dr. Robin Tanamachi joins us tonight from Purdue University. She's a member of the AMS and is working with UCAR and COMET on a radar meteorology course. She's an avid cyclist and storm chaser. It's great to have you on tonight, Dr. Tanamachi! Guest WeatherBrain Dr Beth Hall joins us to discuss what's happening with the Indiana State Climatologist office. She's also the director of the Midwest...
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WeatherBrains 1049: Say A Little WeatherBrains Prayer
WeatherBrains
Tonight's show is all about radar and reflectivity. Guest WeatherBrain Charles Kuster works in the radar division of NSSL. He started his career at the OU Cooperative Institute. Then, moved to NSSL and has been there ever since. He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he completed his Bachelor’s degree in 2012 and eventually his Master’s in 2014. Charles was a Graduate Research Assistant with OU CIMMS before securing a position as Research Associate in January of this year. Charles, welcome to WeatherBrains! Second Guest WeatherBrain Jami Boettcher came...
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WeatherBrains 1048: Keep Thy Mouth Shut
WeatherBrains
Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is Melinda Beerends. She is the MIC (Meteorologist in Charge) of Grand Forks, ND. Welcome! Our Guest WeatherBrain No. 2 tonight is meteorologist Carl Jones. He's a forecaster for the NWS in Grand Forks, ND. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Florida State University. His professional focus remains operational forecasting and photography. Thanks for joining us tonight! Last but certainly not least, Guest WeatherBrain No. 3 is a meteorologist from the NWS office in Grand Forks, ND. He is a St. Cloud State graduate and is...
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WeatherBrains 1047: I Hate Miller Bs
WeatherBrains
Tonight's Guest Panelist is a meteorologist and author who is President and CEO of NorCast Media Group. Focusing on the Northeast, NorCast is known for combining detailed forecasting with storytelling. He recently released a book inspired in part by the influence of his grandmother and his lifelong fascination with weather. Nick Pittman, thanks for joining us tonight! Our Guest WeatherBrain for this week's episode is an on-air broadcast meteorologist for FOX Weather. He's known for combining sharp forecasting, energetic and engaging on-camera style. He's...
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WeatherBrains 1046: Commissioner Emeritus
WeatherBrains
Tonight's show is all about the OTUS Project. It's a nonprofit research mission lead by President Nelson Tucker, Drone Builder and Ops Coordinator Louis Tucker, Lead Engineer Tanner Beard, and chasing expert Eric Fox. The OTUS Project was founded by engineering and meteorology students, and is pioneering the use of cutting edge UAV technology, software and sensor engineering to investigate tornadoes in ways never before possible. Their goal is to protect life and property by improving our understanding of wind forces for structural resilience and collecting thermodynamic data...
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WeatherBrains 1045: NAM Kicked Booty
WeatherBrains
Tonight’s show celebrates 20 years of WeatherBrains, still going strong in January 2026! Former show regulars join the panel to reflect on memorable moments, including Aubrey Urbanowicz, Nate Johnson, Dr. John Scala, and Dr. Neil Jacobs. Over the years, WeatherBrains has covered nearly every topic in meteorology, and panelist Jen Narramore shares audio highlights from some of the most memorable episodes. Thanks for being part of the celebration tonight! Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com. ...
info_outlineTonight's Hall of Fame Episode pays tribute to the legendary late broadcast meteorologist and industry pioneer Gary England, who passed away on June 10th 2025. He was 85 years old. We have three Guest WeatherBrains tonight to help us honor Gary England, who was a pioneer and a trailblazer in the field of meteorology. Our first two Guest WeatherBrains appeared on Episode No. 946.
First up is David Payne, who is the Chief Meteorologist of KWTV Channel 9 in Oklahoma City. He replaced Gary England when he retired in mid-2013. He is a native Oklahoman and an OU graduate and previously he spent 19 years at KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City.
Appearing second on the show is the morning broadcast meteorologist at News Channel 9 in OKC. She's an OU graduate and has been at News Channel 9 since 2011. She previously interned with Gary England for several years while she was a student at OU. Lacey Swope, it's great to see you again.
Last but certainly not least, we introduce Barbara Merckx, who is now the News Director for OU Nightly at the OU Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. She previously worked with our very own James Aydelott at NBC 5 in Fort Worth, TX. Thanks for joining us tonight, Barbara!
Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com.
- Lacey's experience with meeting and working with Gary England (10:30)
- Experiences working with Gary (25:00)
- Gary-isms (48:30)
- Looking back at 2013 El Reno, OK tornado (50:00)
- Importance of building rapport with the public as a broadcast meteorologist (01:14:00)
- Gary England paving the way for future generations (01:28:30)
- Warning process during devastating Texas floods (01:34:30)
- The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:29:45)
- This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:31:00)
- E-Mail Segment (01:32:00)
- and more!
Web Sites from Episode 1018:
Meteorologist Lacey Swope on Facebook
Picks of the Week:
David Payne - Drummond charges Oklahoma City man for damaging TV station's weather radar
Barbara Merckx - Willie Gillespie on LinkedIn
James Aydelott - "Those Terrible Twisters And The Weather Of Oklahoma" by Gary England
Jen Narramore - Guin, AL F5 Tornado Series
Rick Smith - Oral history interview with Gary England: Oklahoma Mesonet YouTube
Troy Kimmel - Foghorn
Kim Klockow-McClain - Senate Report
Kim Klockow-McClain - House Report
John Gordon - HDSC World Record Point Precipitation Measurements
Bill Murray - Foghorn
James Spann - NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore, John Gordon, and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.