WeatherBrains
Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is a veteran meteorologist at Bluewater Forecasting in Montgomery, Alabama. He's got almost five decades of experience in the field, and formerly served as the Chief Meteorologist at WSFA-TV in Montgomery for 34 years, before transitioning to radio. Rich Thomas, welcome to WeatherBrains! Brooks Garner of FOX 35 TV in Orlando also stops by to discuss the tornado that made a direct hit on their studios on March 10th, where he covered the tornado live on air and warned his viewers, and in this case, his co-workers! Brooks, thanks for hanging...
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Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is a retired meteorologist with thirty-five years of experience at the NWS. That includes twenty-six years as a SOO, and he's been a leader with forecaster training, mesoscale analysis and radar interpretation, which helps NWS offices improve proving warning decision-making and lead times for severe weather hazards. Pete Wolf, welcome to WeatherBrains! Also, Bruce Jones joins us to discuss the importance of NOAA Weather Radio and its integration in order to save lives. Welcome back, Bruce! Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the...
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Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is a retired Lead Forecaster for the Storm Prediction Center with nearly four decades of Federal service, specializing in severe convective storms and tornado forecasting. He's a passionate storm chaser, researcher, and an advocate for weather safety. He co-founded the Electronic Journal of Severe Storms Meteorology and remains an influencial voice in meteorology. Roger Edwards, it is great to see you! Also, Bruce Jones joins us to discuss the importance of NOAA Weather Radio and its integration in order to save lives. Welcome back, Bruce!...
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Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is a seasoned broadcast meteorologist and weather anchor at KGW-TV in Portland, Oregon. He brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for weather to his viewers daily. His forecasting career has spanned nearly 30 years, taking him from the hurricanes of south Texas to the lake effect snows of Michigan, the tornadoes of the Ohio valley and yes, the hard to predict weather of the Pacific Northwest. Rod grew up in Missouri and graduated from Mizzou. He later earned his certificate of broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State. Soon after, Rod...
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Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is an Atmospheric Scientist and a Research Meteorologist and Managing Director of the FARM (Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets). With a passion for fieldwork, she's collected data from over 100 tornadoes and 9 hurricanes. Karen Kosiba, thanks for joining us. Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com. Active weather pattern ahead for Southeast (01:45) Increasing attention on hail production (19:00) The importance of field research for the emerging generation (20:30)...
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Angela Mason, author of Death Rides The Sky, The Story Of The 1925 Tri-State Tornado, is our guest this week! Next month is the 100th anniversary of the deadly tornado that killed almost 700 people.
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Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is a storm chaser, and is the driver and equipment technician for storm chaser Brett Adair. He has over twelve years of experience, and he's chased 22 tornadoes and 9 hurricanes across 39 states. He's a Pell City, AL native. Heath Lollar, welcome to the show! Our Second Guest WeatherBrain is a WeatherBrains veteran and the founder of Girls Who Chase, a movement empowering women in storm chasing. A self taught chaser and forecaster, she has been chasing since 2018. Jen Walton, thanks for joining us! Our email officer Jen is continuing...
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It's a somber episode tonight as we look back on the life and legacy of a legend in the field of meteorology, Dr. Chuck Doswell. We look back at Dr. Doswell's career and his impact on the science today. Our Guest WeatherBrain is a Senior Scientist in the Forecast Research and Development Division at the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) and a prior veteran of the show. Dr Harold Brooks, welcome to the show. Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com. Remembering Dr. Doswell (03:30)...
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Our First Guest WeatherBrain is the great grand-niece of Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, the Vermont farmer who first photographed snowflakes. Sue Richardson, welcome to the show! Wilson Bentley was born on February 9, 1865 in the town of Jericho, Vermont. A farmer by trade, he attracted worldwide attention with his pioneering work in the area of photomicrography. Most notable in his life long work with rain, dew and frost, was his extensive work with snowflakes. On January 15, 1885 he became the first person to photograph a single snow crystal. He would go on to photograph well over 5000...
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Our First Guest WeatherBrain of Year 2025 is a Geologist with a passion for studying extreme weather-related surface impacts. His research primarily focuses on the geological aftermath of high-impact weather events. He's known for his field work and engaging video content. His unique perspective bridges the field of meteorology and geology. Phillip Prince, thanks for dropping by to chat. Tonight's Second Guest WeatherBrain is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) at the National Weather Service (NWS) in Greenville-Spartanburg, SC, a position she has held since...
info_outlineThis episode of WeatherBrains features multiple special guests for Show 971.
Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is a suggestion of Friend of the Podcast Ryan Stinnett. This WeatherBrain has a rich background in meteorology, including a very profound childhood experience with 1992's Hurricane Andrew in South Florida. She earned her Bachelor's Degree with a from the University of Miami. She currently resides in Missouri at KQ2-TV in St. Joseph, Missouri. She has previously worked at The Weather Channel and is an active member of the AMS and NWA. Vanessa Alonso, it's an honor to have you on with us tonight.
Guest WeatherBrain No. 2 is also a very special guest we are excited to chat with on episode 971. She works in the NOAA Weather Program Office as an Observations Program Coordinator and is here to preview sessions at the NWA Annual Meeting 2024. Sandy LaCorte, welcome to WeatherBrains.
Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com.
- NWA Annual Meeting 2024 (12:30)
- Looking back at 1992's Hurricane Andrew (19:00)
- Importance of internships in college (40:45)
- What is astraphobia? (46:30)
- Shared experiences in Double Majors in college (47:00)
- Experiences with 2011 Joplin tornado (01:02:30)
- AMS Digital Meteorologist Seal (01:17:30)
- Efforts to recruit Spanish speakers in CBM program (01:25:00)
- The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:33:00)
- This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:35:00)
- E-Mail Segment (01:36:00)
- and more!
Web Sites from Episode 971:
Meteorologist Vanessa Alonso on Facebook
Picks of the Week:
Vanessa Alonso - How Texas chocolate maker survives the summer heat: WFAA TV Dallas on YouTube
James Aydelott - Microburst Footage from McConnell AFB Airshow
Jen Narramore - TornadoTalk Podcast On Spotify
Rick Smith - ChickFilA Cows Thunderstorm
Neil Jacobs - Out
Troy Kimmel - NOAA/NWS IDSS Prototype Forecast Points
Kim Klockow-McClain - "The Fifth Risk" by Michael Lewis
Bill Murray - Hurricane Carla Hits Texas AKA Hurricane Carla (1961)
James Spann - Weathernerds ECENS Data
The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore, Dr. Neil Jacobs, and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.