WeatherBrains 1040: I Will Hunt You Down
WeatherBrains
On WeatherBrains this week are two special guests. Friend of the show and WeatherBrains veteran Mark Sudduth is the owner of HurricaneTrack.com and has over three decades of experience documenting landfalling hurricanes and other high impact weather events. He founded the Hurricane Intercept Research Team, which pioneers the use of unmanned camera systems to safely capture severe weather. Welcome to the show! Last but certainly not least is our second Guest WeatherBrain Bruce Thomas. He's the President of WeatherCall and is the former spokesman of Midland Weather Radio...
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WeatherBrains 1039: Moose Pasture
WeatherBrains
On WeatherBrains this week are meteorologist Jim Abraham with Environment Canada and meteorologist Ken MacDonald. Jim actually started the Canadian Hurricane Center in Halifax, and has been working in meteorology for over four decades. Ken MacDonald has been in the weather field for over 48 years. He launched his career in 1975, and has been an instructor, a forecaster, and a researcher in areas all over Canada. It's great to see you both and thank you for joining us tonight! Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners....
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WeatherBrains 1038: We're Losing Minutes
WeatherBrains
On WeatherBrains this week, we're diving deep into the Weather Prediction Center's Winter Program - how they forecast snow and ice, the challenges of nailing accumulation totals, the coordination calls with NWS field offices, and what the future may hold for winter weather headlines. Joining us are two of WC's best: Peter Mullinax, a lead winter forecaster who produces national snow and ice guidance, Key Messages, and a wide range of surface, short-range, rainfall, and tropical products; and Dr. Owen Shieh, WPC's Warning Coordination Meteorologist, providing national-level decision support for...
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WeatherBrains 1037: Fizz Dizz
WeatherBrains
Tonight’s Guest WeatherBrain is WPC's WCM Warning Coordination Meteorologist Dr. Owen Shieh. He holds a B.S. in Atmospheric Science from Cornell University, an M.S. in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Hawaii. We talk tonight about how Owen landed this position and all of the aspects of his role. He's also a talented gardener and an accomplished musician. Welcome to the show and thanks for joining us, Owen! Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach...
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WeatherBrains 1036: Vomiting and Vertigo
WeatherBrains
Tonight, the Panel takes a deep dive into Hurricane Melissa and the devastation it brought to Jamaica and the Caribbean. The Panel analyzes the complexities of this natural disaster and the historical precedent of the landfall strength of Melissa. Thanks for tuning in to this week's episode! Tonight’s Guest WeatherBrain is a FOX Weather Correspondent based in Atlanta, Georgia who has covered major events including Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Idalia. Recently, he covered historic Hurricane Melissa as it made landfall. He's a veteran reporter and previously helped...
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WeatherBrains 1035: Sass Not Class
WeatherBrains
Tonight’s Guest WeatherBrain is Corey Bunn. He's a full time Operational Meteorologist with Coastal Weather Research Center. He prepares daily forecasts and also has a responsibility of issuing severe weather warnings and he also maintains the company website and assists in hurricane forecasting operations. He joined the CWRC in 2012 after completing his Bachelor's Degree in Meteorology at the University of South Alabama. Corey, welcome to WeatherBrains! Our next Guest WeatherBrain (in order of appearance) is Jeff Medlin, the founder and CEO of Medlin Meterological...
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WeatherBrains 1034: A Little Fitz'd Out
WeatherBrains
We discuss on this week's episode the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald and the loss of her 29-member crew during a violent fall storm on November 10th, 1975. Tonight’s Guest WeatherBrain is an author of over thirty books on maritime history. He's been a consultant to the US Park Service and an on-air expert for National Geographic and Fox and Friends among over ventures. Dr. Frederick Stonehouse, welcome to WeatherBrains! Tonight's Guest Panelist is Tom Hultquist. He is the technical program lead for the Analysis and Forecast Branch of the National Weather Service, working...
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WeatherBrains 1033: Maximum Hemorrhoid Outage
WeatherBrains
Tonight’s Guest WeatherBrain is a meteorologist and trader focused on weather risk management, currently with Munich Re Trading LLC. His career includes experience with the National Weather Service, energy trading, and weather derivatives—blending forecasting expertise with financial market knowledge. Welcome, Tom Paylor! Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com. Correct weather ballon launch procedures (25:00) What are weather derivatives? (35:30) What is a weather derivative sales group?...
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WeatherBrains 1032: Wasteland of Nothing
WeatherBrains
Tonight’s guest is Dr. Jerry Brotzge, Kentucky State Climatologist and Director of the Kentucky Climate Center and Mesonet. The discussion focuses on climatology, observational data, and building a mesonet network. Dr. Brotzge earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Louis and his Master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Brotzge, welcome to WeatherBrains! Our second Guest WeatherBrain is Dr. Stu Foster. He is the former head of the Kentucky Climate Center. He built the mesonet in the state of Kentucky and earned his PhD from Ohio State...
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WeatherBrains 1031: Date With A Razor
WeatherBrains
Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is Jen Carfagno, co-host of America’s Morning Headquarters and the Weather Geeks podcast on The Weather Channel. A Penn State meteorology graduate with over 25 years of experience, she has covered major weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards, helping audiences understand storm science. Starting behind the scenes before becoming an on-air meteorologist, she earned an Emmy Award for her coverage of Hurricane Helene in 2024. Known as the “Dewpoint Diva,” Jen is recognized for her expertise and enthusiasm in meteorology. Jen, thanks for...
info_outlineTonight's show features an assortment of guests as we take a deep-dive into the National Weather Association - what it is, and why it matters. In addition, we examine how the NWA is evolving in its 50th year. We will talk about the NWA Road Map, the critical role of the NWA seals (both broadcast and digital), the power of professional service and volunteering, and the future of trusted weather communication in a changing media environment.
James Jessel is a friend of the podcast and works with Guest Booking Officer Bill Murray. He works for Pinnacle Communications Corporation as National Account Manager and joins us tonight as Guest Panelist. James, it is good to see you!
Becca Mazur is the 2025 President of the National Weather Association. She's been active with the organization since 2014. She works in Anchorage, Alaska, where she specializes in integrating new science, forecast methods and tools/operational forecasting. She holds degrees from Northern Illinois University and Colorado State University.
We are also honored to be joined tonight by Matt Beitscher, who is one of the lead meteorologists with the NWS in St. Louis. He is the Commissioner of Committees for the NWA. Matt, it's great to have you join us tonight!
Kendra Kent also joins the gang tonight for our discussion and is the Chief Meteorologist Fox Carolina News in Greenville, South Carolina. She is a long-time NWA seal holder and Emmy nominee. She was named the 2024 South Carolina Weathercaster of the Year. She's also known for her community service and animal rescue work. It's an honor to have you join us tonight, Kendra.
Last but certainly not least in order of their appearance, Isaac Williams joins us from WANF-TV in Atlanta Georgia where he is a broadcast on-air meteorologist. He was formerly the Chief Meteorologist at WCBI-TV in Columbus, Mississippi. He's also an instructor at Mississippi State and is currently pursuing his PhD in Earth and Atmospheric Science from Mississippi State. Thanks for joining us, Isaac!
Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com.
- Memorable New England tropical systems this millennium (25:30)
- December 16th, 2000 Tuscaloosa tornado (29:00)
- Becca Mazur's most rewarding projects in meteorology (33:00)
- Notable professional challenges in meteorology (36:00)
- Difficulties of time management in a fast paced/digital world (39:30)
- Dr. George Fischbeck's legacy and passion for weather and its impact on James Jessel (46:10)
- How did James Spann get into the NWA/History of the NWA? (01:06:45)
- Preparations for 50th Anniversary/Huntsville NWA meeting September 6th-10th 2025 (01:09:00)
- "A Brave New World" topic of discussion at NWA meeting (01:14:00)
- The RON (Research Operation Nexus) (01:18:00)
- Creation of the NWA Digital Seal/Bill Murray's inaugural Seal (01:21:30)
- NWA Roadmap Initiative (01:31:00)
- The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (No segment this week)
- This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:34:24)
- E-Mail Segment (01:35:35)
- and more!
Web Sites from Episode 1014:
2025 Annual Meeting in Huntsville, AL - National Weather Association
National Weather Association on X
Picks of the Week:
Becca Mazur - Terrifying video of the deadly Enderlin, ND tornado
James Aydelott - My Perfect Weather
Jen Narramore - Cass County Sheriff’s Office identifies victims in deadly Enderlin tornado
Jen Narramore - Tornado kills three in upstate NY, including twin sisters
Rick Smith - Automated Data Plotter
Troy Kimmel - Foghorn
Kim Klockow-McClain - Foghorn
John Gordon - MetLink - Royal Meteorological Society Local Winds
Bill Murray - Foghorn
James Spann - Brian Emfinger on X: Site of deadly tornado from east of Enderlin, ND
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.