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.

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Power of Stories in Climate Change
2. 11:58 Resilience in the Face of Unpredictable Weather
3. 23:34 Lessons from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Experiences
4. 35:19 Connecting Literature and Climate Preparedness

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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?

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Wildfire Challenges
2. 02:43 The Alert California Program
3. 06:06 AI and Camera Technology in Fire Detection
4. 08:52 Collaboration with CAL FIRE
5. 11:56 Operational Impact and Community Involvement
6. 14:56 Weather's Role in Fire Management
7. 17:43 Data Integration and Future Prospects
8. 20:53 Public Engagement and Awareness
9. 23:48 Cascading Disasters and Multi-Hazard Approach
10. 26:52 Future of Alert California and Technology Advancements
11. 29:39 Conclusion and Call to Action

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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.

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Economic Impact of Hurricane Forecasting
2. 07:10 Understanding Forecast Accuracy and Economic Value
3. 13:25 Protective Spending and Recovery Costs
4. 20:08 Quantifying the Value of Forecast Improvements
5. 29:56 Connecting Research to Policy and Industry

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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!

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet
2. 03:02 Daryl's Journey into Meteorology
3. 05:54 Understanding the Iowa Mesonet
4. 09:10 Data Collection and Archiving Challenges
5. 12:05 The Role of the Iowa Mesonet in Weather Forecasting
6. 14:48 Real-Time Data and Its Applications
7. 18:01 The Future of the Iowa Mesonet
8. 21:12 Climate Change Insights from Data
9. 24:05 The Impact of AI on Meteorology
10. 26:59 Conclusion and Future Directions

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Weather Geeks Team

What began as Fourth of July thunderstorms in Kerr County, Texas rapidly evolved into a catastrophic flash flood that overwhelmed campgrounds, highways, and homes.  Today on Weather Geeks, we’re dedicating our episode to understanding the flood disaster in Texas’ Hill Country, how it happened so fast, and how we can better prepare for the next time the sky opens up. We’ll unpack the meteorological setup as well as the human and infrastructural challenges in warning, evacuation, and rescue.  This isn’t just a weather story—it’s a community story, and a wake-up call for every corner of the country vulnerable to sudden flooding.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Understanding the Texas Hill Country Flood Disaster
2. 01:39 Meteorological Insights and Communication Challenges
3. 05:00 Analyzing the Meteorological Setup
4. 09:32 The Role of Terrain and Hydrology
5. 18:12 The Impact of Communication on Preparedness
6. 25:02 Cloud Seeding Myths and Misunderstandings
7. 27:22 Lessons Learned for Future Flood Events
8. 27:50 The Deadly Overnight Flooding Event
9. 29:02 The Importance of a Nightly Weather Check
10. 29:30 Enhancing Flood Warnings and Public Response
11. 31:18 The Role of Forecasting in Emergency Management
12. 33:44 Public Perception and Weather Warnings
13. 35:41 Psychology of Weather Response
14. 37:31 The Need for Effective Warning Systems
15. 39:54 Advocating for Weather Radios
16. 41:22 The Impact of Climate Change on Flooding
17. 43:49 Understanding Extreme Weather Events
18. 45:57 The Role of Sea Surface Temperatures
19. 51:30 The Human Element in Weather Events

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Guests: Bejan Abtahi & Maria Augutis

Every four years the most incredible athletes from around the globe gather to showcase their athletic abilities in the Olympics. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee plays a pivotal role in providing critical resources to ensure the athletes excel on the Global Stage. One of the biggest influencers of the games can be the weather. Joining us today are Bejan Abtahi and Maria Augutis. Bejan is an Olympic Performance Advisor for the USOPC and Maria is a Meteorologist with Sveriges Television and StormGeo. They work together to achieve a common goal: making the greatest sporting event in the world even greater! Let’s talk about it…

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to the Olympic Weather Connection
2. 03:08 The Role of Weather in Olympic Performance
3. 05:57 Meteorological Insights for Athletes
4. 09:02 Storm Geo's Contribution to Olympic Weather Forecasting
5. 12:02 Weather Challenges in Olympic Locations
6. 15:11 Weather Sensitivity in Olympic Events
7. 17:52 Preparing Athletes for Weather Conditions
8. 20:52 Collaboration Between Meteorologists and Olympic Teams
9. 24:00 Air Quality and Athlete Performance
10. 27:02 Climate Change and the Future of the Olympics
11. 30:06 Advice for Future Meteorologists

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Guest: Chris Van Arsdale, Google Climate & Energy Research Lead

Wildfires aren’t just a summer problem anymore. This past January, California faced an unusual and intense wildfire outbreak, with flames ripping through communities and forcing thousands to evacuate. What if we could catch wildfires in their earliest stages, before they spiral out of control? That’s the goal of Google’s FireSat, a revolutionary satellite system designed to spot fires as small as a campfire and deliver updates every 20 minutes. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re talking to Chris Van Arsdale, a leader behind the FireSat project, about how it all works and how they are using AI to help the firefight before it even starts

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Wildfire Challenges and Firesat
2. 03:10 Chris Van Arsdale's Journey to Google and Climate Research
3. 06:09 Understanding the Firesat Satellite System
4. 09:01 Operational Use and Future of Firesat
5. 11:48 The Role of Google in Wildfire Detection
6. 15:06 Machine Learning and Data Challenges in Fire Detection
7. 18:10 Implications for Firefighting Strategies
8. 20:52 Future Data Applications Beyond Fire Detection
9. 23:58 Global Interest and Collaboration on Firesat
10. 26:49 Environmental and Security Considerations
11. 29:59 Sustainability and Future Launch Plans for Firesat
12. 32:50 Global Applications and Community Engagement
13. 35:56 Final Thoughts on Firesat's Impact

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Guests: Nelson & Louis Tucker

When it comes to tornadoes, getting close is both the goal and the danger. For decades, scientists have relied on radar, storm chasers, and ground-based instruments to study these violent storms. But what if we could send something right into the heart of a developing tornado? Maybe something small, nimble, and packed with sensors? That’s the mission behind the OTUS Project. Using cutting-edge drone technology, this team is pushing the boundaries of what we can safely and accurately observe from inside tornadic storms. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by members of the OTUS Project to talk about how UAVs are changing the way we study tornadoes, what it’s like to deploy them in the field, and how this data could lead to better forecasts and ultimately, save lives.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to the Otus Project
2. 01:37 Personal Journeys into Meteorology
3. 06:12 Understanding Tornadoes: The Need for Data
4. 10:17 Drone Technology in Tornado Research
5. 14:59 A Day in the Life of a Tornado Chase
6. 19:39 Challenges and Risks in the Field
7. 21:32 First Experiences Inside a Tornado
8. 24:50 Collaborations and Data Sharing
9. 26:34 Measuring Wind Inside Tornadoes
10. 30:19 Choosing Storms and Navigating Obstacles
11. 32:12 Regulatory Hurdles and Networking
12. 34:17 Future Aspirations for the Otus Project

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Guest: Dr. Brian Bledsoe, University of Georgia

When a hurricane makes landfall, we expect the strongest impacts to hit the coast. But Hurricane Helene proved that the story doesn’t end there. With hurricane-force winds reaching more than 350 miles inland, this storm challenged the way we think about extreme weather risk. Are we truly prepared for the full reach of a hurricane, not just this decade but for centuries to come? Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by Dr. Brian Bledsoe from the University of Georgia, who is an expert on infrastructure and making future building more resilient. There are many opportunities to build back better, smarter, and safer after these events happen, and hopefully strive to not have to rebuild in the same places over and over. From infrastructure challenges to communication gaps, we’ll explore what needs to change to keep these communities—both coastal and inland—safe.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Understanding Hurricane Helene's Impact
2. 04:58 Assessing Infrastructure Resilience
3. 15:11 Lessons Learned from Hurricane Helene
4. 28:02 Addressing Multiple Natural Disasters
5. 40:00 The Importance of Comprehensive Infrastructure Planning

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Guest: Dr. Anne Heggli, Assistant Research Professor at the Desert Research Institute

Weather forecasts are more than just high and low temperatures or the chance of rain—they’re a complex mix of data, models, and probabilities. But how do we effectively communicate uncertainty in forecasts? And why do so many people struggle with understanding probability-based predictions? It may be easy for us Weather Geeks, but we need to make weather forecasts accessible to as many people as possible, which is exactly the challenge our guest today is tackling! Dr. Anne Heggli wears many hats in her professional life, but her excellence in water resource management across the western United States will teach all of us how to process data and uncertainty just a little better after this episode of Weather Geeks…

Chapters

1. 00:00 Understanding Weather Forecasts and Uncertainty
2. 03:00 The Importance of Water Resource Management
3. 05:53 Communicating Probabilistic Forecasts
4. 09:13 Visual Communication in Weather Forecasting
5. 12:03 Challenges in Communicating Weather Risks
6. 14:51 Hurricane Forecasting and the Cone of Uncertainty
7. 19:07 The 40% Chance of Rain Explained
8. 29:52 The Future of Data Visualization in Weather
9. 36:00 Engaging Communities in Weather Preparedness

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