Weather Geeks

RECORDED FEBRUARY 21, 2025; Originally released April 30, 2025

Guest: Alan Sealls, AMS President-Elect

For decades, broadcast meteorologists have been the trusted voices guiding us through hurricanes, tornadoes, and everyday forecasts. But behind every great weathercaster is a deep passion for both science and communication. Few embody that balance as well as Alan Sealls—a highly respected meteorologist, educator, and soon-to-be President of the American Meteorological Society. As we head into more uncertain times, Alan will certainly have a lot on his plate in 2026 as he manages the relationship between academic, government, broadcast, and private meteorologists all across the country. How will his tenured career translate to get this done? Let’s ask him right now on Weather Geeks

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Journey of a Weather Geek
2. 03:07 Career Trajectory and Passion for Meteorology
3. 06:04 Navigating Challenges in Meteorology
4. 09:00 The Importance of Education and Communication
5. 12:00 Lessons Learned in the Broadcasting Industry
6. 15:05 Community Engagement and Impact
7. 18:04 Secrets to Effective Communication and Teaching
8. 20:57 Engaging Communication in Meteorology
9. 22:21 Approaching Severe Weather Coverage
10. 25:42 The Impact of Technology on Meteorology
11. 27:54 The Future of Broadcast Meteorology
12. 30:01 Leadership and Representation in Meteorology
13. 34:13 Exploring African American Contributions to Meteorology
14. 39:57 Alan Sealls' Literary Contributions

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Guest: Dr. Neil Jacobs

Every forecast, every watch or warning, every piece of storm research in America… starts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

And there’s a new leader in charge: Neil Jacobs.

Over the past year, as he waited for Congress to confirm his nomination, NOAA saw cuts to staffing, research and observations.

All while the infrastructure that predicts our weather keeps right on aging.

The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore sat down with Neil Jacobs, for an exclusive interview- his first as head of NOAA.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to NOAA and Leadership Changes
2. 02:55 Priorities in Weather Forecasting
3. 06:00 Advancements in Forecasting Technology
4. 08:50 The Role of AI in Weather Prediction
5. 12:03 Challenges in Weather Data Collection
6. 15:00 Improving Public Awareness and Response
7. 18:09 The Future of Weather Forecasting
8. 21:01 Navigating Controversies and Public Trust
9. 23:57 Looking Ahead: The Next Five Years
10. 26:50 Conclusion and Call to Action

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RECORDED FEBRUARY 25, 2025; Originally released March 26, 2025

Guest: Daniel Swain

Winds are howling outside Los Angeles, California on a dry January day. The hillsides north and east of the city erupt in flames. A wall of fire begins to consume neighborhoods faster than firefighters can keep up. As wind-driven embers continue to fly down hill - a thousand miles away, Daniel Swain’s phone begins to light up. Journalists, companies, officials - all want answers to California’s extreme weather and the impact of climate change. On this week’s episode of Weather Geeks we learn how one high schooler, with a blog, ignited his career to become one of the leading communicators on climate change and the Weather out West.

Chapters:

1. 00:00 California's Wildfires and Climate Change
2. 10:08 Daniel Swain: The Weather Geek's Journey
3. 19:52 The Importance of Effective Communication
4. 27:05 Linking Climate Change to Extreme Weather
5. 40:05 Understanding the Complexity of Weather Events

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RECORDED MARCH 4, 2025; Originally released March 12, 2024

Guest: Dr. Sean Waugh, National Severe Storms Laboratory research scientist

As we’ve seen in the movies, and real life, tornadoes are some of the most destructive forces in nature, capable of leveling homes and damaging entire communities in a matter of minutes. And what about hail? It causes BILLIONS and billions of dollars in damage in the US every year. But how do we get up-close, real-time data on these violent storms in order to learn what is needed for better predictions? That’s where cutting-edge field research comes in. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re diving into the world of storm observation and mobile weather technology with Sean Waugh from NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory. From deploying instrumented drones and mobile mesonets to braving the extreme environments of tornadoes and hailstorms, his work is helping scientists better understand the atmospheric conditions that drive severe weather for years to come…

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Destructive Power of Tornadoes and Hail
2. 02:58 Sean Wu: A Journey into Meteorology
3. 05:57 Innovative HAIL Camera Technology
4. 08:47 Chasing Hail: The Challenges and Safety Measures
5. 11:59 Observing Hail: The Role of High-Speed Cameras
6. 14:46 Mobile Mesonets: Gathering Atmospheric Data
7. 17:59 Machine Learning and AI in Weather Prediction
8. 21:02 AI in Meteorology: Enhancing Forecasting Accuracy
9. 24:23 Hands-On Learning: Training the Next Generation of Meteorologists
10. 26:00 Tornado Research: Understanding Formation and Behavior
11. 28:05 Behind the Scenes of Twisters: A Meteorologist's Role
12. 32:20 Authenticity in Film: The Science of Twisters
13. 36:41 Passion in Meteorology: Inspiring Future Generations

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RECORDED JANUARY 22, 2025; Originally released FEBRUARY 12, 2025

Guests: Dr. Ilan Price, Senior Research Scientist, & Matt Willson, Research Engineer

From the Euro to the GFS to the Canadian, there are multitudes of models that forecasters use to predict our daily weather. There are models for short-term severe forecasting, 10-day outlooks from your local news, and even models that predict our climate years into the future. As technology advances, so do all of these models and the technology we are focusing on today on Weather Geeks is AI. While it may seem like a buzzword these days, it can be used to enhance our industry and help us all reach our common goal: saving lives and property. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ilan Price to discuss GenCast, Google’s weather forecasting model that is entirely powered by AI. How does it stack up to the models we know and love? The answer may surprise you…

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to AI in Weather Forecasting
2. 02:10 Meet the Experts: Ilan Price and Matthew Wilson
3. 06:34 Understanding GenCast: The AI Weather Model
4. 10:47 Machine Learning vs Traditional Forecasting
5. 13:22 Data Sources and Ethical Considerations
6. 15:10 Handling Extreme Weather Events
7. 21:15 Validation and Verification of GenCast
8. 23:26 Impact of GenCast on Weather Forecasting

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It’s been one wild ride through the atmosphere this year — from record-breaking heat waves to snowstorms that made us double-check the map, a hurricane that rewrote history, and tornadoes that left meteorologists speechless.  Today, we’re taking a step back (and maybe a deep breath) to relive the biggest, boldest, and most unbelievable weather moments of the year. We’ll break down what happened, why it happened, and what it all means for the climate conversations ahead.  Pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit back, and join us as we revisit the skies that shaped our 2025 one storm at a time.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Weather Highlights of 2025
2. 10:13 Devastating Fires in Los Angeles
3. 16:53 Break 1
4. 16:58 Severe Weather and Tornadoes
5. 24:54 Flooding Across the Country
6. 25:49 Understanding Extreme Weather Events
7. 28:49 The Importance of Flash Flood Warnings
8. 31:35 The Impact of Urbanization on Flooding
9. 33:53 Break 2
10. 33:54 Analyzing the Quiet Hurricane Season
11. 40:01 Hurricane Melissa: A Case Study
12. 45:13 The Role of AI in Weather Forecasting
13. 47:57 The Importance of Meteorological Workforce

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Guests: Dr. Steven Ackerman and Dr. Jonathan Martin

For most of us, weather talk is a quick chat about the weekend forecast or a snowy commute. But in Wisconsin, “The Weather Guys” have turned those conversations into something much bigger — a beloved radio show that brings science, stories, and a touch of humor to the airwaves. For years, they’ve been breaking down everything from blizzards to climate change, making meteorology both accessible and fun. Today, we’ll sit down with Dr. Steven Ackerman and Dr. Jonathan Martin to hear how their show began, what keeps listeners tuning in, and why Wisconsin weather makes for some of the best conversations around.

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Birth of Weather Talk
2. 00:45 How They Became Weather Geeks
3. 03:02 Research Insights and Contributions
4. 08:08 Engaging the Public Beyond Academia
5. 11:44 Break 1
6. 11:45 The Importance of Public Engagement
7. 14:12 The Dynamics of Show Planning
8. 15:29 Memorable Questions from Callers
9. 17:00 Balancing Complexity in Communication
10. 18:38 Break 2
11. 18:40 Wisconsin Weather: A Unique Landscape
12. 21:30 The Changing Landscape of Weather Communication
13. 24:35 Advice for Young Meteorologists
14. 27:21 The Future of Weather and AI

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Guest: Ken Burns

He’s an Award-Winning Filmmaker known for his documentary films and television series, many of which chronicle American history and culture. Some of his most popular works include the Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, the National Parks, Prohibition, the Roosevelts, the Vietnam War, and Country Music. Behind the majestic shots and carefully chosen words, there’s another character always in the frame: the weather. From outracing clouds to chasing snow that just won’t fall, even filmmaker Ken Burns has learned that Mother Nature doesn’t always take direction. While shooting his newest series The American Revolution, weather wasn’t just a backdrop — it was a full-fledged co-star. Today, we’ll talk with Ken about the challenges and surprises of filming history in real weather, how climate and geography shaped the American Revolution, and why sometimes the best storyteller is the sky.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Ken Burns and His Work
2. 01:10 The Role of Weather in Filmmaking
3. 02:22 The American Revolution: A Complex Narrative
4. 04:19 Challenges of Capturing Weather in Filmmaking
5. 07:14 The Importance of Authenticity in Storytelling
6. 09:36 Weather's Impact on Historical Events
7. 12:13 Technological Advancements and Their Influence
8. 14:27 The Unpredictability of History
9. 17:31 The Drama of Real Weather in Storytelling

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Guest: Alex Tomoff

When you think of weather and meteorology, you probably picture storm chasers, satellites, or your local forecast. But what about chocolate? At Mars, Inc. — the company behind favorites like M&M’s and Snickers — weather isn’t just background noise, it’s a critical part of the business. From the cocoa fields that depend on rainfall, to the sugar supply impacted by drought, to the logistics of getting chocolate safely from factory to shelf, weather touches every step. And standing at that intersection is today’s guest: Alex Tomoff, the meteorologist of Mars, Inc. We’ll find out how forecasting shapes the future of candy, agriculture, and sustainability — and yes, even your sweet tooth.

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Intersection of Weather and Chocolate
2. 01:46 Alex Tomoff's Journey to Meteorology
3. 04:38 Day-to-Day as a Meteorologist at Mars, Inc.
4. 07:44 Understanding Key Ingredients: Cocoa, Sugar, and Peanuts
5. 10:50 Break 1
6. 10:52 Climate Change and Its Impact on Cocoa Production
7. 13:40 Logistics and Supply Chain Challenges
8. 16:29 Weather Risk Communication in the Private Sector
9. 20:25 Break 2
10. 20:27 Sustainability Initiatives at Mars, Inc.
11. 22:35 Innovations in Agriculture and Climate Resilience
12. 25:24 The Role of Technology in Weather Forecasting
13. 28:27 Advice for Aspiring Meteorologists

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Guest: Sean Sublette

When science and policy meet, the results can shape the way communities prepare for the future. Our guest today, meteorologist and science communicator Sean Sublette, is on a mission to make sure that scientific insight has a stronger voice in Congress. From years of forecasting and breaking down weather impacts for the public, Sean now sees an opportunity to bring that same clarity and perspective to the policymaking table. We’ll talk with him about why science matters in the halls of government, how weather and climate knowledge can translate into smarter decisions, and what it means to bridge the gap between data, communication, and action.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Sean Sublett and His Journey
2. 00:24 Introduction to Sean Sublett and His Journey
3. 02:46 The Evolution of Weather Communication
4. 05:46 Challenges in Meteorology and Communication
5. 08:38 The Role of Meteorologists in High-Impact Events
6. 10:11 Break 1
7. 10:11 Transitioning from Meteorology to Politics
8. 14:22 Bridging Science and Policy
9. 17:31 The Importance of Listening in Politics
10. 20:28 Break 2
11. 20:31 Weather and Climate in Policy Making
12. 23:31 Challenges Facing the Weather and Climate Enterprise
13. 26:15 Learning from the Political Process
14. 28:56 Advice for Scientists Engaging with Policymakers

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