Weather Wise Guy Podcast

What to expect from this year's fall foliage. When and where to look. And a study on how the fall foliage is changing as a result of climate change.

 

Guest: Dr. John Seiler - Professor and Tree Physiology Specialist at Virginia Tech [BIO]

GUEST: Dr. Michael Brennan, a 1995 graduate of Cave Spring High School in Roanoke county, is the Hurricane Specialist Unit branch chief of the National Hurricane Center in Miami. He currently oversees forecasters who issue daily outlooks and advisories, including watches and warnings during the hurricane season.

TOPICS: Dr. Brennan discusses the perfect storm scenario for Virginia, the frustrations in forecasting and messaging and what he and the forecasters face each season.

Brennan was an intern at WDBJ7 in Roanoke back in the late 1990s. Special thanks to Robin Reed for facilitating the content of the interview.

Read more about Dr. Michael Brennan in his full bio.

The morning of May 26, 2021 offers a treat in the sky. A full supermoon, PLUS a total lunar eclipse. While we won't see the whole thing in Virginia, we will get a brief "bite" out of the moon. 

NASA Data Visualizer Ernie Wright joins me for a look at what the moon does for our planet and why new research there may mean even longer stays for humans in the future.

It has been 5 years since an EF-3 tornado touched down in Appomattox county. Brent recalls covering the tornado and more importantly, an interview with a survivor that will forever be on his mind.

 

WDBJ7 Story on the 5th Anniversary of the Appomattox Tornado

After some requests, jabs and a lot of coordination, the Commonwealth of Virginia finally has a full week of Severe Weather Preparedness. 

 

Guest: Eric Seymore, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Wakefield, VA

Meteorologist Brent Watts looks back at the 2020 hurricane season that set records left and right and brought anxiety levels up and down all season long for those along the coast. 

Check out a few of the interesting facts from this year's wild season.

 

2020 Hurricane Season Fact Sheet from NOAA

Will the winter be a delight or another disappointment for snow lovers? Meteorologist Brent Watts has the entire weather time drop by for this important prediction. How much snow will we see this winter? 

Guests: Meteorologists Leo Hirsbrunner, Christian Johansen, Ian Cassette

If you're just wanting to cut to the chase...the snow forecast begins around 13:00.

Meteorologist Brent Watts looks back at how we ended October and looks ahead to November and some historic early-season snowfalls. Plus, the record-setting hurricane season continues.

Ever wonder where bugs go when it gets cold? Can the wooly worm caterpillar truly predict the winter? Meteorologist Brent Watts talks with Katlyn Catron from Virginia Tech's Department of Entomology to get answers to questions that have been "bugging" him.

GUEST: Katlyn Catron | Phd Student | Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech

Hokie BugFest 2020 (Virtual) - A week of insect-based interactive demonstrations, exhibits and activities for all ages.

Brent talks with Dr. John Seiler, Professor of Tree Biology at Virginia Tech about why this year's fall colors could be the best in years.

 

GUEST: Dr John Seiler, professor at Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation | View Bio

US Forest Service Fall Colors

Virginia Fall Foliage Report