Weather Geeks

Guest: Dr. Stephen Nesbitt

Five years ago, Dr. Steve Nesbitt joined us to unpack the fundamentals of radar meteorology. Since then, atmospheric science has undergone a massive evolution moving from how we capture severe weather to how we decode it using artificial intelligence and cloud computing. As a UIUC Professor, incoming Associate Dean, and newly named AMS Fellow, Steve has spent his career studying Earth’s most explosiv...

Guest: Dr. Samantha Montano

When a disaster strikes, most of us focus on what we can see: the storm, the wildfire, the flood, or the earthquake. But what if the real story begins long before the event—and continues long after the headlines fade?  Today on Weather Geeks, we're joined by Dr. Samantha Montano, a disaster researcher, author, and one of the leading voices helping the public better understand how disasters actu...

Guest: Mike Olbinski

For most people, a thunderstorm is something you watch from a window. But for storm chasers, it's a front-row seat to some of nature's most spectacular displays—and few have captured those moments as beautifully as today's guest. On this episode of Weather Geeks, we're joined by storm chaser and filmmaker Mike Olbinski. Based in the Desert Southwest, Mike has spent years documenting everything from to...

Guest: Dr. Dillon Amaya

The Pacific Ocean covers nearly a third of our planet, and yet some of its most important changes happen far from shore and often out of sight. But whether it's a developing El Niño, a cooling La Niña, or an expansive marine heat wave, what happens in the Pacific can influence weather, ecosystems, and communities around the world. Today on Weather Geeks, we're joined by Dillon Amaya, whose research focus...

Guest: Craig Setzer

When most people think of meteorology, they think of forecasts on television, hurricane updates, or severe weather warnings. But some meteorologists work in places most of us rarely consider—guiding ships across vast oceans, helping industries make critical weather decisions, and even reconstructing past weather events to answer important questions long after the skies have cleared. Today on Weather Ge...

Guest: Tim Gallaudet

The ocean shapes our weather, our climate, our economy, and ultimately, life on Earth itself. And yet, for something so vast and so essential, there’s still so much we’re only beginning to understand. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by Dr. Tim Gallaudet—oceanographer, former NOAA administrator, and longtime advocate for advancing ocean science and literacy. His new book takes re...

Guest: Dr. Amanda Staudt

We live in an era where the weather is breaking records, reshaping economies, and dominating global headlines. Navigating this rapidly changing landscape requires a unique blend of cutting-edge science, public trust, and bold leadership. As the newly appointed Executive Director of the American Meteorological Society, Dr. Amanda Staudt is stepping into the helm at a pivotal moment. From the rapid integration...

Guest: Amber Sullins, Chief Meteorologist at ABC15

When most people think about dangerous weather, they think about hurricanes, tornadoes, or blizzards. But in the deserts of the Southwest, one of the most impactful—and often overlooked—hazards can arrive as a towering wall of dust. Today on Weather Geeks, we're joined by Amber Sullins, a longtime Arizona meteorologist who has spent her career helping people navigat...

Guest: Dr. Michael Brennan, Director of NOAA's National Hurricane Center

The peak of hurricane season is right around the corner—and whether you live along the coast or hundreds of miles inland, what happens in the tropics can have real impacts on your life. The question is: what do you actually need to know before the season really ramps up? Today on Weather Geeks, we’re getting a preview straight from the source. ...

Guest: Dr. Mike Farrar, Booz Allen Hamilton

Weather forecasting has come a long way—from hand-drawn maps and limited observations to a world driven by supercomputers, satellites, and real-time data. But as technology continues to evolve, so does the challenge of making forecasts faster, smarter, and more useful for the people who rely on them every day. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by Dr. Mike Farrar, whose ...

Guest: Dr. Jennifer Francis, Woodwell Climate Research Center

When we think about the Arctic, it's easy to picture a remote landscape of sea ice and polar bears. But what happens in the far north doesn't stay there. As the Arctic continues to warm at an unprecedented pace, scientists are uncovering how those changes may be influencing weather patterns across the Northern Hemisphere—from prolonged heat waves and persistent drou...

Guest: Dr. Jennifer Collins & Dr. Nadia Bloemendaal

When it comes to hurricanes, we often rely on a familiar scale to understand their strength — categories based largely on wind speed. But anyone who’s experienced a storm knows that impacts go far beyond just how fast the winds are blowing. Today, we’re joined by Jennifer Collins and Nadia Bloemendaal, whose work is helping to rethink how we model and mea...

Guest: Dr. Aran Mooney

When you think about saving coral reefs, you probably imagine divers, coral nurseries, or maybe even futuristic technology — but what if part of the solution starts with simply turning up the volume? Because it turns out, coral reefs don’t just look alive… they sound alive. Today’s guest, Dr. Aran Mooney, is helping scientists and conservationists tune into the ocean in a whole ne...

Guest: Brad Panovich, WCNC Charlotte

If you’ve lived in North Carolina for any length of time, chances are you’ve turned to one familiar face when the weather turns serious. But being a trusted meteorologist today isn’t just about what happens on TV—it’s about showing up wherever your audience is, whether that’s on-air, online, or in the middle of a rapidly evolving storm. Today on Weather Ge...

Guest: Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

Every day, new scientific discoveries shape the way we understand our world — from extreme weather to the changing climate. But most of us don’t read scientific journals. Instead, we rely on journalists to translate complex research into stories that inform the public and help us make sense of what it all means. Today we’re joined by Seth Borenstein, a veteran science r...

GUEST: Ken Graham, Director of NOAA National Weather Service

National Weather Service Director Ken Graham visited The Weather Channel for a wide-ranging conversation with Jim Cantore about the future of weather forecasting and public safety.

They will discuss ongoing efforts to modernize the National Weather Service, the challenges of maintaining critical infrastructure, the latest developments in forecasting technology and AI, and w...

Guest: Adam Fouche, University of Georgia

When you head to a big football game or an outdoor concert, you’re probably thinking about the music, the crowd, and the excitement in the air. But behind the scenes, there’s another team hard at work — one that’s watching the skies. From lightning delays to fast-moving thunderstorms, weather can quickly turn a packed stadium or festival into a serious safety cha...

Guest: Jordan Hall

Storm chasing has always lived right at the edge—part science, part instinct, and part, let’s be honest… a little bit of chaos. But these days, it’s not just about being in the right place at the right time—it’s also about capturing it, sharing it, and bringing people along for the ride in real time. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re talking with storm chaser Jordan Hall...

Guest: Dr. Michael Pritchard, Director of Climate Simulation Research

When we think about climate models, we often picture supercomputers humming away in government labs or university basements. But increasingly, some of the most powerful tools shaping the future of climate science are coming from an unexpected place — Silicon Valley. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Michael Pritchard, Director of Climate Simulation Resea...