Behind the Front

Jim Van Fleet spends his days building forecasts. But he’s not focusing on a particular area or state, he’s working on forecasts for all around the world. He’s the Chief Meteorologist for Royal Caribbean International. Jim joins J-P Dice to discuss being the first of his kind and what it has been like shaping the brand new position. Plus what it’s like transitioning from being on television to traveling all over the globe to keep p... Read more

It’s not uncommon this time of year to see a storm seemingly pop up out of nowhere in the afternoon. J-P Dice and Wes Wyatt discuss why the summer can be the hardest season to forecast. Plus, J-P and Wes talk BBQ just in time for the Fourth of July. This episode of Behind the Front is sponsored by Durante Home Exteriors. Click Here or Call (205) 956-4110 to learn how Durante can help protect your home from the weather.

You might get sick of the heat during the summer months, but you can also get sick BECAUSE of the heat too. Dr. Jason Junkins MD joins J-P Dice to discuss how the heat can send you to the hospital and the warning signs of heatstroke. Plus, what’s the #1 risk factor for heat exhaustion, and the importance of staying hydrated. This episode of Behind the Front is sponsored by Durante Home Exteriors. Click Here or Call (205) 956-4110 t... Read more

You can get severe weather alerts almost anywhere: television, phones, social media, etc. But if the messaging is hard to understand, it doesn’t matter how you get it. J-P Dice speaks with Dr. Cory Armstrong, Department Chair of Journalism & Creative Media at the University of Alabama, on the research the university is doing to better understand how we interpret and process weather messaging and warnings. Plus, the impact good comm... Read more

Fred Hunter has been covering hurricanes for 20+ years. He joins J-P Dice to share tales from the coast. Plus, Fred shares his thoughts on why anyone would ever want to cover a hurricane, his closest calls, and the biggest celebrity he has ever come across while chasing storms. This episode of Behind the Front is sponsored by Durante Home Exteriors. Click Here or Call (205) 956-4110 to learn how Durante can help protect your home f... Read more

Meteorologists unite! J-P Dice and Wes Wyatt are preparing for the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Annual Meeting in California. They breakdown the importance of weather seals, like the AMS seal, and share their stories of how they got certified. Plus, how the weather industry was at the forefront of using social media, and how it shaped the way news stations deliver forecasts. This episode of Behind the Front is sponsored by... Read more

What on earth would make someone want to get into the weather business? J-P Dice finds out from a few future meteorologists on this episode of Behind the Front. Hear from both Andrew Vice, Mississippi State, and Josh Culbreth, University of South Alabama, two weather interns at WBRC FOX6 News this summer. Learn what got them into weather, where they want to work, and more. This episode of Behind the Front is sponsored by Durante Ho... Read more

The Atlantic hurricane season doesn’t officially begin until June 1st, but we have already seen the first named storm of the year with Andrea. J-P Dice and Wes Wyatt preview the season, including the list of names for 2019, and look back on some of the busiest years they have witnessed. Plus, experts are forecasting a below average season, but J-P and Wes discuss how even a lesser season can leave a lasting impact.   Hurricane seas... Read more

Imagine collecting data for storms by flying right into the eyewall of one. Maj. Kyle Larson, Weather Officer with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, speaks with J-P Dice on how the Air Force tracks hurricanes, his most memorable storms, and what it’s like being in a WC-130J aircraft. Plus, find out how you can tour the “Hercules” at Weather Fest. Related: The who, what, where, and when of Weather Fest 2019 This episode of ... Read more

Weather Fest is back - and it's bigger than ever this year! In this bonus edition of Behind the Front, J-P Dice and Wes Wyatt break down what you can expect at the First Alert Weather Fest, including touring a hurricane hunter aircraft and a sneak preview at the "News Brothers" playlist. Related: The who, what, where, and when of Weather Fest 2019 This episode of Behind the Front is brought to you by Durante Home Exteriors. Click ... Read more

Are you afraid of bad weather? You aren’t alone. Dr. Josh Klapow joins J-P Dice to discuss how you can face your fears and how they could be tied to other forms of anxiety. Plus, dealing with internet trolls after major weather events. This episode of Behind the Front is brought to you by Durante Home Exteriors. Click Here or Call: (205) 956-4110 to learn how Durante can help protect your home from the weather.

Why does it feel harder to breathe during the summer months? Matt Lacke, air pollution meteorologist for Jefferson County, explains how heat can alter the quality of the air around you. Plus, the importance of the Air Quality Index, and how you can help the environment while helping out your wallet at the same time. Related: Behind the Front #9 - Air Quality in Birmingham This episode of Behind the Front is brought to you by Durant... Read more

It’s already been an active month for severe weather and another threat is rolling into the state this week. J-P Dice and Wes Wyatt track Thursday’s storm risk. Plus, what to look for when scrolling through so many posts about weather on your Facebook feed. And do you have a severe weather plan? J-P and Wes discuss why every second matters when it comes to preparing for tornadoes. Find the latest forecast: https://bit.ly/2EN41nD Th... Read more

April has historically been a very active month for severe weather in Alabama. J-P Dice and Wes Wyatt look ahead to some potential storm threats while looking back on some of the biggest tornadoes to hit the state in the month of April. Plus, where do you go when bad weather hits? J-P and Wes discuss where to shelter yourself during storms. This episode of Behind the Front is brought to you by Durante Home Exteriors. Visit: https:/... Read more

Behind the Front is turning one! We’re celebrating the special occasion by revisiting some of the biggest moments from the first year of the show. J-P Dice recaps a handful of the 50+ episodes released in the last 12 months. Learn about storm PTSD, spotting fake weather posts on Facebook, what went wrong with the Snowmaggedon forecasts, and much more. This episode of Behind the Front is brought to you by Durante Home Exteriors. Vis... Read more

Weather can change in an instant in Alabama. You need to be prepared for anything. In this special episode of Behind the Front, J-P Dice and Wes Wyatt introduce you to a brand-new way to stay ahead of the forecast, the First Alert Trifecta. This episode of Behind the Front is brought to you by Durante Home Exteriors. Visit: https://www.durantewindows.com/ or Call: (205) 956-4110 to learn how Durante can help protect your home from ... Read more

The future of forecasting could be very eco-friendly. Dan Satterfield, WBOC Chief Meteorologist, joins J-P Dice to discuss green energy and using solar energy to power his station in Salisbury, MD. Plus Dan looks back on his time in Birmingham and covering the Blizzard of 1993. This episode of Behind the Front is brought to you by Durante Home Exteriors. Visit: https://www.durantewindows.com/ or Call: (205) 956-4110 to learn how Du... Read more

It’s been one year since a tornado hit Jacksonville, Alabama, causing widespread damage, including on the campus of Jacksonville State University. On the same night, Cullman County was devastated by hail. Wes Wyatt joins J-P Dice to look back on the historic severe weather event on March 19, 2018. Plus, a look at how those communities are recovering one year later. This episode of Behind the Front is brought to you by Durante Home ... Read more

It’s already been a very wet year and it’s only March. Jill Gilardi joins J-P Dice to look back on a very rainy winter and what it could mean heading into spring and severe weather season. This episode of Behind the Front is brought to you by Durante Home Exteriors. Visit: https://www.durantewindows.com/ or Call: (205) 956-4110 to learn how Durante can help protect your home from the weather