WeatherBrains

Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain has a 25-year history in aviation. He is an experienced skydiver with over 700 jumps, a fixed-wing pilot with a seaplane rating, and a commercial hot air balloon pilot. His company, Champagne Sunrise, operates out of Meridian, Mississippi, and has safely taken hundreds of passengers on unforgettable balloon rides over the years.  Beyond commercial operations, he uses Champagne Sunrise for community outr...

Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is an Associate Professor at Villanova University, specializing in severe weather risks, societal impacts and hazard mitigation.  His research focuses on tornado and lightning exposure at large outdoor gatherings.  In addition, it focuses on urbanization effects on disasters and improving public safety strategies.  Dr. Stephen Strader, welcome back to WeatherBrains.

Brandon Skalniak is a senior emergenc...

Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is an AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and Weather Communications Coach whose mission is to keep communities safe and help people live better lives through effective, viewer-focused weather communication. A four-time Emmy winner, Tim brings decades of major-market experience and was among the first in the nation to incorporate augmented reality into daily forecasts. Tim Heller, welcome back to Weat...

Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is a prolific author and Southern preparedness expert who has written over 75 novels that blend gripping survival scenarios with real world lessons drawn from his professional training in emergency management.  His work spans everything from tornadoes and hurricanes to grid-down solar flare events.  His storytelling offers a uniquely grounded, Southern approach to self-reliance and resilience.  Ron Fost...

Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is a fast-rising YouTube creator known for her deeply researched and emotionally resonant documentaries on high-end tornadoes.  Her channel goes beyond the radar and statistics in order to tell the human stories behind these devastating events.  Born and raised in East Tennessee, she combines strong narrative skills with a unique interest in global severe weather, particularly in undeserved regions like...

Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is one of the most respected voices in the field of broadcast meteorology. He celebrated his 45th anniversary with WGN-TV in August 2023, and officially retired from WGN-TV at the end of February 2024.  Tom Skilling, it's great to see you tonight!  

Meteorologist and Former Director of NWS (2013-2022) Louis Uccellini also joins us tonight as a Guest Panelist. He was also director of the National Centers...

Tonight's WeatherBrains is a celebration.  Nineteen years and 1000 shows! We are looking back on our journey and celebrating all of these years together, and we wouldn't be a podcast without our most important asset - our listeners!  Tune in for this is a one-of-a-kind episode.  We are also excited to announce our new permanent Panelist, meteorologist John Gordon!  Also, Bruce Jones joins us to discuss the importance of NOAA Weathe...

Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is a veteran meteorologist at Bluewater Forecasting in Montgomery, Alabama.  He's got almost five decades of experience in the field, and formerly served as the Chief Meteorologist at WSFA-TV in Montgomery for 34 years, before transitioning to radio.  Rich Thomas, welcome to WeatherBrains!  Brooks Garner of FOX 35 TV in Orlando also stops by to discuss the tornado that made a direct hit on their studios...

Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is a retired meteorologist with thirty-five years of experience at the NWS.  That includes twenty-six years as a SOO, and he's been a leader with forecaster training, mesoscale analysis and radar interpretation, which helps NWS offices improve proving warning decision-making and lead times for severe weather hazards.  Pete Wolf, welcome to WeatherBrains!  

Also, Bruce Jones joins us to discuss the impor...

Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is a retired Lead Forecaster for the Storm Prediction Center with nearly four decades of Federal service, specializing in severe convective storms and tornado forecasting.  He's a passionate storm chaser, researcher, and an advocate for weather safety.  He co-founded the Electronic Journal of Severe Storms Meteorology and remains an influencial voice in meteorology.  Roger Edwards, it is great to see yo...

Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is a seasoned broadcast meteorologist and weather anchor at KGW-TV in Portland, Oregon.  He brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for weather to his viewers daily.  His forecasting career has spanned nearly 30 years, taking him from the hurricanes of south Texas to the lake effect snows of Michigan, the tornadoes of the Ohio valley and yes, the hard to predict weather of the Pacific Northwest.  Rod...

Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is an Atmospheric Scientist and a Research Meteorologist and Managing Director of the FARM (Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets).  With a passion for fieldwork, she's collected data from over 100 tornadoes and 9 hurricanes.  Karen Kosiba, thanks for joining us.

Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com.

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Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is a storm chaser, and is the driver and equipment technician for storm chaser Brett Adair.  He has over twelve years of experience, and he's chased 22 tornadoes and 9 hurricanes across 39 states.  He's a Pell City, AL native.  Heath Lollar, welcome to the show!

Our Second Guest WeatherBrain is a WeatherBrains veteran and the founder of Girls Who Chase, a movement empowering women in storm chasing.  A s...

It's a somber episode tonight as we look back on the life and legacy of a legend in the field of meteorology, Dr. Chuck Doswell. We look back at Dr. Doswell's career and his impact on the science today.  Our Guest WeatherBrain is a Senior Scientist in the Forecast Research and Development Division  at the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) and a prior veteran of the show.  Dr Harold Brooks, welcome to the show.

Our email offi...

Our First Guest WeatherBrain is the great grand-niece of Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, the Vermont farmer who first photographed snowflakes.  Sue Richardson, welcome to the show!

Wilson Bentley was born on February 9, 1865 in the town of Jericho, Vermont. A farmer by trade, he attracted worldwide attention with his pioneering work in the area of photomicrography. Most notable in his life long work with rain, dew and frost, was his ex...

Our First Guest WeatherBrain of Year 2025 is a Geologist with a passion for studying extreme weather-related surface impacts.  His research primarily focuses on the geological aftermath of high-impact weather events.  He's known for his field work and engaging video content.  His unique perspective bridges the field of meteorology and geology.  Phillip Prince, thanks for dropping by to chat.

Tonight's Second Guest WeatherBrain is t...

Tonight is the annual tradition of the year-ender with recently-retired and former SPC meteorologist Greg Carbin.  He was the Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction, Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman, Oklahoma. Since 1996, Greg has performed as a severe weather, fire weather, mesoscale, and lead forecaster at the SPC. Prior to starting his career with the National Weat...

Seasoned WeatherBrains veteran Mark Sudduth AKA "The Hurricane Hunter" joins us again to look back on 2024's notable weather events. He is known for his work in tracking and documenting hurricanes. Sudduth has gained recognition for his storm chasing videos and his contributions to weather-related education and research, often sharing his findings and experiences through social media and online platforms. It's great to see you agai...