Weather Geeks

Weather Geeks is a show and podcast that has been running for 10 years, hosted by Dr. Marshall Shepherd from the University of Georgia. The show features conversations with experts from the weather enterprise, including scientists, meteorologists, and even pop culture figures. The show started with the idea of creating a Meet the Press-style show for weather enthusiasts. The guests on the show have included renowned scientists like Dr. Chuck Doswell and Dr. Jane Goodall, as well as figures from the NFL and pop culture. The show has evolved over the years and has become a platform for weather geeks to geek out and discuss various topics related to weather. The Weather Geeks podcast, hosted by Dr. Marshall Shepherd and Jen Carfagno, has been a valuable platform for meteorological experts to share information and connect with the Weathergeek community. The show has been successful because it is offered by the trusted brand of The Weather Channel and provides valuable and life-saving information. The hosts discuss the challenges and surprises of hosting a TV show, including the use of teleprompters and wearing makeup. The podcast has also influenced Dr. Shepherd's teaching strategies, emphasizing the importance of conveying information in a way that the public can understand. The future of Weather Geeks will focus on topics such as AI and machine learning in forecasting, the role of social sciences in weather communication, and the use of immersive mixed reality for impactful communication. The show will continue to explore the fascination of weather and expand the understanding of meteorology beyond traditional perceptions. The loyal viewers and listeners are appreciated, and the show will continue as long as it remains valuable and in demand.

RECORDED APRIL 1, 2024 Originally released April 3, 2024 Guest: Dr. C. Alex Young, NASA Heliophysicist You may have noticed there’s been plenty of conversation concerning the closest star to us over the past year or so. From the total solar eclipse in April to the increase in solar storms as we approach the solar maximum, the sun has been getting plenty of attention. So we wanted to take a deeper look into our celestial neighbor and what better way to do that than to invite Dr. Alex Young, a heliophysicist, on the weather geeks podcast! Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background06:21 Fascination with Eclipses09:02 Total Solar Eclipse and Eclipse Season12:34 Chasing the Eclipse15:16 Partial Eclipse and Viewing Techniques22:15 Factors for a Good Totality Location26:19 Scientific Opportunities during Eclipses30:45 Solar Maximum and its Impact32:27 What Drives Solar Activity37:23 Solar Maximum and the Corona40:07 Comparison of Solar Cycles43:28 Aurora Borealis and Australis46:17 Impacts of Solar Storms50:47 Space Weather and Rocket Launches53:21 Effects on Power Grids54:29 Protecting Infrastructure from Solar Storms01:00:29 Tips for Viewing Solar Eclipses01:03:35 Tips for Viewing the Aurora See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Dawn Wright, United States Science Envoy RECORDED APRIL 18, 2024. Originally Released June 19, 2024 One of the greatest joys in being a scientist is passing your knowledge onto others, whether that is esteemed colleagues on the other side of a breakthrough or young minds that are infatuated with the field. Sometimes, passing that knowledge takes us out of our comfort zone and into other fields, and even other countries! Our guest today is one of the newly selected Science Envoys for the United States, where she will be sharing her wealth of knowledge while also collaborating and barrier-breaking along the way. Dr. Dawn Wright is an esteemed oceanographer with wondrous stories to tell us about her journeys to the bottom of the sea, and she joins us on the Weather Geeks podcast… Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background of Dr. Dawn Wright18:28 The Importance of Ocean Mapping and Seabed 203028:16 Becoming a Science Envoy for Ocean Sustainability34:35 Establishing Centers of Excellence46:51 Taking Responsibility for Protecting the Ocean See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Jen Carfagno and Dr. Marshall Shepherd review the significant weather events of 2024, discussing the impact of severe weather, including tornadoes, derechos, hail storms, and the interplay between wildfires and flooding. They explore the trends in meteorology, the importance of accurate weather communication, and the evolving understanding of weather phenomena in the context of climate change. In this episode, Jen Carfagno and Dr. Marshall Shepherd discuss the unpredictable nature of the 2024 hurricane season, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of extreme weather events. They analyze the impact of rainfall on hurricane damage, the significance of predecessor rain events, and the challenges posed by misinformation during storms. The conversation also touches on climate trends and the need for improved communication strategies as they look ahead to future weather patterns.

In this episode of Weather Geeks, Jen Carfagno discusses the transformative role of AI and robotics in assessing damage from natural disasters with Dr. Robin Murphy and her team from Texas A&M University. They explore the evolution of drone technology, the importance of rapid data collection, and the potential for AI to improve emergency response efforts. The conversation highlights the challenges and advancements in using AI for disaster assessment, including the need for real-time data and the future applications of this technology beyond just hurricanes.

Guest: Dave Titley, Co-Founder of RV Weather Enterprises Description: When you’re traveling somewhere, whether it’s on vacation or for business, odds are you are just going to check your phone’s weather app to let you know if you need to pack an umbrella or a heavier jacket at your destination. But what about traveling by RV the entire distance? Your journey could be plagued with weather impacts and you’re not going to want to check your phone app over and over and over. You’re going to want to turn to the RV weather experts! Our guest today is a friend of the show who has taken his 30+ years of meteorological experience and is giving it back to RV travelers across the country. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Everette Joseph, Director of NCAR Description: We have the NWS, NOAA. and NCEI, but another very valuable member of the meteorological alphabet soup is NCAR, the National Center for Atmospheric Research! However, NCAR is not constricted by any government regulations, so they are free to dissect the atmosphere as they please. However, they have a mission to uphold, just like our government organizations, to understand the world around and above us so they can indirectly protect future lives and property. Today on Weather Geeks, we have the Director of NCAR Everette Joseph to chat about atmospheric research in the past, present and future! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Evan Fisher, creator of explorefall.com, discusses the science and data behind fall foliage forecasting. He explains how he became interested in weather and specifically fall foliage, and how he started creating fall foliage maps during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fisher uses remote sensing and satellite data to analyze the greenness of vegetation and identify peak fall color. He also incorporates weather data, such as temperature and precipitation, into his models. Fisher discusses the challenges of forecasting fall foliage and the impact of climate change on the timing and vibrance of fall colors. He also mentions his future plans to expand Explore Fall globally and incorporate other natural phenomena, such as apple blooms and rhododendron and mountain laurel blooms.

In this episode of Weather Geeks, Marshall Shepherd speaks with Roy Wright from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) about the challenges of compound disasters, particularly in the Gulf Coast region. They discuss the recent National Academies report that examines the impact of overlapping disasters, including hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic, on vulnerable communities. The conversation highlights the need for improved communication, community engagement, and policy changes to better prepare for and respond to these increasingly frequent and intense events.

The conversation focuses on the impending hurricane's impact on Florida, discussing its meteorological significance, preparation efforts, and the dual nature of its weakening yet dangerous status as it approaches the coast.