Weather Geeks

You see it every day. It’s the subject of poetry, literature, art and film. It can inspire spiritual experiences, and it can destroy everything you have ever worked for. It is the weather, and no one knows it better than we do. Join us every week for the agony and the ecstasy of the one story that the entire world participates in and the science behind it. From the people behind The Weather Channel TV network.

Weather Geeks is a science podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 437 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 88. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Weather Geeks, a science show with 437 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #411

  New Executive Director of AMS

  Aug 12, 202638 min

  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 of artificial intelligence in forecasting to the battle against climate misinformation, she is tasked with guiding the scientific community into the future. Today, we’re sitting down with Dr. Staudt to discuss her vision for the future of meteorology, how AMS is adapting to the AI revolution, and what it takes to inspire the next generation of weather and climate professionals. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Amanda Staudt's background 00:50 How Amanda became a weather enthusiast 04:02 AMS's history and Amanda's leadership role 04:58 Bridging academia, government, and private sector 07:42 AMS's publications, conferences, and programs 10:46 The new AI-focused journal and its significance 14:57 AMS's role in policy and advocacy 15:46 Break 1 20:01 Communicating science to policymakers and the public 25:00 The importance of conferences and professional development 27:47 Break 2 30:00 Future vision for AMS and the evolving weather enterprise 33:55 AMS's organizational structure and volunteer engagement 36:43 Closing remarks and gratitude Resources American Meteorological Society (AMS) - https://www.ametsoc.org AMS Journals - https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/index.cfm/publications/journals/ Climate Crossroads Congressional Fellowship - https://www.nationalacademies.org/programs/NRCEO-CCX-23-P-56 AI in Environmental Systems Journal - https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/publications/journals/artificial-intelligence-for-the-earth-systems/ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine - https://www.nationalacademies.org Guest Links LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/amanda-staudt-27ba22b8 Twitter - https://twitter.com/amandastaudt See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #410

  Measuring Arizona's Dust Storms

  Aug 5, 202635 min

  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 navigate everything from extreme heat and monsoon storms to the massive dust storms that have become synonymous with life in the desert Southwest. We'll talk about her journey forecasting some of the country's most unique weather, and we'll take a deep dive into the development of the new PHX-DUST scale—a groundbreaking effort designed to classify dust storms and better communicate their impacts to the public. From the science behind the scale to the challenges of translating complex research into actionable information, we'll explore how meteorologists are working to improve awareness and resilience in the face of one of Arizona's signature weather threats. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dust Storms in the Southwest 01:00 Amber Sullins' Journey in Meteorology 02:21 Unique Weather Challenges in Arizona 03:22 Forecasting Monsoon and Dust Storms 05:05 Factors Influencing Dust Storm Severity 07:16 Impact of Water Scarcity on Dust Storms 08:40 Health Risks from Dust Storm Particulates 10:33 Types of Dust Storms and Their Detection 14:15 Break 1 14:18 Development of the Phoenix Dust Scale 17:02 Using Air Quality Data for Dust Severity 20:27 Safety Tips for Dust Storms 22:11 Assessing Dust Storm Intensity Quickly 24:17 Applicability of the Dust Scale Elsewhere 25:19 Break 2 28:37 Sharing the Dust Scale with the Public 30:01 Acceptance and Validation of the Scale 32:41 Future Weather Challenges in Arizona 33:40 Upcoming Weather Events and Outlook Resources phoenixdust.asu.edu - https://phoenixdust.asu.edu American Meteorological Society - https://www.ametsoc.org Arizona State University - https://www.asu.edu See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #409

  Hurricane Season Preview with the NHC Director

  Jul 29, 202637 min

  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. Dr. Michael Brennan, Director of the National Hurricane Center, joins us to walk through what forecasters are watching this year, how hurricane prediction continues to improve, and where the biggest challenges still remain. We’ll also talk about new tools and products coming out of the National Hurricane Center, how technology is shaping the future of forecasting, and what all of this means for you when the next storm is on the horizon. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Hurricane Season and Its Impacts 02:45 Understanding Tropical Storm Arthur and Its Effects 05:41 El Niño's Influence on Hurricane Activity 08:34 The Importance of Preparedness and Messaging 11:59 Evolving Forecasting Techniques and Challenges 14:15 Break 1 14:40 Advancements in Predictive Modeling and AI 17:44 The Role of Communication in Weather Forecasting 20:46 Inland Hurricane Threats and Their Impacts 23:51 Future Directions in Hurricane Research and Forecasting 26:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Hurricane Preparedness 26:58 Break 2 27:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Hurricane Preparednes Resources NOAA National Hurricane Center - https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ Google DeepMind - https://deepmind.com/ Hurricane Forecasting Models (HWRF, HAFS) - https://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/products/hwrf/ Guest Links Twitter - https://twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-brennan-5a90322b2 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #423

  What Happens in the Arctic Doesn't Stay in the Arctic

  Jul 15, 202638 min

  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 droughts to heavy rainfall and unusual swings in the jet stream. Today on Weather Geeks, we're joined by atmospheric scientist Dr. Jennifer Francis, whose pioneering research has helped shape our understanding of the connection between Arctic climate change and the behavior of the jet stream. We'll explore why the Arctic is warming so rapidly, how those changes can ripple through the atmosphere, and what they may mean for the persistent weather patterns we've seen in recent years—including the extreme heat that has gripped much of Europe this summer. Chapters 00:00 Dr. Jennifer Francis's background and interest in weather 05:22 Jet stream patterns and their role in extreme weather 13:21 Break 1 14:31 Mechanisms of Arctic amplification and feedbacks 22:57 Stratospheric polar vortex and winter weather effects 25:04 Break 2 25:58 Summer jet stream behavior and climate connections 32:08 Ocean heat waves and their influence on jet stream patterns 34:33 Current research and future challenges in Arctic climate studies 37:06 Closing remarks and resources Resources Woodwell Climate Research Center - https://www.woodwellclimate.org/ Jennifer Francis - Research Profile - https://www.woodwellclimate.org/our-scientists/jennifer-francis/ Clausius-Clapeyron Relationship - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clausius%E2%80%93Clapeyron_relation  Guest links Twitter - https://x.com/WoodwellClimate https://x.com/JFrancisClimate Research Center - https://www.woodwellclimate.org/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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  Episode #422

  The Next Hurricane Scale?

  Jul 7, 202639 min

  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 measure tropical cyclones. They’re the minds behind the STORM model, a powerful tool for simulating thousands of storms across the globe, and the developers of the Tropical Cyclone Severity Scale — a new way of looking at storm risk that goes beyond traditional categories. In this episode, we’ll explore how large-scale modeling is changing our understanding of hurricane risk, why current classification systems may fall short, and how new approaches could improve the way we communicate danger and prepare for future storms. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the New Storm Model 00:20 The Storm Model's Impact on Various Sectors 01:02 Challenges in Developing a Global Storm Model 02:21 Modeling Hazards Beyond Wind: Rain and Surge 04:31 Motivation for a New Hurricane Severity Scale 06:42 Limitations of the Wind-Only Scale 08:35 The New Scale: Incorporating Multiple Hazards 10:27 Break 1 11:28 The Concept of a Category 6 Storm 13:05 Public Perception and Education Strategies 15:22 Localized and Personalized Risk Communication 17:27 Real-World Applications and Case Studies 19:20 Future Directions and Climate Change Impacts 21:54 Inertia and Adoption Challenges in Meteorology 23:49 Break 2 25:00 Public Perception of Storm Categories 27:33 The Path Toward Standardization and Adoption 30:12 Future Collaborations and Final Thoughts See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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