Podcast
WeatherBrains
Hosted by Big Brains Media LLC · EN
The world's oldest and greatest weather podcast. Join weather geeks James Spann, Bill Murray, Kim Klockow-McClain, Dr. Neil Jacobs, Rick Smith, Aubrey Urbanowicz, Jen Narramore, and Troy Kimmel along with some of the most brilliant minds in the weather enterprise every week!
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Episodes
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WeatherBrains 1069: We're In The Weird Zone
Yesterday01:31:12Tap to summarizeThis week's WeatherBrains episode is all about hydrology. Tonight's episode examines the devastating 1997 Red River Flood. Joining us tonight as Guest WeatherBrain is from Devils Lake, North Dakota. She is the Service Hydrologist at NWS Grand Forks, and is a twenty-year veteran in Federal service. Amanda Lee, welcome to WeatherBrains! Second Guest WeatherBrain is the Senior Hydrologist at NWS North Central RFC (River Forecast Center) in Chanhassen, Minnesota. A Syracuse native, he joined the US Air Force as a weather officer, then earned his Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Utah. He's spent over 15 years at the RFC (River Forecast Center). Justin Palmer, welcome to WeatherBrains! Our Third Guest WeatherBrain tonight is a retired National Weather Service senior meteorologist technician, the former Data Acquisition Program Manager of the Grand Forks National Weather Service office. Mark attended North Dakota State University in Fargo during the late 80s into the early 90s, working with former state climatologist Dr John Enz. Mark Retired in November of 2014 after 40 1/2 years of combined federal and military service. Mark is currently 3:00 to 6:00 PM afternoon host on KNOX Radio in Grand Forks ND, and has been associated with latent broadcasting since 2016. Mark also operates Home On The Prairie Weather LLC, providing agricultural climate forecasts and other related information to agricultural and civic groups. Mark Ewens, welcome to WeatherBrains! Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com. Amanda's background in meteorology (10:00) Working as a Service Hydrologist: What do they do? (12:00) What is a River Forecast Center (RFC)? (17:30) What is CHPS? (Community Hydrologic Prediction System) (28:00) Multi-Radar/Multi-Sensor (MRMS) Data Set Hydrology Section (31:30) Advantages of being a Service Hydrologist concerning shift work (39:30) How accurate is Hydro modeling, and what factors are involved? (42:00) Snow cores: The Basics (45:00) Snow pack in the Dakotas: How long does it last, and how thick does it get? (55:30) Meteorological background of 1997 Red River Flood event (58:30) 1997 Red River Flood's public and Emergency Management response (01:01:30) Disinformation found online regarding river flooding (01:12:00) The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:19:00) This Week in Tornado History With Jen (No segment this week) E-Mail Segment (No segment this week) Sneak peak at future WeatherBrains episodes! (01:21:00) and more! Web Sites from Episode 1069: KNOX News Radio Alabama Weather Network Picks of the Week: Amanda Lee - "A River Runs North (Managing an International River)" by Gene Krenz and Jay Leitch Amanda Lee - "Red River Rising: The Anatomy of a Flood and the Survival of an American City" by Ashley Shelby Justin Palmer - USGS Endangered, Discontinued and Rescued Streamgages Mapper Mark Ewens - NDAWN - North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network James Aydelott - Footage near Tulliby Lake in central Alberta, Canada Jen Narramore - Out Rick Smith - Out Troy Kimmel - Out Kim Klockow-McClain - An ethical analysis of hydrometeorological prediction and decision making: The case of the 1997 Red River flood John Gordon - LIT/LZK back online with upper air launches Bill Murray - Out James Spann - Gulf Coast Weather The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore, John Gordon, and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.
Transcribe →WeatherBrains 1068: They Kicked Booty
1w ago01:35:13Tap to summarizeThis week's WeatherBrains episode examines the July 2025 Texas flooding disaster. Our Guest WeatherBrain tonight is the Chief Meteorologist of KABB-TV Fox News At Nine in San Antonio, Texas. He is a multi-disciplined individual with professional experience as an educator and broadcaster. He holds several degrees and certifications, including a B.S. in Education, a Master's in Education with Certification as an Educational Administrator, and of course, he's a Broadcast Meteorologist. He has received the AMS Seal of Approval and has been the recipient of six Associated Press Awards for Best Weathercast. He is a member of the American Meteorological Society, National Weather Association, and the Knights of Columbus. Alex Garcia, thanks for joining us tonight! Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com. Recollections from KABB-TV leading up to Texas flood tragedy (11:30) Wording of originally issued Flash Flood Watch prior to event (17:30) Why doesn't the public immediately react to weather watches? (20:00) Mentality of the threat of flash flooding vs other types of severe weather (25:00) Improving the clarity of the call to action in response to inland flooding events (30:00) Flood Inundation Mapping (36:00) The half-life of awareness in the wake of tragedies like 2025 Texas Flood event (49:00) With no Independent Review, how can you improve? (52:00) Role of weather radio in modern warning process (55:00) National Weather Service app in the future? (55:30) Severe Thunderstorm Definition/Warnings that do not verify and the resulting public inaction (01:02:00) What is NWS definition of a Flash Flood? (01:02:30) Confusion from Areal Flood Advisories (01:05:30) The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:14:00) This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:15:30) E-Mail Segment (01:16:30) Sneak peak at future WeatherBrains episodes! (01:26:00) and more! Web Sites from Episode 1068: Alex Garcia Weather on X Alabama Weather Network Picks of the Week: Alex Garcia - NTWC James Aydelott - Westheimer Airport in Norman measures 92mph wind gust Jen Narramore - Chinese Wedge tornado Rick Smith - Out Troy Kimmel - Funnel cloud spotted in Interior Alaska on July Fourth Troy Kimmel - Meteorological Overview of the July 2025 Texas Floods Kim Klockow-McClain - Review of the National Weather Service's Actions to Support Kerr County During the Catastrophic Flash Flood in Texas John Gordon - June 29th Significant Wind Event Bill Murray - Out James Spann - National Weather Service faces hurricane season with less experienced staff, missing data The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore, John Gordon, and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.
Transcribe →WeatherBrains 1067: I'll Go With Fujita For $1000
2w ago01:39:27Tap to summarizeThis week's WeatherBrains episode turns back to the clock to June 8th, 1966 and the Topeka, KS F5 tornado. Our Guest WeatherBrain on tonight's show is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) for the NWS in Topeka KS. With over three decades of experience in the field, he's been at the NWS for over 17 years. As a Wisconsin native, he earned his degree in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences from the University of Wisconsin. He's committed to improving public awareness, preparedness, and response by integrating social science research into the NWS products and services. Chad Omitt, welcome to WeatherBrains! Our next Guest WeatherBrain is the local history librarian at the Topeka and Shawnee County public library. She holds a B.A. in forensic anthropology and history from Wichita State University. She's a speaker with the Humanities Kansas Speakers Bureau and gives educational programs about life in Kansas during the Dust Bowl. Katie Keckeisen, welcome to WeatherBrains! Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com. June 2026 Kentucky flooding (01:00) Katie's early background in Kansas (07:00) June 8th, 1966 meteorological setup (10:45) Meteorological equipment used during during the 1960s (21:00) Visual photos of daytime Topeka tornado (26:30) Bill Kurtis and his role at WIBW-TV during the tornado (28:30) Save room on the volume knob for a "10"! (37:00) Topeka's Burnett's Mound: A historical deepdive (37:30) Kansas Governor's response after tornado (44:00) Damage photos from tornadoes and the resulting changes to Topeka (49:30) Topeka tornado was one of the first utilizations of civil defense outdoor warning system (01:00:00) 1955 Udall KS tornado (01:00:30) Tornado subculture in the 1960s (01:07:30) Lessons learned from this event from 60 years ago (01:19:30) The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:26:00) This Week in Tornado History With Jen (No segment this week) E-Mail Segment (01:28:00) Sneak peak at future WeatherBrains episodes! (01:31:00) and more! Web Sites from Episode 1067: Humanities Kansas Speakers Bureau "And Hell Followed With It: Life and Death in a Kansas Tornado" by Bonar Menninger Alabama Weather Network Picks of the Week: Katie Keckeisen - Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library Chad Omitt - OTUS Project James Aydelott - "History of Operational Use of Weather Radar by U.S. Weather Services. Part I: The Pre-NEXRAD Era" Jen Narramore - Tornado Talk Podcast Episode 7: The 1966 Topeka Tornado Rick Smith - Out Troy Kimmel - Out Kim Klockow-McClain - Foghorn John Gordon - Collin Gross on X: Europe's historic heatwave continues Bill Murray - Out James Spann - James Spann on X: Big Sky Montana snow photos The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore, John Gordon, and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.
Transcribe →WeatherBrains 1066: Bladder of Iron
3w ago01:49:54Tap to summarizeThis week's WeatherBrains episode is a home-grown show all about storm chasing: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly. Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com. Waning interest in storm chasing (04:00) Holding it while dealing with long-form severe weather coverage (10:00) Current state of storm chasing in 2026 (16:00) Importance of enforcing traffic laws when dealing with a saturated chaser community (27:30) Oklahoma traffic laws concerning emergency lights (31:30) Liability insurance requirements for those who continue to storm chase? (36:00) NOAA's OPG (Operations Proving Ground) (49:30) What is the purpose of a service assessment? (59:30) State of Connecticut doesn't need 3 WFOs! (01:02:00) Importance of interacting directly with the people we serve in the field of weather to mitigate loss of life (01:10:00) Discriminating between weaknesses and strengths in the warning process (01:21:30) Effectively utilizing user generated content during long-form severe weather coverage (01:23:30) Private Slack chat session with trusted weather professionals to weed out AI/fake images (01:28:00) The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (No segment this week - stay tuned!) This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:29:30) E-Mail Segment (01:30:30) Sneak peak at future WeatherBrains episodes! (01:41:00) and more! Web Sites from Episode 1066: Alabama Weather Network Picks of the Week: James Aydelott - Illinois: More tornadoes than Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas combined, year to date. (225 vs 191) Jen Narramore - Tennessee Valley Weather on X: "Tennessee Valley Weather Adds Weather Balloon Launch Capability to Strengthen Severe Weather Forecasting" Rick Smith - Facts About Derechos Troy Kimmel - IEM Generated Regional Temperature and Precipitation Report Kim Klockow-McClain - Foghorn John Gordon - Dave Throup on X: Shelf Cloud pic at Glastonbury Tor Bill Murray - Out James Spann - SkyeCalm Storm Anxiety App The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore, John Gordon, and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.
Transcribe →WeatherBrains 1065: Smells Like Texas In Here
Jun 1301:47:27Tap to summarizeThis week's WeatherBrains episode is all about Dallas-Fort Worth TX TV Market. We are excited to have Chief Meteorologist Rick Mitchell from NBC 5 and David Finfrock, NBC 5 Senior Meteorologist, who just surpassed 50 years on TV. This is third of many upcoming WeatherBrains episodes focusing on various media weather markets around the country. On episode 1030 last October we focused on Kansas City with Bryan Busby and Joe Lauria. On episode 1055 in March, we focused on Tampa Bay with Mike Clay and Brian LaMarre. Rick and David will discuss forecasting severe storms with and without the dry line, winter weather, Blue Northers, the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex major urban heat island and much more! Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com. David's educational background and early years (06:30) Rick's early years in meteorology and journey to Oklahoma City (08:30) Compare/contrast Oklahoma City and Dallas/Ft. Worth TV market (11:00) Dallas/Ft. Worth area notable weather events in recent years (16:00) 1980 Heat Wave (21:30) Paper map throwbacks to an earlier era in broadcast meteorology (39:00) Changes after Delta 191 and advent of installation of terminal dopplers at airports (42:30) Reflections on the May 3rd, 1999 Oklahoma tornado tragedy (47:30) Cedar Hill, Texas tornado of 1856 (50:30) Exploding population in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and increasing weather hazard risk (58:00) Rick's social media strategies now and moving forward (01:20:00) The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (No segment this week - stay tuned!) This Week in Tornado History With Jen (No segment this week - stay tuned!) E-Mail Segment (No segment this week - stay tuned!) and more! Web Sites from Episode 1065: David Finfrock Instagram Alabama Weather Network Picks of the Week: David Finfrock - Harold Taft's World War 2 legacy Rick Mitchell - Great Storm of 1975 James Aydelott - Softball sized hail photo from 1995 Jen Narramore - Andrew Pritchard on X: Illinois tornadoes 6/11/26 Rick Smith - Out Troy Kimmel - Delta Flight 191 Flashback Special (1985) Kim Klockow-McClain - Classification of Use Cases for Ensemble Weather Forecasts John Gordon - What is a "panhandle hooker" and why is it called that? Bill Murray - Out James Spann - Google Weather Lab: Cyclones (Preview) The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore, John Gordon, and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.
Transcribe →WeatherBrains 1064: Drank My Pets
Jun 901:47:27Tap to summarizeThis week's WeatherBrains episode is all flash flooding. Our First GuestWeatherBrain is the President of Project ENKI. This project is working to revolutionize flood intelligence and community preparedness through advanced modeling, visualization tools and education designed to help people better understand their flood risk and take proper action. Brad Newman, welcome to WeatherBrains! Second Guest WeatherBrain for tonight's episode is the technological backbone of Project ENKI. She's a key leader in the science modeling and visualization work behind the project's flood intelligence mission, helping turn complex flood data into information communities can understand and use. Dr. Tracy Fanara, welcome to WeatherBrains! Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com. What is Project ENKI? (07:30) Dr. Fanara's background and early life (12:30) Story behind the name ENKI (Emergency Network Turning Knowledge Into Actionable Intelligence) (19:30) Influencing weather events as a precursor to starting the project (22:00) Unity Alliance Foundation's ability to communicate effectively (42:30) Issues/difficulty with real-time flash flooding analysis (49:00) National Water Model and what makes it revolutionary (55:30) Actionable information to improve flooding forecasts and warning process (01:01:30) Reflecting on July 2025 Texas flooding tragedy (01:07:00) Communication issues with complicated dual/triple hazard events (01:20:00) Reflecting on 2024's Hurricane Helene (01:23:00) The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:33:00) This Week in Tornado History With Jen (No segment this week - stay tuned!) E-Mail Segment (No segment this week - stay tuned!) and more! Web Sites from Episode 1064: Project Enki Unity Alliance Foundation USA National Water Model Alabama Weather Network Picks of the Week: Dr. Tracy Fanara - World Ocean Day James Aydelott - Lithuanian tornado video James Aydelott - June 8th, 1974 Tornado Outbreak and Flash Floods Jen Narramore - Out Rick Smith - Out Troy Kimmel - SounderPy Sounding Analysis Kim Klockow-McClain - Last Ones Left In A Toxic Kansas Town John Gordon - PRESSURE official trailer Bill Murray - June 8th 1966 Topeka Tornado James Spann - Alabama Weather Network Live Storm Coverage The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore, John Gordon, and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.
Transcribe →WeatherBrains 1063: Hodgepodge City
Jun 201:37:59Tap to summarizeNo description available
Transcribe →WeatherBrains 1062: It's Those Kentucky Aliens
May 2701:42:24Tap to summarizeThis week's WeatherBrains episode is all about lightning. Joining us tonight will be Dr. Mary Ann Cooper, internationally recognized for her work in lightning injury prevention. She's an emergency physician, and has received awards from both the medical and the lightning communities. She has a BS in biochemistry and completed her medical internship in Cincinnati. We are also joined by John Jensenius, longtime NWS meteorologist and lightning safety specialist. He's been in the weather business for over four decades. We will discuss lightning injuries, safety, myths, and how to better protect people during thunderstorms. Thanks for joining us! Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com. Getting the media involved in lightning safety (24:30) Annual lighting fatalities and average trends (25:30) 30/30 lightning rule (34:00) "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors" (37:30) Lightning back to basics: Voltage, temps, thunder, ect (39:30) What is a flashover? (46:30) Lasting nervous system injuries after lightning strike (01:01:00) "The Deadly Dozen" (01:10:30) Lightning safety and cars: What is fact and fiction? (01:15:00) ACLE (African Centres for Lightning Education Network) (01:23:00) The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (No segment this week) This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:28:45) Sneak peak at future WeatherBrains Episodes (01:31:00) E-Mail Segment and more! Web Sites from Episode 1062: African Centres for Lightning Education Network National Lightning Safety Council Alabama Weather Network Books - Cope Disaster Champions Picks of the Week: John Jensenius - "The Clouds Outside My Window" by John Jensenius James Aydelott - May 26-27, 1984 Tulsa Memorial Day Flood Jen Narramore - Forecasters rely on phased array radar for tornado warning Rick Smith - Out Troy Kimmel - Out Kim Klockow-McClain - Mexico tornado John Gordon - Burns Israelsen on X: Pyrocumulus cloud Bill Murray - Out James Spann - James Spann on X: Houston/Henry County Alabama tornado The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore, John Gordon, and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.
Transcribe →WeatherBrains 1061: It Just Smacks Earth
May 1901:46:17Tap to summarizeNo description available
Transcribe →WeatherBrains 1060: Bridge Bozos
May 1201:47:48Tap to summarizeThis week's Guest WeatherBrain and WeatherBrains veteran is one of the most recognizable and respected storm chasers in the country. As an excellent field weather reporter, he's known for documenting some of the most powerful tornadoes in the modern era. He's produced unforgettable severe weather coverage over the years, and he is known for his use of drones and live-streaming technology. Charles Peek, it's great to have you back on with us tonight! Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com. May 9th severe weather/Luke Combs concert (2:00) Charles Peek's background and entry into the world of weather (14:00) Misreported tornado fatalities before era of social media (33:30) Rolling Fork MS tornado and the resulting discussion about building codes in low income areas (39:45) Relationship between manufactured housing and tornadoes (40:30) Social media hyperbole and unnecessary fear (42:00) Key skills required in assisting people after destructive severe weather (43:00) Persistent issues with people recklessly crowding under overpasses during severe weather (45:00) Notable instances of resilience in disaster zones (53:30) Artificial Intelligence and the future of forecasting (59:00) Handling positioning during a hurricane or tropical storm (01:06:00) Responsibilities and advice for new chasers (01:24:00) The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:28:55) This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:30:30) E-Mail Segment (01:32:30) and more! Web Sites from Episode 1060: The Weather Channel Alabama Weather Network Picks of the Week: James Aydelott - Physics-based models outperform AI weather forecasts of record-breaking extremes Jen Narramore - Where the Music Went Rick Smith - Bridge Bozos video Troy Kimmel - Foghorn Kim Klockow-McClain - Lubbock, Texas tornado May 11th, 1970 John Gordon - Tornado in Argentina video Bill Murray - Foghorn James Spann - Waco Tornado May 11, 1953 The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore, John Gordon, and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.
Transcribe →