Weather Geeks

Geeking Out About “Wicked Weather”

Guest: Dr. Alexander Gates, Rutgers University - NewarkWeather doesn’t just shape our daily plans — sometimes, it shapes the course of history. From floods that altered empires to storms that changed the outcome of wars, extreme weather has quietly (and sometimes violently) rewritten the human story. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Alexander Gates, professor at Rutgers University–Newark and author of the upcoming book Wicked Weather. In it, he explores the natural disasters that didn’t just make headlines, but changed societies, politics, and the world as we know it. In this episode, we’ll talk about the historical storms, droughts, and disasters that left lasting marks on civilization, what those events teach us about risk and resilience, and why understanding the past may be one of our best tools for preparing for the future.Chapters00:00 - Introduction: Weather's historical influence on civilizations00:32 - Dr. Gates’ background & inspiration for Wicked Weather01:06 - How natural disasters shape human societies03:29 - The significance of weather-related events like hurricanes, volcanoes, and earthquakes06:37 - Most impactful natural disasters in history07:30 - Volcanoes from 536-540 AD changing the global climate09:24 - The hurricane that helped end the American Revolution11:06 - Human decisions impacting disaster resilience11:40 - Break 111:42 - Building resilience: lessons from historical events13:19 - Climate change’s role in intensifying weather extremes16:16 - Lessons from historical weather disasters on modern emergency preparedness17:37 - How different types of disasters prompt societal change20:44 - Responses to weather-related disasters in different countries23:31 - Break 223:33 - The importance of societal response and adaptation28:04 - The science behind storms and the importance of understanding natural causes29:28 - Final reflections: societal resilience and future preparednessSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rethinking the 100-Year Flood Event

Guest: Dr. Younes Alila, University of British ColumbiaFloods are some of the most devastating natural disasters on Earth—washing away homes, reshaping landscapes, and testing the limits of our infrastructure. But what if the way we measure and plan for floods is decades out of date? A new study out of the University of British Columbia led by Dr. Younes Alila reveals that the so-called “100-year flood” may now be striking every 10 years or less across parts of British Columbia. Dr. Alila joins us to unpack how land-use changes, deforestation, and a warming climate are amplifying flood frequency, why natural features like wetlands and forests are key to protection, and what communities can do to adapt.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

U.S. Forest Service Fighting Wildfires with Meteorology

Guest: Dr. Marcus Williams, Research MeteorologistWildfire is one of the most complex weather-driven hazards we face — shaped by wind, terrain, fuel, and timing, where the forecast isn’t just about what happens next, but about keeping people safe in real time. Behind every major fire response and every carefully planned prescribed burn is a team of scientists working to understand those conditions down to the finest detail. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Marcus Williams, a research meteorologist with the U.S. Forest Service whose work sits at the intersection of science, operations, and on-the-ground decision-making. We’ll talk about what it takes to provide weather support during major California fires, why prescribed fire depends so heavily on getting the forecast right, and how USFS research is shaping the future of fire weather forecasting.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Wildfire and Meteorology00:51 Marcus Williams: Journey to Meteorology04:58 Role of Meteorologists in the US Forest Service07:46 Experiences in Wildfire Deployment10:52 Understanding Prescribed Fires12:33 Break 112:40 Meteorological Tools in Prescribed Fires15:32 Challenges in Fire Management18:14 Weather Modeling and Its Applications21:09 Break 221:40 Leadership and Mentorship in Meteorology25:46 Future of Meteorology in Fire ManagementSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Keeping Up With Cappucci

Guest: Matthew CappucciIf you’ve ever watched a weather forecast and thought, “Wow, that meteorologist has way more energy than the atmosphere itself,” there’s a good chance you were watching Matthew Cappucci. He’s a scientist, a storyteller, a storm chaser, an author, a communicator who somehow manages to make jet streaks sound exciting — and now he’s back on the show! Today, we’re talking to Matthew about how he brings weather to life across TV, print, social media, and whatever platform he conquers next. We’ll chat about the state of weather communication in the age of algorithms, how he cuts through the noise without losing the science, and where he thinks the industry is headed as our storms — and our conversations — keep evolving.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Matthew Cappucci03:02 Matthew's Journey into Meteorology05:51 Creating Engaging Weather Content08:48 The Impact of Social Media on Weather Communication11:48 Challenges in Weather Forecasting14:59 Navigating the Noise in Weather Communication18:04 The Role of Meteorologists in the Digital Age21:01 Future of Weather Communication23:49 Closing Thoughts and ReflectionsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 2025 Hurricane Models Report Card

Guest: Dr. Wallace Hogsett, Science & Operations Officer at the NHCEvery hurricane season tells a story — not just through the storms that form, but through the forecasts that guide us. And once the season ends, the real detective work begins: Which models nailed the track? Which ones struggled with intensity? And what did we learn that will help us prepare for the next big storm? Joining us today is Dr. Wallace Hogsett from the National Hurricane Center, one of the experts who turns those post-season numbers into meaningful insight. We’ll break down the verification results from the 2025 season, explore how models are improving — and where they’re not — and talk about the growing influence of AI-based forecasting tools. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the scorecard that shapes the future of hurricane prediction, straight from the people who know the models best.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Hurricane Forecasting01:00 Dr. Hogsett's Journey in Meteorology05:01 Understanding Verification in Hurricane Forecasting07:12 AI's Impact on Hurricane Prediction13:47 Break 114:13 Rapid Intensification and Forecasting Tools17:41 Incorporating AI Models into Forecasting30:29 Break 230:31 Communication and Uncertainty in Weather Forecasting39:53 Looking Ahead: The Future of Hurricane PredictionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.