Weather Geeks

Inside the American Weather Enterprise Association

Guests: Doug Hilderbrand & Jennifer Sprague-HilderbrandWhen you think about the weather world, you might picture satellites spinning overhead, supercomputers crunching data, or meteorologists trying to explain that yes, the cone is not the size of the storm. But behind all of that is a whole community of people working together to keep us informed and safe. Today, we’re joined by two people who know that ecosystem better than almost anyone: Doug and Jennifer Hilderbrand, co-founders of the American Weather Enterprise Association. Together, they’re building a space where the public, private, and academic sectors can actually talk to each other — and maybe even agree on a few things — to strengthen the entire weather community. We’ll dive into why they launched the association, what they hope to change, and how collaboration can help us all navigate a future with more complex storms, more data, and more demand than ever.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Weather Community03:04 Personal Journeys into Meteorology06:03 The American Weather Enterprise Association Explained07:56 The Importance of Economic Valuation in Weather13:16 Break 113:45 Building a Strong Foundation for the Future20:00 Advocacy and Engagement with Policymakers25:50 The Personal Dynamics of Building an Organization26:30 Break 232:02 Conclusion and Future DirectionsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Inside Severe Season: A Conversation with the SPC Director

Guest: Dr. Russell SchneiderSpring may mean blooming flowers and warmer days, but for meteorologists, it means something else entirely: severe weather season is officially here. As we head into the months when thunderstorms sharpen, tornadoes spin up, and the atmosphere becomes anything but predictable, there’s one place every forecaster and weather enthusiast looks to: the Storm Prediction Center. Today, we’re joined by the Director of the SPC Dr. Russell Schneider, the person who helps oversee the outlooks, mesoscale discussions, and tornado and severe thunderstorm watches that millions depend on when the stakes are high. We’ll look back at what last season taught us, talk about what’s on the horizon for this year, explore how new tools — including emerging AI guidance — are shaping the forecasting landscape, and discuss the growing influence of storm chasers and open-access model data.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Severe Weather Season01:03 Dr. Russell Schneider's Journey to Meteorology04:42 Understanding the Storm Prediction Center (SPC)10:17 Reflections on the 2025 Severe Weather Season11:54 Break 112:38 Shifts in Tornado Activity and Trends15:54 The Spectrum of Severe Weather Hazards22:08 Preparing for the 2026 Severe Weather Season25:20 Break 225:49 Innovations in Weather Forecasting Technology30:01 Communicating Weather Risks Effectively33:53 The Role of Storm Chasers and Social MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Digital Meteorology with Ryan Hall, Y’all

Guest: Ryan Hall When severe weather is on the horizon, many people turn to their local meteorologist—but millions are heading to YouTube to get the latest from Ryan Hall, Y’all. With his signature down-to-earth style and real-time, no-nonsense weather coverage, Ryan has built one of the most popular and trusted weather communities online. But what’s it really like to cover major weather events on social media’s biggest stage? How does he balance entertainment with accuracy? And where does he see weather communication heading next? Today on Weather Geeks, we’re pulling back the curtain with Ryan Hall himself. From storm-chasing stories to the power of digital weather, we’re diving into how one YouTuber is changing the way we watch the skies.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ryan Hall, Y'all02:57 Ryan's Journey into Weather06:07 The Rise of Ryan Hall, Y'all08:49 Transitioning from Traditional Media to Digital11:15 The Evolution of Weather Communication14:37 Building a Community and the Y'all Squad17:12 The Role of Teamwork in Content Creation20:27 Navigating Severe Weather Coverage23:26 Addressing Misinformation in Weather Reporting26:25 The Impact of AI on Weather Communication29:26 Advice for Aspiring Weather YouTubersSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.