Weather Geeks TeamWhat began as Fourth of July thunderstorms in Kerr County, Texas rapidly evolved into a catastrophic flash flood that overwhelmed campgrounds, highways, and homes. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re dedicating our episode to understanding the flood disaster in Texas’ Hill Country, how it happened so fast, and how we can better prepare for the next time the sky opens up. We’ll unpack the meteorological setup as well as the human and infrastructural challenges in warning, evacuation, and rescue. This isn’t just a weather story—it’s a community story, and a wake-up call for every corner of the country vulnerable to sudden flooding.Chapters00:00 Understanding the Texas Hill Country Flood Disaster01:39 Meteorological Insights and Communication Challenges05:00 Analyzing the Meteorological Setup09:32 The Role of Terrain and Hydrology18:12 The Impact of Communication on Preparedness25:02 Cloud Seeding Myths and Misunderstandings27:22 Lessons Learned for Future Flood Events27:50 The Deadly Overnight Flooding Event29:02 The Importance of a Nightly Weather Check29:30 Enhancing Flood Warnings and Public Response31:18 The Role of Forecasting in Emergency Management33:44 Public Perception and Weather Warnings35:41 Psychology of Weather Response37:31 The Need for Effective Warning Systems39:54 Advocating for Weather Radios41:22 The Impact of Climate Change on Flooding43:49 Understanding Extreme Weather Events45:57 The Role of Sea Surface Temperatures51:30 The Human Element in Weather EventsSee 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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Going for Gold, No Matter the Weather
Guests: Bejan Abtahi & Maria AugutisEvery four years the most incredible athletes from around the globe gather to showcase their athletic abilities in the Olympics. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee plays a pivotal role in providing critical resources to ensure the athletes excel on the Global Stage. One of the biggest influencers of the games can be the weather. Joining us today are Bejan Abtahi and Maria Augutis. Bejan is an Olympic Performance Advisor for the USOPC and Maria is a Meteorologist with Sveriges Television and StormGeo. They work together to achieve a common goal: making the greatest sporting event in the world even greater! Let’s talk about it…Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Olympic Weather Connection03:08 The Role of Weather in Olympic Performance05:57 Meteorological Insights for Athletes09:02 Storm Geo's Contribution to Olympic Weather Forecasting12:02 Weather Challenges in Olympic Locations15:11 Weather Sensitivity in Olympic Events17:52 Preparing Athletes for Weather Conditions20:52 Collaboration Between Meteorologists and Olympic Teams24:00 Air Quality and Athlete Performance27:02 Climate Change and the Future of the Olympics30:06 Advice for Future MeteorologistsSee 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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Detecting Wildfires from Orbit
Guest: Chris Van Arsdale, Google Climate & Energy Research LeadWildfires aren’t just a summer problem anymore. This past January, California faced an unusual and intense wildfire outbreak, with flames ripping through communities and forcing thousands to evacuate. What if we could catch wildfires in their earliest stages, before they spiral out of control? That’s the goal of Google’s FireSat, a revolutionary satellite system designed to spot fires as small as a campfire and deliver updates every 20 minutes. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re talking to Chris Van Arsdale, a leader behind the FireSat project, about how it all works and how they are using AI to help the firefight before it even startsChapters00:00 Introduction to Wildfire Challenges and Firesat03:10 Chris Van Arsdale's Journey to Google and Climate Research06:09 Understanding the Firesat Satellite System09:01 Operational Use and Future of Firesat11:48 The Role of Google in Wildfire Detection15:06 Machine Learning and Data Challenges in Fire Detection18:10 Implications for Firefighting Strategies20:52 Future Data Applications Beyond Fire Detection23:58 Global Interest and Collaboration on Firesat26:49 Environmental and Security Considerations29:59 Sustainability and Future Launch Plans for Firesat32:50 Global Applications and Community Engagement35:56 Final Thoughts on Firesat's ImpactSee 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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Observing Tornadoes with the OTUS Project
Guests: Nelson & Louis TuckerWhen it comes to tornadoes, getting close is both the goal and the danger. For decades, scientists have relied on radar, storm chasers, and ground-based instruments to study these violent storms. But what if we could send something right into the heart of a developing tornado? Maybe something small, nimble, and packed with sensors? That’s the mission behind the OTUS Project. Using cutting-edge drone technology, this team is pushing the boundaries of what we can safely and accurately observe from inside tornadic storms. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by members of the OTUS Project to talk about how UAVs are changing the way we study tornadoes, what it’s like to deploy them in the field, and how this data could lead to better forecasts and ultimately, save lives.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Otus Project01:37 Personal Journeys into Meteorology06:12 Understanding Tornadoes: The Need for Data10:17 Drone Technology in Tornado Research14:59 A Day in the Life of a Tornado Chase19:39 Challenges and Risks in the Field21:32 First Experiences Inside a Tornado24:50 Collaborations and Data Sharing26:34 Measuring Wind Inside Tornadoes30:19 Choosing Storms and Navigating Obstacles32:12 Regulatory Hurdles and Networking34:17 Future Aspirations for the Otus ProjectSee 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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Building Back Better from Hurricanes
Guest: Dr. Brian Bledsoe, University of GeorgiaWhen a hurricane makes landfall, we expect the strongest impacts to hit the coast. But Hurricane Helene proved that the story doesn’t end there. With hurricane-force winds reaching more than 350 miles inland, this storm challenged the way we think about extreme weather risk. Are we truly prepared for the full reach of a hurricane, not just this decade but for centuries to come? Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by Dr. Brian Bledsoe from the University of Georgia, who is an expert on infrastructure and making future building more resilient. There are many opportunities to build back better, smarter, and safer after these events happen, and hopefully strive to not have to rebuild in the same places over and over. From infrastructure challenges to communication gaps, we’ll explore what needs to change to keep these communities—both coastal and inland—safe.Chapters00:00 Understanding Hurricane Helene's Impact04:58 Assessing Infrastructure Resilience15:11 Lessons Learned from Hurricane Helene28:02 Addressing Multiple Natural Disasters40:00 The Importance of Comprehensive Infrastructure PlanningSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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.