WeatherBrains

This week's WeatherBrains episode is all about Hawaii.
Joining us tonight as Guest WeatherBrain is the Chief Meteorologist at Hawaii News Now.  She has given over 15 years of service and has provided trusted coverage for the Hawaiian Islands including tropical cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, and other natural disasters.  She earned her Bachelor's degree in Atmospheric Ocean Science at San Fransisco State University.  Jennifer Robbins, welcome to WeatherBrains!
Tonight's Guest Panelist is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) at the NWS office in Honolulu.  He works Statewide with a wide variety of partners and earned his Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Michigan in 1998.  He started at NWS Marquette MI in 1999, and has worked with the NWS Honolulu since 2006, and the WCM since 2017.  John Bravender, 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.
Jennifer's early weather background (10:00)
John's early weather background (15:30)
What exactly is it like to forecast for the State of Hawaii?  (18:00)
Difficulties forecasting with Hawaiian microclimates (20:00)
Employee organization at NWS Honolulu (25:30)
Torrential rainfall and major flooding in Hawaii caused by Kona lows (33:00)
What exactly is a Kona low?  (42:30)
What happened to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center? (49:00)
1992's Hurricane Iniki (50:00)
Introduction of chickens to Hawaii in the wake of Hurricane Iniki (53:30)
Fire weather threats and how it has changed in recent years (58:30)
Tsunami risks and concerns in Hawaii (01:07:45)
Warning protocol in the State of Hawaii regarding tsunamis and severe weather (01:19:30)
The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:25:30)
This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:27:30)
E-Mail Segment (01:29:00)
Sneak peak at future WeatherBrains episodes! (01:31:30)
and more!
Web Sites from Episode 1073:  
Hawaii News Now First Alert Weather
Honolulu, HI NWS Forecast Office
Alabama Weather Network
Picks of the Week:
John Bravender - Homeowner's Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards
James Aydelott - Okie James on Facebook: In 1936, the start of a truly hideous stretch of never-seen-since Summer weather in Tulsa
Jen Narramore - Dyer County Historical Society
Rick Smith - Out
Troy Kimmel - Out
Kim Klockow-McClain - Population structure and hybridisation in a population of Hawaiian feral chickens
John Gordon - LoriGraceWX Monsoon Photography
Bill Murray - Out
James Spann - Proposed changes to WPC's Excessive Rainfall Outlook

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.

This week's WeatherBrains episode is all about the Georgia Severe Storms Research Center. 
Joining us tonight as Guest WeatherBrain is the Director of the Georgia Severe Storms Research Center.  Growing up in Minnesota, he always had exposure to severe weather and took a keen interest early in his life.  He earned his Bachelor of Science in meteorology from Iowa State University.  Their research focuses on X-band radar that operates jointly between Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia.  They have done extensive research, with a major focus on lightning.  Michael Peterson, welcome to WeatherBrains!
Tonight's Guest Panelist is a research scientist at the Georgia Severe Storms Research Center.  She received a Bachelor's Degree from Penn State University, and earned her Master's Degree in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma.  Jessica Losego, 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.
Jessica's early background in the field of weather (17:00)
REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) (2:00)
IHOP (International H2O Project) (21:00)
When was the Georgia Severe Storms Research Center founded and what do they do?  (24:30)
Dual Pol variables in X-Band (26:30)
North Georgia Lightning Mapping Array (39:30)
2008 Downtown Atlanta, GA tornado during SEC tournament (57:30)
GA Tech's research on tornadogenesis (01:01:00)
What is cold air damming (CAD)? (01:03:30)
New world record lightning flash discovered by SSRC (01:06:30)
What is the definition of a mega flash?  (01:11:45)
Difficulties forecasting random airmass convection in the Deep South (01:19:30)
The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:25:00)
This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:27:30)
E-Mail Segment (01:29:30)
Sneak peak at future WeatherBrains episodes! (01:38:30)
and more!
Web Sites from Episode 1072:  
North Georgia Lightning Mapping Array
Georgia Severe Storms Research Center
Alabama Weather Network
Picks of the Week:
Jessica Losego - Weather with a Twist - Aaron Price on Substack
Jessica Losego - "Atlanta Tornado of 1975" Volume 104 Issue 8 (1976) by E. F. Greneker
Michael Peterson - Call for Papers - 2027 AMS Annual Meeting
James Aydelott - OU Launches Oklahoma 3D Mesonet
Jen Narramore - The Governor's Tornado - March 24, 1975
Rick Smith - Where Have the EF5s Gone? A Closer Look at the "Drought" of the Most Violent Tornadoes in the United States
Troy Kimmel - GOES Image Viewer
Kim Klockow-McClain - The Tiny Rain Icon On Your Weather App is Crushing Small Businesses
John Gordon - Tornadoes in Wisconsin since 1950
Bill Murray - Out
James Spann - NOAA's use of cloud infrastructure grows to include weather prediction models
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.

This week's WeatherBrains episode is all about the 1976 Big Thompson Flash Flood.
Joining us tonight as Guest WeatherBrain is meteorologist Matt Kelsch.  He earned his Master's Degree from the University of Oklahoma and has written numerous papers on mountain meteorology and hydrology.  Retiring in 2022, he's an avid outdoorsmen, biker and gardener.  It's great to see you tonight, Matt!
Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com.
WSR 88-D NEXRAD (10:45)
World Meteorological Organization:  What They Do (13:00)
What tools were available for the NWS in 1976? (15:00)
Significant 2013 Colorado flood (21:30)
Photos of 1976 Big Thompson Flash Flood damage (27:00)
July 28th, 1997 Spring Creek Flood at Fort Collins, CO (32:00)
Proven success of converting creeks to floodways in 2013 (35:30)
Devastating 1889 Johnstown, PA flood (37:30)
Meteorological setup of Fort Collins 1997 Spring Creek flood (43:30)
2013 Colorado Flood (Great Erosional Flood) meteorological setup (48:30)
Social science perspective on Call-To-Action for general public during floods (59:30)
500 Year Flood vs 1000 Year Flood (01:01:30)
Profound lack of snowfall in Colorado during winter of 2025-2026 (01:10:00)
Tips for meteorologists to better forecast and anticipate major flash flooding in present day (01:12:00)
What is the definition of a flash flood?  (01:14:00)
Flash Flood Watch/Warning protocol in 1976 (01:16:00)
The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (No segment this week)
This Week in Tornado History With Jen (No segment this week)
E-Mail Segment (01:31:30)
Sneak peak at future WeatherBrains episodes! (01:27:00)
and more!
Web Sites from Episode 1071:  
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Alabama Weather Network
Picks of the Week:
Matt Kelsch - Real-time Air Quality Monitoring by PurpleAir
James Aydelott - River Photo
James Aydelott - Photo of sculpture by Bradley T. Mullnix
Jen Narramore - Rare waterspout near Montreal, Canada on July 23rd, 2008
Rick Smith - Out
Troy Kimmel - Out
Kim Klockow-McClain - Out
John Gordon - Matt Kelsch paper "Flash Flood Cases, Summary of Characteristics"
John Gordon - Bob Maddox paper "Synoptic and Meso-a Scale Aspects of Flash Flood Events"
Bill Murray - Out
James Spann - 40 Years Later, Jim Cantore on Mount Rushmore of TV 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.

This week's WeatherBrains episode is all about dust storms.
Joining us tonight as Guest WeatherBrain is the MIC (Meteorologist in Charge) of NWS Goodland, Kansas.  A Nebraska native, he's logged over a quarter century of service for the NWS, with prior stops in Omaha, Sioux Falls, and North Platte.  He earned his Bachelor's degree from Nebraska-Lincoln.  Jeremy Martin, welcome to the show!
Guest Panelist and NWA President Kim Runk joins us tonight discussing the NWA (National Weather Association) and a preview of the upcoming NWA annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska.  Thanks for joining us, Kim!
Program Chair of the 2026 NWA Annual Meeting Jessica Stumpf also joins us as Guest Panelist.  She's the Public Safety Solution Engineer Meteorologist at Baron Weather, and has a decade of prior experience in Emergency Management.  She has a Bachelor's from Penn State and is a former broadcast meteorologist.  Jessica, welcome to WeatherBrains!
Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com.
Tropical Depression 2 in the Gulf struggling with shear and dry air (02:00)
What got Jeremy into meteorology?  (08:00)
Life/culture at the Goodland KS National Weather Service (09:30)
Dust storm official definition (14:30)
Unusual circumstances of forecasting haboobs (20:30)
Coordination between NWS and EMA (26:30)
Dust Storm Warnings - do they make a difference?  (29:30)
Debating the Dust Capital of America (43:30)
Advocating for the field of meteorology on Capitol Hill (58:00)
Why should I join the NWA as a meteorology student?  (01:05:30)
2026 NWA Annual Meeting in Omaha:   When and Where (01:17:30)
The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:20:00)
This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:22:45)
E-Mail Segment (No segment this week)
Sneak peak at future WeatherBrains episodes! (01:34:00)
and more!
Web Sites from Episode 1070:  
"Connect5 Leadership: Growing Leaders by Serving Others" by Kim Runk
2026 AMS Annual Meeting
Alabama Weather Network
Picks of the Week:
Jeremy Martin - NASA Dust Tracker AI
Jessica Stumpf - SC Emergency Manager App
Jessica Stumpf - 2026 Esri User Conference San Diego, CA
Kim Runk - Weather and Climate Collections - NOAA Library
James Aydelott - World's Largest Easel in Goodland, Kansas
Jen Narramore - WeatherBrains 855: Nocturnal MCS Mode
Rick Smith - How 2026 World Cup Venues Handle the Heat (and Humidity, and Storms…)
Troy Kimmel - Out
Kim Klockow-McClain - Out
John Gordon - Amazing Footage of Debris Flow in Illgraben
Bill Murray - Out
James Spann - Real Time Tropical Cyclones
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.

This 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.