WeatherBrains

Tonight's WeatherBrains episode is all about marine weather!  We discuss wave forecasting, marine hazards, and the many products issued for mariners.  Guest WeatherBrain for tonight's episode is Chris Landsea.  He was formerly the Science and Operations Officer for 11 years at NHC, and he's now the Chief of TAFB (Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch) at the NHC.  He has served in this role since 2019.  Chris, it's great to have you on tonight's episode.  Guest WeatherBrain and meteorologist Brian Lamarre was formerly the Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) at the Lubbock TX NWS office.  He then served 17 years as the MIC (Meteorologist in Charge) at the Tampa FL NWS.  The panel discusses the various commonly seen marine alerts, including freezing spray forecasts, Special Marine Warnings, and hazardous sea warnings.  Brian, welcome to the show!
Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: [email protected].
Looking back at WeatherBrains Episode 46 featuring Dr. William Gray (Fall 2006) - Link incoming! (13:00)
What is the NWS Marine Program? (14:30)
Small Craft Advisories (18:00)
Gale Warnings and why are these necessary? (21:00)
What are rip currents and why is this a hazard?  (23:30)
Respiratory hazards and other entry level hazards (28:00)
Coastal flood advisories/warnings (31:30)
Special Marine Warnings and what conditions are needed to require one (34:00)
Waterspouts and the call to action for the general public (36:30)
Forecasting wave heights and the main 2 types of waves that are commonly produced (44:30)
Deep dive into rogue waves and significant wave height (47:30)
NHC TAFB (Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch):  Who is it and what do they do?  (55:00)
Increasing traffic in polar regions and the ice/open ocean transition (01:05:00)
Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab (GLERL) (01:08:00)
Unique relationship between US Coast Guard and National Weather Service (01:12:00)
Special Marine Warnings and metrics applied to POD/FAR similar to on-land severe warnings (01:17:00)
Special Marine Warnings and Call to Action (01:19:00)
The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:25:00)
This Week in Tornado History With Jen (No segment this week - stay tuned!)
E-Mail Segment (01:27:30)
and more!
Web Sites from Episode 1052:  
MarineTraffic
EverythingWeather: Your Ultimate Weather Mobile App
WeatherFront Mobile Weather App
Alabama Weather Network
Picks of the Week:
Chris Landsea - NHC Graphical Marine Wind Warnings
Brian Lamarre - Haboob satellite photo
James Aydelott - Okie J on Facebook: Severe storms stretch from Chicago to Houston
Jen Narramore - Out
Rick Smith - Out
Troy Kimmel - Hazcams
Kim Klockow-McClain - UCAR statement on lawsuit filed against federal administrative agencies
John Gordon - Windy.com
Bill Murray - Out
James Spann - 3/15/26 Bonnertown, TN tornado damage
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.

Tonight's WeatherBrains is all about the NWS Storm Prediction Center (SPC)'s convective outlooks.
Guest WeatherBrain and SPC forecaster Bill Bunting joins us tonight.  He grew up in Virginia Beach, VA where we experienced a series of hurricanes and Nor'easters at a very young age.  He attended Old Dominion University as well as OU where he earned his Bachelor's Degree.  He's been with the National Weather Service since 1985, where he's worked primarily at local offices in Norman (OK), Kansas City (MO) and Fort Worth (TX).  He was Chief of Forecasting Operations at SPC in 2012, and is now the Deputy Director at SPC since 2024.  Bill, welcome to WeatherBrains!
Second and last Guest WeatherBrain (but certainly not the least!) is the brand new Warning Coordination Meteorologist (MIC) for the SPC.  He grew up in Ohio and attended Valparaiso University, and has since worked for the NWS for over 15 years.  He loves historical weather statistics and visualization.  Evan Bentley, welcome to WeatherBrains!
Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: [email protected].
Organization/structure of NWS Storm Prediction Center (14:00)
SPCS's Fire weather forecasting (16:00)
Science behind SPC's new conditional intensity forecasts (20:30)
Deterministic factors for a PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situation) watch (26:00)
Improving communication of impactful weather events to family and co workers (40:00)
SPC's philosophy on dealing with QLCS events (51:00)
National team approach for warnings?  (01:03:00)
The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:29:45)
This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:32:15)
E-Mail Segment (01:24:00)
and more!
Web Sites from Episode 1051:  
Alabama Weather Network
Picks of the Week:
Bill Bunting - SPC Hazard Climatology
James Aydelott - Okie James on Facebook: Two supercell rotation paths
Jen Narramore - Southeast Severe Storms Symposium XXIV
Rick Smith - NOAA Damage Assessment Toolkit
Troy Kimmel - Foghorn
Kim Klockow-McClain - Edwardsburg Schools offer support as community mourns loss of student
John Gordon - Congressman Eric Sorensen introduces new legislation to investigate major weather disasters
Bill Murray - Out
James Spann - Out
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.

Tonight's WeatherBrains episode will cover the Purdue Meteorology Program.  The Panel takes a deep dive into both the undergraduate and graduate programs.
Guest WeatherBrain Dr. Robin Tanamachi joins us tonight from Purdue University.  She's a member of the AMS and is working with UCAR and COMET on a radar meteorology course.  She's an avid cyclist and storm chaser.  It's great to have you on tonight, Dr. Tanamachi!
Guest WeatherBrain Dr Beth Hall joins us to discuss what's happening with the Indiana State Climatologist office.  She's also the director of the Midwest Regional Climate Center and manager of the Purdue Mesonet.  Tonight's show will be discussing efforts on building a Statewide Mesonet across the Hoosier State.  Thanks for joining us tonight!
Last but certainly not least, Guest Panelist Purdue University senior Lindsey Peterson will go through enrollment, meteorology student activities, storm chase trip, and Dr Tanamachi's research.  She's studying atmospheric science and is the President of Purdue's AMS Chapter and has been a NWS student volunteer as well as a 2025 NOAA William M. Lapenta Intern.  She's also involved with the AMS Board of Higher Education and has done undergraduate research focusing on the history of meteorology.  Lindsey, welcome to WeatherBrains!
Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: [email protected].
March 1st, 2007 Enterprise tornado tragedy anniversary (01:30)
Henryville Indiana 2012 tornado anniversary (05:00)
Purdue Meteorology program background (09:30)
Kentucky bourbon barrels and their climate condition requirements (27:30)
What exactly is a Mesonet? (29:45)
Current sites/status of Purdue Mesonet (32:00)
Indiana Water Balance Network (33:45)
PUMA (Purdue University Meteorological Association) (50:00)
Purdue Meteorology Program's rich history and tradition (01:01:00)
COMET online radar class (01:03:30)
Strange and unusual inquiries made to the climate office (01:08:00)
Career advice for young people and meteorology students (01:10:00)
What is phased array radar? (01:12:30)
The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:20:30)
This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:23:15)
E-Mail Segment (01:24:30)
2/26/26 Unexpected Trussville AL EF0 tornado (01:30:50)
and more!
Web Sites from Episode 1050:  
Indiana Mesonet
COMET MetEd Public Dashboard
Alabama Weather Network

Picks of the Week:
Lindsey Peterson - Earrings from Because Science
Dr. Beth Hall - MRCC Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index (AWSSI)
Dr. Robin Tanamachi - Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
James Aydelott - Girls Who Chase free seminar
Jen Narramore - WHO 13's Jeriann Ritter opens up about her health journey
Rick Smith - Out
Troy Kimmel - Out
Kim Klockow-McClain - Chairman Cruz Announces Markup of NASA Reauthorization, NOAA Weather Bill for March 4th
John Gordon - Debris Ballers - The Beginning
Bill Murray - Out
James Spann - NWS SPC on X: Changes to SPC Severe Weather Outlooks
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.

Tonight's show is all about radar and reflectivity.  Guest WeatherBrain Charles Kuster works in the radar division of NSSL.  He started his career at the OU Cooperative Institute.  Then, moved to NSSL and has been there ever since.  He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he completed his Bachelor's degree in 2012 and eventually his Master's in 2014. Charles was a Graduate Research Assistant with OU CIMMS before securing a position as Research Associate in January of this year.  Charles, welcome to WeatherBrains!
Second Guest WeatherBrain Jami Boettcher came to CIWRO/NSSL after retiring from the National Weather Service, comprised of about 10 years in operations, and 25 years as an Instructor for the Warning Decision Training Division. Her first area of expertise as a trainer focused on the WSR-88D system updates, with the most significant being the conversion to dual polarization. Developing and delivering training that focused on the needs of the NWS operational community was always the priority. Her second area of training expertise was on the cognitive domain of NWS warning operations and its three components: science, technology, and human factors.  Jamie, welcome to the show!
Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: [email protected].
Side lobe contamination (16:00)
ZDR column radar signature (19:30)
Precursor radar signatures (25:30)
Dual-polarization radar general concepts and variables (27:00)
Correlation coefficient definition (28:30)
KDP/Specific Differential Phase (29:30)
Radar spectrum width (43:00)
Mitigating side lobe contamination? (55:00)
Difference between WSR-88D and phased array radar (01:05:00)
Well-known radar gaps and the ensuing issues (01:10:30)
X-Band radar vs WSR-88D (01:12:00)
The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:27:20)
This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:29:05)
E-Mail Segment (01:31:00)
and more!
Web Sites from Episode 1049:  
Alabama Weather Network
Picks of the Week:
Charles Kuster - NOAA NSSL
Jami Boettcher - NWS/OCLO Warning Decision Training Division
James Aydelott - Out
Jen Narramore - Record snowstorm for Providence, Rhode Island
Rick Smith - Dual-Polarization Radar Training for NWS Partners
Troy Kimmel - NWS Weather and Hazards Data Viewer
Kim Klockow-McClain - Foghorn
John Gordon - Journal of Operational Meteorology "Operational Diagnostic Applications of Isentropic Analysis" by Louis Uccellini
Bill Murray - Out
James Spann - PRESSURE official trailer - Releases May 29th
James Spann - CIRA on X: "May NE US locations received over a foot of snow since yesterday morning due to powerful blizzard and NorEaster...."
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.

Tonight's Guest WeatherBrain is Melinda Beerends.  She is the MIC (Meteorologist in Charge) of Grand Forks, ND.  Welcome!
Our Guest WeatherBrain No. 2 tonight is meteorologist Carl Jones.  He's a forecaster for the NWS in Grand Forks, ND.  He earned his Bachelor of Science from Florida State University.  His professional focus remains operational forecasting and photography.  Thanks for joining us tonight!
Last but certainly not least, Guest WeatherBrain No. 3 is a meteorologist from the NWS office in Grand Forks, ND.  He is a St. Cloud State graduate and is seasoned photographer who previously worked in the private sector for several years before entering government service.  Tyler Thomas, welcome to the show!
Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: [email protected].
Deep South Valentine's Day Weekend QLCS controversy (01:15)
Importance of being connected with the people you serve!  (06:00)
Environmental setup for June 2025 EF5 event (13:00)
ND has never had a High Risk outlook (15:30)
Flaws/misses in that event's forecast prior to EF5 event (18:00)
Did the June 2025 Enderlin event meet the SPC thresholds in place?  (21:00)
LCL heights and radar data on day of Enderlin EF5 (22:30)
Reflectivity data presentation of Enderlin EF5 (29:30)
QRT ( NWS Quick Response Team) preliminary tornado rating of EF3 (50:00)
Outside data and sources concerns/review (01:03:00)
Rarity of direct observational evidence in these types of events (01:12:30)
The three fatalities in the Enderlin EF5 and what we know (01:22:00)
The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:28:30)
This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:30:35)
E-Mail Segment (No segment this week - stay tuned!)
and more!
Web Sites from Episode 1048:  
Alabama Weather Network
Picks of the Week:
Tyler Thomas - Copernicus Browser
Carl Jones - NWS Probabilistic Precipitation Portal
Melinda Beerends - YouTube: What clues from tornado outbreaks can help improve prediction?
James Aydelott - WeatherFront on X: February 14-15 QLCS
Jen Narramore - The Historical Marker Database
Rick Smith - Out
Troy Kimmel - The Blue Board - United Airlines Flight Tracker and Live Status
Kim Klockow-McClain - Louis Uccellini, NWS Director, visits Oklahoma
John Gordon - John Kucko on X: Ice Volcano Erupts
Bill Murray - Out
James Spann - Brian Emfinger video of Enderlin, ND EF5 damage indicators
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.