Guest: Chris Vagasky, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Few things in weather grab our attention quite like lightning. It’s fast, powerful, a little bit mysterious — and for today’s guest, it’s been a lifelong fascination. Joining us is lightning expert Chris Vagasky, a scientist whose career has sparked everything from groundbreaking lightning safety work to a new chapter with Wisconet, one of the most advanced surface observation networks in the country. While his day-to-day role may have evolved, his passion for understanding and explaining lightning has never dimmed. In this episode, we’ll talk about career pivots in meteorology, why high-quality observations matter so much during severe weather, and how you keep your scientific spark alive even as your job changes. So stay grounded, because this conversation is charged with insight, curiosity, and a whole lot of lightning science.

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Fascination with Lightning
2. 14:30 Break 1
3. 14:33 Career Pivot and WiscoNet
4. 26:36 Break 2
5. 26:54 The Future of Weather Communication and AI

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Guest: Dr. Connell Miller, Western University

When a tornado tears through the landscape, one of the first questions we ask is, how strong was it? Answering that usually means boots on the ground, surveying damage piece by piece. But what if part of that story could be told from hundreds of miles above Earth? Today, we’re joined by Dr. Connell Miller, whose research explores how satellite data can be used to detect and measure tornado damage from space, especially in rural and agricultural areas where traditional damage indicators can be hard to find. We’ll talk about using vegetation signals to infer tornado intensity, how this approach could complement ground surveys, and what it means for improving tornado climatology and post-storm analysis.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Tornado Research and Satellite Data
2. 05:46 Innovative Use of Satellite Data in Tornado Assessment
3. 12:12 Correlation Between Satellite Data and Ground Surveys
4. 14:00 Break 1
5. 17:56 Limitations and Future of Satellite Data in Tornado Rating
6. 25:03 Break 2
7. 25:05 AI and Automation in Tornado Damage Assessment

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Guest: Dr. Bruce Albrecht, University of Miami

Most of us look at the sky every day but let’s be honest, we usually only glance up long enough to decide if we need an umbrella. But what if your phone could actually help you notice the atmosphere again? Not doomscrolling… cloud-scrolling! Today we’re joined by Dr. Bruce Albrecht, the mind behind SeeMyClouds — the app that’s turning sky-gazing into a social, creative, totally addictive hobby. Whether you’re a cirrus superfan, a cumulus connoisseur, or someone who just likes a good sunset photo, Bruce is here to talk about why clouds deserve their moment…and how his app is bringing weather geeks and casual sky-watchers together one snapshot at a time.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Cloud Appreciation
2. 02:56 Bruce Albrecht's Journey in Meteorology
3. 05:50 The Science of Cloud Microphysics
4. 09:06 Exploring Cloud Radar Technology
5. 11:17 Break 1
6. 11:49 Inspiration Behind See My Clouds App
7. 15:02 The Role of Social Media in Cloud Appreciation
8. 18:00 Features and Functionality of See My Clouds
9. 20:10 Break 2
10. 21:08 Potential for Scientific Research
11. 24:03 Understanding Cloud Seeding
12. 26:55 Final Thoughts on Cloud Enthusiasm

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Guest: Paul Goodloe, Weather Channel Meteorologist

Winter is officially in the rearview mirror and while some parts of the country were digging out from snow and ice, others were wondering if winter ever showed up at all! So today, we’re doing something a little different. We’re sitting down with a familiar face from The Weather Channel, meteorologist Paul Goodloe, to look back at the season that was. From headline-making storms like Winter Storms Fern and Hernando, to the surprisingly quiet winter across much of the Western United States, there’s plenty to unpack. So grab a warm drink — or maybe start thinking about putting the snow shovel away — as we recap the biggest winter weather moments of the season.

Chapters

• 00:00 Winter Weather Overview
• 10:55 Paul Goodlow's Journey to Meteorology
• 13:39 Characterizing the Winter of 2025-2026
• 19:44 Break 1
• 19:46 Winter Storm Fern: A Deep Dive
• 31:19 Break 2
• 31:21 Winter Storm Hernando: The Big Nor'easter
• 32:16 Hurricane Forecasting and Model Accuracy
• 34:53 The Impact of AI in Weather Forecasting
• 35:08 Experiencing Winter Storm Hernando
• 39:25 Blizzard Conditions and Snow Accumulation
• 41:48 Comparing Winter Storms: Fern vs. Hernando
• 46:07 Public Response to Weather Forecasts
• 48:15 The Western Winter: A Lack of Snow
• 54:23 Avalanche Risks and Climate Change
• 58:24 Wildfire Threats Due to Low Snowpack
• 01:00:02 Looking Ahead: Weather Patterns and Droughts

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Guest: Lt. Col. Andrew Gay

Forecasts don’t just matter for farmers, travelers, or weekend plans — they can influence decisions that ripple across the globe. Few people know that better than Major Andrew Gay, who has served as a meteorologist in the U.S. Air Force, at the White House, and at the Pentagon. In those roles, weather wasn’t simply data — it was mission-critical information that could impact safety, security, and strategy at the highest levels. Today, we’ll hear how his career has bridged science and service, and what it takes to forecast when the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Importance of Weather Forecasting
2. 02:51 Andrew Gay's Journey to Meteorology
3. 05:56 Career Path in the Air Force
4. 08:53 Supporting Military Operations
5. 11:44 Weather Forecasting at the White House
6. 12:30 Break 1
7. 14:44 Current Role and Responsibilities
8. 17:55 Challenges in Weather Forecasting
9. 21:52 Emerging Technologies in Meteorology
10. 22:26 Break 2
11. 25:06 Effective Science Communication
12. 29:50 Advice for Aspiring Meteorologists

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Guests: Doug Hilderbrand & Jennifer Sprague-Hilderbrand

When 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.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to the Weather Community
2. 03:04 Personal Journeys into Meteorology
3. 06:03 The American Weather Enterprise Association Explained
4. 07:56 The Importance of Economic Valuation in Weather
5. 13:16 Break 1
6. 13:45 Building a Strong Foundation for the Future
7. 20:00 Advocacy and Engagement with Policymakers
8. 25:50 The Personal Dynamics of Building an Organization
9. 26:30 Break 2
10. 32:02 Conclusion and Future Directions

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Guest: Dr. Russell Schneider

Spring 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.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Severe Weather Season
2. 01:03 Dr. Russell Schneider's Journey to Meteorology
3. 04:42 Understanding the Storm Prediction Center (SPC)
4. 10:17 Reflections on the 2025 Severe Weather Season
5. 11:54 Break 1
6. 12:38 Shifts in Tornado Activity and Trends
7. 15:54 The Spectrum of Severe Weather Hazards
8. 22:08 Preparing for the 2026 Severe Weather Season
9. 25:20 Break 2
10. 25:49 Innovations in Weather Forecasting Technology
11. 30:01 Communicating Weather Risks Effectively
12. 33:53 The Role of Storm Chasers and Social Media

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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.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Ryan Hall, Y'all
2. 02:57 Ryan's Journey into Weather
3. 06:07 The Rise of Ryan Hall, Y'all
4. 08:49 Transitioning from Traditional Media to Digital
5. 11:15 The Evolution of Weather Communication
6. 14:37 Building a Community and the Y'all Squad
7. 17:12 The Role of Teamwork in Content Creation
8. 20:27 Navigating Severe Weather Coverage
9. 23:26 Addressing Misinformation in Weather Reporting
10. 26:25 The Impact of AI on Weather Communication
11. 29:26 Advice for Aspiring Weather YouTubers

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