Guest: Dr. Alexander Gates, Rutgers University - Newark

Weather 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.

Chapters

1. 00:00 - Introduction: Weather's historical influence on civilizations
2. 00:32 - Dr. Gates’ background & inspiration for Wicked Weather
3. 01:06 - How natural disasters shape human societies
4. 03:29 - The significance of weather-related events like hurricanes, volcanoes, and earthquakes
5. 06:37 - Most impactful natural disasters in history
6. 07:30 - Volcanoes from 536-540 AD changing the global climate
7. 09:24 - The hurricane that helped end the American Revolution
8. 11:06 - Human decisions impacting disaster resilience
9. 11:40 - Break 1
10. 11:42 - Building resilience: lessons from historical events
11. 13:19 - Climate change’s role in intensifying weather extremes
12. 16:16 - Lessons from historical weather disasters on modern emergency preparedness
13. 17:37 - How different types of disasters prompt societal change
14. 20:44 - Responses to weather-related disasters in different countries
15. 23:31 - Break 2
16. 23:33 - The importance of societal response and adaptation
17. 28:04 - The science behind storms and the importance of understanding natural causes
18. 29:28 - Final reflections: societal resilience and future preparedness

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Guest: Dr. Younes Alila, University of British Columbia

Floods 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 But what if the way we measure and plan for floods is decades out of date?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.

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Guest: Dr. Marcus Williams, Research Meteorologist

Wildfire is one of the most complex weather-driven hazards we face — shaped by wind, terrain, fuel, and timing, where the forecast isn’t just about what happens next, but about keeping people safe in real time. Behind every major fire response and every carefully planned prescribed burn is a team of scientists working to understand those conditions down to the finest detail. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Marcus Williams, a research meteorologist with the U.S. Forest Service whose work sits at the intersection of science, operations, and on-the-ground decision-making. We’ll talk about what it takes to provide weather support during major California fires, why prescribed fire depends so heavily on getting the forecast right, and how USFS research is shaping the future of fire weather forecasting.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Wildfire and Meteorology
2. 00:51 Marcus Williams: Journey to Meteorology
3. 04:58 Role of Meteorologists in the US Forest Service
4. 07:46 Experiences in Wildfire Deployment
5. 10:52 Understanding Prescribed Fires
6. 12:33 Break 1
7. 12:40 Meteorological Tools in Prescribed Fires
8. 15:32 Challenges in Fire Management
9. 18:14 Weather Modeling and Its Applications
10. 21:09 Break 2
11. 21:40 Leadership and Mentorship in Meteorology
12. 25:46 Future of Meteorology in Fire Management

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Guest: Matthew Cappucci

If you’ve ever watched a weather forecast and thought, “Wow, that meteorologist has way more energy than the atmosphere itself,” there’s a good chance you were watching Matthew Cappucci. He’s a scientist, a storyteller, a storm chaser, an author, a communicator who somehow manages to make jet streaks sound exciting — and now he’s back on the show! Today, we’re talking to Matthew about how he brings weather to life across TV, print, social media, and whatever platform he conquers next. We’ll chat about the state of weather communication in the age of algorithms, how he cuts through the noise without losing the science, and where he thinks the industry is headed as our storms — and our conversations — keep evolving.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Matthew Cappucci
2. 03:02 Matthew's Journey into Meteorology
3. 05:51 Creating Engaging Weather Content
4. 08:48 The Impact of Social Media on Weather Communication
5. 11:48 Challenges in Weather Forecasting
6. 14:59 Navigating the Noise in Weather Communication
7. 18:04 The Role of Meteorologists in the Digital Age
8. 21:01 Future of Weather Communication
9. 23:49 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

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Guest: Dr. Wallace Hogsett, Science & Operations Officer at the NHC

Every hurricane season tells a story — not just through the storms that form, but through the forecasts that guide us. And once the season ends, the real detective work begins: Which models nailed the track? Which ones struggled with intensity? And what did we learn that will help us prepare for the next big storm? Joining us today is Dr. Wallace Hogsett from the National Hurricane Center, one of the experts who turns those post-season numbers into meaningful insight. We’ll break down the verification results from the 2025 season, explore how models are improving — and where they’re not — and talk about the growing influence of AI-based forecasting tools. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the scorecard that shapes the future of hurricane prediction, straight from the people who know the models best.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Hurricane Forecasting
2. 01:00 Dr. Hogsett's Journey in Meteorology
3. 05:01 Understanding Verification in Hurricane Forecasting
4. 07:12 AI's Impact on Hurricane Prediction
5. 13:47 Break 1
6. 14:13 Rapid Intensification and Forecasting Tools
7. 17:41 Incorporating AI Models into Forecasting
8. 30:29 Break 2
9. 30:31 Communication and Uncertainty in Weather Forecasting
10. 39:53 Looking Ahead: The Future of Hurricane Prediction

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Guest: Samira Davis, United Cajun Navy

When disaster strikes, it’s often the people on the ground — not the headlines — who make the biggest difference. During Hurricane Florence, while historic floods swallowed neighborhoods across the Carolinas, Samira Davis was among those who stepped up. As a volunteer with the United Cajun Navy, she helped coordinate relief for families, pets, and even horses — filling the gaps between official response and human need. In this episode, we hear her firsthand account of what it’s like to navigate chaos and compassion side by side, the lessons she’s carried from that experience, and how grassroots responders are reshaping what disaster recovery looks like.

CHAPTERS

1. 00:00 The Human Impact of Disaster Response
2. 03:03 Becoming a Weather Geek: Personal Journeys
3. 06:16 The Role of Grassroots Organizations in Disaster Relief
4. 09:02 The United Cajun Navy: A New Era of Response
5. 11:55 Navigating Challenges in Disaster Recovery
6. 14:46 BREAK 1
7. 14:54 The Importance of Preparedness and Community
8. 18:06 Animal Rescue in Disaster Situations
9. 21:09 The Long-Term Effects of Natural Disasters
10. 23:56 Getting Involved: How to Help
11. 27:04 The Power of Community and Collaboration
12. 27:40 BREAK 2
13. 00:27:41 Real Estate Lessons from Disasters
14. 00:31:28 Collective Action and Preparedness
15. 00:34:54 Evolving Strategies in Disaster Relief
16. 00:37:12 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Guest: James Spann, Chief Meteorologist & Founder of the Alabama Weather Network

When it comes to weather, few names carry the respect, trust, and authority of James Spann. For decades, he’s been the steady voice that Alabamians turn to when the sky turns dark — part scientist, part storyteller, and always a servant to his community. But beyond the green screen, James has become a powerful advocate for local weather, founding the Alabama Weather Network to bring hyper-local, science-based forecasting back to the people who need it most. Today, we talk with James about how the weather and media industries have evolved, why social science is now at the heart of saving lives, and how meteorologists can stay grounded in service even as technology and the atmosphere continue to change.

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Journey of James Spann: A Weather Legend
2. 11:38 The Evolution of Weather Broadcasting
3. 17:30 The Impact of Social Media on Weather Communication
4. 18:16 BREAK 1
5. 19:07 The Power of Social Media in Weather Reporting
6. 21:13 Launching the Alabama Weather Network
7. 25:14 Innovating Weather Coverage for the Next Generation
8. 29:56 BREAK 2
9. 30:01 The Importance of Hyperlocal Weather Reporting
10. 39:22 A Commitment to Community and Future Generations

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Weather Geeks Team

What 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.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Understanding the Texas Hill Country Flood Disaster
2. 01:39 Meteorological Insights and Communication Challenges
3. 05:00 Analyzing the Meteorological Setup
4. 09:32 The Role of Terrain and Hydrology
5. 18:12 The Impact of Communication on Preparedness
6. 25:02 Cloud Seeding Myths and Misunderstandings
7. 27:22 Lessons Learned for Future Flood Events
8. 27:50 The Deadly Overnight Flooding Event
9. 29:02 The Importance of a Nightly Weather Check
10. 29:30 Enhancing Flood Warnings and Public Response
11. 31:18 The Role of Forecasting in Emergency Management
12. 33:44 Public Perception and Weather Warnings
13. 35:41 Psychology of Weather Response
14. 37:31 The Need for Effective Warning Systems
15. 39:54 Advocating for Weather Radios
16. 41:22 The Impact of Climate Change on Flooding
17. 43:49 Understanding Extreme Weather Events
18. 45:57 The Role of Sea Surface Temperatures
19. 51:30 The Human Element in Weather Events

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