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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