Weather Geeks

In this episode of Weather Geeks, host Jen Carfagno speaks with Dr. Younes Alila about the evolving understanding of flood events, particularly the shift from focusing on magnitude to frequency. Dr. Alila discusses his research on how deforestation and climate change are increasing the frequency of floods, challenging the traditional 100-year flood concept. He emphasizes the need for updated flood management strategies that consider both the frequency and magnitude of flood events, as well as the impact of land use changes in headwaters. The conversation highlights the importance of integrating scientific findings into policy and practice to better prepare for and mitigate flood risks

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. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Wildfire and Meteorology00:51 Marcus Williams: Journey to Meteorology04:58 Role of Meteorologists in the US Forest Service07:46 Experiences in Wildfire Deployment10:52 Understanding Prescribed Fires12:33 Break 112:40 Meteorological Tools in Prescribed Fires15:32 Challenges in Fire Management18:14 Weather Modeling and Its Applications21:09 Break 221:40 Leadership and Mentorship in Meteorology25:46 Future of Meteorology in Fire Management See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Matthew Cappucci03:02 Matthew's Journey into Meteorology05:51 Creating Engaging Weather Content08:48 The Impact of Social Media on Weather Communication11:48 Challenges in Weather Forecasting14:59 Navigating the Noise in Weather Communication18:04 The Role of Meteorologists in the Digital Age21:01 Future of Weather Communication23:49 Closing Thoughts and Reflections See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Summary In this episode of the Weather Geeks Podcast, host Jen Carfagno welcomes Dr. Wallace Hogsett from the National Hurricane Center to discuss the verification of hurricane forecasting models from the 2025 season. They delve into the intricacies of how forecasts are verified against actual storm data, emphasizing the importance of understanding model performance to improve future predictions. Dr. Hogsett shares insights on the integration of AI-based forecasting tools, particularly the Google DeepMind model, which showed promising results in both track and intensity predictions. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of hurricane forecasting, the challenges of rapid intensification, and the critical role of accurate data assimilation in enhancing model reliability.

Jen Carfagno speaks with Samira Davis, a volunteer with the United Cajun Navy, about her experiences during Hurricane Florence and the importance of grassroots disaster response. Samira shares her journey from being a real estate agent to becoming a key player in disaster relief, highlighting the challenges faced by communities during natural disasters and the critical role of volunteers. The conversation emphasizes the need for preparedness, community involvement, and the often-overlooked impact of disasters on mental health and animal welfare.