Weather Geeks

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
00:00 The Fascination with Lightning
14:30 Break 1
14:33 Career Pivot and WiscoNet
26:36 Break 2
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
00:00 Introduction to Tornado Research and Satellite Data
05:46 Innovative Use of Satellite Data in Tornado Assessment
12:12 Correlation Between Satellite Data and Ground Surveys
14:00 Break 1
17:56 Limitations and Future of Satellite Data in Tornado Rating
25:03 Break 2
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
00:00 Introduction to Cloud Appreciation
02:56 Bruce Albrecht's Journey in Meteorology
05:50 The Science of Cloud Microphysics
09:06 Exploring Cloud Radar Technology
11:17 Break 1
11:49 Inspiration Behind See My Clouds App
15:02 The Role of Social Media in Cloud Appreciation
18:00 Features and Functionality of See My Clouds
20:10 Break 2
21:08 Potential for Scientific Research
24:03 Understanding Cloud Seeding
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
00:00 The Importance of Weather Forecasting
02:51 Andrew Gay's Journey to Meteorology
05:56 Career Path in the Air Force
08:53 Supporting Military Operations
11:44 Weather Forecasting at the White House
12:30 Break 1
14:44 Current Role and Responsibilities
17:55 Challenges in Weather Forecasting
21:52 Emerging Technologies in Meteorology
22:26 Break 2
25:06 Effective Science Communication
29:50 Advice for Aspiring Meteorologists
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