Weather Geeks

Guest: Brad Panovich, WCNC Charlotte
If you’ve lived in North Carolina for any length of time, chances are you’ve turned to one familiar face when the weather turns serious. But being a trusted meteorologist today isn’t just about what happens on TV—it’s about showing up wherever your audience is, whether that’s on-air, online, or in the middle of a rapidly evolving storm. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by Brad Panovich, Chief Meteorologist at WCNC Charlotte. For decades, Brad has helped guide North Carolinians through everything from day-to-day forecasts to high-impact events—including more recent storms like Hurricane Helene—building a level of trust that goes far beyond the forecast itself. We’ll talk about how his approach to communication has evolved in the age of social media, what it takes to cut through misinformation, and how you balance urgency, clarity, and calm when people are depending on you the most.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Brad Panovich and His Journey
02:55 The Evolution of Weather Communication
05:54 The Importance of Credentialing in Meteorology
08:56 The Role of Trust in Weather Forecasting
12:05 Break 1
12:08 Navigating Social Media as a Meteorologist
15:13 Handling Negativity and Criticism in the Digital Age
20:13 Understanding Public Perception of Weather Forecasts
23:40 Break 2
24:12 The Role of Social Media in Weather Communication
26:28 The Impact of AI on Meteorology
30:11 Personal Reflections on the Impact of Meteorology
34:26 The Educator's Role in Meteorology

Resources
Ohio State University Meteorology Program - https://meteo.osu.edu/
UNC Charlotte Weather Communication Course - https://physics.charlotte.edu/

Guest links
Brad Panovich on Twitter - https://twitter.com/WXBrad
Website - https://www.wcnc.com/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@wxbrad
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Guest: Seth Borenstein, Associated Press
Every day, new scientific discoveries shape the way we understand our world — from extreme weather to the changing climate. But most of us don’t read scientific journals. Instead, we rely on journalists to translate complex research into stories that inform the public and help us make sense of what it all means. Today we’re joined by Seth Borenstein, a veteran science reporter with the Associated Press who has spent decades covering everything from hurricanes and heat waves to the latest breakthroughs in climate research. Over the years, his reporting has helped bring critical science stories to audiences around the world. In this episode, we’ll talk about how science journalism has evolved, how the media approaches reporting on Climate Change, and what it takes to translate complex science into clear, trustworthy stories for the public.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Credibility
01:43 How Seth Became a Weather and Climate Geek
04:02 The Evolution of Climate Science Narratives
07:47 From Uncertainty to Scientific Certainty
11:53 Finding and Vetting Credible Scientific Sources
16:04 The Role of AP and Wire Services in Science Reporting
17:48 Break 1
18:16 Challenges and Opportunities in Science Journalism
21:52 How Seth Finds His Experts
25:03 Impact of Social Media on Climate and Weather Reporting
27:57 Dealing with Disinformation and Misinformation
28:39 Break 2
29:46 Memorable Stories and Impactful Reporting
32:20 Embedded Reporting with Storm Chasers
34:15 The Human Side of Weather Disasters
36:55 Advice for Future Climate and Science Journalists
39:25 Where to Find Seth's Work
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GUEST: Ken Graham, Director of NOAA National Weather Service
National Weather Service Director Ken Graham visited The Weather Channel for a wide-ranging conversation with Jim Cantore about the future of weather forecasting and public safety.
They will discuss ongoing efforts to modernize the National Weather Service, the challenges of maintaining critical infrastructure, the latest developments in forecasting technology and AI, and what improvements may be on the horizon for everything from hurricane forecasts to severe weather prediction. They also talk about staffing, observations, and the tools that help forecasters turn data into decisions when lives are on the line.
And as he marks four years as Director, Jim will ask Ken to reflect on the experiences that shaped his career, the accomplishments he's most proud of, and what he wants the public to better understand about the work happening behind the scenes every day.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Credibility
00:59 Ken Graham's Ten and Progress Overview
02:24 Reflecting on Achievements and Vision
03:45 Staffing Challenges and Hiring Boom
05:19 Reorganizing for the Future
07:01 Modernizing Infrastructure and Cloud Transition
08:20 Partnering with Emergency Managers
08:59 Radars: Aging Systems and Next-Gen Plans
10:29 Private Sector Collaboration on Radars
12:48 Innovations in Data Collection: Drones and Balloons
13:42 NWS Chat and Communication Tools
14:17 Break 1
14:31 Communicating Strong El Nino and Hurricane Risks
15:47 Aircraft and Data for Better Forecasts
16:38 Improvements in Track and Intensity Forecasts
17:19 AI and Machine Learning in Weather Models
18:36 Future of High-Resolution and Rapid Refresh Models
20:17 Balancing Over-Preparation and Real-Time Response
21:28 Next-Generation Modeling and Cloud Computing
22:50 Break 2
22:50 Vision for Year 10: Fully Cloud-Based, Well-Staffed NWS
24:26 Memories of Weather Disasters and Motivation
25:37 The Drive to Save Lives and Limit Damage
26:30 Engagement with the President and Policy Support
27:35 Office Culture and Workforce Changes
28:49 Challenges of Modernization and Change Management
29:23 Supporting NWS Staff and Future Outlook

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Guest: Adam Fouche, University of Georgia
When you head to a big football game or an outdoor concert, you’re probably thinking about the music, the crowd, and the excitement in the air. But behind the scenes, there’s another team hard at work — one that’s watching the skies. From lightning delays to fast-moving thunderstorms, weather can quickly turn a packed stadium or festival into a serious safety challenge. Protecting tens of thousands of people requires careful planning, constant monitoring, and sometimes very quick decisions. Today we’re joined by Adam Fouche, Interim Associate Vice President for Environmental Safety, Risk, and Resiliency at the University of Georgia. His team works behind the scenes to help keep major events — from concerts to packed game days — safe when the weather takes a turn.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
00:53 Adam Fouche's Weather Geek Origin Story
02:45 Adam's Role in Weather Safety at UGA
04:09 Weather Safety in Large Campus Events
07:09 Weather Risk Assessment for Events
10:22 Lightning Protocols and the 8-Mile Rule
12:57 Debate on Lightning Delay Rules
13:44 Break 1
15:15 Weather Support Models at SEC Schools
18:01 Collaboration with National Weather Service
20:04 Communication Strategies for Weather Risks
21:59 Psychology of Weather Risk Perception
25:01 Venue Design and Weather Vulnerabilities
26:07 Break 2
26:38 Understanding Severe vs. Non-Severe Weather
30:09 Technology and Weather Monitoring Tools
33:33 Public Safety Advice for Weather Preparedness

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Guest: Jordan Hall
Storm chasing has always lived right at the edge—part science, part instinct, and part, let’s be honest… a little bit of chaos. But these days, it’s not just about being in the right place at the right time—it’s also about capturing it, sharing it, and bringing people along for the ride in real time. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re talking with storm chaser Jordan Hall—someone who’s spent countless hours on the road tracking down everything from classic supercells to high-risk, high-reward setups… all while navigating what it means to be a storm chaser in the age of social media. We’ll get into some of his wildest chase stories, the decisions that matter most when things get intense, and how storm chasing is evolving in a world where your next viral video might be just one tornado away.
Chapters
00:00 The Thrill of Storm Chasing
10:01 From Hobby to Career: The Journey of a Storm Chaser
16:17 Break 1
20:10 Navigating the Challenges of Storm Chasing
23:03 Break 2
29:22 Navigating Personal Safety
29:59 The Role of Social Media in Storm Chasing
30:35 Pressure and Competition in Storm Chasing
32:06 Impact of Social Media on Storm Chasing
34:42 International Storm Chasing Adventures
36:55 Choosing Which Storms to Chase
38:06 Awe-Inspiring Natural Phenomena
39:39 Unique Chase Stories
40:09 The Intersection of Storm Chasing and First Response
44:32 Challenges of Chaser Convergence
48:01 The Storm Chasing Community
49:59 Advice for Aspiring Storm Chasers
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