WeatherBrains 532: Saw Them Guns

WeatherBrains Episode 532 is now online (March 28, 2016). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE netcast audio program for you!

Tonight’s Guest WeatherBrain is the Vice President of Innovations Development for AccuWeather. He is responsible for the teams that collect weather data from all over the world. Jon Porter, welcome to WeatherBrains!

Jonathan joined the AccuWeather team in June, 2004, just a few weeks after graduating from the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in meteorology and minor in Information Technology. Jon does double duty at AccuWeather — he spends much of his time working as a meteorological programmer within the IT department tasked to projects ranging from improvements in the AccuWeather digital forecast database to building specialized applications for a wide variety of clients. In addition, he is a broadcast meteorologist, appearing on wireless videos, the Local AccuWeather Channel and WPSU–TV.

A New England native, Jon grew up in the small town of Killingly, CT – in Northeastern Connecticut’s Windham County. He has always been interested in the weather and decided that he wanted to be a meteorologist in the fourth grade. Some family members contend it is in his genes as Jon’s father holds a degree in meteorology. Growing up, Jon was always fascinated with East Coast snowstorms particularly the Blizzard of 1993 and the April Fool’s Day Nor’easter of 1997.

After graduating from Marianapolis Preparatory School in Thompson, CT, Jon followed his dream and arrived at Penn State University. While at Penn State, Jon was fortunate to have the opportunity to get his start in television on Penn State’s nightly weather program, Weather World. He appeared on air during major winter storms, severe weather outbreaks and in the days leading up to Hurricane Isabel’s effects on Pennsylvania in 2003.
Jon is a member of the American Meteorological Society and serves on an alumni committee for the Department of Meteorology at Penn State.

In his free time, Jon likes to spend time with friends and family. He also volunteers his IT skills at a clinic that provides free healthcare to the working poor. He likes to listen to 80’s music – especially Chicago and Earth Wind & Fire. Jon also enjoys TV dramas, especially NYPD Blue and Law & Order.

Tonight’s Guest Panelist is the Chief Meteorologist at KAIT-TV in Jonesboro, AR. He is Western Kenticky Hilltopper. (Thanks for beating UAB and letting Middle Tennessee win the Conference USA Basketball Tournament so they could beat Michigan State and break Bill Murray’s bracket!) Welcome to the show Ryan Vaughan!

Jon’s career included a short period with a television in the Montgomery, AL, area, but moved back to the Jonesboro, AR, area due in part to it being a great place to raise a family.

Other discussions in this weekly podcast include topics like:

• Extremes: 91 at Miami, FL, and 10 at Alamosa, CO
• Don’t forget to vote for Ginger Zee in Dancing with the Stars
• Some severe weather Wednesday/Thursday
• Heavy rain possible across Southeast US, too
• Ash advisory for parts of Alaska
• Snowy weather in the western states
• Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice
• and more!

Our email bag officer brings to life messages from our listeners.

From The Weather Center:

WeatherBrains 101: There are many processes going on in the atmosphere, and one of those is referred to as the hydrologic cycle. Often called the water cycle, too, it identifies the various processes going on in the atmosphere as water comes and goes.

Listener Surveys: Okay, we continue to drive this topic into the ground, but we really do like to hear from you. Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to fill out the Listener Survey. The survey takes just a minute or two to complete and provides us with an opportunity to learn where you are and hear your thoughts and comments on the show. Click here to take the survey.

Web Sites from Episode 532:

KAIT-TV Weather page

GOES satellite communications at risk

NWA/AMS joint letter on this topic

To subscribe to the brand new SkyWritings, an email newsletter from the WeatherBrains gang, click HERE.

Picks of the Week:

Brian Peters – Gets the fog horn!

John Scala – Relationship of extreme weather and climate change

Kevin Selle – Scott Kelly’s pictures from space

James Spann – Fight over empty seat at graduation

Aubrey Urbanowicz – Cat digs igloo!

SkyDavers Blog – The Fog Bank

The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Nate Johnson, Bill Murray, Dr. John Scala, Aubrey Urbanowicz, Rick Smith, Kevin Selle, and Brian Peters. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating netcast about weather.

Category: WeatherBrains