WeatherBrains 581: We’re a Bunch of Ding Dongs

WeatherBrains Episode 581 is now online (March 6, 2017). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE netcast audio program for you!

Joining us tonight as Guest WeatherBrain is Dr. Russ Schneider, Director of the Storm Prediction Center, and our guest panelist, Jen Watson.

Dr. Russell Schneider was named Director of the NOAA-NWS Storm Prediction Center in August, 2010, and led the Center through the historic 2011 tornado season. The Storm Prediction Center is responsible for protection of life and property through official 24×7 nationwide forecasts and warnings for hazardous mesoscale weather phenomena including tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and wildfires. Russ began his NWS career in 1992.

Dr. Schneider’s responsibilities span all facets of NOAA-NWS Storm Prediction Center (SPC) programs, from critical operational weather forecasting, to integration the latest science and technology into SPC operations. He provides strategic direction for both the Operations and Science Support Branches, and assists National Weather Service Leadership in establishing and executing strategic plans for NOAA nationwide severe weather services.

Dr. Schneider was the first Science Support Branch Chief at the Storm Prediction Center and served in this role from 1997 to 2010. Russ earned B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Atmospheric Science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Russ was awarded a Department of Commerce Bronze Medal for his contributions to US weather services in 2007, and the American Meteorological Society Kenneth C. Spengler Award for his efforts to bring diverse communities together within the collaborative environment of the NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed in 2011. Dr. Schneider was elected a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society in 2012. Along with nine other NWS colleagues, Dr. Schneider was recognized by President Barack Obama for severe weather forecasts and warnings prior to the 20 May 2013 Moore, OK, tornado in a departure ceremony at Tinker Air Force Base next to Air Force One.

Jennifer Watson works for the social desk at The Weather Channel. She was on WeatherBrains Episode 324.

In her spare time, Jennifer loves to travel, storm chase, and spend time with her family and friends.

Other discussions in this weekly podcast include topics like:

• Extremes: 88 at Alice Airport, Cotulla, Laredo Airport, & McAllen, TX, and -8 at Berlin, NH, & Fryeburg, ME
• Severe weather ongoing in Central US – numerous warnings
• Cold front to advance into Southeast US Tuesday
• Large area of warmth from TX to Great Lakes to Mid-Atlantic States and Florida
• Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice
• and more!

Our email bag officer went to a workshop put on by the NWS Blacksburg, so she’s taking the evening off to spend at home with her dog and her hubby.

From The Weather Center:

WeatherBrains 101: In this installment of WeatherBrains 101 we take a look at one of the elements discussed during storm spotter training, that of the wall cloud. A wall cloud is something that provides spotters with a clue, but a wall cloud does not necessarily mean that there will or won’t be a tornado. Give a listen for the details.

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 581:

Wood and weather – frames by Kevin Selle

Storm Prediction Center

National Weather Podcast Month

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

Picks of the Week:

Bill Murray – CIMSS Satellite Blog

Brian Peters – Wearable Weather Story

Kevin Selle – Geostationary lightning mapper aboard GOES 16

Rick Smith – Wildfire Detection using Rapid Scan Technology
Rick’s half pick – NWA Webinar

James Spann – RadarScope latest for Mac

Jen Watson – Hurricane weather data lookup

The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Nate Johnson, Bill Murray, 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: ALL POSTS, WeatherBrains