WeatherBrains 285: Full as a Tick and a Black Eye

WeatherBrains Episode 285 is now online (July 11, 2011). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE netcast audio program for you!

Our guest for the show tonight is Dr. Frank Tatom, head of Engineering Analysis, Inc., Huntsville, AL. Dr. Tatom shares a concern about the false alarm rate. From his personal research, he believes there is strong scientific evidence that tornadoes in contact with the ground produce a seismic signal which is detectable at distances of 10 to 20 miles. With a network of seismic sensors spaced roughly 15 miles apart, confirmation of a tornado touchdown could be accomplished when used in conjunction with NWS NEXRAD radar.

Dr. Tatom, a registered professional engineer, has a broad engineering background with over 39 years experience in turbulent fluid dynamics. He has pioneered research in predicting turbulence properties in a flow field based on mean flow properties. In the field of turbulent fluid dynamics he has served as a consultant to a number of government agencies including: the Army Ballistic Missile Defense Systems Command; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; the Tennessee Valley Authority; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station; the Department of Energy; the Department of Labor; and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. He has also served as a consultant to a number of private organizations including: the Gas Research Institute; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Arthur D. Little, Inc.; Northrop Corporation; and General Dynamics Corporation. In 1983, he received NASA’s New Technology Award for his work in the simulation of atmospheric turbulence.

Other discussions in this weekly podcast include topics like:

Our Email Officer is almost as full of it as the mail bag. He brings us up-to-date on what listeners are writing about.

From The Weather Center:

WeatherBrains 101: Virtual stuff has been around with the computer, but meteorologists have had a virtual temperature for years. This week 101 looks at virtual temperature and how it is used in the field of weather.

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 285:

Engineering Analysis Inc.

Skydaver’s Blog, Fog Bank

Picks of the Week:

JB Elliott – Drought Forecast

Brian Peters – Radar Program for the Mac

Kevin Selle – Severe Weather in Estonia

James Spann – Hurricane Spaghetti Models

The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like JB Elliott, Kevin Selle, and Brian Peters. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating netcast about weather.

Category: WeatherBrains