WeatherBrains 530: Engineer Roy Makes an Appearance

WeatherBrains Episode 530 is now online (March 14, 2016). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE netcast audio program for you!

As a special treat to this show, we begin with Mrs. Diane McAliley, 6th Grade Science Teacher, Pizitz Middle School, Vestavia, AL. She and her 6th grade class just completed a successful balloon launch with the help of Bill Murray, and she’ll recap the whole project. The balloon went to an altitude of 106,000 feet and their chase team was able to recover the whole assembly including spectacular 6-second data an two GoPro cameras complete with stunning video.

Dr. Joseph P. (Joe) Bassi is an Assistant Professor of Arts and Sciences at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University/Worldwide Campus. He is also an (online) adjunct lecturer at the National Security Studies Institute, University of Texas/El Paso. Dr. Bassi completed his PhD in History at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in June, 2009. He specialized in the history of modern US science and technology. He was a senior project engineer with the Aerospace Corporation supporting national security space efforts at Vandenberg AFB from 2009-2010. During his PhD program, Dr Bassi was a Guggenheim pre-doctoral fellow in Space History at the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. His recent book, “A Scientific Peak: How Boulder Became a World Center for Space and Atmospheric Science,” recently was selected as one of the best books in atmospheric sciences for 2015 in the history category by Atmospheric Sciences Librarians International.

A retired US Air Force officer with twenty-six years of active duty, he at various points in his military career served as Director of the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (Guam), Professor of Strategic Studies at a DOD college, Headquarters US Air Force Action Officer and Program Element Manager, Chief of the Acquisition Meteorology Office at Air Force Space Systems Division, and Assistant Professor of Physics at the USAF Academy. After retirement from active service, Professor Bassi served as a space policy analyst in the Office of the Secretary of Defense while working for the Aerospace Corporation.

In addition to the PhD, he has graduate degrees in Meteorology from Penn State, Astrophysics from the University of Colorado, and History from the George Washington University. While at GWU, he was a NASA Space Grant Research Fellow at the Space Policy Institute, Elliot School of International Affairs. He graduated from Manhattan College in 1974 with a BS in Physics (Phi Beta Kappa) and was a distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC program.

Other discussions in this weekly podcast include topics like:

• Extremes: 98 at Cotulla, TX, and 11 at Caribou, ME, and Presque Isle, ME
• Risk of severe weather in Carolinas
• Risk of severe weather in Indiana, Illinois Day 2
• Tremendous flooding in AR, LA, and East TX
• Warmth is the word for much of the eastern US
• Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice
• and more!

Our email bag officer is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners.

From The Weather Center:

WeatherBrains 101: Tornadoes are ranked on a scale from 0 to 5 and hurricanes are ranked, too. But did you know that the National Climatic Data Center ranks winter storms? That’s right, they do, so in this episode the professor delves into how winter storms are ranked.

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 530:

Video and story on the Pizitz Middle School balloon launch

Dr. Bassi’s book, A Scientific Peak

Book on Halsey’s Typhoon

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

Picks of the Week:

Bill Murray – Pizitz Middle School balloon launch

Brian Peters – Oklahoma City modifies tornado warning system

Kevin Selle – We Love Weather Community

James Spann – SSEC Geostationary Satellite Imagery

Aubrey Urbanowicz – 100+ female meteorologists wearing THE DRESS

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.

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Category: WeatherBrains