WeatherBrains 218: Among the Clouds

WeatherBrains Episode 218 is now online (Mar. 30, 2010). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE netcast audio program for you!

Joining us as our guest panelist this week is Ashley Brand, weekend meteorologist with ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, AL. Ashley joined the ABC 33/40 weather team in January, 2007. Unlike many meteorologists, Ashley’s love for and interest in the weather wasn’t evident during her childhood. Growing up she was afraid of thunderstorms. That changed, though, during the Blizzard of 1993. While watching continuous coverage of the Birmingham storm, Ashley could not get enough information. It was then she decided to pursue a career in meteorology.

Ashley graduated from Mississippi State University in 2001 with a degree in Broadcast Meteorology. After graduating from MSU in 2001, she spent two weeks chasing storms throughout the great plains. The girl who was afraid of bad weather was now tracking supercell thunderstorms and dodging baseball-sized hail. Ashley’s first job in television was at WTVY-TV in Dothan. She became that market’s first meteorologist to fly into a hurricane with the Hurricane Hunters flying through the eye of Hurricane Ivan. When the storm came ashore, she reported live from Destin, FL.

In her spare time she enjoys working out, running and spending time with her husband and their dog, a Black Lab named Nimbus.

Our WeatherBrains guest for this episode is Eric Pinder. Eric was born in upstate New York, attended college in western Massachusetts, graduated, and some time later drove to northern New Hampshire in a rusty Chevy Nova packed with a few clothes, almost no furniture, and about a dozen boxes of books.

Eric’s lifelong interests in science and the outdoors led to jobs at the Appalachian Mountain Club and Mount Washington Observatory. For seven years he lived and worked as a weather observer atop the snowy, windswept, 6288-foot summit of Mount Washington, the “Home of the World’s Worst Weather.” His experiences there inspired several books, including his first book for children, Cat in the Clouds, published by The History Press. He is also an avid nature photographer.

His articles and stories have appeared in Weatherwise, Appalachian Trailway News, Newsday, Bostonia, and other publications. He teaches at Chester College of New England and occasionally teaches an introductory weather course at Barnes & Noble University. His books include Tying Down the Wind, Sheep Football and North to Katahdin, which is about the appeal of mountains and wilderness. He also is working on a novel and several children’s books.

Eric enjoys hiking and biking up the hills of New Hampshire, but has not yet qualified to join the Four Thousand Footer Club (for people who have climbed each of the state’s 48 peaks rising 4000+ feet). He has, however, climbed one of those peaks (Mount Washington) at least 48 times and thinks that ought to count. He lives in Berlin, New Hampshire.

Other discussions in this weekly podcast include topics like:

Kevin, our crusty email officer, puts the spin on all of your email notes.

From The Weather Center:

WeatherBrains 101: In this segment, the Professor concludes the third part of a series on the GOES satellites with a look at Water Vapor Imagery and some of the benefits it provides. There’s also a quick look at how it can be used. And this is the first time the Professor does it all LIVE!!

TWIWH: Bill Murray looks back at the week of March 31st which includes the spectacular Super Outbreak of April 3 and 4, 1974.

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 218:

Eric Pinder’s Web Site

Mt. Washington Web Page

Weather Emails from NWS

Picks of the Week:

Ashley Brand – Weathertap.com

Dr. Tim Coleman – two picks this week, both video/audio of JB Elliott
1. link 1
2. link 2

JB Elliott – Airport Weather Observation map

Bill Murray – Also has two picks
1. Ashley’s Baking Blog
2. Utilizing Total Lightning Information to Diagnose Convective Trends

Brian Peters – Wired.com Weather Station Review

Kevin Selle – Digital Meteorologist

James Spann – Video of wind damage occurring at WJZY in NC

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

Category: Pre-November 2010 Posts