Guest: Brad Panovich, WCNC Charlotte

If you’ve lived in North Carolina for any length of time, chances are you’ve turned to one familiar face when the weather turns serious. But being a trusted meteorologist today isn’t just about what happens on TV—it’s about showing up wherever your audience is, whether that’s on-air, online, or in the middle of a rapidly evolving storm. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by Brad Panovich, Chief Meteorologist at WCNC Charlotte. For decades, Brad has helped guide North Carolinians through everything from day-to-day forecasts to high-impact events—including more recent storms like Hurricane Helene—building a level of trust that goes far beyond the forecast itself. We’ll talk about how his approach to communication has evolved in the age of social media, what it takes to cut through misinformation, and how you balance urgency, clarity, and calm when people are depending on you the most.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Brad Panovich and His Journey
2. 02:55 The Evolution of Weather Communication
3. 05:54 The Importance of Credentialing in Meteorology
4. 08:56 The Role of Trust in Weather Forecasting
5. 12:05 Break 1
6. 12:08 Navigating Social Media as a Meteorologist
7. 15:13 Handling Negativity and Criticism in the Digital Age
8. 20:13 Understanding Public Perception of Weather Forecasts
9. 23:40 Break 2
10. 24:12 The Role of Social Media in Weather Communication
11. 26:28 The Impact of AI on Meteorology
12. 30:11 Personal Reflections on the Impact of Meteorology
13. 34:26 The Educator's Role in Meteorology

 Resources

• Ohio State University Meteorology Program - https://meteo.osu.edu/
• UNC Charlotte Weather Communication Course - https://physics.charlotte.edu/

Guest links

• Brad Panovich on Twitter - https://twitter.com/WXBrad
• Website - https://www.wcnc.com/
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@wxbrad

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Guest: Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

Every day, new scientific discoveries shape the way we understand our world — from extreme weather to the changing climate. But most of us don’t read scientific journals. Instead, we rely on journalists to translate complex research into stories that inform the public and help us make sense of what it all means. Today we’re joined by Seth Borenstein, a veteran science reporter with the Associated Press who has spent decades covering everything from hurricanes and heat waves to the latest breakthroughs in climate research. Over the years, his reporting has helped bring critical science stories to audiences around the world. In this episode, we’ll talk about how science journalism has evolved, how the media approaches reporting on Climate Change, and what it takes to translate complex science into clear, trustworthy stories for the public.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Credibility
2. 01:43 How Seth Became a Weather and Climate Geek
3. 04:02 The Evolution of Climate Science Narratives
4. 07:47 From Uncertainty to Scientific Certainty
5. 11:53 Finding and Vetting Credible Scientific Sources
6. 16:04 The Role of AP and Wire Services in Science Reporting
7. 17:48 Break 1
8. 18:16 Challenges and Opportunities in Science Journalism
9. 21:52 How Seth Finds His Experts
10. 25:03 Impact of Social Media on Climate and Weather Reporting
11. 27:57 Dealing with Disinformation and Misinformation
12. 28:39 Break 2
13. 29:46 Memorable Stories and Impactful Reporting
14. 32:20 Embedded Reporting with Storm Chasers
15. 34:15 The Human Side of Weather Disasters
16. 36:55 Advice for Future Climate and Science Journalists
17. 39:25 Where to Find Seth's Work

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GUEST: Ken Graham, Director of NOAA National Weather Service

National Weather Service Director Ken Graham visited The Weather Channel for a wide-ranging conversation with Jim Cantore about the future of weather forecasting and public safety.

They will discuss ongoing efforts to modernize the National Weather Service, the challenges of maintaining critical infrastructure, the latest developments in forecasting technology and AI, and what improvements may be on the horizon for everything from hurricane forecasts to severe weather prediction. They also talk about staffing, observations, and the tools that help forecasters turn data into decisions when lives are on the line.

And as he marks four years as Director, Jim will ask Ken to reflect on the experiences that shaped his career, the accomplishments he's most proud of, and what he wants the public to better understand about the work happening behind the scenes every day.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Credibility
2. 00:59 Ken Graham's Ten and Progress Overview
3. 02:24 Reflecting on Achievements and Vision
4. 03:45 Staffing Challenges and Hiring Boom
5. 05:19 Reorganizing for the Future
6. 07:01 Modernizing Infrastructure and Cloud Transition
7. 08:20 Partnering with Emergency Managers
8. 08:59 Radars: Aging Systems and Next-Gen Plans
9. 10:29 Private Sector Collaboration on Radars
10. 12:48 Innovations in Data Collection: Drones and Balloons
11. 13:42 NWS Chat and Communication Tools
12. 14:17 Break 1
13. 14:31 Communicating Strong El Nino and Hurricane Risks
14. 15:47 Aircraft and Data for Better Forecasts
15. 16:38 Improvements in Track and Intensity Forecasts
16. 17:19 AI and Machine Learning in Weather Models
17. 18:36 Future of High-Resolution and Rapid Refresh Models
18. 20:17 Balancing Over-Preparation and Real-Time Response
19. 21:28 Next-Generation Modeling and Cloud Computing
20. 22:50 Break 2
21. 22:50 Vision for Year 10: Fully Cloud-Based, Well-Staffed NWS
22. 24:26 Memories of Weather Disasters and Motivation
23. 25:37 The Drive to Save Lives and Limit Damage
24. 26:30 Engagement with the President and Policy Support
25. 27:35 Office Culture and Workforce Changes
26. 28:49 Challenges of Modernization and Change Management
27. 29:23 Supporting NWS Staff and Future Outlook

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Guest: Adam Fouche, University of Georgia

When you head to a big football game or an outdoor concert, you’re probably thinking about the music, the crowd, and the excitement in the air. But behind the scenes, there’s another team hard at work — one that’s watching the skies. From lightning delays to fast-moving thunderstorms, weather can quickly turn a packed stadium or festival into a serious safety challenge. Protecting tens of thousands of people requires careful planning, constant monitoring, and sometimes very quick decisions. Today we’re joined by Adam Fouche, Interim Associate Vice President for Environmental Safety, Risk, and Resiliency at the University of Georgia. His team works behind the scenes to help keep major events — from concerts to packed game days — safe when the weather takes a turn.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
2. 00:53 Adam Fouche's Weather Geek Origin Story
3. 02:45 Adam's Role in Weather Safety at UGA
4. 04:09 Weather Safety in Large Campus Events
5. 07:09 Weather Risk Assessment for Events
6. 10:22 Lightning Protocols and the 8-Mile Rule
7. 12:57 Debate on Lightning Delay Rules
8. 13:44 Break 1
9. 15:15 Weather Support Models at SEC Schools
10. 18:01 Collaboration with National Weather Service
11. 20:04 Communication Strategies for Weather Risks
12. 21:59 Psychology of Weather Risk Perception
13. 25:01 Venue Design and Weather Vulnerabilities
14. 26:07 Break 2
15. 26:38 Understanding Severe vs. Non-Severe Weather
16. 30:09 Technology and Weather Monitoring Tools
17. 33:33 Public Safety Advice for Weather Preparedness

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Guest: Jordan Hall

Storm chasing has always lived right at the edge—part science, part instinct, and part, let’s be honest… a little bit of chaos. But these days, it’s not just about being in the right place at the right time—it’s also about capturing it, sharing it, and bringing people along for the ride in real time. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re talking with storm chaser Jordan Hall—someone who’s spent countless hours on the road tracking down everything from classic supercells to high-risk, high-reward setups… all while navigating what it means to be a storm chaser in the age of social media. We’ll get into some of his wildest chase stories, the decisions that matter most when things get intense, and how storm chasing is evolving in a world where your next viral video might be just one tornado away.

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Thrill of Storm Chasing
2. 10:01 From Hobby to Career: The Journey of a Storm Chaser
3. 16:17 Break 1
4. 20:10 Navigating the Challenges of Storm Chasing
5. 23:03 Break 2
6. 29:22 Navigating Personal Safety
7. 29:59 The Role of Social Media in Storm Chasing
8. 30:35 Pressure and Competition in Storm Chasing
9. 32:06 Impact of Social Media on Storm Chasing
10. 34:42 International Storm Chasing Adventures
11. 36:55 Choosing Which Storms to Chase
12. 38:06 Awe-Inspiring Natural Phenomena
13. 39:39 Unique Chase Stories
14. 40:09 The Intersection of Storm Chasing and First Response
15. 44:32 Challenges of Chaser Convergence
16. 48:01 The Storm Chasing Community
17. 49:59 Advice for Aspiring Storm Chasers

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Guest: Dr. Michael Pritchard, Director of Climate Simulation Research

When we think about climate models, we often picture supercomputers humming away in government labs or university basements. But increasingly, some of the most powerful tools shaping the future of climate science are coming from an unexpected place — Silicon Valley. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Michael Pritchard, Director of Climate Simulation Research at NVIDIA. Yes, that NVIDIA — the company known for powering gaming, AI, and some of the world’s fastest computing systems. But behind the scenes, NVIDIA is helping drive a revolution in climate and Earth system modeling, using advanced GPUs and machine learning to build faster, higher-resolution simulations of our planet. In this episode, we’ll explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping climate science, what it takes to simulate Earth in unprecedented detail, and why the future of forecasting may depend as much on silicon as it does on physics.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to AI in Weather and Climate Modeling
2. 03:21 Understanding NVIDIA's Role in Climate Simulation
3. 05:34 The Motivation Behind Earth Simulation
4. 07:40 AI vs Traditional Weather Modeling Techniques
5. 11:10 Addressing Concerns About AI in Weather Forecasting
6. 13:49 Break 1
7. 14:19 The Earth 2 Project and Its Implications
8. 18:37 Open Source Weather Models and Their Importance
9. 23:33 Exploring GPUs and Their Role in AI
10. 24:51 Stormscope: A New Era in Nowcasting
11. 28:55 AI and Machine Learning in Mesoscale Forecasting
12. 31:48 Break 2
13. 32:15 Ensuring Ethical AI in Weather Forecasting
14. 35:31 The Future of AI in Climate Modeling

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GUEST: Allison Begalman

Hollywood is known for big ideas, big creativity, and big storytelling — but in recent years, one of the biggest forces reshaping the industry isn’t a genre or a trend… it’s the climate crisis. And at the center of that movement is Allison Begalman.  As the co-founder of the Hollywood Climate Summit, Allison has built a space where filmmakers, writers, activists, scientists, and executives come together to ask a simple but powerful question: What if the stories we tell could help shape a more sustainable future?  Today, we’re diving into how she’s mobilizing the entertainment world to take climate action seriously — not just in documentaries or disaster films, but in the everyday narratives that reach millions.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Climate Crisis in Hollywood
2. 03:53 The Birth of the Hollywood Climate Summit
3. 10:29 Barriers to Climate Storytelling
4. 13:25 Break 1
5. 14:23 Climate-Informed Storytelling vs. Climate-Themed Content
6. 19:57 Successful Examples of Climate Storytelling
7. 24:44 The Role of Social Media in Climate Advocacy
8. 24:52 Break 2
9. 29:18 Measuring Impact in Climate Storytelling
10. 31:37 Future Vision for the Hollywood Climate Summit

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Guest: Max Van Wyk De Vries, Assistant Professor at the University of Cambridge

From wildfires sparking power outages, to hurricanes triggering chemical spills, today’s disasters rarely unfold in isolation. They cascade, compound, and collide — creating challenges far more complex than any single hazard on its own. At the University of Cambridge, the Complex and Multihazard Research Group is leading the charge to better understand these interconnected risks, and to help communities, governments, and industries prepare for a more uncertain world. In this episode, we sit down with the program head of the group Max Van Wyk De Vries to explore how their research is reshaping the way we think about hazards, resilience, and the future of global risk.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Understanding Complex and Multi-Hazard Risks
2. 10:47 The Role of Human Activity in Natural Hazards
3. 14:04 Break 1
4. 19:24 Techniques and Methodologies in Hazard Research
5. 23:41 Break 2
6. 29:24 Future Challenges and Opportunities in Multi-Hazard Risk Management

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Guest: Dr. Tracy Fanara

If you’ve ever fallen down a science rabbit hole on social media and thought, “Wow… I just learned something and had fun doing it,” there’s a good chance you’ve crossed paths with Inspector Planet. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Tracy Fanara — scientist, investigator, and one of the most recognizable voices in modern science communication. She’s built a career on asking bold questions, testing claims, and making complex science feel approachable, playful, and empowering. We’ll talk about how she spreads weather geekiness online, what it takes to cut through misinformation with creativity and humor, and why making science joyful might be one of the most powerful tools we have.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Tracy Fanara and Inspector Planet
2. 02:35 The Journey to Science and Engineering
3. 05:42 The Birth of Inspector Planet
4. 08:31 Career Path and NOAA Experience
5. 11:35 Understanding Florida Red Tide and the 2018 Water Crisis
6. 17:10 Break 1
7. 17:42 Project INKI: Transforming Flood Data into Actionable Intelligence
8. 23:25 The Importance of Communication in Science
9. 27:47 Break 2
10. 29:33 Leveraging Social Media for Science Communication
11. 35:25 Future of Science and Technology in Environmental Research

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Guests: Harlan Brothers and Jamie Perera

We spend a lot of time looking at climate data — charts, maps, graphs, trends. But what if, instead of staring at the numbers, we listened to them? What if rising temperatures, shifting seasons, and accelerating change had a sound? Today’s guests, Harlan Brothers and Jamie Perera, are pioneers in a growing and fascinating field known as climate data sonification. They take datasets that often feel distant or abstract and translate them into music and sound — turning climate change into something you don’t just understand, but feel. In this episode, we’ll explore how sound can open new doors to climate communication, why art and science don’t have to live in separate worlds, and how listening to the planet might help us connect with it in a whole new way.

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Intersection of Sound and Climate Data
2. 08:33 Understanding Sonification: Transforming Data into Sound
3. 19:25 Break 1
4. 19:44 Artistic Choices in Sonification: Making Data Listenable
5. 27:06 Break 2
6. 27:45 The Audience of Sonification: Education, Art, and Engagement
7. 37:34 Future of Climate Data Sonification: Collaborations and Innovations

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Guest: Chris Vagasky, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Few things in weather grab our attention quite like lightning. It’s fast, powerful, a little bit mysterious — and for today’s guest, it’s been a lifelong fascination. Joining us is lightning expert Chris Vagasky, a scientist whose career has sparked everything from groundbreaking lightning safety work to a new chapter with Wisconet, one of the most advanced surface observation networks in the country. While his day-to-day role may have evolved, his passion for understanding and explaining lightning has never dimmed. In this episode, we’ll talk about career pivots in meteorology, why high-quality observations matter so much during severe weather, and how you keep your scientific spark alive even as your job changes. So stay grounded, because this conversation is charged with insight, curiosity, and a whole lot of lightning science.

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Fascination with Lightning
2. 14:30 Break 1
3. 14:33 Career Pivot and WiscoNet
4. 26:36 Break 2
5. 26:54 The Future of Weather Communication and AI

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