Guest: Dr. Russell Schneider

Spring may mean blooming flowers and warmer days, but for meteorologists, it means something else entirely: severe weather season is officially here. As we head into the months when thunderstorms sharpen, tornadoes spin up, and the atmosphere becomes anything but predictable, there’s one place every forecaster and weather enthusiast looks to: the Storm Prediction Center. Today, we’re joined by the Director of the SPC Dr. Russell Schneider, the person who helps oversee the outlooks, mesoscale discussions, and tornado and severe thunderstorm watches that millions depend on when the stakes are high. We’ll look back at what last season taught us, talk about what’s on the horizon for this year, explore how new tools — including emerging AI guidance — are shaping the forecasting landscape, and discuss the growing influence of storm chasers and open-access model data.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Severe Weather Season
2. 01:03 Dr. Russell Schneider's Journey to Meteorology
3. 04:42 Understanding the Storm Prediction Center (SPC)
4. 10:17 Reflections on the 2025 Severe Weather Season
5. 11:54 Break 1
6. 12:38 Shifts in Tornado Activity and Trends
7. 15:54 The Spectrum of Severe Weather Hazards
8. 22:08 Preparing for the 2026 Severe Weather Season
9. 25:20 Break 2
10. 25:49 Innovations in Weather Forecasting Technology
11. 30:01 Communicating Weather Risks Effectively
12. 33:53 The Role of Storm Chasers and Social Media

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Guest: Ryan Hall

When severe weather is on the horizon, many people turn to their local meteorologist—but millions are heading to YouTube to get the latest from Ryan Hall, Y’all. With his signature down-to-earth style and real-time, no-nonsense weather coverage, Ryan has built one of the most popular and trusted weather communities online. But what’s it really like to cover major weather events on social media’s biggest stage? How does he balance entertainment with accuracy? And where does he see weather communication heading next? Today on Weather Geeks, we’re pulling back the curtain with Ryan Hall himself. From storm-chasing stories to the power of digital weather, we’re diving into how one YouTuber is changing the way we watch the skies.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Ryan Hall, Y'all
2. 02:57 Ryan's Journey into Weather
3. 06:07 The Rise of Ryan Hall, Y'all
4. 08:49 Transitioning from Traditional Media to Digital
5. 11:15 The Evolution of Weather Communication
6. 14:37 Building a Community and the Y'all Squad
7. 17:12 The Role of Teamwork in Content Creation
8. 20:27 Navigating Severe Weather Coverage
9. 23:26 Addressing Misinformation in Weather Reporting
10. 26:25 The Impact of AI on Weather Communication
11. 29:26 Advice for Aspiring Weather YouTubers

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Guest: Dr. Alexander Gates, Rutgers University - Newark

Weather doesn’t just shape our daily plans — sometimes, it shapes the course of history. From floods that altered empires to storms that changed the outcome of wars, extreme weather has quietly (and sometimes violently) rewritten the human story. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Alexander Gates, professor at Rutgers University–Newark and author of the upcoming book Wicked Weather. In it, he explores the natural disasters that didn’t just make headlines, but changed societies, politics, and the world as we know it. In this episode, we’ll talk about the historical storms, droughts, and disasters that left lasting marks on civilization, what those events teach us about risk and resilience, and why understanding the past may be one of our best tools for preparing for the future.

Chapters

1. 00:00 - Introduction: Weather's historical influence on civilizations
2. 00:32 - Dr. Gates’ background & inspiration for Wicked Weather
3. 01:06 - How natural disasters shape human societies
4. 03:29 - The significance of weather-related events like hurricanes, volcanoes, and earthquakes
5. 06:37 - Most impactful natural disasters in history
6. 07:30 - Volcanoes from 536-540 AD changing the global climate
7. 09:24 - The hurricane that helped end the American Revolution
8. 11:06 - Human decisions impacting disaster resilience
9. 11:40 - Break 1
10. 11:42 - Building resilience: lessons from historical events
11. 13:19 - Climate change’s role in intensifying weather extremes
12. 16:16 - Lessons from historical weather disasters on modern emergency preparedness
13. 17:37 - How different types of disasters prompt societal change
14. 20:44 - Responses to weather-related disasters in different countries
15. 23:31 - Break 2
16. 23:33 - The importance of societal response and adaptation
17. 28:04 - The science behind storms and the importance of understanding natural causes
18. 29:28 - Final reflections: societal resilience and future preparedness

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Guest: Dr. Younes Alila, University of British Columbia

Floods are some of the most devastating natural disasters on Earth—washing away homes, reshaping landscapes, and testing the limits of our infrastructure. But what if the way we measure and plan for floods is decades out of date? A new study out of the University of British Columbia led by Dr. Younes Alila reveals that the so-called “100-year flood” may now be striking every 10 years or less across parts of British Columbia. Dr. Alila joins us to unpack how land-use changes, deforestation, and a warming climate are amplifying flood frequency, why natural features like wetlands and forests are key to protection, and what communities can do to adapt.

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Guest: Dr. Marcus Williams, Research Meteorologist

Wildfire is one of the most complex weather-driven hazards we face — shaped by wind, terrain, fuel, and timing, where the forecast isn’t just about what happens next, but about keeping people safe in real time. Behind every major fire response and every carefully planned prescribed burn is a team of scientists working to understand those conditions down to the finest detail. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Marcus Williams, a research meteorologist with the U.S. Forest Service whose work sits at the intersection of science, operations, and on-the-ground decision-making. We’ll talk about what it takes to provide weather support during major California fires, why prescribed fire depends so heavily on getting the forecast right, and how USFS research is shaping the future of fire weather forecasting.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Wildfire and Meteorology
2. 00:51 Marcus Williams: Journey to Meteorology
3. 04:58 Role of Meteorologists in the US Forest Service
4. 07:46 Experiences in Wildfire Deployment
5. 10:52 Understanding Prescribed Fires
6. 12:33 Break 1
7. 12:40 Meteorological Tools in Prescribed Fires
8. 15:32 Challenges in Fire Management
9. 18:14 Weather Modeling and Its Applications
10. 21:09 Break 2
11. 21:40 Leadership and Mentorship in Meteorology
12. 25:46 Future of Meteorology in Fire Management

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Guest: Matthew Cappucci

If you’ve ever watched a weather forecast and thought, “Wow, that meteorologist has way more energy than the atmosphere itself,” there’s a good chance you were watching Matthew Cappucci. He’s a scientist, a storyteller, a storm chaser, an author, a communicator who somehow manages to make jet streaks sound exciting — and now he’s back on the show! Today, we’re talking to Matthew about how he brings weather to life across TV, print, social media, and whatever platform he conquers next. We’ll chat about the state of weather communication in the age of algorithms, how he cuts through the noise without losing the science, and where he thinks the industry is headed as our storms — and our conversations — keep evolving.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Matthew Cappucci
2. 03:02 Matthew's Journey into Meteorology
3. 05:51 Creating Engaging Weather Content
4. 08:48 The Impact of Social Media on Weather Communication
5. 11:48 Challenges in Weather Forecasting
6. 14:59 Navigating the Noise in Weather Communication
7. 18:04 The Role of Meteorologists in the Digital Age
8. 21:01 Future of Weather Communication
9. 23:49 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

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Guest: Dr. Wallace Hogsett, Science & Operations Officer at the NHC

Every hurricane season tells a story — not just through the storms that form, but through the forecasts that guide us. And once the season ends, the real detective work begins: Which models nailed the track? Which ones struggled with intensity? And what did we learn that will help us prepare for the next big storm? Joining us today is Dr. Wallace Hogsett from the National Hurricane Center, one of the experts who turns those post-season numbers into meaningful insight. We’ll break down the verification results from the 2025 season, explore how models are improving — and where they’re not — and talk about the growing influence of AI-based forecasting tools. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the scorecard that shapes the future of hurricane prediction, straight from the people who know the models best.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Hurricane Forecasting
2. 01:00 Dr. Hogsett's Journey in Meteorology
3. 05:01 Understanding Verification in Hurricane Forecasting
4. 07:12 AI's Impact on Hurricane Prediction
5. 13:47 Break 1
6. 14:13 Rapid Intensification and Forecasting Tools
7. 17:41 Incorporating AI Models into Forecasting
8. 30:29 Break 2
9. 30:31 Communication and Uncertainty in Weather Forecasting
10. 39:53 Looking Ahead: The Future of Hurricane Prediction

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Guest: Samira Davis, United Cajun Navy

When disaster strikes, it’s often the people on the ground — not the headlines — who make the biggest difference. During Hurricane Florence, while historic floods swallowed neighborhoods across the Carolinas, Samira Davis was among those who stepped up. As a volunteer with the United Cajun Navy, she helped coordinate relief for families, pets, and even horses — filling the gaps between official response and human need. In this episode, we hear her firsthand account of what it’s like to navigate chaos and compassion side by side, the lessons she’s carried from that experience, and how grassroots responders are reshaping what disaster recovery looks like.

CHAPTERS

1. 00:00 The Human Impact of Disaster Response
2. 03:03 Becoming a Weather Geek: Personal Journeys
3. 06:16 The Role of Grassroots Organizations in Disaster Relief
4. 09:02 The United Cajun Navy: A New Era of Response
5. 11:55 Navigating Challenges in Disaster Recovery
6. 14:46 BREAK 1
7. 14:54 The Importance of Preparedness and Community
8. 18:06 Animal Rescue in Disaster Situations
9. 21:09 The Long-Term Effects of Natural Disasters
10. 23:56 Getting Involved: How to Help
11. 27:04 The Power of Community and Collaboration
12. 27:40 BREAK 2
13. 00:27:41 Real Estate Lessons from Disasters
14. 00:31:28 Collective Action and Preparedness
15. 00:34:54 Evolving Strategies in Disaster Relief
16. 00:37:12 Conclusion and Call to Action

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