Going for Gold, No Matter the Weather

Guests: Bejan Abtahi & Maria AugutisEvery four years the most incredible athletes from around the globe gather to showcase their athletic abilities in the Olympics. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee plays a pivotal role in providing critical resources to ensure the athletes excel on the Global Stage. One of the biggest influencers of the games can be the weather. Joining us today are Bejan Abtahi and Maria Augutis. Bejan is an Olympic Performance Advisor for the USOPC and Maria is a Meteorologist with Sveriges Television and StormGeo. They work together to achieve a common goal: making the greatest sporting event in the world even greater! Let’s talk about it…Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Olympic Weather Connection03:08 The Role of Weather in Olympic Performance05:57 Meteorological Insights for Athletes09:02 Storm Geo's Contribution to Olympic Weather Forecasting12:02 Weather Challenges in Olympic Locations15:11 Weather Sensitivity in Olympic Events17:52 Preparing Athletes for Weather Conditions20:52 Collaboration Between Meteorologists and Olympic Teams24:00 Air Quality and Athlete Performance27:02 Climate Change and the Future of the Olympics30:06 Advice for Future MeteorologistsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Chris Van Arsdale, Google Climate & Energy Research LeadWildfires aren’t just a summer problem anymore. This past January, California faced an unusual and intense wildfire outbreak, with flames ripping through communities and forcing thousands to evacuate. What if we could catch wildfires in their earliest stages, before they spiral out of control? That’s the goal of Google’s FireSat, a revolutionary satellite system designed to spot fires as small as a campfire and deliver updates every 20 minutes. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re talking to Chris Van Arsdale, a leader behind the FireSat project, about how it all works and how they are using AI to help the firefight before it even startsChapters00:00 Introduction to Wildfire Challenges and Firesat03:10 Chris Van Arsdale's Journey to Google and Climate Research06:09 Understanding the Firesat Satellite System09:01 Operational Use and Future of Firesat11:48 The Role of Google in Wildfire Detection15:06 Machine Learning and Data Challenges in Fire Detection18:10 Implications for Firefighting Strategies20:52 Future Data Applications Beyond Fire Detection23:58 Global Interest and Collaboration on Firesat26:49 Environmental and Security Considerations29:59 Sustainability and Future Launch Plans for Firesat32:50 Global Applications and Community Engagement35:56 Final Thoughts on Firesat's ImpactSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guests: Nelson & Louis TuckerWhen it comes to tornadoes, getting close is both the goal and the danger. For decades, scientists have relied on radar, storm chasers, and ground-based instruments to study these violent storms. But what if we could send something right into the heart of a developing tornado? Maybe something small, nimble, and packed with sensors? That’s the mission behind the OTUS Project. Using cutting-edge drone technology, this team is pushing the boundaries of what we can safely and accurately observe from inside tornadic storms. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by members of the OTUS Project to talk about how UAVs are changing the way we study tornadoes, what it’s like to deploy them in the field, and how this data could lead to better forecasts and ultimately, save lives.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Otus Project01:37 Personal Journeys into Meteorology06:12 Understanding Tornadoes: The Need for Data10:17 Drone Technology in Tornado Research14:59 A Day in the Life of a Tornado Chase19:39 Challenges and Risks in the Field21:32 First Experiences Inside a Tornado24:50 Collaborations and Data Sharing26:34 Measuring Wind Inside Tornadoes30:19 Choosing Storms and Navigating Obstacles32:12 Regulatory Hurdles and Networking34:17 Future Aspirations for the Otus ProjectSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Brian Bledsoe, University of GeorgiaWhen a hurricane makes landfall, we expect the strongest impacts to hit the coast. But Hurricane Helene proved that the story doesn’t end there. With hurricane-force winds reaching more than 350 miles inland, this storm challenged the way we think about extreme weather risk. Are we truly prepared for the full reach of a hurricane, not just this decade but for centuries to come? Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by Dr. Brian Bledsoe from the University of Georgia, who is an expert on infrastructure and making future building more resilient. There are many opportunities to build back better, smarter, and safer after these events happen, and hopefully strive to not have to rebuild in the same places over and over. From infrastructure challenges to communication gaps, we’ll explore what needs to change to keep these communities—both coastal and inland—safe.Chapters00:00 Understanding Hurricane Helene's Impact04:58 Assessing Infrastructure Resilience15:11 Lessons Learned from Hurricane Helene28:02 Addressing Multiple Natural Disasters40:00 The Importance of Comprehensive Infrastructure PlanningSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Anne Heggli, Assistant Research Professor at the Desert Research InstituteWeather forecasts are more than just high and low temperatures or the chance of rain—they’re a complex mix of data, models, and probabilities. But how do we effectively communicate uncertainty in forecasts? And why do so many people struggle with understanding probability-based predictions? It may be easy for us Weather Geeks, but we need to make weather forecasts accessible to as many people as possible, which is exactly the challenge our guest today is tackling! Dr. Anne Heggli wears many hats in her professional life, but her excellence in water resource management across the western United States will teach all of us how to process data and uncertainty just a little better after this episode of Weather Geeks…Chapters00:00 Understanding Weather Forecasts and Uncertainty03:00 The Importance of Water Resource Management05:53 Communicating Probabilistic Forecasts09:13 Visual Communication in Weather Forecasting12:03 Challenges in Communicating Weather Risks14:51 Hurricane Forecasting and the Cone of Uncertainty19:07 The 40% Chance of Rain Explained29:52 The Future of Data Visualization in Weather36:00 Engaging Communities in Weather PreparednessSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Pamela James, CEO & Founder of Paloma St. JamesIt’s no mystery that industrialization has a negative impact on the environment; however, an unexpected contributor is the fashion industry. Recent studies have shown that the production of textiles contributes nearly to 8-10% of global carbon emissions, superseding emissions from the aviation and shipping industries combined. Designer and CEO, Pamela James, joins us today to discuss her take on sustainable fashion and the concept of modularity. We’re a society of mass production and overconsumption, but today you’ll see that less really is more. Chapters00:00 The Environmental Impact of Fashion05:48 Defining Sustainable Fashion11:57 Sourcing and Sustainability in Fashion19:51 The Disconnect in Textile Production26:14 The Impact of Super Capitalism36:48 Innovations in Modular FashionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Levi Boggs, Georgia Tech Research InstituteWhen we think of lightning, we picture bolts striking the ground during a thunderstorm—but not all electrical activity stays within the lower atmosphere. High above the clouds, mysterious and fleeting flashes of light dance across the sky—sprites, blue jets, and gigantic jets—phenomena that are still not fully understood. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re exploring the enigmatic world of upper atmospheric electrical phenomena with Dr. Levi Boggs, whose latest research is shedding new light on these elusive events. From cutting-edge observations to the impact these events may have on aviation, space weather, and even our understanding of lightning itself, we’re thrilled to have Dr. Boggs here to break it all down!Chapters00:00 Introduction to Upper Atmospheric Electrical Phenomena04:58 Transient Luminous Events: Types and Characteristics10:58 Differences Between TLEs and Traditional Lightning16:02 Observing TLEs: Opportunities and Challenges20:58 Research Focus: Gigantic Jets and Their Impacts25:14 Challenges in Studying Transient Luminous Events28:22 The Importance of Observations in TLE Research31:31 Field Campaigns and Citizen Science33:05 Understanding Lightning Through TLE Research36:24 Future Aspirations in TLE ResearchSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Al Gasiewski, Chief Scientist at Weather StreamFrom hurricanes to heat waves, accurate weather forecasting relies on one crucial factor: data. But much of our atmospheric data comes from outdated or sparse observation networks, leaving gaps in our understanding of rapidly changing weather patterns. Enter microsatellites—small but powerful spacecraft revolutionizing how we monitor the atmosphere in real time. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re diving into the world of orbital micro systems with Dr. Al Gasiewski, a leading expert in satellite-based meteorology and the founder of Weather Stream. His work is changing the game by using microsatellites to provide faster, more detailed, and more frequent weather observations than ever before.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GUEST: Dr. Dev Niyogi, Professor at University of Texas at AustinCities aren’t just concrete jungles—they’re microclimates of their own, shaping the weather in ways you might not expect. From intensifying heat waves to influencing severe storms, urban landscapes play a critical role in our atmosphere. But how exactly does this work, and what can we do to make cities more resilient in the face of extreme weather? Today on Weather Geeks, we’re diving into the fascinating intersection of meteorology and urban landscapes with one of the leading experts in the field, Dr. Dev Niyogi. His research has uncovered how cities modify their own weather, impact storm patterns, and even contribute to climate change on a local scale!Chapters00:00 The Urban Climate Connection08:08 Understanding Urban Weather Dynamics15:13 The Role of Cities in Extreme Weather19:56 Engineering Resilient Urban Environments25:12 Future Directions in Urban MeteorologySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Alan Sealls, AMS President-ElectFor decades, broadcast meteorologists have been the trusted voices guiding us through hurricanes, tornadoes, and everyday forecasts. But behind every great weathercaster is a deep passion for both science and communication. Few embody that balance as well as Alan Sealls—a highly respected meteorologist, educator, and soon-to-be President of the American Meteorological Society. As we head into more uncertain times, Alan will certainly have a lot on his plate in 2026 as he manages the relationship between academic, government, broadcast, and private meteorologists all across the country. How will his tenured career translate to get this done? Let’s ask him right now on Weather GeeksChapters00:00 The Journey of a Weather Geek03:07 Career Trajectory and Passion for Meteorology06:04 Navigating Challenges in Meteorology09:00 The Importance of Education and Communication12:00 Lessons Learned in the Broadcasting Industry15:05 Community Engagement and Impact18:04 Secrets to Effective Communication and Teaching20:57 Engaging Communication in Meteorology22:21 Approaching Severe Weather Coverage25:42 The Impact of Technology on Meteorology27:54 The Future of Broadcast Meteorology30:01 Leadership and Representation in Meteorology34:13 Exploring African American Contributions to Meteorology39:57 Alan Sealls' Literary ContributionsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.