Weather Geeks

Guest: Dr. Justin Mankin
When we hear the words El Niño, most of us think about shifting weather patterns—changes in rainfall, warmer winters, or an active hurricane season. But what if one climate pattern could influence far more than the forecast? What if its impacts could ripple through the global economy for years after the event itself has ended? Today on Weather Geeks, we're joined by climate scientist Dr. Justin Mankin, whose research explores the intersection of climate, weather, and society. His groundbreaking 2023 study examined how El Niño doesn't just shape weather around the globe—it can also leave lasting economic consequences that affect countries, industries, and communities long after the atmosphere returns to normal. We'll discuss what the research revealed, why the effects of El Niño can persist for years, and how a changing climate could influence the risks associated with future events. It's a fascinating look at how one of Earth's most familiar climate patterns can have impacts that extend well beyond the weather map.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to El Nino and its Global Impact
01:57 Justin Mankin's Background and Climate Science Journey
05:01 Research Focus: El Nino and Economic Consequences
08:06 Methodology: Using Observations and Causal Inference
11:50 Global Teleconnections and Regional Impacts of El Nino
16:07 Economic Toll of Past Major El Nino Events
21:49 Future El Nino Events and Economic Projections
22:47 Break 1
22:52 Regional Variations in El Nino's Economic Effects
35:00 Climate Change, El Nino, and Warming Trends
35:16 Break 2
35:17 Applying Research to Future Climate Resilience Strategies

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Guest: Kevin Roth
We all love to think that the outcome of a game comes down to talent, strategy, and maybe a little luck. But there’s another player on the field that nobody can control: the weather. Wind can turn a routine fly ball into an adventure, heat and humidity can test athletes and fans, and a thunderstorm can send an entire stadium scrambling for cover. So how much can weather actually influence the game—and what should fans know before they head to the stadium? Today, we’re talking to Kevin Roth, a sports meteorologist who lives right at the intersection of weather and sports. We’ll talk about forecasting for different sports, how weather affects performance and strategy, and how fans can be better prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws their way.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Kevin Roth and sports meteorology
01:57 How Kevin Rxoth became a weather geek and his background
03:49 The intersection of weather and sports forecasting
07:52 Data analysis in sports weather forecasting
12:04 Challenges of using weather data for player-specific insights
12:39 Break 1
12:40 Impact of stadium microclimates and venue design
19:48 Weather's influence on game strategy and player performance
23:57 Weather considerations in sports betting and fantasy sports
24:40 Break 2
24:41 Adapting forecasts for severe weather and safety concerns
32:02 Career advice for aspiring sports meteorologists
35:46 Future of weather forecasting in sports and technology advancements
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Guest: Dr. Stephen Nesbitt
Five years ago, Dr. Steve Nesbitt joined us to unpack the fundamentals of radar meteorology. Since then, atmospheric science has undergone a massive evolution moving from how we capture severe weather to how we decode it using artificial intelligence and cloud computing. As a UIUC Professor, incoming Associate Dean, and newly named AMS Fellow, Steve has spent his career studying Earth’s most explosive storms. Today, he’s leading a new frontier in meteorology, building open-source tools like Radar DataTree to turn decades of legacy radar files into AI-ready intelligence. We’re sitting down with Steve to catch up on what’s changed since his last visit, how AI is reshaping weather science, and the physics behind the Midwest’s wild tornado season.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
01:05 How Dr. Nesbitt Became a Weather Geek
03:59 AI's Impact on Meteorology and Weather Resilience
06:57 Recent Tornado Trends in Illinois and the Midwest
09:58 Break 1
09:59 Remote Sensing Technologies in Severe Weather Study
15:35 Introduction to Radar Data Tree and Its Applications
20:53 Stakeholder Engagement: Insurance and Water Resources
22:08 Current Research Projects and Urban Resilience
26:17 Break 2
26:17 Future Advances in Satellite and Radar Technology
29:18 Climate Change and Severe Weather Patterns
32:57 The Evolving Role of Academics in Public Engagement
35:51 Resources and Final Thoughts

Resources
AtmosScale.ai - https://atmoscale.ai
Ed Zipser - Google Scholar - https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0,11&qsp=5&q=edward+zipser&qst=ib
Relampago Project - https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/102/8/BAMS-D-20-0029.1.xml
Radar Data Tree - https://atmoscale.github.io/radar-datatree/index.html
NASA Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission - https://trmm.gsfc.nasa.gov

Guest links
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/steve-nesbitt-b8a06a54
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Guest: Dr. Samantha Montano
When a disaster strikes, most of us focus on what we can see: the storm, the wildfire, the flood, or the earthquake. But what if the real story begins long before the event—and continues long after the headlines fade? Today on Weather Geeks, we're joined by Dr. Samantha Montano, a disaster researcher, author, and one of the leading voices helping the public better understand how disasters actually work. Through her work in "Disasterology," she examines the systems, decisions, and vulnerabilities that can turn natural hazards into human disasters—and what we can do to build more resilient communities. We'll talk about some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding disasters, why recovery is often the most overlooked phase of the disaster cycle, and how individuals, communities, and leaders can better prepare for the challenges that come before, during, and after a crisis.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Disasterology and Dr. Montano
01:05 How Disasterology Became a Field
02:07 The Human Side of Disasters
03:36 Disaster Research and Human Responsibility
05:08 The Role of Community and Leadership
07:10 Impact of Physical and Social Vulnerability
09:16 Training and Roles of Emergency Managers
11:50 Public Misconceptions and Personal Responsibility
13:51 Communication Strategies During Disasters
14:29 Break 1
14:30 Recovery Challenges and Success Factors
18:49 Community Leadership in Recovery
22:24 Social Media and Disaster Communication
26:19 The Future of Disaster Communication
28:51 Break 2
28:51 Increasing Costs of Disasters and Communication
36:16 Building Resilient Communities
39:01 The Future of Disaster Management
41:03 Optimism and the Next Generation of Emergency Managers

Resources
Book - Disasterology: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Climate Crisis
Dr. Samantha Montano - Website - https://disaster-ology.com
FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency - https://www.fema.gov

Guest links
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/samlmontano/
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/samlmontano.bsky.social
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Guest: Mike Olbinski
For most people, a thunderstorm is something you watch from a window. But for storm chasers, it's a front-row seat to some of nature's most spectacular displays—and few have captured those moments as beautifully as today's guest. On this episode of Weather Geeks, we're joined by storm chaser and filmmaker Mike Olbinski. Based in the Desert Southwest, Mike has spent years documenting everything from towering monsoon thunderstorms and dramatic haboobs to lightning-filled skies across the Great Plains, creating breathtaking imagery that has inspired weather enthusiasts around the world. We'll talk about what makes chasing storms in Arizona so unique, some of the unforgettable moments he's experienced on the road, and how the art of storm storytelling has evolved alongside advances in cameras, social media, and live streaming.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mike Olbinski and his work
13:38 Break 1
13:39 How technology has changed storm chasing
24:38 Break 2
24:40 Advances in weather models and forecasting
26:53 Mobile connectivity and Starlink for storm chasing
28:22 Apps and tools for real-time weather data
28:45 Use of drones in storm photography
29:45 Carving out a niche in storm photography
30:22 Advice for aspiring storm chasers and photographers
32:34 Platforms to follow Mike Olbinski
33:24 Closing remarks and upcoming projects

Resources
Storm Photo Contests - https://stormphotocontest.com/
Stormchaser Atlas App - https://stormchaseratlas.com/
Weatherfront App - https://weatherfront.com/

Guest links
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikeolbinski/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/mikeolbinski
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