WeatherBrains 570: Doing Something Obscene Off Camera

WeatherBrains Episode 570 is now online (December 19, 2016). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE netcast audio program for you!

Tonight’s Guest WeatherBrain is a six time Emmy-winning meteorologist at 41 Action News, KSHB in Kansas City. Gary developed a passion for weather as he learned his first words. Growing up in Southern California, he was fascinated by clouds and rain, but always wondered why the weather seemed to be more exciting in other places. After graduating from high school in 1980, he decided to pursue a Bachelors of Science degree in Meteorology and headed off to the University of Oklahoma.

Shortly after receiving his degree in 1985, Gary became an intern at the CBS affiliate in Oklahoma City. It was there that he got his first big break when he was hired as Meteorologist of the morning show and midday news program for the number one station in the market. In 1992, Gary made the move to Kansas City. In 1999 Gary became Chief Meteorologist at KSHB, 41 Action News. He established himself and his weather team as the most accurate in Kansas City and has been #1 in forecasting not only during his time at KSHB but since he arrived here in 1992.

An animal lover, Gary has been known to share air-time with his well known dogs. Windy lived to a nice old age of almost 17 years old. Breezy and Stormy now carry on Windy’s legacy of going out in the public with Gary. Both Breezy and Stormy were adopted from the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City.

By far, the biggest challenge in Gary’s life was being diagnosed with cancer in 1999. It was a very rare form called extra-skeletal osteogenic sarcoma. Only six adults a year are diagnosed with the same form of cancer in the United States. The doctors discovered it was very aggressive and recommended Gary undergo extensive chemotherapy to ensure the cancer was removed from his body. Two surgeries to remove the cancer were performed before chemotherapy treatments could begin. Gary is now cancer free since 2000 and celebrates every day! He shares his cancer experience and his passion for weather at his more the 70 public appearances a year around the viewing area.

Gary was on WeatherBrains 499.

Other discussions in this weekly podcast include topics like:

• Extremes: 91 at Auburn, CA, and -29 at Antero Reservoir, CO
• Too cold for severe weather across the Lower 48
• Very cold air across much of the country – except Florida
• Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice
• and more!

Our email bag officer is back and gets locked out of her email. So maybe we’ll have an email bag summary in the next show.

From The Weather Center:

WeatherBrains 101: The 101 segment takes on the topic of the polar vortex which has been in the news once again in recent weeks.

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 570:

Weather at KSHB-TV in Kansas City

Lezak’s Forecasting Model Explanation

Storm Track discussion of LRC

Gary Lezak’s book, It’s a Sunny Life

LRC Forecast Experience Blog

To subscribe to the brand new SkyWritings, an email newsletter from the WeatherBrains gang, click HERE.

Picks of the Week:

Gary Lezak – Tropical Tidbits

Bill Murray – Gets the fog horn!

Brian Peters – Largest Atlantic wave confirmed

Rick Smith – Convective Watcher newsletter from SPC

James Spann – SPC HRRR Model Browser

Aubrey Urbanowicz – NCIE’s look at where you can find a white Christmas

The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Nate Johnson, Bill Murray, Aubrey Urbanowicz, Rick Smith, Kevin Selle, and Brian Peters. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating netcast about weather.

Category: WeatherBrains