WeatherBrains 232: Terminal Velocity

WeatherBrains Episode 232 is now online (July 6, 2010). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE netcast audio program for you!

This week’s Guest Panelist is author Ken Bass. Ken developed a lifetime love of disaster stories from the moment he read Disaster at Johnstown: The Great Flood as a fourth grader growing up in Columbia, SC. After attending Yale and Georgetown Law School, Ken practiced law for over 20 years before deciding to pursue his passion for writing.

Having read every disaster book available, the first book he decided to write is the compelling story of the devastation New York City might suffer at the hands of a major hurricane. It is called Landstrike. When he’ s not writing, he coaches his sons’ soccer teams and closely follows the weather.

And our guest WeatherBrain is Dr. Tim Spangler. Are you interested in distance learning in the atmospheric sciences? Are you a meteorologist wanting to keep up with the latest techniques and developments in the science? Could I interest you in one of the following courses: How about a primer in mesoscale meteorology? Forecasting Rip Currents? Or Ensemble Forecasting Explained?

Dr. Spangler is the Director of the COMET Program at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. Under his leadership, COMET has won five national awards. He is a Fellow of the AMS, active in many initiatives for the society. His research interests focus on complex terrain and include investigating complex terrain dispersion, and winter weather modification projects in the western United States. He currently is Chair of the AMS Board on Enterprise Planning, and a member of the WMO EC Panel of Experts on Education and Training. Dr. Spangler is a Certified Consulting Meteorologist. He has a B.S. degree in meteorology from the University of Wisconsin, an M.S. degree in atmospheric science from the University of Wyoming, and a Ph.D. degree in biometeorology from Utah State University. He also worked 13 years in private industry.

Other discussions in this weekly podcast include topics like:

Our mail bag office, the illustrious Kevin Selle, brings us up-to-date on the email bag.

From The Weather Center:

WeatherBrains 101: Sticking with the theme of Hurricane Hunters, WeatherBrains 101 looks at some of the systems on board the aircraft, a WC-130J, and how they work to get the best measurements on tropical systems.

TWIWH: Bill Murray looks back at the week of July 7th.

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 232:

Landstrike, the book

COMET Web Site

Picks of the Week:

Ken Bass – 1938 New England Hurricane

JB Elliott – World Weather Information

Bill Murray – Gary England Drinking Game

Brian Peters – Shooting for a Supersonic Skydive (with pictures)

Kevin Selle – National Hurricane Center Q & A

James Spann – Tropical Cyclone Model Guidance

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

Category: Pre-November 2010 Posts