The Hidden Costs of El Niño

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 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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

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

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

Guest: Dr. Dillon Amaya The Pacific Ocean covers nearly a third of our planet, and yet some of its most important changes happen far from shore and often out of sight. But whether it's a developing El Niño, a cooling La Niña, or an expansive marine heat wave, what happens in the Pacific can influence weather, ecosystems, and communities around the world. Today on Weather Geeks, we're joined by Dillon Amaya, whose research focuses on the complex relationship between the ocean and the atmosphere. We'll explore the growing scientific interest in Pacific marine heat waves, what we've learned from some of the most notable events in recent years, and how these episodes can ripple through both weather and climate systems. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Marine Heat Waves 02:32 Dylan Amaya's Journey into Meteorology 05:34 Understanding Marine Heat Waves 08:48 Marine Heat Waves vs. Ocean Warming 11:38 Impact of Marine Heat Waves on Weather 13:37 Break 1 13:39 Marine Heat Waves and El Niño 17:45 Causes and Effects of Marine Heat Waves 20:54 Ocean Temperature Changes and Jet Stream Dynamics 22:11 Marine Heat Waves and Climate Variability 23:59 Ecosystem Impacts of Marine Heat Waves 25:41 Coral Reefs and Marine Heat Waves 27:17 Global Hot Spots for Marine Heat Waves 28:05 Break 2 28:06 Understanding Atlantic Niña and Its Effects 30:32 European Heat Waves and Ocean Anomalies 31:37 Surprising Discoveries in Marine Heat Wave Research 34:13 Climate Change and Ocean Temperature Trends 36:22 Future Research Directions in Marine Heat Waves 37:41 Machine Learning in Marine Heat Wave Forecasting