Off the Radar

You probably think you’ve heard the story of the first Thanksgiving – but did you know that the weather was a major factor in both the Pilgrims leaving England, and landing at Plymouth Rock? Or that trees can tell us what the weather was actually like during the winter of the first Thanksgiving? This week we’re going Off the Radar with Paleo-Climatologist Dr. Curt Stager and Historian Rebecca Fras...

November 20, 1998 marked the launch of the first module of the International Space Station. Over time, the ISS grew to be the size of a football field, circling the globe every 90 minutes at 17,500 miles per hour. Today we are joined by NASA Astronaut Dr. Stan Love. Stan was part of the team that got the ISS up into orbit and will play a crucial role in bringing it back down to Earth. We'll discus...

Atop New Hampshire's 6,288-foot Mount Washington, weather observers have studied the "world's worst weather" for decades. The invaluable data from this natural laboratory has shaped modern meteorology and has aided weather prediction, aircraft design, and engineering. Join us as we sit down with former Mount Washington observer (and current WGME Chief Meteorologist) Charlie Lopresti to explore thi...

It's election day and across the country, voters are braving the elements to make their voices heard. But could the rain, snow, or even extreme temperatures on this crucial day sway the outcome of the election? In this episode we'll explore the surprising ways that Mother Nature can influence the results on ballots. From historical data showing partisan advantages on rainy election days, to the po...

In late October 1991, the Halloween Storm, famously depicted as "The Perfect Storm" in film and literature, struck the Atlantic coast and tragically claimed 13 lives. In this episode, we'll learn about the storm's evolution from the perspective of a high seas forecaster who tracked it in real-time 33 years ago. Joe Sienkiewicz from the National Weather Service provides insights into the unique wea...

As part of our Off the Radar coverage of Hurricane Helene, I wanted to give a platform to the people who lived through the devastation. I'll be chatting residents of Lake Lure, NC and let them tell their own stories about the hardships they faced during and after the hurricane, and the struggle to find normalcy in its wake. I'll also be interviewing Jason Boyer, the chief meteorologist at WLOS New...

Online rumors and misinformation have run rampant after the devastation from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Among the wildest conspiracy theories is the claim that the US government has been "creating" hurricanes and "weaponizing" them against the public. The head administrator at FEMA recently said that the dangerous Hurricane Helene misinformation has been "absolutely the worst that I have ever s...

Last month marked the 63rd anniversary of when Hurricane Carla battered the coast of Texas, instantly becoming one of the most intense and damaging hurricanes recorded in the state. But as houses and ships were battened down and residents fled the storm, some individuals with the Weather Bureau did the unthinkable: they strapped themselves into the cockpit of an airplane and flew directly into the...

In Part 1, we discussed how to explain climate change to your kids. This week, in Part 2, we'll be interviewing educators, authors/journalists, and lifelong climate activists on how to raise engaged and civic-minded kids who want to save the world. Turn off the "doom and gloom" of television and social media, and take your kids outdoors to show them first-hand why this world is worth protecting! S...

Climate change is rapidly altering our world, from heat waves to rising seas, making it seem increasingly daunting. As adults, we feel the weight of these changes, and our children can sense our anxiety. This raises a crucial question: How do we talk to our kids about climate change? Children are perceptive and curious, but they also deserve a childhood free from constant fear. Today, we're explor...

Off the Radar presents the 2024 fall foliage report! Meteorologist Evan Fisher will be discussing his fall foliage computer model, which gives a high-resolution look at where and when you can see the peak colors of the season. Today he will tell us the weather factors that go into this formula, and how AI is helping to create the most accurate foliage forecast. Whether you’re leaf peeping in Maine...

In early May, a historic solar storm lit up skies with auroras as far south as Florida. Beyond the dazzling photos on social media, we'll explore the critical behind-the-scenes work to protect our power grid. Shawn Dahl from the Space Weather Prediction Center discusses their crucial forecasting role and demystifies space weather, separating fact from fiction in this fascinating phenomenon. See Pr...

A devastating Category 5 hurricane ravaged the Florida Keys in 1935, destroying the railway linking the islands to the mainland. Join us as Meteorologist Les Still recounts the Labor Day Storm's impact. Later, bestselling author Chanel Cleeton discusses her novel "The Last Train to Key West," which brings this historic tragedy to life through vivid storytelling. See Privacy Policy at https://art19...

In this back-to-school special, we tackle wild earth science questions and bust common myths. We'll explore whether peeing on jellyfish stings actually helps, unravel the mystery of ball lightning, and delve into other fascinating earth science topics like megalodons, the green flash, and the Bermuda Triangle. Join us for a fun, fact-filled journey through our planet's weirdest wonders and most pe...

For decades, the idea of swimming in Baltimore's Inner Harbor was unthinkable. Polluted, filled with trash, sewer runoff making it unsafe for human contact. But on a sunny day in June, dozens of Baltimoreans took the plunge into the harbor's waters, marking a dramatic turnaround in the city's aquatic history. Today, we'll dive deep into the harbor's transformation, meeting the visionary team that...

Coastal flooding is on the rise, even on sunny days. In this episode, we hear from NOAA Oceanographer, Dr. William Sweet and explore the impacts of high tide flooding and what's driving the trends. We'll also talk to Charleston flooding photographer, Jared Bramblett about how he combines his engineering background and artistic eye to document nuisance flooding in his community and raise awareness...

Twisters' premiered July 19th with overwhelmingly positive feedback from the weather community. In this episode, we'll explore the film's scientific accuracy with Rick Smith, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Norman, OK. He'll give us an insider's look at what it took to transform actors into believable storm chasers.. Plus, we discuss how it addresses the often...

A recent policy proposal has sent shockwaves through the meteorological community by calling for the dismantling of NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. We'll decode the controversial Project 2025 document with a political scientist, and then get the insider's perspective from Dr. Neil Jacobs, former NOAA administrator. Dr. Jacobs will discuss the origin of the organization,...

Climate change is here, but its impacts aren't equal. In this episode, we'll explore climate change inequity with environmental activist Heather McTeer Toney. We'll examine how underserved communities, especially people of color, are disproportionately affected by climate disasters. We'll discuss why this disparity exists and crucial solutions to create a more equitable climate future. See Privacy...

July 1863 - The fate of a nation hung in the balance, Union and Confederate soldiers faced not only each other, but an unseen enemy that drained their strength with every passing hour - heat and humidity. Dr. Jon Nese is analyzing historical weather data and calculating the wet bulb globe temperature to get a better understanding of what those soldiers felt during that three day battle. We'll expl...

Hurricane Hunter Nick Underwood recorded extreme turbulence on his cellphone during a 10-minute passage through Hurricane Ian's eyewall in 2022. Today, we'll hear Nick's firsthand account of this wild ride and how it compared to his other missions. Dr. Josh Wadler, who was also on board, will share insights from his newly published research that quantifies the intensity of turbulence encountered d...

Aria Vargyas was just 8 years old when she was pulled out of the wreckage of the 2013 EF5 tornado that destroyed her hometown of Moore, Oklahoma and took the lives of her two young sisters. 11 years later she is finishing her freshman year at Texas A&M as a meteorology student. She speaks to Emily about that heartbreaking day and why she is now choosing to chase the storms that once terrified her....

Nearly three decades after the 1996 blockbuster Twister captivated audiences with its thrilling depiction of storm chasing, actress Wendle Josepher dishes on landing her role, the behind-the-scenes experiences on set, and the dedicated fandom that emerged, all building anticipation for the upcoming sequel's release in July. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not...

After 32 years and 25,000 live shots, Mike Seidel's time at The Weather Channel has come to an end and he is sitting down with Emily to dish the dirt on his experience. He will share his unforgettable encounters with extreme weather, the moments that went viral, and a career dedicated to helping communities prepare for nature's unpredictable power. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy a...

Aviation turbulence has been making headlines lately, and rightfully so. Climate change is increasingly contributing to bumpier flights. This week we'll speak with a leading researcher who will explain the scientific reasons behind the rise in turbulence and how climate change is exacerbating it. Additionally, we'll get a firsthand account from an experienced pilot, who will share insights into na...