WeatherBrains 1080: Swamp Stink

This week's WeatherBrains episode is all about weather wisdom, forecasting in the model era, communicating uncertainty, climate change, and what meteorologists can still learn by opening the window and looking outside.

Our Guest WeatherBrains for tonight's episode is Dr. Lou McNally AKA "Altitude Lou".  He's spent half a century proving that good forecasting involves more than simply reading model input.  He's a long time broadcast meteorologist, a professor, historical climatologist and champion of natural weather forecasting.  Dr. McNally, welcome to WeatherBrains!

Guest Panelist tonight is Sandy LaCorte.  Sandy supports various programs at NOAA's Weather Program Office, and is here tonight to speak about the upcoming student conference portion of the NWA Annual Meeting in Omaha, Nebraska.  Sandy, welcome!

Our email officer Jen is continuing to handle the incoming messages from our listeners. Reach us here: email@weatherbrains.com.

Panelist thoughts on upcoming post-Polo rain event (03:30) What is driving placement uncertainty with this upcoming SW Oklahoma rain event?  (05:30) Possible supercells across Oklahoma Wednesday night?  (07:45) Guest Panelist Sandy LaCorte discusses upcoming 2026 NWA Annual Meeting Student Conference in Omaha, NE (14:00) Mock interviews at 2026 NWA Annual Meeting Student Conference!  (17:00) Dr. Lou McNally's background and introduction!  (20:30) Difference between making a forecast for colleagues in academia vs public perception (22:30) Weather Enterprise gains vs quiet losses as forecasting becomes more automated (23:30) Dr. McNally's most impactful past forecasted events (33:00) Important habits and things to look for as a new meteorologist (37:00) Weather folklore favorites - good and bad! (48:00) All about numerical model guidance and ensembles (51:00) Maine's climate, maritime influence and forecast challenges (01:05:00) "Nor'easter" vs "Northeaster" terminology (01:09:00) Maine's history with tropical cyclone landfalls (01:16:00) Dr. McNally's time at WBZ in Boston (01:27:00) State of broadcast meteorology in 2026 (01:30:00) The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:32:00) This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:34:00) E-Mail Segment (No segment this week) Sneak peak at future WeatherBrains episodes! (01:43:30) and more! Web Sites from Episode 1080:

NOAA's Weather Program Office

2026 NWA Annual Meeting October 17th-21st Omaha, Nebraska

Alabama Weather Network

Picks of the Week:

Sandy LaCorte - As the Weekend