Craig Setzer has a unique job - he's Royal Caribbean's Chief Meteorologist. In this episode that originally aired in 2024, Craig shares what it's like predicting storms, waves, and wind along constantly moving cruise routes. Craig offers a behind-the-scenes look at how he works with ship captains to keep passengers and crew safe and comfortable. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jul 01, 2025•24 min•Ep. 113
In September 1989, NOAA hurricane hunters became the first to encounter Hurricane Hugo—and nearly became its first victims. Flying at 1,500 feet, they hit G-Forces in the Category 5 storm's eyewall, losing control of the aircraft nearly plunging it into the ocean. The flight was so violent that some crew members never flew into another hurricane. Today we'll hear from Dr. Jeff Masters, the meteorologist who was on board that historic flight, then explore the science of measuring turbulence with ...
Jun 24, 2025•46 min•Ep. 112
A storm surge causes coastal flooding, widespread devastation, and death. When a hurricane hits, the winds can blow away homes; but historically, a storm surge has been the deadliest part of a hurricane in the US. It can sweep houses right off their foundations and lead to a greater loss of life than hurricane winds alone. To better understand this phenomenon - and to grasp just how devastating and deadly it can be - we're going off the radar with Dr. “Hurricane Hal” Needham to discuss the bigge...
Jun 17, 2025•28 min•Ep. 111
June 15th is Father's Day, and this week we're going off the radar with author Kelly V. Porter. She's honoring her late father, Alonzo Smith Jr., who was one of the first Black American meteorologists in history and the subject of Kelly's book, The Weather Officer . Join Kelly and Emily for an emotional and eye-opening historical perspective on the history of meteorology and race in America as we pay tribute to this barrier-breaking dad. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califo...
Jun 10, 2025•37 min•Ep. 110
When Adam Met isn’t playing bass or recording albums with his brothers in the sensational pop-rock band AJR, he finds novel ways of keeping busy. Adam founded a renewable energy and climate policy nonprofit, earned a PhD in Human Rights Law, and he also teaches at Columbia University. In his spare time, Adam Met recently wrote a book, Amplify, about activism in the art and music scenes . Climate change and global climate policy are hugely important topics to Adam. This week, Emily is going off t...
Jun 03, 2025•42 min•Ep. 109
As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season begins, Jamie Rhome, Deputy Director of the National Hurricane Center, joins Off The Radar to discuss how hurricane science and communication have evolved over his 26-year career. While forecasting accuracy has reached new heights, getting life-saving information to communities remains a critical challenge. Jamie reveals the Hurricane Center's lesser-known fieldwork—quiet missions to storm-affected areas where teams gather crucial data from survivors about t...
May 27, 2025•46 min•Ep. 108
Artificial intelligence is everywhere – some people feel it’s unavoidable and needs to be embraced. After all, it can save time and has the potential to make writing, editing, and researching drastically easier. But what about weather forecasting? And what happens when people use this technology with bad intentions? In this episode, Emily talks with two meteorologists with very different AI experiences: one who created her own AI avatar to deliver important weather updates to viewers, and anothe...
May 20, 2025•43 min•Ep. 107
After a wildfire is put out, there’s another risk that develops, one that’s far more deadly than the fire itself: rain. While water might seem like nature’s remedy for parched and fire-ravaged landscapes, heavy rainfall can trigger catastrophic mudslides and flash floods in burned areas. That’s because the fire has destroyed the plants and trees whose roots help stabilize the ground. Without living plants, hillsides pummeled with rain become fast-moving slurries that can carry boulders and move ...
May 13, 2025•27 min•Ep. 106
When Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina last September, it left a trail of destruction that thrust communities back to a pre-modern era. In Asheville, TV news anchors Katie Killen and Karen Zatkulak found themselves simultaneously reporting on a disaster...and living through it with their families. Katie and Karen are not just reporters — they're also mothers and hosts of the "Anchor Moms" podcast. This week they join Off the Radar to share their unique dual perspective—broadcast...
May 06, 2025•45 min•Ep. 105
In this episode, veteran storm chaser Warren Faidley discusses Oklahoma's controversial legislation that would restrict independent storm chasers while giving local television stations preferential access during severe weather events. With decades of experience in the field, Faidley explains why independent chasers are crucial for public safety, providing real-time ground verification that radar alone cannot capture and collecting valuable data that improves our understanding of dangerous storms...
Apr 29, 2025•25 min•Ep. 104
This Earth Day, we’re celebrating a triumph of human endeavor: the healing of the ozone layer! Many listeners will remember the hole that formed in the ozone layer, due in large part to human-made chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs. My guest this week is Dr. Paul Newman, a Senior Scientist at the University of Maryland Baltimore and retired NASA Chief of Atmospheric Sciences. We’ll dive into what these chemicals are, how they damaged our vital ozone layer, and how countries around the p...
Apr 22, 2025•20 min•Ep. 103
In Jurassic Park, scientists bio-engineered dinosaurs by splicing preserved dino DNA with modern-day frog DNA. It sounded like science fiction…until now. A real-life biotech company with visions of “de-extinction” recently spliced gray wolf DNA with that of the dire wolf, a mammal that’s been extinct for thousands of years. And they have plans to do the same thing with other extinct species. This week we’re going off the radar with Dr. Jay Odenbaugh, a professor and researcher who specializes in...
Apr 15, 2025•19 min•Ep. 102
Do you know what NOAA does? Or why this federal agency has (controversially) been in the news lately? With important offices like the National Weather Service and the National Ocean Service, NOAA – the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – collects valuable data and conducts essential research that can mean the difference between national safety and widespread tragedy. On today’s episode, we’re going off the radar with two former NOAA employees: Tom Di Liberto, a climate scientist an...
Apr 08, 2025•44 min•Ep. 101
Today we pull back the curtain on baseball's most invisible yet game-altering force: weather. In this episode, we're unraveling the meteorological mysteries that can transform a seemingly ordinary pitch into a moment of sporting legend. With two decades of sideline expertise, veteran sports reporter Morgan Adsit brings firsthand accounts of how atmospheric conditions have shaped baseball's most memorable moments. We'll also talk to Clay Nunnally, an MLB scientist at the forefront of wind dynamic...
Apr 01, 2025•35 min•Ep. 100
In honor of Women's History Month, this episode honors some of the most inspiring women in meteorological history, spotlighting trailblazing figures who shattered barriers in a field traditionally dominated by men. We’ll also hear from two current industry leaders: Jen Carfagno, a trusted weather anchor at The Weather Channel for 27 years, and Tanja Fransen, the Meteorologist in Charge at the National Weather Service office in Portland, OR. They’ll be discussing their careers and sharing advice ...
Mar 25, 2025•48 min•Ep. 99
Spring begins this week, so let's dive into the pages of North America's oldest continuously published periodical. Join us as we sit down with Carol Connare, editor-in-chief of The Old Farmer's Almanac to uncover the mysterious methods behind their legendary weather predictions and seasonal forecasts. How has this publication survived for more than two centuries? What's in their secretive forecasting formula? Whether you're a skeptic or devotee, discover how this American institution continues t...
Mar 18, 2025•33 min•Ep. 98
As spring break approaches, thousands will flock to beaches worldwide, but few understand the invisible threat of rip currents lurking beneath those inviting waters. In this potentially life-saving episode, we dive into both the science and survival of these powerful water channels. Ocean safety expert Bruckner Chase shares what you need to look for the minute you step onto the beach, while Greg Dusek from the National Ocean Service explains the science behind rip currents and introduces RipFind...
Mar 11, 2025•42 min•Ep. 97
The Greek Islands might make you think of turquoise waters, stunning architecture, and Meryl Streep singing ABBA. But the island of Santorini – which was formed by volcanic activity – has a destructive past. In early 2025, over 20,000 small earthquakes prompted a Santorini evacuation. Geologist Shawn Willsey discusses the quakes on Santorini, and dives into the island's destructive past as well as its future. We'll also cover volcanic science and monitoring around the world, including here in th...
Mar 04, 2025•32 min•Ep. 96
Artificial Intelligence has become a hot-button issue, with questions about AI accuracy and precision. But this week, we're exploring the role of artificial intelligence in weather forecasting! Come Off the Radar with us as we learn about how generative AI modeling can now use historical weather data to make hyper-local predictions about future weather probabilities. We'll be talking to Dr. Amy McGovern from the National Science Foundation's AI Institute for Research on Trustworthy AI in Weather...
Feb 25, 2025•45 min•Ep. 95
This week Emily sits down with Alan Sealls, President-elect of the American Meteorological Society, to uncover the remarkable but often overlooked contributions of African American meteorologists. From pioneering weather observers to modern-day scientists, these trailblazers didn't just forecast the weather—they transformed the field of meteorology. Sealls, a veteran broadcaster, author and educator, shares stories of scientific excellence and perseverance, while highlighting how diverse perspec...
Feb 18, 2025•40 min•Ep. 94
When a climbing expedition discovered a century-old leather boot in 2024, they weren't just finding a piece of gear – they were unearthing a clue to mountaineering's greatest mystery. Join meteorologist Emily Gracey as she investigates how climate change is exposing Mount Everest's long-buried secrets, including remains from the legendary 1924 expedition of George Mallory and Andrew "Sandy" Irvine. Featuring glaciologist Duncan Quincy from the University of Leeds, this episode explores the ancie...
Feb 11, 2025•30 min•Ep. 93
This weekend it will host the Super Bowl LIX, but in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Superdome became a shelter of last resort for nearly 30,000 residents, only to suffer catastrophic damage that left those seeking safety in dire conditions. This episode tells the story of this iconic structure's darkest chapter and its remarkable resurrection. We'll sit down with the architect, Trey Trahan, who was tasked with the challenge of not just repairing a damaged stadium, but reimagining...
Feb 04, 2025•34 min•Ep. 92
Groundhog Day is coming up this weekend so, move over Phil- the real weather experts are stepping into the spotlight! Join us as we chat with Climate Central meteorologists Bernadette Woods and Shel Winkley, fresh from the American Meteorological Society's annual meeting. They'll share their personal and professional take on our favorite furry forecaster while giving us their takeaways from America's biggest convergence of meteorologists. Then, we're heading to Gobbler's Knob with meteorologist ...
Jan 28, 2025•38 min•Ep. 91
In this first installment of a two-part series, we are exploring the changing face of Mount Everest through the experiences of Scott Thuman, news anchor at 7 News Washington, DC, who trekked beyond Everest's base camp. Through Thuman's account, you'll learn about the brutal conditions of high-altitude hiking – from the oxygen-starved air to the punishing winds and subzero temperatures – while discovering how climate change is transforming this iconic landscape. We'll examine the increasingly uns...
Jan 21, 2025•39 min•Ep. 90
Have you ever wondered how tsunamis are detected? We recently spoke with a survivor of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. This week we’re talking with Dr. Stuart Weinstein, Deputy Director of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. We’ll discuss the tsunami warning system, emergency evacuation, and why the 2004 tsunami was so deadly. We’ll also cover the possibility of a freshwater tsunami in the Great Lakes, and the science behind tsunami formation and detection. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com...
Jan 14, 2025•38 min•Ep. 89
Join meteorologists Emily Gracey and Andrew Buck Michael as they countdown Off the Radar's most memorable episodes from 2024. From flying into the eye of a Category 5 with hurricane hunters to exploring the real science behind Hollywood weather movies like "The Perfect Storm" and "Twister," this special episode revisits a year of extraordinary weather stories. Discover how cutting-edge wind modeling is revolutionizing baseball, and relive the show's most fascinating deep dives into meteorology a...
Dec 31, 2024•58 min•Ep. 88
A massive 9.1 magnitude earthquake under the ocean. A series of tsunami waves moving almost 500 miles an hour. Nearly a quarter of a million people dead across 14 countries. Today we’re going off the radar to talk about one of the largest seismic events ever recorded: the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, also known as the Boxing Day Tsunami. My guest this week is marine biologist Dr. Dwayne Meadows. He was in coastal Thailand when the deadliest tsunami in history came crashing in, and h...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 87
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has come to an end. In this episode, Deputy Director Jamie Rhome reveals how the National Hurricane Center is transforming hurricane communication by shifting focus from technical storm tracking to human-centered hazard messaging. The conversation explores innovative communication strategies that prioritize saving lives, emphasizing the critical importance of making forecasts more accessible, actionable, and meaningful to communities in potential storm paths. S...
Dec 10, 2024•55 min•Ep. 86
You may have heard the term “atmospheric river” in recent years – but what does it mean? Did you know that it’s literally akin to a river in the sky? Or that they carry water vapor content that’s comparable to twenty-five Mississippi Rivers? Today we’re going Off The Radar to discuss ARs with the scientist that put this weather phenomenon on the map. Dr. Marty Ralph is the Director of the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. We’ll be diving in...
Dec 03, 2024•46 min•Ep. 85
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 Fraser to learn the real story of the first Thanksgiving in American history. Put away the leftover turk...
Nov 26, 2024•31 min•Ep. 84
