Off the Radar

The National Weather Desk
  • 5.0 (26)
  • NATURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Off the Radar

Join National Weather Desk Meteorologist Emily Gracey every week as she leads listeners on an exciting voyage exploring a diverse range of topics related to weather, climate, space, and beyond. The podcast offers exclusive interviews with leading experts on topics that you wouldn't usually come across in a typical weather broadcast. It’ll enlighten, entertain, and educate, whether you’re a novice weather follower to the most passionate weather geek.

  1. 1D AGO

    Top 10 Storm Surges in American History with Hurricane Hal

    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 biggest storm surges in American history. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    28 min

  2. JUN 10

    The Weather Officer: A Father's Day Story

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

    37 min

  3. JUN 3

    Concerts and Climate Activism with AJR's Adam Met

    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 the radar with Met to discuss music as activism, the global climate crisis, and what needs to be done to ensure corporations don’t “Burn the House Down” on our planet. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    42 min

  4. MAY 27

    Hurricane Season 2025: Stories, Stats and Survival

    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 their evacuation decisions. This episode explores groundbreaking research into hurricane mortality, the technological and communication breakthroughs that have transformed the field. . Jamie also shares practical safety advice and how he's preparing his own home for potential impacts this upcoming season. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    46 min

  5. MAY 20

    The Artificial Forecaster: Innovation or Impersonation?

    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 another who had her likeness stolen by someone on the internet. We’ll get into the pros and cons of using AI, along with the ethics of AI, and we’ll cover some basic advice on how you can safeguard yourself from being manipulated by others who use this technology. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    43 min

  6. MAY 13

    Deadly Debris Flows – The Flood After the Fire

    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 at terrifying speeds of over 35 mph. These debris flows can wash out highways and roads, carry cars away with ease, and destroy buildings in their path. This week, Emily welcomes Dr. J.J. Gourley, Research Hydrometeorologist at NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory, to discuss how scientists are utilizing lifesaving NOAA technology to predict these post-wildfire hazards. Tune in to learn what communities need to know to stay safe when the flames are extinguished but the danger isn’t over. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    27 min

  7. MAY 6

    When the Lights Went Out: Anchor Moms Reflect on Helene

    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—broadcasting the catastrophe while trying to comfort their own families through weeks without power or water. They discuss how they balanced professional responsibilities with protecting their children, what they wish they'd known before the storm hit, and how the experience fundamentally changed their approach to motherhood and emergency preparedness. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    45 min

  8. APR 29

    Storm Rights: Tornado Chasers vs. Oklahoma Legislation

    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. He offers practical solutions for a more productive relationship between broadcasters and independent storm chasers with the ultimate goal of saving lives. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    25 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Join National Weather Desk Meteorologist Emily Gracey every week as she leads listeners on an exciting voyage exploring a diverse range of topics related to weather, climate, space, and beyond. The podcast offers exclusive interviews with leading experts on topics that you wouldn't usually come across in a typical weather broadcast. It’ll enlighten, entertain, and educate, whether you’re a novice weather follower to the most passionate weather geek.

Information

  • Creator
    The National Weather Desk
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    110
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sinclair Broadcast Group
  • Show Website
    Off the Radar

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