WeatherBrains Episode 1043 is now online (January 12th, 2026). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE podcast for you!

Tonight’s Guest WeatherBrain is Canadian meteorologist Ken MacDonald.  He started his career way back in 1975, and has been an instructor, a forecaster, and a researcher.  He is the former Executive Director of Environment Canada.  Our second Guest WeatherBrain James Abraham is a veteran meteorologist with almost four decades of experience who has forecasted in British Columbia, the U. S. East Coast and even was former and first Director of the Canadian Hurricane Center.  Ken and James, welcome to WeatherBrains!

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

• Environment Canada basics (08:00)
• Modernization process at Environment Canada (14:00)
• Reformatted warning polygons (19:00)
• Recurring issues with zone forecasts (22:30)
• Canadian meteorology employment/recruiting (28:30)
• Details of 18 month internship after initial hire (34:00)
• Canadian Hurricane Center (35:00)
• The Perfect Storm of 1991 (48:00)
• Total number of TV meteorologists in Canada (53:00)
• Death of linear television (56:30)
• Research efforts across Canada (01:06:00)
• Most difficult places to forecast meteorology in Canada (01:09:30)
• 2025-26 Canadian winter highlights (01:10:30)
• The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:14:00)
• This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:16:45)
• E-Mail Segment (01:18:00)
• and more!

Web Sites from Episode 1043:  

Alabama Weather Network

Canada’s weather warning system has changed. Here’s how.

Meteorologist Occupational Training Program

Picks of the Week:

James Aydelott – The OCS/Mesonet Ticker

Jen Narramore – Jen shoutout on X

Rick Smith – Out

Troy Kimmel – Foghorn

Kim Klockow-McClain – Foghorn

John Gordon – NWS Juneau on YouTube

John Gordon – Juneau, Alaska buried under 80+ inches of snow

Bill Murray – Out

James Spann – CIPS Analog-Based Severe Probability Guidance

The WeatherBrains crew includes your host, James Spann, plus other notable geeks like Troy Kimmel, Bill Murray, Rick Smith, James Aydelott, Jen Narramore, John Gordon, and Dr. Kim Klockow-McClain. They bring together a wealth of weather knowledge and experience for another fascinating podcast about weather.