WeatherBrains Episode 1079 is now online (September 21st, 2026). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE podcast for you!

This week’s WeatherBrains episode is all about 2022’s devastating Hurricane Ian.

Our Guest WeatherBrains for tonight’s episode is very special guest and author Scott Withers.  He’s a 4-time Emmy Award winning meteorologist and journalist with more than two decades of TV experience.  On September 28th 2022, Scott was reporting live in Fort Myers when Hurricane Ian’s storm surge submerged his vehicle and trapped his crew.  Three strangers rescued them by boat, and all six then rode out the Category 4 hurricane together.  Earlier this year, he released a book chronicling his experience, and has now recently released a children’s hurricane adventure book entitled “The Halloween Hurricane”.  Thanks for joining us tonight to share your incredible story, Scott!

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

• 1978’s Do you remember the 21st of September?  (0:30)
• Scott’s new book “The Halloween Hurricane” released today 9/21/26!  (07:30)
• Scott’s early background in weather (09:30)
• Midlife crisis or brand-new beginning?  (17:00)
• The start of 2022’s Hurricane Ian coverage (21:00)
• Remembering 2004’s Hurricane Charley during preparation for Ian landfall (25:00)
• Wind shift in relation to Ian’s eye (39:00)
• Spaghetti models vs cone/trajectory of Ian (48:00)
• Pre-Ian efforts by NHC with improving storm surge warnings (52:00)
• Complexities and logistics of hurricane preparation and risk perception (01:01:30)
• Misinformation on social media during major weather events (01:08:00)
• Scott’s advice for media in the field in future major hurricanes after experiences with Ian(01:17:30)
• Cane the Hurricane Dog! (01:24:00)
• The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:28:30)
• This Week in Tornado History With Jen (01:30:30)
• E-Mail Segment (01:31:30)
• Sneak peak at future WeatherBrains episodes! (01:37:30)
• and more!

Web Sites from Episode 1079:  

“Ian’s Surge: Surviving a Cat 4 Hurricane” by Scott Withers

“The Halloween Hurricane: Cane and Friends Save The City (Cane the Weather Dog)” by Scott Withers

Cane the Weather Dog

Alabama Weather Network

Picks of the Week:

Scott Withers – Miami-Dade County drought conditions

James Aydelott – Daily High Temp at or above 85F Tulsa OK

James Aydelott – Daily Low Temp at or above 60F Tulsa OK

Jen Narramore – Goat Locker Racing League

Jen Narramore – WeatherBrains race car photo No.1

Jen Narramore – WeatherBrains race car photo No.2

Rick Smith – Out

Troy Kimmel – Out

Kim Klockow-McClain – NOAA Administrator’s Award

Kim Klockow-McClain – Photo of Dr. Neil Jacobs and Rick Smith

Bill Murray – Foghorn

John Gordon – Tornado touches down; hail pounds Northern Utah in raw video

James Spann – James Spann on X: Lightning and College Football

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.