WeatherBrains Episode 1052 is now online (March 16th, 2026). If you are crazy about weather, this is THE podcast for you!

Tonight’s WeatherBrains episode is all about marine weather!  We discuss wave forecasting, marine hazards, and the many products issued for mariners.  Guest WeatherBrain for tonight’s episode is Chris Landsea.  He was formerly the Science and Operations Officer for 11 years at NHC, and he’s now the Chief of TAFB (Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch) at the NHC.  He has served in this role since 2019.  Chris, it’s great to have you on tonight’s episode.  Guest WeatherBrain and meteorologist Brian Lamarre was formerly the Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) at the Lubbock TX NWS office.  He then served 17 years as the MIC (Meteorologist in Charge) at the Tampa FL NWS.  The panel discusses the various commonly seen marine alerts, including freezing spray forecasts, Special Marine Warnings, and hazardous sea warnings.  Brian, welcome to the show!

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

• Looking back at WeatherBrains Episode 46 featuring Dr. William Gray (Fall 2006) – Link incoming! (13:00)
• What is the NWS Marine Program? (14:30)
• Small Craft Advisories (18:00)
• Gale Warnings and why are these necessary? (21:00)
• What are rip currents and why is this a hazard?  (23:30)
• Respiratory hazards and other entry level hazards (28:00)
• Coastal flood advisories/warnings (31:30)
• Special Marine Warnings and what conditions are needed to require one (34:00)
• Waterspouts and the call to action for the general public (36:30)
• Forecasting wave heights and the main 2 types of waves that are commonly produced (44:30)
• Deep dive into rogue waves and significant wave height (47:30)
• NHC TAFB (Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch):  Who is it and what do they do?  (55:00)
• Increasing traffic in polar regions and the ice/open ocean transition (01:05:00)
• Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab (GLERL) (01:08:00)
• Unique relationship between US Coast Guard and National Weather Service (01:12:00)
• Special Marine Warnings and metrics applied to POD/FAR similar to on-land severe warnings (01:17:00)
• Special Marine Warnings and Call to Action (01:19:00)
• The Astronomy Outlook with Tony Rice (01:25:00)
• This Week in Tornado History With Jen (No segment this week – stay tuned!)
• E-Mail Segment (01:27:30)
• and more!

Web Sites from Episode 1052:  

MarineTraffic

EverythingWeather: Your Ultimate Weather Mobile App

WeatherFront Mobile Weather App

Alabama Weather Network

Picks of the Week:

Chris Landsea – NHC Graphical Marine Wind Warnings

Brian Lamarre – Haboob satellite photo

James Aydelott – Okie J on Facebook: Severe storms stretch from Chicago to Houston

Jen Narramore – Out

Rick Smith – Out

Troy Kimmel – Hazcams

Kim Klockow-McClain – UCAR statement on lawsuit filed against federal administrative agencies

John Gordon – Windy.com

Bill Murray – Out

James Spann – 3/15/26 Bonnertown, TN tornado damage

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.