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Off the Radar

Off the Radar

By: The National Weather Desk
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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.© Sinclair Broadcast Group Biological Sciences Politics & Government Science
Episodes
  • Lightning: The Science, the Safety, and the Surprises

    Lightning: The Science, the Safety, and the Surprises
    Apr 7 2026
    On a hot afternoon in 1970, a single lightning strike on a Florida football field changed lives and reshaped how we think about storm safety. In this episode of Off the Radar, we take a deeper look at one of nature’s most powerful and misunderstood forces. First, lightning safety expert John Jensenius joins us to break down what actually keeps you safe in a storm - and the myths that can put people at risk. Then, Dr. Tim Logan from Texas A&M explains how scientists are studying lightning in new ways. As the director of the Houston Lightning Mapping Array Network, he’s helped discover two of the longest lightning flashes ever recorded. He shares what those massive “megaflashes” reveal about storms, along with the questions scientists still can’t fully answer. From safety to cutting-edge science, this episode explores what lightning can do, how to stay safe, and why it still leaves everyone (even experts!) in awe.
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    50 mins
  • Artemis: A Return to the Moon... and Beyond

    Artemis: A Return to the Moon... and Beyond
    Mar 31 2026
    For the first time in more than 50 years, humans are preparing to venture back into deep space. With the launch of Artemis II, part of NASA’s Artemis program, four astronauts will travel around the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft, flying farther from Earth than any crew since the Apollo era. Powered by the Space Launch System (SLS), this historic mission marks a major step toward returning humans to the Moon and building a long-term presence beyond Earth. In this episode, we explore what makes Artemis II different, why this mission matters right now, and how it connects the legacy of Apollo to the future of human spaceflight, including future lunar missions and Mars exploration. We’re joined by planetary scientist Dr. Barbara Cohen of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, whose work on lunar samples, meteorites, and impact history helps us better understand the Moon and what it can teach us about Earth and the solar system.
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    29 mins
  • Understanding Severe Weather Outlooks

    Understanding Severe Weather Outlooks
    Mar 24 2026
    Was last week’s severe weather forecast a “bust” - or was it just misunderstood? The Storm Prediction Center is making changes to how it communicates severe weather risk, with a new focus on not just where storms could happen, but on how intense they might be. But with that shift comes a challenge: how do you convey higher-end potential without creating expectations that may not fully materialize? In this episode, we break down a recent East Coast setup that left many wondering why a widely discussed severe threat didn’t result in a major outbreak everywhere it was forecast. Joining the show is Evan Bentley from the Storm Prediction Center, who takes us inside how these outlooks are created, why they are rooted entirely in science and probability, and how they are designed to inform meteorologists and communicators. We also explore the growing conversation around trust in forecasting: when things don’t play out as expected, should meteorologists apologize? Or is the real issue how forecasts are interpreted by the public? This is a candid look at uncertainty, communication, and the responsibility of forecasting when severe weather is on the way!
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    45 mins
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