Sep 9, 2026 · 1h 16m
Marshall Shepherd explains why warming brings heavier storms
Meteorology (WEATHER & CLIMATE) Encore with Marshall Shepherd
Understanding forecast uncertainty and climate-driven extremes helps communities prepare for hazards while reducing emissions.
- 1Meteorology combines physics, fluid dynamics, observations, and computer models to forecast an atmosphere that never stops moving.
- 2A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, intensifying rainfall and sometimes producing heavier snow even as average temperatures rise.
- 3Climate risk demands both emissions reductions and adaptation shaped with communities facing the greatest exposure to extreme weather.
Don't miss
Shepherd explains why a warmer atmosphere can produce heavier snowstorms, turning a seeming contradiction into a lesson in atmospheric moisture.
The brief
J. Marshall Shepherd gives Alie Ward an accessible tour of meteorology, from atmospheric physics and NASA observations to the many careers behind a forecast.
The episode separates weather from climate and explains why a cold snap or snowstorm does not contradict long-term warming trends.
Shepherd shows how a warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapor, intensifying rainfall and producing heavier snow while straining infrastructure.
Forecasts are probabilities, not promises: models, radar, satellites, balloons, and geographic coverage all shape what a chance of rain means.
The conversation ends with a practical climate argument: communities need both emissions cuts and locally developed adaptation and resilience.
Featuring
J. Marshall ShepherdMentioned
NASA
Weather Geeks
Don't Look UpBooks & mentions
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