Weather Realness

Episodes

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  What happens when flooding monitors shut down? 26.10.2026

  Two Stream gages have shut down in St. Joseph. We learn how this will affect how scientists and communities monitor flooding data.
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  How do we know how strong tornadoes are? 24.10.2026

  After a tornado’s destruction, scientists determine how strong a tornado was. How do scientists measure the strength of a tornado and why is it important? 
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  Why did we have a slow Atlantic hurricane season in September? 24.10.2026

  September is typically the most active time for hurricanes in the Atlantic. So why did it take so long for a hurricane to develop in the Atlantic?
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  How the University of Illinois prepares for severe weather 14.10.2026

  We learn how the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign prepares for severe weather.
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  Why some of us don’t take weather warnings seriously 19.09.2026

  Whenever severe weather is approaching, we often get notifications about tornadoes or thunderstorms. But why do some of us ignore these warnings? 
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  What makes derechos so dangerous? 19.09.2026

  Derechos are strong wind storms coupled with a band of thunderstorms. We’re breaking what makes them destroyed and what caused the extreme derecho event in August.
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  How wildfire smoke travels to Illinois 12.09.2026

  How did Canada’s wildfire smoke travel hundreds of miles to Illinois and is climate change making things worse? We learn the meteorological side of wildfire smoke and what this means for Illinois.
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  The science behind Illinois’ August flooding 12.09.2026

  We talk about flooding in central Illinois and why Illinois keeps getting hit with heavy rainfall. 
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  How can El Niño affect Illinois weather? 22.08.2026

  Thousands of miles away, the Pacific Ocean is warming which can affect weather patterns worldwide. But how can this affect Illinois?
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  What you need to know about “Super” El Niño 22.08.2026

  You may have heard about a potential “Super” El Niño, but what does that mean? We learn how the warming in the pacific ocean can impact global weather patterns.
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  Forensic Meteorology: How past weather can help settle a case 08.08.2026

  You’ve heard of forensic scientists from crime shows. But what about forensic meteorologists? These experts reconstruct past weather events and help settle insurance and legal disputes connected with the weather.
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  Who can you trust for weather online? 08.08.2026

  You’ve heard of forensic scientists from crime shows. But what about forensic meteorologists? These experts reconstruct past weather events and help settle insurance and legal disputes connected with the weather.
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  Meteorologist Ed Kieser returns to Illinois airways 25.07.2026

  He’s back! Ed Kieser, former chief meteorologist at WILL radio returns to Illinois airways. We learn more about his career and his 1996 tornado forecast.
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  How climate and weather affects mosquitos and ticks in Illinois 25.07.2026

  Illinois has around 60 species of mosquitoes. Learn how climate and weather impacts them and if they pose a risk to public health. 
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  How MTD operates under severe weather conditions 11.07.2026

  The Champaign Urbana Mass Transit District has driven passengers from stop to stop for decades. But how do they continue their services under severe weather?
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  How weather can impact baseball, from summer heat to cold winters 11.07.2026

  Weather shapes our daily lives in numerous ways, but what about its effect on baseball? Explore the science behind how rising temperatures can boost home runs.
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  How politics is reshaping scientific research in America 27.06.2026

  The Trump administration's proposal changes how scientific research is funded. We learn how this could affect the future of science and the public.
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  Why Illinois is seeing so much severe weather 27.06.2026

  The midwest can’t seem to take a break from severe weather. In June, tornadoes and thunderstorms left a trail of damage in Illinois.
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  How to stay safe during extreme heat 13.06.2026

  It’s summer time and that means warmer temperatures. Learn how to stay safe during extreme heat.
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  Why Garden Hills floods and how new infrastructure could help 13.06.2026

  Garden Hills has experienced chronic flooding for decades. We discuss how flooding affects communities and the engineering behind the Garden Hills Neighborhood drainage project.