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Lovers of Arizona, join us under the Sonoran Sky! Each week, Arizona's Family First Alert Meteorologists will bring you in-depth and entertaining conversations on our state's weather, natural wonders, gardening, hiking, and outdoor activities. Your time under the Sonoran Sky will help you understand how the weather impacts your life.
55 Episodes
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The Valley of the Sun mostly sparkles year-round with endless blue skies, but around the holidays the dreaded “brown cloud” returns year after year threatening to spoil our views and our health. First Alert Meteorologist Sean McLaughlin goes in-depth with a communications specialist from Maricopa County’s Air Quality department to break down the reasons behind our dirty air. From our topography and winter weather patterns to that cozy, backyard fire pit and a few fireworks combined, can almost instantly pollute your own neighborhood’s air quality to dangerous levels.
You’ll hear a lot in the media that wildfire season in Arizona is all year long. That’s not the case, according to Arizona State Foresty Management Officer John Truitt. He shared his view on the Sonoran Sky Podcast with meteorologist Royal Norman.
From reporting hard news to forecasting the weather, Holly Bock has done it all at Arizona's Family! Holly discusses the similarities and differences between telling a news story versus a weather story.
With less than a year to go, the Colorado River states have yet to renew an agreement how to divide this great resource of the Southwest. In a new Sonoran Sky podcast, Meteorologist Royal Norman talked with Sarah Porter, the Director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy, about how time is growing short to get a agreement.
The San Pedro River is in southern Arizona, flowing north out of Mexico past Sierra Vista and For Huachuca. In recent years, the San Pedro has come under tremendous pressure due to drought and increased usage of the ground water in the area. The river’s flows are trending drier. On this week’s Sonoran Sky podcast, Meteorologist Royal Norman talked with Kim Schonek of The Nature Conservancy who is optimistic that the river can be saved.
Mike Nelson is a highly respected retired broadcast meteorologist. He envisions a future with something he calls The Great American SuperGrid that transmits renewable energy around the country, and he joined Sonoran Sky to discuss the endeavor with Pete Mangione.
Snow skiing is a part of the allure of Arizona for almost 90 years. Since 1938, folks have headed up to Flagstaff to ski on the state’s highest peak, which happens to be a dormant volcano! On this edition of Sonoran Sky, First Alert Meteorologist Sean McLaughlin takes you through the upcoming ski season, from enhanced snowmaking to something called tree glading, it’s everything you need to know before heading up to the southernmost major ski resort in the continental U.S.!
"You said it was going to rain at my house and it didn't. Imagine getting paid to be getting wrong!" We hear it all from viewers from reasonable complaints to downright ridiculousness. April Warnecke and Ian Schwartz chat about some misconceptions in the weather biz.
In this episode of Sonoran Sky, we explore the best patios in the Valley to enjoy the beautiful fall weather. Hosts April Warnecke and Ian Schwartz discuss their favorite outdoor spots, from hidden gems to popular hangouts, perfect for dining and relaxing. Tune in for restaurant recommendations, insights on Arizona's unique fall season, and tips for making the most of outdoor activities in the Valley of the Sun.
In this week's episode of Sonoran Sky, we talk about the best spots across the state of Arizona to see the leaves change colors in the beautiful reds and yellows. But you have to go soon, before it's too late! We're joined by Josh Coddington, the Director of Communications for the Arizona Office of Tourism, who shares details on the best spots all across the state, from northern, to eastern, and southern Arizona, and the hidden gems in between.
Known by many names of the years, the Arizona monsoon is one thing: unpredictable. But it’s that mystery that drove Dr. Jonny Malloy to write the book called North American Monsoon. On the Sonoran Sky Podcast, Meteorologist Royal Norman tells us Malloy’s book is accessible to all.
The forecast is in. A strong La Nina pattern is setting up in the Pacific. It’s a stretch of cold water along the surface of the ocean. Shel Winkley of Climate Central joined the Sonoran Sky Podcast and told Chief Meteorologist Royal Norman that this is big news for Arizona and cold result in a dry winter ahead.
Join us as Holly Bock interviews the legendary Royal Norman about Arizona’s unique weather, the evolution of the monsoon, dust storms (and haboobs!), and the challenges of forecasting in the desert. Get behind-the-scenes stories, expert insights, and practical tips for staying safe during monsoon season.
Whether it’s hiking or ski season, forecasting the weather in Arizona’s mountains is especially challenging. In this episode, meteorologist Pete Mangione sat down with Arizona Public Radio meteorologist Lee Born. He’s an expert in Arizona mountain forecasting and he says there are always high stakes in the high country.
Meteorologist Pete Mangione is joined by Sean McLaughlin, who has over 30 years of experience in the industry and 19 years with Arizona's Family, as he shares his journey from local Arizona weather coverage to his exhilarating yet grueling stint at MSNBC. They dive into the intense hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005, including the unforgettable Hurricane Katrina. Sean provides an insider look into the challenges of forecasting, the emotional toll, and the balance between professional dedication and family life. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes perspective on one of the most dramatic times in weather broadcasting history.
As the water levels continue to drop at Lake Powell, the possibility of dead pool becomes more and more likely. As Royal Norman found out from Zak Podmore, the author of the book “Life After Dead Pool,” a trusted water system in the west begins to break down quickly.
Water is Arizona's most vital resource. Sarah Porter, the Director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, joins Royal Norman for an in-depth discussion on the complexities of water management in Arizona, discussing the role of the Kyl Center, groundwater issues, aquifer recharge, and the challenges facing the Colorado River. They also examine the positive strides Arizona has made in water stewardship and the innovative proposals to ensure a sustainable water future for the state.
On this episode of Sonoran Sky, Royal Norman dives into the art of gardening in the challenging Arizona desert with expert gardener Angela Judd from Growing in the Garden. Angela shares her journey of mastering desert gardening, offers practical tips for beginners, and discusses essential topics like soil preparation, effective watering systems, and the best crops to plant in August. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting, this episode is packed with invaluable insights on how to make your desert garden flourish. Don't miss out on Angela's advice and expertise to help you achieve gardening success in the desert!
The weather has always had the power to inspire, and that's certainly been true with music. Ian Schwartz welcomes in Rich Berra from The Johnjay & Rich Show to discuss their favorite weather-inspired tunes. Plus, Ian gives us his winding journey to becoming a meteorologist.
Dave Hondula is the city of Phoenix Director of Heat Response. For more than a decade, he’s been trying to figure out how to keep people cool when summer temperatures soar in the Valley. Finally, last year, there was a hint of success as the death rate from heat drop slightly. But for Dave, it was only a start. Royal Norman and Pete Mangione talked with “The man who wants to cool Phoenix down.”
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