Alan Gerard
@wxmanms1.bsky.social
35 year meteorologist in warning/forecast provision and research, now CEO of Balanced Weather LLC, Disney/Peanuts fan, golfer, sports fan, TK Little. For more weather info go to https://balancedweather.substack.com/about
created September 5, 2023
2,988 followers 1,190 following 2,489 posts
view profile on Bluesky Posts
Thomas Zimmer (@thomaszimmer.bsky.social) reposted reply parent
Again, the key divide within the Democratic party does not map onto a left/right axis: It is between those who want to fight back forcefully, like Pritzker, and those who can’t/won’t shake the impulse to accommodate, appease, and uphold “normalcy.”
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
Dude, I am a pretty middle of the road political person, and even I am like “you don’t try to find common ground with the people burning down the whole building”
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
Is it really that shocking?
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
Great interview with @tweber.bsky.social, you can hear a detailed conversation on Balanced Weather with him about "Cloud Warriors" and what is happening with cuts to weather services and R&D here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=24tq...
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
Great interview with @tweber.bsky.social about "Cloud Warriors." Money quote from Tom about cuts to meteorological R&D: "All of our seed corn for the future is just being kind of piled up and lit on fire." Here a lot more from Tom in our conversation here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=24tq...
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
The only small way in which I am surprised is that AI is one of the five areas of emphasis that NSF purports to still be prioritizing based on administration priorities. 🤷♂️
Climatologist49 (@climatologist49.bsky.social) reposted
The numbers are in. August 2025 was the 3rd warmest August on record globally. No, things are not back to normal. 🔥
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
Oh same, for sure.
MSJ | Student | DFW (@wxandpi.bsky.social) reposted
Whoakay what
David Roth (@drmetwatch.bsky.social) reposted
Hurricane Elena struck the Gulf Coast 40 years ago on September 2, 1985. The space shuttle photo remains iconic as much of the storm is in frame yet the airplane-like view gives you a concept of its 3D structure.
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
I didn't even get into that in my piece, I should have, missed opportunity for more depressing details
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
I know 😔🤬
Amy McGovern (@profamymcgovern.bsky.social) reposted
This is AI2ES, my AI institute. No way around it other than to say this is really awful. We are doing so many amazing things! We want to keep doing amazing things but without this level of funding, we will not be able to do so.
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
Another blow to meteorological R&D this morning, as it was confirmed that NSF is terminating funding for its main weather and earth science focused AI research institute led by the Univ. of Oklahoma. Also - a LOT of weather to talk about, especially in the West. More: https://tinyurl.com/mr2znbdb
The Upshot (@upshot.nytimes.com) reposted
How Elon Musk Is Remaking Grok in His Image www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/t...
Andrew Dessler (@andrewdessler.com) reposted
Great article in the NYTimes about our comment to the DOE about their climate report. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/c...
Marshall Newhouse (@mnewhouse.bsky.social) reposted
Ok, FINE. I will post TCUs unhinged videos after wins since they don’t have an account here. LookWhatYouMadeMeDo.mp4
Robert Francis (@birdhistory.bsky.social) reposted
The last passenger pigeon died 111 years ago today and not a day goes by that I don't think about how their flocks numbered in the *billions*, that their roosts covered 100+ square miles, that they collapsed trees with their nests. America is incomplete without them
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
69 mph t-storm gust at Gage #okwx
Mount St. Helens in 1980 (@mountsthelens1980.bsky.social) reposted
#MSH45 | Aug. 1980 On a mid-August afternoon, a helicopter settles onto the Pumice Plain—the dead north slope of Mount St. Helens, buried by avalanche, seared by pyroclastic flows. Out steps USGS volcanologist Dan Miller, 37. His goal? Cook a 50-lb pig in the ash.
Chris Vagasky (@coweatherman.bsky.social) reposted
Six years ago this weekend we were in Huntsville, AL, for the National Weather Association meeting immediately following Sharpiegate. Several of us appeared on NBC News giving a standing ovation to NWS Birmingham. This weekend we’ll be back in HSV for the 50th NWA Meeting with other challenges.
Mount St. Helens in 1980 (@mountsthelens1980.bsky.social) reposted
Dan Miller racked up a lifetime of incredible accomplishments in volcanology—none more important than as head of the USAID-USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program, which supported responses to volcanic events worldwide. Sadly, Miller died in 2021. Wish I could’ve heard his stories.
Yūnny, human hurricane ☀️⛈️☂️🕶️ (@jimmy-yunge.bsky.social) reposted
September 1, 2019: Hurricane Dorian makes landfall on the Abaco Islands, Bahamas. Dorian was the last Cat 5 Atlantic landfall and the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane in the modern era, tied with the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. Imagery: UW/CIMSS
NY Times Pitchbot (@nytpitchbot.bsky.social) reposted
Someone please kill me right now.
Alex Boreham (@cyclonicwx.bsky.social) reposted
As the MJO emerges towards the Maritime Continent and restrengthens, you can see it couple with the base state. Quick change from muddled to a well-defined wavenumber 1 pattern!
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
A couple of Pacific tropical systems look to be at least of some interest for possible U.S. impacts. Detailed that as well as Atlantic happenings, including the big picture heading toward the peak of the season, in a Monday tropics deep dive. More: https://tinyurl.com/4p2saws7
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
If you see this, post a chef
Nathan Santo Domingo (@nsdwx.bsky.social) reposted
Well, this certainly verified... 483 strikes last night #wawx
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
But people in San Francisco and Dallas-Fort Worth aren't so sure
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
Wow you went there lol
Sickos Committee (@sickoscommittee.org) reposted
Guy is 4-11 for his career and spent his entire time as FAU's kickoff specialist so of course you send him out for a long field goal with the game on the line and he fucking drills it. Why wouldn't you? Football is so easy.
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
Man, that kicker drilled that FG. Bailed Mario out from crazy ridiculous conservative strategy.
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
This is what you get when the head of management and budget openly says he wants to inflict trauma on bureaucrats. Too bad the country relies on those "bureaucrats" for minor things like disaster response, health care, air traffic control and weather warnings.
Hector Diaz (@iamhectordiaz.com) reposted
whole timeline is gonna watch Mario Cristobal's moves on the drive like this
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
Why TF was that play even stopped for review? That was clearly a catch. #NDvsMIA
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
ICYMI: For the 20th anniversary of Katrina's landfall, I did a special article: my personal recollections as NWS meteorologist-in-charge in Jackson, MS from the days leading up to and through landfall. Behind the scenes for an emotional journey through a historic event: tinyurl.com/4h2a23sf
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
My guess is that President Nixon knows what he is talking about in this thread
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
I have decided that I wish to be known as Meteorologist-in-Charge Gerard for the remainder of my life. I will be taking no further questions, thank you for your attention to this matter.
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
What a great story from Dinah, reminds me of what Twister did for meteorology
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
Just to clarify, the record high temperature for Canada at risk this week is the SEPTEMBER record high, not the all-time record. Accidentally took the month out in editing (it’s fixed now, thanks to @alaskawx.bsky.social for catching that)
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
Dove into some of the potential implications of increased oceanic heat in the news just this week, including potential eventual AMOC/Gulf Stream breakdown and a current months long record heatwave in Japan. In wx, Canada could set a national monthly heat record this week. tinyurl.com/5n7neztb
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
Took Zack's post as a sign to do a deep dive into some of the potential implications of increased oceanic heat in the news just this week, including potential eventual AMOC/Gulf Stream breakdown and a current months long record heatwave in Japan. Yeah, it's not good, folks. tinyurl.com/5n7neztb
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
Thanks for keeping this in our sights, Zack. Gonna share this on my Substack today.
Jason Garcia (@jasongarcia.bsky.social) reposted reply parent
The DeSantis administration currently has at least seven Florida Highway Patrol troopers just on anti-chalk duty: Two watching from a Dunkin Donuts next door and five more parked in the lot right behind them.
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
Yes. If he didn't say it, I hereby say: "I watched Snow White when I was a kid and I ain't gave a bitch a poisoned apple yet" to officially get it into society.
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
James Dyke (@jamesgdyke.info) reposted
www.instagram.com/p/DN71fEHE_-...
Sickos Committee (@sickoscommittee.org) reposted
Our shoutout on the Texas Tech broadcast!
Jays aka Clovis (@clovislives.bsky.social) reposted
This is a great time to remind everyone that EOs aren’t laws, the federal government doesn’t manage voting in this way, and it’s all a scare tactic and any reporting that doesn’t provide that context is enabling potentially lawless activity.
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
CFB Saturday gives me life and hope
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
Literal lol
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
I had literally just told my wife to look at the sad Bama fans and she was treated to that. We had to put up with a lot of obnoxious Bama peeps at Ole Miss games so it’s gratifying to see them being the poor sports so many of them are.
Chris Vannini (@chrisvannini.com) reposted
Not enough preseason Heisman talk about Texas' punter
Brendan Nyhan (@brendannyhan.bsky.social) reposted
Children with brain cancer
Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) reposted
Dear Americans, welcome to the thrilling game of ‘Did this dictator die or just disappear for a day?’ We’ve been playing it with Putin and Lukashenko for decades. Enjoy the suspense.
Rodger Sherman (@rodger.bsky.social) reposted
fun fact: new Texas QB Arch Manning comes from an athletic family! His father is NCAA champion, #1 NBA Draft pick and Wake Forest head coach Danny Manning
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
Plenty of the weather to talk about for the upcoming week: unusually amplified pattern means cool weather in the East but record heat for western Canada and Pacific NW. And the tropics look busy, Pacific definitely and maybe even the Atlantic. More: https://tinyurl.com/mr3c487v
Rick Thoman (@alaskawx.bsky.social) reposted
Nerd alert: Fairbanks upper air 4am AKDT Friday (blue) and 4pm AKDT Friday (black). I don't recall this dramatic a full-troposphere airmass change in just 12 hours during summer. #akwx @climatologist49.bsky.social
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
This Auburn-Baylor game is classic "I wish both teams could lose" for me. I guess I would slightly find it more amusing if Hugh blows it after leading most of the game.
The Bulwark (@thebulwark.com) reposted
"This is authoritarian bullying in its purest form. And Vance, I think, in some ways is the worst of the bunch because Vance more than anybody knows better." @radiofreetom.bsky.social joins @timmiller.bsky.social on today's Bulwark Podcast:
Tomer Burg (@burgwx.bsky.social) reposted
As if the cool air mass ending August wasn't impressive enough, a highly amplified western North American ridge is likely to transport a much cooler airmass into CONUS to start September, with impressive probabilities for well below normal heights & 850mb temps:
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
Proundrum
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
My MS EM friend Jim Whitfield is heavily quoted in this, and talks about the idea that a lot of Katrina deaths can be blamed on Camille comparisons www.enterprise-tocsin.com/20-years-lat...
James Franklin (@franklinjamesl.bsky.social) reposted
This is a really nice piece by Scientific American's Andrea Thompson on the progress we've made improving hurricane forecasting. It's hard to understand why something that's had bipartisan support for decades, and is demonstratively cost-effective, is about to be thrown under the bus.
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
Bram sharing a very impressive tornadic supercell with debris signature from southwest France
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
Did a quick afternoon weather update, flash flooding (as usual) a risk this weekend, and the Atlantic tropics look slightly more interesting to me next week than earlier indications, at least a couple of areas to watch. Link here: substack.com/@balancedwea...
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
Wow, that is very impressive! Which radar site is that near?
NY Times Pitchbot (@nytpitchbot.bsky.social) reposted
Opinion | Americans don’t need to go shooting things into their arms to be healthy by RFK Jr.
Zack Labe (@zacklabe.com) reposted
More sad news for the polar community... Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (@arcus-arctic.bsky.social) is shutting down. We all lose here. The past 8 months have been unthinkable, and their consequences for the future even more so.
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
Had a great conversation last night with @tweber.bsky.social last night about his outstanding book "Cloud Warriors" that tells the story of the important relationship between meteorology and society. Also talked about some of the latest gov't changes for weather and science. youtu.be/24tqUfQLzCI?...
Phil Lewis (@phillewis.bsky.social) reposted
“A respected network of hospitals and cancer centers is halting enrollment in clinical trials for children with brain cancer after the federal government said it would no longer provide funding to the group”
Eric Columbus (@ericcolumbus.bsky.social) reposted reply parent
Who voted for this? Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/w...
NE Ohio Regional Sewer District (@neorsd.org) reposted
me when i realize how big 850,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment actually is
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
Thank you Jonathan
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
You know why it's rare? Because it's unconstitutional. You might want to mention that somewhere in the headline.
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
We appear to as a society have decided that we would rather spend on response and recovery for events we know have happened - because they happened - rather than prepare and mitigate for events we know will happen, but since they haven't we can pretend they won't.
Josh Marshall (@joshtpm.bsky.social) reposted
People are often surprised to learn that Lee was an officer who never made it past colonel. The purported promotion to general was awarded by a treasonous cabal calling itself the "confederate states of america" which was put down by force by the Union army, which also had superior generals.
Marisa Kabas (@marisakabas.bsky.social) reposted
you mean "we're all going to die" wasn't polling well?
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
So true! I remember that too.
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
I am not mentally prepared to live in such an intentionally ignorant society.
David Ho (@davidho.bsky.social) reposted
There is nothing inherently wrong with the Earth 400k years ago. The problem is that humans evolved to live in the climate we have today, and we built our infrastructure for today's climate. The same goes for the animals and plants that we love and love to eat. Climate change is pain for everyone.
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
So true and important. I actually talked in my Katrina post this morning about our internal discussions at NWS Jackson back then about how to handle Camille comparisons. open.substack.com/pub/balanced...
adam mahoney (he/him) (@adamlmahoney.bsky.social) reposted
NEW: Last week, oil literally rained down on a Black town in rural Louisiana where 60% of folks live in poverty. The company isn’t taking responsibility & the federal + state governments are saying residents have to clean it up themselves. capitalbnews.org/louisiana-oi...
Dr. Jeff Masters (@drjeffmasters.bsky.social) reposted
Considering that two historic storms capable of overtopping the levee system have already hit the city, and climate change makes the strongest hurricanes stronger and raises sea levels, it’s a matter of time before New Orleans sees the “Big One” that will overtop the city’s levees. What then?
Kara Swisher (@karaswisher.bsky.social) reposted
No notes
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
Happy to have been a small part of this piece, I strongly encourage you to read it. It's an excellent overview of how NOAA research has made a marked improvement to our society through improving hurricane forecasts - and the clear dangers of the cuts to it the Trump Administration is planning.
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
Great article, Andrea, really well done
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
Excellent and insightful thread from Steve
Bram van 't Veen (@bramvantveen.bsky.social) reposted
A tornado occurred in Poland an hour ago, seemingly associated with the remnants of the MCV from yesterday's big system over the Mediterranean Sea. The responsible storm looked quite pretty on radar. x.com/SkywarnPolan...
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
For the 20th anniversary of Katrina's landfall, I did a special article: my personal recollections as NWS meteorologist-in-charge in Jackson, MS from the days leading up to and through landfall. Behind the scenes for an emotional journey through a historic event: https://tinyurl.com/4h2a23sf
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
I can hear the plug now: get ready for a fun Labor Day weekend with Mike!
Joe Brusuelas (@joebrusuelas.bsky.social) reposted
US August Income, Spending and PCE Inflation: The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation indicator increased 2.6% (2.596% vs. 2.565% in June) in July implying an increasingly difficult policy decision on whether to cut interest rates at its September 17, 2025 meeting. #Econ #EconSky
Kai Ryssdal (@kairyssdal.bsky.social) reposted
FFS www.nytimes.com/2025/08/29/u...
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social) reply parent
Can you imagine the producer being like hey, let’s get that fun Mike Johnson on tomorrow?
Wendall ❌👑 (@surfesq.bsky.social) reposted reply parent
Vance thinks that he is so smart, but his statement reveals his total ignorance about how monetary policy management works. America has been considered the world’s gold standard precisely because it has never allowed politicians to manipulate monetary policy to advance their political objectives.
Kim Wood (@drkimwood.bsky.social) reposted
watching public service agencies filled with folks passionate about protecting lives get dismantled by a handful of people whose leadership, based on feelings/vibes, is actively harming those lives yeah, that's been a special kind of demoralizing
JLRay (@jlray.bsky.social) reposted
I know it's illegal on here to notice that our leaders are actually fighting back in the job we actually elected them to do, but here's the Wall Street Journal bitching about Schumer's "historic" delaying tactics that have left almost 90% of Trump appointee slots empty. archive.ph/2025.08.27-0...
Tom Weber (@tweber.bsky.social) reposted
Join us!
Alan Gerard (@wxmanms1.bsky.social)
We need a lot more of this TBQH