I talk with Bernadette Placky Woods, a meteorologist with Climate Central who is attending COP 26 in Glasgow, Scotland. We discuss what's happening in Glasgow, what it's like to be there and the state of climate change and global efforts to lessen its impact.

I talk with Bernadette Placky Woods, a meteorologist with Climate Central who is attending COP 26 in Glasgow, Scotland. We discuss what's happening in Glasgow, what it's like to be there and the state of climate change and global efforts to lessen its impact.

Climate conversation from COP 26

Nick Bond

My conversation with Nick Bond, research meteorologist at the University of Washington and state climatologist of Washington. We get into La Nina, climate change, winters in the Northwest and a look back at the epic heat wave of Summer 2021.

My conversation with Nick Bond, research meteorologist at the University of Washington and state climatologist of Washington. We get into La Nina, climate change, winters in the Northwest and a look back at the epic heat wave of Summer 2021.

La Nina and Winter in the Northwest: talking with Nick Bond, Washington State Climatologist

This past weekend, the west coast was hit with a bomb cyclone in Oregon and Washington and an atmospheric river in California. KGW chief meteorologist Matt Zaffino breaks down the bomb cyclone, how it came to be and where it might be going in the changing climate.

This past weekend, the west coast was hit with a bomb cyclone in Oregon and Washington and an atmospheric river in California. KGW chief meteorologist Matt Zaffino breaks down the bomb cyclone, how it came to be and where it might be going in the changing climate.

Defusing the bomb cyclone

We're heading into ski season and the second of back-to-back La Nina years. What is that, why do we care, and what does that mean for Cascade snowfall this year? Matt Zaffino digs deep into the numbers. But here's a clue: get your skis waxed and your traction tires mounted. 

We're heading into ski season and the second of back-to-back La Nina years. What is that, why do we care, and what does that mean for Cascade snowfall this year? Matt Zaffino digs deep into the numbers. But here's a clue: get your skis waxed and your traction tires mounted.

La Nina and the 2021-22 Northwest Ski Season

Tired of the tedious commute in your car? Concerned about the fossil fuels you're burning while you do it and the link to climate change and our recently wild weather? There may soon be a new option for you coming up the river. It's called the Frog Ferry. The plan is ambitious, and it's hopping right along.

Tired of the tedious commute in your car? Concerned about the fossil fuels you're burning while you do it and the link to climate change and our recently wild weather? There may soon be a new option for you coming up the river. It's called the Frog Ferry. The plan is ambitious, and it's hopping right along.

Portland's Proposed Frog Ferry

In late June, the Northwest experienced what had been unheard-of temperatures. In exploring the role of climate change in the heat wave, Matt Zaffino takes a deep dive into the rapidly growing field of science attribution.

In late June, the Northwest experienced what had been unheard-of temperatures. In exploring the role of climate change in the heat wave, Matt Zaffino takes a deep dive into the rapidly growing field of science attribution.

The Role of Climate Change In The Epic Northwest Heat Wave

Matt Zaffino shares his expertise on recent weather extremes and the possible connections to climate change.  Also, find out how Islands in the Stream by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton play into this week's episode. SPOILER ALERT: Matt MAY have twisted the words around a little bit to create his own special rendition. 

Matt Zaffino shares his expertise on recent weather extremes and the possible connections to climate change.  Also, find out how Islands in the Stream by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton play into this week's episode. SPOILER ALERT: Matt MAY have twisted the words around a little bit to create his own special rendition.

Recent weather extremes and possible connections to climate change

Is it going to snow? Meteorologist Matt Zaffino hears this question all the time. So, Matt did what any good meteorologist would do and brushed the dust off the history books to see if Portland's snowfall has increased or decreased over the years.  In this episode: Find out how meteorologists measure snow.Matt shares the year Portland saw the most snow. 44 inches in one month!And Matt answers the question "Will I see snow in February?" Enjoy!

Is it going to snow? Meteorologist Matt Zaffino hears this question all the time. So, Matt did what any good meteorologist would do and brushed the dust off the history books to see if Portland's snowfall has increased or decreased over the years.  In this episode: Find out how meteorologists measure snow. Matt shares the year Portland saw the most snow. 44 inches in one month! And Matt answers the question "Will I see snow in February?" Enjoy!

Portland snow - The past, present and future

We were in it. Now we are out of it. We will probably be back in it again come January. Meteorologist Matt Zaffino breaks down why the Paris Climate Agreement is so important.

We were in it. Now we are out of it. We will probably be back in it again come January. Meteorologist Matt Zaffino breaks down why the Paris Climate Agreement is so important.

The Paris Climate Agreement

"A group spearheaded by the newly formed Oregon Glaciers Institute just held a funeral. The deceased demise was no surprise and its relatives have been dropping like flies. This has nothing to do with COVID. This is more of a cold case...or lack of cold case." Matt Zaffino Listen to find out more about the loss of the Clark Glacier on the central Oregon Cascade South Sister volcano.

"A group spearheaded by the newly formed Oregon Glaciers Institute just held a funeral. The deceased demise was no surprise and its relatives have been dropping like flies. This has nothing to do with COVID. This is more of a cold case...or lack of cold case." Matt Zaffino Listen to find out more about the loss of the Clark Glacier on the central Oregon Cascade South Sister volcano.

The Death of Glaciers

Under the Big Umbrella with Matt ZaffinoKGW Chief Meteorologist Matt Zaffino explores some of the quirky, interesting, mostly weather-related topics that will leave you feeling wow'ed and smarter. Matt keeps each episode no longer than 7 minutes. Just enough time to listen while you get where you’re going.

SPOILER:  Expect snow, storms and wind! Matt Zaffino explains why El Nina and El Nino play a role in how the winter weather will be. 

SPOILER:  Expect snow, storms and wind! Matt Zaffino explains why El Nina and El Nino play a role in how the winter weather will be.

Portland winter weather forecast

Matt Zaffino recently went on a backpacking trip and started feeling guilty about some of the necessary evils that his group had to deal with (due to COVID-19) while heading out on a 7-hour drive. Matt dishes on why you should NOT have climate guilt during these unprecedented times.

Matt Zaffino recently went on a backpacking trip and started feeling guilty about some of the necessary evils that his group had to deal with (due to COVID-19) while heading out on a 7-hour drive. Matt dishes on why you should NOT have climate guilt during these unprecedented times.

'Climate Guilt' - Do you have it?

The North Cascades of Washington has been described as some of the best wilderness in the lower 48. It can be hard to access because the valleys are deep, the mountains are high, remote, and steep. All of this makes it one of my favorite places to find solitude and deep wilderness experience. I’ve seen wolverine in the North Cascades. I’ve gone days without seeing anyone but my backpacking or climbing partner. I’ve fought through devils club and nettles so thick I’d wished I’d had a machete. The weather can be, ok let’s be honest, the weather can be and often is, absolutely miserable.  So, this is not a mountain range where you want to leave your sleeping bag IN THE CAR. Which is exactly what I did on this trip.

The North Cascades of Washington has been described as some of the best wilderness in the lower 48. It can be hard to access because the valleys are deep, the mountains are high, remote, and steep. All of this makes it one of my favorite places to find solitude and deep wilderness experience. I’ve seen wolverine in the North Cascades. I’ve gone days without seeing anyone but my backpacking or climbing partner. I’ve fought through devils club and nettles so thick I’d wished I’d had a machete. The weather can be, ok let’s be honest, the weather can be and often is, absolutely miserable.  So, this is not a mountain range where you want to leave your sleeping bag IN THE CAR. Which is exactly what I did on this trip.

What to do when you forget your sleeping bag...

Matt Zaffino talks about all of the great celestial events we will be able to see this summer in Oregon and riffs on some new info on ski slopes in the PNW. Yes. Matt is talking about skiing in the summer. 

Matt Zaffino talks about all of the great celestial events we will be able to see this summer in Oregon and riffs on some new info on ski slopes in the PNW. Yes. Matt is talking about skiing in the summer.

Celestial summer and ski slopes

Matt Zaffino has a look at the hot year we have been having and then breaks down why the name change of a hockey team will bring attention to climate change.

Matt Zaffino has a look at the hot year we have been having and then breaks down why the name change of a hockey team will bring attention to climate change.

What does the name of a hockey team have to do with climate change?

Matt Zaffino

Get schooled on those beautiful noctilucent clouds that we get to see this time of year. SPOILER ALERT: Those are tenuous cloud-like phenomena in the upper atmosphere of Earth. They consist of ice crystals and are only visible during astronomical twilight.  Matt also has all you need to know about the Perseid meteor showers and when you will be able to see them best and has info on when you can look up and see the Starlink satellite (you'll hear why this is so cool, especially if you have internet access of any kind). 

Get schooled on those beautiful noctilucent clouds that we get to see this time of year. SPOILER ALERT: Those are tenuous cloud-like phenomena in the upper atmosphere of Earth. They consist of ice crystals and are only visible during astronomical twilight.  Matt also has all you need to know about the Perseid meteor showers and when you will be able to see them best and has info on when you can look up and see the Starlink satellite (you'll hear why this is so cool, especially if you have internet access of any kind).

Look up! Matt Zaffino has a preview of cool things to see in the Oregon summer sky

Meteorologist Matt Zaffino offers tips and thoughts on camping in Oregon and the PNW during the coronavirus pandemic.

Meteorologist Matt Zaffino offers tips and thoughts on camping in Oregon and the PNW during the coronavirus pandemic.

Camping and COVID-19

May 18th, 2020 will mark 40 years since the Mount St. Helens eruption that rocked the PNW. Matt Zaffino shares his special memories and favorite moments of climbing, biking, and simply enjoying the majestic beast known as Mount St. Helens.

May 18th, 2020 will mark <a href="http://www.kgw.com/msh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">40 years</a> since the Mount St. Helens eruption that rocked the PNW. Matt Zaffino shares his special memories and favorite moments of climbing, biking, and simply enjoying the majestic beast known as Mount St. Helens.

Mount St. Helens - It's a special relationship

Let's chat about time, and survival in time, because a lot of us feel like we're just surviving this time of the coronavirus. I thought it'd be fun to look back at some other examples of survival and periods of long time where people have been left to their own devices. It's been two months since many of us began this new reality of life in quarantine, work from home, home school, not seeing friends and family, and all the other restrictions on life as we used to know it, and honestly, it's getting a little old, right? I mean, cabin fever, the urge to socialize and connect, are becoming stronger and stronger the longer this lasts. I mean, a person can only persevere on video chats and Netflix for so long, right?

Let's chat about time, and survival in time, because a lot of us feel like we're <a href="https://www.kgw.com/article/weather/matt-zaffino-dishes-on-time-and-survival-in-time-in-latest-podcast/283-e384b607-66f3-4be1-9427-03f2b12b7327" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">just surviving</a> this time of the coronavirus. I thought it'd be fun to look back at some other examples of survival and periods of long time where people have been left to their own devices. It's been two months since many of us began this new reality of life in quarantine, work from home, home school, not seeing friends and family, and all the other restrictions on life as we used to know it, and honestly, it's getting a little old, right? I mean, cabin fever, the urge to socialize and connect, are becoming stronger and stronger the longer this lasts. I mean, a person can only persevere on video chats and Netflix for so long, right?

Time and survival: now and then

Matt Zaffino is a little miffed by an article that has been circulating around his circle of science friends that says that the Oregon lockdown is what is hurting our economy, not the coronavirus. Find out how data prediction models are like buying a house.

Matt Zaffino is a little miffed by an article that has been circulating around his circle of science friends that says that the Oregon lockdown is what is hurting our economy, not the coronavirus. Find out how data prediction models are like buying a house.

Science and the COVID-19 lockdown

Topics and information are interesting and the concise timing is perfect for listening to while walking or driving

Quick engaging informative facts

I’ve been fortunate enough to watch Matt Zaffino on Portland’s NBC affiliate, KGW-TV, since moving to Portland five years ago.  Matt is far more than a TV weather guy. Besides giving us great forecasts for PDX and the Pacific NW, we get insights into all kinds of science and geography topics as they relate to climatology, natural history, and now the pandemic. Matt is THE best “weatherman” I’ve ever encountered. Smart, witty, informative and entertaining.  His knowledge is broad and deep on so many topics and he has a knack for communicating a lot of good information in short segments on TV and now his podcast, “Under the Big Umbrella “ Glad to see him get more exposure via his new podcast. Hope his audience grows large and wide.

Matt’s The Best

Under the Big Umbrella with Matt Zaffino KGW Chief Meteorologist Matt Zaffino explores some of the quirky, interesting, mostly weather-related topics that will leave you feeling wow'ed and smarter. Matt keeps each episode no longer than 7 minutes. Just enough time to listen while you get where you’re going.

Under the Big Umbrella with Matt Zaffino

The Best Multi-Part Documentaries, with documentaries on Obama, Federer vs Nadal, the making of Star Wars, Netflix vs Blockbuster and more. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Multi-Part Documentaries

The best podcasts on investing. For anyone interested in the stories in the investing industry, whether it's an interview with Ray Dalio or Ed Thorp to the writer of The Big Short. This topic includes the most fascinating stories from all the best investors. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!