ABOUT THIS EPISODE
What does it actually take to predict a disaster? As wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and other disasters intensify, one climate scientist has become one of the most trusted voices helping the public make sense of it all before it happens.
In this episode of Disasterproof, Kat sits down with Daniel Swain, the climate and weather scientist behind Weather West, to unpack what the science can actually tell us about disaster prediction, and what that means for preparedness. The conversation centers on the 2025 LA fires, where the conditions behind the disaster were forecasted days in advance. Daniel walks through what the science actually showed, and why accurate prediction didn't translate into readiness. From there, the conversation turns to what's ahead: a record-breaking Super El Niño that could make this coming winter unlike anything California has seen before.
The bigger thread running through it all is that climate change isn't a problem we solve with mitigation or adaptation, and treating either as optional leaves communities exposed. Seeing a disaster coming is only the first step. Being ready for it is a different challenge entirely.
Disasterproof is a series exploring the people, technology, and ideas building real resilience for communities facing climate-driven disasters.
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Chapters:
00:00 – Meet Daniel Swain: The Scientist Behind Weather West
08:35 – Predicting Disaster: What the 2025 LA Fires Taught Us
16:01 – Building Resilient Homes and Cities
21:47 – AI, Tech, and the Future of Disaster Forecasting
30:40 – Mitigation vs. Adaptation: What Do We Need to Invest In?
37:00 – How to Prepare for This Year's Record-Breaking Super El Niño
44:00 – The National Center for Atmospheric Research’s Science-to-Society Pipeline
49:30 – Staying Optimistic in the Face of Climate Change
