Mike Nelson on Colorado's Warm Winter, Broncos Stuck in Snow & the Evolution of TV Weather | OTGS

Mike Nelson sits down with Tom Green for a wide-ranging conversation about sports, storms, science, and the future of climate in Colorado. The episode opens with Tom recounting his own experience covering games during the 1997 blizzard before Nelson shares the unforgettable story of Steve Atwater seeking shelter in his home during that same storm — a moment that later appeared on a Broncos Super Bowl highlight tape. Nelson revisits his early career in Madison, Wisconsin, and his role in helping bring computer graphics into television weather. He shares the behind-the-scenes story of installing a groundbreaking weather system at 9NEWS and how his wife Cindy helped win over legendary forecaster Stormy Rottman during a pivotal moment in Denver broadcasting history. The conversation shifts to severe weather coverage and the responsibility meteorologists carry when delivering life-saving information during tornado warnings and blizzards. Nelson explains how trust is built over time and why calm, steady communication matters most during dangerous storms. In the second half, the discussion turns to climate. Nelson breaks down the difference between weather and climate in simple terms, explains rising carbon dioxide levels, and addresses Colorado’s historically warm, dry winter and the wildfire risks that could follow. He also discusses renewable energy economics, electric vehicles, and why leadership decisions today will shape the climate future for decades. The episode closes with a classic Colorado twist — a forecast that the Rockies home opener just might bring snow. Chapters 00:00:01 – Sports & the 1997 Colorado blizzard 00:03:09 – Mike Nelson joins the show 00:05:32 – First job in TV weather & meeting mentor Terry Kelly 00:08:25 – The birth of computerized TV weather graphics 00:11:12 – Installing a weather computer for Stormy Rottman 00:15:21 – How Cindy Nelson won Stormy over 00:17:25 – Forecasting philosophy & trusting the forecaster 00:18:28 – Delivering life-saving tornado coverage 00:21:26 – Steve Atwater stuck in the snow 00:24:25 – Terrell Davis & Broncos snow stories 00:41:02 – Weather vs. climate explained 00:42:29 – Carbon dioxide levels then vs. now 00:44:58 – “Ten Facts in Ten Minutes” climate book 00:46:13 – Is climate change political? 00:51:02 – Fossil fuels, solar economics & China’s expansion 00:53:55 – Colorado’s warmest, driest winter concerns 01:02:05 – Dew point explained 01:05:40 – What makes a great TV forecast 01:15:36 – The changing face of broadcast meteorology 01:16:50 – Rockies home opener forecast   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.