First Alert Weather's Beyond the Green Screen
by Arizona's Family (3TV & CBS 5)
First Alert Weather's Beyond the Green Screen is a show that covers not only weather and climate but also other interesting topics related to Arizona. The Arizona's Family First Alert Weather team uses this platform to explore subjects such as astronomy, desert gardening, our landscape, our precious resources, and more. It's a forum that allows us to go beyond the forecast, which is why it's called First Alert Weather's Beyond the Green Screen.
Episodes
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An impressive monsoon so far, but what's to come?
July has been "Jekyll & Hyde." Rainfall totals at Sky Harbor International Airport are showing below-average rainfall totals for the monsoon so far. First Alert Meteorologists Pete Mangione and Royal Norman discuss why the Sky Harbor rain gauge is used when it often doesn't accurately depict how...
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El Niño's impact on Arizona Monsoon
First Alert Meteorologist Royal Norman discusses the so-called "Super El Niño," which is intensifying and is expected to boost the monsoon later this season. Also, Shel Winkley and Tom Di Liberto with Climate Central explain what "Marine Cloud Brightening" is and how this theory could bring ocean...
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Will data centers super-charge Phoenix’s urban heat dome?
Arizona State University's data centers & heat study went viral when it was released in May 18, 2026. First Alert Meteorologist Royal Norman talks to study author David Sailor about how they got their findings driving around Phoenix neighborhoods. They also break down why data centers use so much...
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Toilet-to-Tap: Where you'll probably get your future water
ASU Water Law Professor Rhett Larson tells First Alert Meteorologist Royal Norman how safe it is to drink treated wastewater and why Arizonans shouldn't panic about water issues. They also discuss how the Colorado Water Compact fell apart and why states are fighting over their supply. And, can...
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Teaching students how to do the weather on TV
Doing the weather on TV might seem simple, but for students just starting out, it’s anything but. Marisa Ferger sits down with First Alert Meteorologist Pete Mangione to explain how mastering this craft takes dedication, practice, and plenty of hard work.
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The beauty and dangers of Arizona lightning
Arizona offers some of the most majestic lightning pictures in the world. But it is also important to stay safe when snapping those beautiful pictures. We talked with two experts, including an author who wrote a book about Arizona lightning.
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Things to Do in Arizona Before It Gets Too Hot
Summer is just around the corner and before it gets too hot in Arizona, we are speaking with Josh Coddington of the Arizona Office of Tourism about some outdoor bucket list items you have to check out!
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Keeping Spring Training Grass Green
Play ball! We talk with Surprise Head Field Manager Eric Roberts about getting the baseball fields ready for Spring Training. He also gives us tips on how to keep your grass green in this desert climate.
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Weather & Golf: A conversation with a PGA meteorologist
Meteorologist April Warnecke and Sports Director Mark McClune chat with PGA Meteorologist Wade Stettner about his unique career and what it's like to forecast for the WM Phoenix Open.
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Zero means Zero: How the WM Phoenix Open became the “Greenest Show on Grass"
With the largest crowds on the PGA Tour, the WM Phoenix Open is known as the place to see and be seen, part party and part sporting event. But with those massive crowds, how did it become a zero-waste event? First Alert Meteorologist Sean McLaughlin goes in depth with David Brannon, the Four...
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Climate change, snowfall, and the winter economy
Climate change can impact snowfall and the length of the winter season. Dr. Elizabeth Burakowski from the University of New Hampshire joins Pete Mangione to discuss how this affects skiing and the winter economy.
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Is a great wildflower season coming to Arizona in 2026?
Abundant fall rains and hints at a decent winter rainy season have wildflower hunters hoping for a big spring bloom. Angelica Elliott from the Desert Botanical Garden is on the Sonoran Sky First Alert Podcast, and she told Royal Norman, things are looking good!
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Not now, Brown Cloud! Why our air quality is so bad around the holidays & what you can do to change it
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...
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The Wildfire Season Doesn’t Last All Year in Arizona, But...
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.
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News vs. Weather: The differences in storytelling with Holly Bock
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.
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While the Colorado River runs dry, politicians fiddle
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...
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A River No More: Will overuse of water doom the last, free-flowing desert river in Arizona?
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...
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The Great American Supergrid with Mike Nelson
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.
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Snowmaking to Tree Glading: What’s new this season for the Arizona Snowbowl
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...
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Meteorology Misconceptions
"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.
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The Best Patios in the Valley to Enjoy Fall Weather
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,...
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The best places to see the leaves change colors in Arizona
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…
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Once the Arizona Monsoon hooks you, it may reel you in
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.
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The La Nina we didn’t see coming & what it means for winter in Arizona
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…
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The Evolution of Arizona's Monsoon with Holly and Royal
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...
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The challenge of Arizona mountain forecasting
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...
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Hurricane Katrina, 20 years Later with Sean McLaughlin
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...
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Life after Lake Powell: Is dead pool coming soon?
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.
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Understanding Arizona's Water Situation
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...
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Gardening in the Arizona Desert with Angela Judd
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...
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The Soundtrack of the Weather with Rich Berra
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.
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The guy who wants to cool Phoenix down
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…
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Fishing Arizona with Johnny Johnson
In a special Sonoran Sky and Extra Point crossover episode, Meteorologist April Warnecke and AZ Family Sports Director Mark McClune talk to legendary angler and TV host Johnny Johnson. They find out the wild road Johnny took to TV fame, his favorite spots to fish in Arizona, and how the weather...
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Here's why what we remember about the monsoon is probably wrong
In this episode of the Sonoran Sky podcast, Royal Norman is joined by Dan Henz and Jonny Malloy from Maricopa County Flood Control to discuss the intricacies of Arizona's monsoon season. They talk about the unusual weather patterns, the impact of urban areas on weather, and how the monsoon season...
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Paul Horton versus Hurricane Hugo
For much of his young life, Paul sailed large boats in the Caribbean. He sailed to foreign countries and dozens of islands. And during one of those island stops, Paul came face to face with one of the strongest hurricanes of the last century. His survival story ignited his passion to make weather...
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Heat Before the Treat (Rain)
Royal Norman talks with Tom Frieders from the National Weather Service in Phoenix, who is an expert on hot weather. And as much as we don’t like it, we need to heat to help bring the monsoon into Arizona. But we need it in the right doses.
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Looking up at space junk and the northern lights
A view of the northern lights is always a treat in Arizona! Why is it hard to predict when there will be good views? Also, what is space junk and how is it tracked? Pete Mangione is joined by Katrina Bossert, an Assistant Professor at Arizona State University's School Of Earth and Space...
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Dust Storms: 30-year study confirms these filthy monsters are dangerous for your health
You don’t have to be a local to know our summer monsoon can create towering walls of dust that roll up and into the Valley. They are an obvious hazard to drivers, but now a new study, decades in the making, confirms these filthy monsters are hazardous to your health. This research focuses on...
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Is the monsoon changing?
As Arizona's climate changes, so too does the monsoon. Chief Meteorologist Royal Norman and meteorologist Pete Mangione talk with Shel Winkley from Climate Central on how the state's extreme heat is impact our summer storm season.
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COMING MAY 28th: Sonoran Sky Podcast
Lovers of Arizona, join us under the Sonoran Sky starting on May 28! Each Wednesday, 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…
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Water: Arizona's Most Precious Resource
If we didn’t have water, we wouldn’t have an Arizona as we know it. Royal Norman talks with Tom Buschatzke, the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources on this edition of Beyond the Green Screen. The question is: can we adequately manager water resources into the distant future.
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Can You Believe Good Morning Arizona is 30 Years Old?
Almost since the very beginning, Good Morning, Arizona became a mainstay of morning television across Arizona. And right there at the start were the two main players, Jodi Applegate and Dan Davis. Royal Norman, who also helped start the show, got a chance to reunite with Jodi and Dan and that...
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Mike Watkiss vs. the World
Mike Watkiss is a legendary reporter for Channel 3 who did it all, from the pursuit of O.J. Simpson, to exposing Warren Jeffs and the FLDS church. He was at ground zero in New York in the days following 9-11 and he covered the trial of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. Mike even liked to…
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Talking Weather with Arizona's State Climatologist
Arizona State Climatologist Erinanne Saffell was born to track weather and climate. Raised in Arizona, she’ll tell you her first childhood memory is of a huge flood in the East Valley and stacking sandbags around the family home. In the latest episode of Beyond the Green Screen, Meteorologist…
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'Twisters' Movie: An Arizona Storm Chaser's Perspective
Ever wonder what it's like to chase tornadoes? First Alert Meteorologist April Warnecke talks with Arizona's own storm chaser, Mike Olbinski, who shares his experiences and thoughts on the new movie Twisters.
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Can saguaros forecast the weather?
Saguaros are the sentinels of the desert, with a life span more than 150 years and heights that can reach over 50 feet. Yet little is understood about how the saguaro will survive and adapt as our climate gets hotter and drier. Meteorologist Royal Norman talked with an saguaro expert, Don Swann…
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How Maricopa County Flood Control Saves Lives
Maricopa County Flood Control wants to save your property and your life. Formed in the late 1950s, the sole job of Flood Control was to limit the damage from desert floods. Over more than 60 years, the organization has grown into one of the top Flood Control Districts in the country, serving a...
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Summer Gardening Tips
Master gardener Angela Judd returns to the show to recap the spring growing season and give tips on what to grow during Arizona's hot summer. Learn more from Angela at growinginthegarden.com
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April's Arizona Bucket List
Just in time for the summer travel season, First Alert Meteorologist April Warnecke shares ideas for exploring, taken from her Good Morning Arizona franchise "April's Arizona Bucket List." She shares her favorite road trips, hikes, hotels, and small towns. April also interviews Chief…
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Climate change's impact on baseball
As the Earth's climate changes, the impacts are felt in just about every way...including baseball. Royal Norman talks with Christopher Callahan from Stanford University about his research into how a warmer planet is impacting America's pastime.
About this show
First Alert Weather's Beyond the Green Screen is a show that covers not only weather and climate but also other interesting topics related to Arizona. The Arizona's Family First Alert Weather team uses this platform to explore subjects such as astronomy, desert gardening, our landscape, our precious resources, and more. It's a forum that allows us to go beyond the forecast, which is why it's called First Alert Weather's Beyond the Green Screen.
Hosted by
Arizona's Family (3TV & CBS 5)
Categories