Sonoran Sky

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.

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. 

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 Corners VP of the tournament’s title sponsor WM, the environmental solutions company that has turned the event into the "Greenest Show on Grass.”

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. 

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!

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 County’s Air Quality department to break down the reasons behind our dirty air. From our topography and winter weather patterns to that cozy, backyard fire pit and a few fireworks combined, can almost instantly pollute your own neighborhood’s air quality to dangerous levels. 

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.

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. 

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 short to get a agreement.

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 Sonoran Sky podcast, Meteorologist Royal Norman talked with Kim Schonek of The Nature Conservancy who is optimistic that the river can be saved.