Shipping, Safety, and Storms: Forecasting for Amazon

Guest: Dr. Josh Kastman When you think about Amazon, you probably picture two-day shipping, Prime Video, or that familiar brown package on your doorstep. But behind the scenes, the company has to navigate one force that doesn’t follow a schedule: the weather. From hurricanes threatening delivery routes to heat waves impacting worker safety, weather impacts nearly every aspect of Amazon’s operations. And at the center of it all is Dr. Josh Kastman, Amazon’s Chief Meteorologist. Today, we’ll explore how one of the world’s biggest companies forecasts, prepares for, and adapts to the atmosphere’s every move. Chapters 00:00 The Role of Weather in Amazon's Operations02:56 Josh Kastman's Journey to Meteorology05:52 A Day in the Life of Amazon's Chief Meteorologist09:03 Safety First: Preparing for Severe Weather12:03 Communicating Weather Risks Effectively14:21 Break 114:53 Forecasting Tools and AI in Meteorology18:08 Community Engagement and Disaster Relief21:02 The Importance of Communication in Forecasting22:41 Break 222:42 Lessons from the Private Sector27:07 Global Weather Challenges and Solutions29:55 The Excitement of Meteorology in the Private Sector32:57 Advice for Future Meteorologists See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.