Free Events
Operation Sierra Storm Speaker Series: Mountain Weather Forecasting with Bryan Allegretto & Andrew Brady
Lake Tahoe Community College Duke Theater
One College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150January 13
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
January 7 @ 5:53 pm
Operation Sierra Storm Speaker Series: Mountain Weather Forecasting with Bryan Allegretto & Andrew Brady
Organized by Operation Sierra Storm
Step inside the world of mountain weather forecasting with a deep dive into how experts read the skies—past, present, and future. This session explores the evolution of high-alpine forecasting, from long-standing manual methods to today’s cutting-edge tools, and offers a look at where emerging technologies are taking us next. We’ll also spotlight OpenSnow’s innovative AI-powered forecasting platform, which is pushing the industry forward with hyper-accurate, real-time mountain weather insights.
This program is an ancillary event of Operation Sierra Storm, the annual Television Meteorologists’ Conference organized by the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. Now in its 29th year, Operation Sierra Storm brings together more than 30 television meteorologists and science leaders to discuss critical climate issues while highlighting the Visit Lake Tahoe brand as one of the nation’s premier winter destinations—committed to stewardship, sustainability, and responsible recreation. Through broadcasts and dynamic social media content, the conference continues to elevate Lake Tahoe’s role as a leader in climate dialogue and winter travel.
Join us for a fascinating look at the science behind the storms—and the technology shaping the future of mountain weather.
Featured Speakers
Bryan Allegretto, a forecaster of OpenSnow.com, Bryan Allegretto started his career with an educational background in meteorology and business, and a lifelong passion for chasing storms that created the best conditions for surfing and snowboarding. His career path went simultaneously down the path of business and finance within the ski resort and lodging industry, while also starting his own business discussing his storm-chasing forecasts for snow and skiing in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
In 2011, Bryan became a pre-launch partner with Joel Gratz as they launched OpenSnow.com. Over the last 14 years, they have worked to be a leading small company in developing the most accurate storm, snowfall, and conditions forecasting site. Bryan’s role has evolved over the years from Sierra forecaster and board member to being more involved with PR and Marketing as a face for the company, as well as continuing to forecast as he enters his 20th year forecasting storms for the Sierra.
Not only has he helped to grow the company in forecasting bandwidth, technology, and customer base, but he has recently been a part of key hiring to integrate AI technology into the company’s products. The company’s goal over the next several years is to continue to be at the leading edge of mountain and severe weather forecasting technology, while maintaining its small company and trusted local forecaster brand.
Andrew Brady, OpenSnow’s Artificial Intelligence Engineer, is leading efforts to create new weather models using novel artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to forecast weather weeks in advance. In 2020, Andrew founded AtmoSphere Analytics, focusing on innovative approaches to weather prediction and communication.
There, he spearheaded the development of the world’s first real-time tornado prediction model, StormNet, which uses AI to predict hail, damaging winds, lightning, and tornadoes. StormNet is currently in use by TV media companies, emergency management agencies, and the US Department of War, demonstrating how cutting-edge science can directly support public safety and decision-making.
Today, OpenSnow stands at the leading edge of mountain and long-range weather forecasting technology while maintaining the feel of a small company and trusted local forecaster. This event offers students, faculty, and community members a rare opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world, high-impact applications of meteorology, data science, and climate communication.
Lodging in Lake Tahoe
