40 Years Later. Jim Cantore On Mount Rushmore Of TV Weather

(Boston, MA,12/17/13) Jim Cantore, the Weather Channel Storm Tracker for the Weather Channel, pionts to his measuring stick as the snow fell in Boston. Tuesday, December 17, 2013. (Staff photo by Stuart Cahill) (Photo by MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)(Boston, MA,12/17/13) Jim Cantore, the Weather Channel Storm Tracker for the Weather Channel, pionts to his measuring stick as the snow falls in Boston. Tuesday, December 17, 2013. (Staff photo by Stuart Cahill) (Boston, MA,12/17/13) Jim Cantore, the Weather Channel Storm Tracker for the Weather Channel, pionts to his measuring stick as the snow falls in Boston. Tuesday, December 17, 2013. (Staff photo by Stuart Cahill) (Photo by MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)

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Jim Cantore is celebrating forty years at The Weather Channel and is one of the most recognized, trusted television meteorologists in the history of the field. That’s not an exaggerated statement either. I don’t know who else is on it, but if there was a Mount Rushmore for broadcast meteorologists, Jim Cantore definitely would be.

He is routinely at the epicenter of the nation’s worst weather, and some observers have been critical of this type of reporting. Through his experience, however, Cantore’s very presence on a live shoot has become weather risk communication itself. People know that if The Weather Channel dispatches Cantore to their town, the worst aspects of that particular weather hazard are likely. The Weather Channel, which was recently voted the most trusted news source by You.Gov, has been the home of Stormtracker Jim Cantore his entire career. Seriously, how many people do you know have worked at the same place for forty years? That’s quite admirable, but it also speaks to Jim Cantore, his passion, and the organization.

Matt Sitkowski is Science-Editor-in-Chief at The Weather Channel. “I remember being in awe of his ability to communicate the weather during my early days at The Weather Channel. There was so much energy, but the forecast and explanations were delivered with finesse,” he shared by email. “He continues to inspire so many young meteorologists and weather enthusiasts across the country,” Sitkowski continued.

Jim Cantore is a certified broadcast meteorologist and a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society, which is one of the highest honors that anyone can receive in the meteorological community. He has also won a News and Documentary Emmy for his work on conveying weather information using the network’s Immersive Mixed Reality technology. Cantore has so many iconic moments on The Weather Channel, but one that stands out to me is his reaction to thundersnow during a live shot.

He spent his early years in New England. Though born in Connecticut, he was raised in White River Junction, Vermont and later graduated from Lyndon State College, which merged with other campuses to become Vermont State University. He joined The Weather Channel in 1986 and never left. While known for his anchoring, weathercasting, reporting from major pop culture events, and live shots during extreme weather, “He also created the Fall Foliage Forecast,” according to The Weather Channel website. His additional honors include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration David S. Johnson Award, induction, and election to the Silver Circle of the National Television Academy of Arts & Sciences Southeast Chapter.

As an aspiring meteorologist in the eighties, I remember being glued to the television like many peers watching The Weather Channel, and particularly Jim Cantore. His meteorological knowledge, energy, and passion for weather matched my youthful interests. I went on to become a research meteorologist at NASA, President of the American Meteorological Society, director of the atmospheric sciences program at the University of Georgia, and Jim’s colleague at The Weather Channel.

Keep in mind that most meteorologists are not on TV. When I tell someone that I am a meteorologist, they usually, “Ask what channel are you on?” I never had a desire to enter the broadcast side of meteorology, but Cantore has always been an inspiration and mentor from afar. In fact, a major highlight of my career was the “fan boy” moment the first time I met Jim Cantore. Over the years, he’s been a guest on The Weather Channel’s Weather Geeks talk show and podcast, which I have hosted for 12 years as of this coming Sunday.

Mike Chesterfield was the executive producer of Weather Geeks and current serves as Vice President of Weather Presentation at The Weather Channel. “I have had the privilege of working with Jim for more than 15 years, and every day has been a masterclass in communicating weather with clarity, authenticity, and heart,” Chesterfield said in a text. “He’s helped keep millions safe and inspired entire generations of meteorologies. Simply put, Jim Cantore is the GOAT of on-air meteorologists,” he continued.

Jim has always referred to me as “Doc.” Happy 40th Anniversary Jim (from Doc).