The Jim Cantore effect: What it means when the iconic meteorologist shows up in your city (2024)

Wherever Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore goes, you probably won't want to be there for long. The location of theiconic broadcast meteorologisthas become synonymous with severe snowstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes over the past three decades.

Where is Cantore now? That's up to Mother Nature, according to his Twitter account.

At last check, the famous forecasterwas spottedinPunta Gorda, Florida, as the state’s west coast braced for a hit from the massive Hurricane Ian.“This will be one of the strongest hurricanes in southwest Florida history,” Cantore tweeted Wednesday.

Known as “the original Weather Channel StormTracker,” according to his Instagram, the certified broadcast meteorologist and American Meteorological Society fellow has served as the most recognizable“weather geek” at the Atlanta-based network for over 35 years.

LIVE COVERAGE:Ian nears historic Category 5 status as it nears Florida landfall

HOW BAD WILL IAN HIT FLORIDA?Waffle House closures forecast a powerful blast

The Jim Cantore effect: What it means when the iconic meteorologist shows up in your city (1)

He’s reported live from over100 tropical systems, including Hurricanes Michael, Sandy, Harvey and Katrina, according to the Weather Hall of Fame. Hurricane Ian marks Cantore's 109th storm,said Nora Zimmett, president of news and original series for the The Weather Group.

"Jim never set out to be some sort of weather celebrity," Zimmett told USA TODAY."He's just a science nerdwho made it cool to be super smart and passionate about the weather."

The mere presence of the severe weather expert in any given town has become a clue that a tornado, hurricane or other form of “mother nature’s latest temper tantrum” will soon strike.

Here's what to know about Cantore and how he has become the symbol of severe weather.

TRACK HURRICANE IAN:Where is powerful storm headed next?

Who is Jim Cantore?

Cantore hails from Waterbury, Connecticut, and was raised in Vermont, according to his Weather Channel biography. Hejoined The Weather Channel in 1986 right after graduating from the former Lyndon State College, now known as Northern Vermont University.

The weather journalist anchors daily weather programming for the network. When he’s not working on weather-related documentaries, he’s often spotted in locations expected to take a hit from unfavorable conditions.

Cantore, who is certified by the American Meteorological Society, has won awards for his coverage, including an Emmy for using The Weather Channel’s Immersive Mixed Reality technology to showcasethe dangers of tornadoes. He was inductedintothe National Weather Museum and Science Center’s Weather Hall of Fame in 2018.

The Jim Cantore effect: What it means when the iconic meteorologist shows up in your city (2)

Why do people care where Cantore is during severe weather?

It has become a running gag in the world of weather that Cantore flocks to locations of impending meteorological doom for on-the-ground live coverage, and his presence ahead of and during severe weather events has served as a warning for locals.

In 2017 ahead of Hurricane Nate’s arrival in Perdido Key, Florida, aresident wrote on boards covering their window, “Go away, Jim Cantore.”

The Jim Cantore effect: What it means when the iconic meteorologist shows up in your city (3)

A Weather Channel clip from 2020 showed a drenched Cantore wading through calf-high waters of a flooded parking garage in Biloxi, Mississippi, as he showed viewers the extent of Hurricane Zeta’s impacts as they occurred.

He was also in Biloxi duringHurricane Katrina in 2005,Zimmett said.

"There was no one there to help, most people had been diverted to New Orleans," she said."His team helped evacuate veterans out of a residential facility there."

SHOULD YOU EVACUATE? How to stay safe as Ian approaches Florida's coast

How does Cantore stay safe?

Cantore’s passion for severe weather has placed him in dangerous situations, but Zimmett said he has never been hurt.

“We at the Weather Channel do not put people in harm's way, and the times we have felt we've positioned (reporters)too close to the heart of the storm, we will move them if they don't have sufficient cover,” Zimmett explained.

Cantore and other network crews will often wear Kevlar vests and have goggles and helmets to wear. Zimmett said they meet daily to ensure safety.

The network makes sure to book hotels based on their locations’ risk of storm surge impacts, she added.

A look at Cantore's pastweather coverage

Cantore has been on the scene of some of the most severe storms to hit the U.S., including 2018’s Hurricane Michael in Florida, where an infamous Weather Channel broadcast showed the meteorologist dodging debris and powerful winds as he gripped his microphone on live television.

He's also covered: the devastation of deadly tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma, and Joplin, Missouri;major snowstorms; and countless hurricanes, including Ida in 2021.

His first live shot for the Weather Channel was from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Cantore said in a Weather Channel interview.

The Jim Cantore effect: What it means when the iconic meteorologist shows up in your city (2024)

FAQs

The Jim Cantore effect: What it means when the iconic meteorologist shows up in your city? ›

What is the Jim Cantore effect? Cantore has a reputation for being right in the middle of severe storms. “It's his work in the midst of those storms that has made him the meteorologist his viewers hate to see coming — if Cantore is in town, it means it's time for everyone else to leave,” Weather Group writes.

How did Jim Cantore become a meteorologist? ›

Career. A native of Beacon Falls, Connecticut, who was raised in White River Junction, Vermont, Cantore graduated from Lyndon State College in 1986. The Weather Channel gave him his first job out of college in July of that year and he has worked there ever since.

Who is the famous meteorologist on The Weather Channel? ›

Jim Cantore is one of the most recognized faces in weather. A certified broadcast meteorologist and AMS fellow, Jim is known for his live reporting during the biggest weather events of the last 30 years.

Where is Jim Cantore during Tropical Storm Debby? ›

Weather Channel's Jim Cantore is in SC for Hurricane Debby.

How much does Jim Cantore make a year? ›

What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Jim Cantore Jobs
CityAnnual SalaryMonthly Pay
Santa Clara, CA$62,920$5,243
Pasadena, CA$62,231$5,185
San Diego, CA$62,108$5,175
Suitland, MD$61,785$5,148
6 more rows

Who was the first person to be a meteorologist? ›

Aristotelian meteorology

Aristotle is considered the founder of meteorology. One of the most impressive achievements described in the Meteorology is the description of what is now known as the hydrologic cycle. His work would remain an authority on meteorology for nearly 2,000 years.

How much does the highest paid meteorologist make? ›

High Paying Meteorologist Jobs
  • Chief Meteorologist. Salary range: $110,000-$137,500 per year. ...
  • Metrology Engineer. Salary range: $90,000-$122,000 per year. ...
  • Weather Analyst. Salary range: $47,000-$89,500 per year. ...
  • Marine Meteorologist. Salary range: $45,000-$79,500 per year. ...
  • Forecaster. ...
  • Weather Forecaster. ...
  • General Forecaster.

What do meteorologists do? ›

Meteorologists are scientists who study meteorology and spend their days forecasting the weather. While they may have a public face, such as on the TV or radio, their primary role is studying weather patterns and atmospheric conditions to make educated predictions.

Who dresses weather Channel meteorologists? ›

The clothes are chosen by a wardrobe consultant. They're purchased with wardrobe money from the station and become the property of the newscaster.

Who is the famous tornado weatherman? ›

Reed Timmer is a famous meteorologist and storm chaser who is often featured on the Discovery Channel's reality television series “Storm Chasers.” Timmer's twitter bio: “Extreme Meteorologist who chases tornadoes, tropical cyclones and blizzards!”

Will North Carolina be affected by hurricane Debbie? ›

Debby is expected to produce potentially historic rainfall storm totals across eastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina through Friday. Rainfall totals of 10 to 20 inches are possible, with isolated totals potentially reaching 25 inches in some areas.

Is Jim Cantore covering hurricane Ida? ›

Cantore's headed to the Sunshine State to cover Tropical Storm Idalia, which is expected to become a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall along Florida's Gulf Coast on Wednesday.

How much rain did Ocala, Florida get from Debby? ›

For the city of Ocala, rainfall was estimated at 1.3 inches to 1.5 inches on Sunday and 4.67 inches to 5.06 inches on Monday. The estimates were as high as 8 inches of rain in west Marion on Monday.

Who is the richest weatherman? ›

TOP 10 Richest Tv Meteorologists
1Al Roker Net Worth: $70M
2Willard Scott Net Worth: $10M
3Janice Huff Net Worth: $6M
4Jim Cantore Net Worth: $4.5M

Who is the most famous meteorologist? ›

Who Is the Most Famous Meteorologist?
  • Luke Howard. An English chemist and meteorologist, Howard is best known for his classification of clouds and his contributions to urban climatology. ...
  • Vilhelm Bjerknes. ...
  • Ted Fujita. ...
  • John Dalton. ...
  • Reid Bryson. ...
  • Cleveland Abbe. ...
  • Robert FitzRoy. ...
  • James Pollard Espy.

What is the highest paid weather channel? ›

The Weather Channel pay FAQs

The Weather Channel employees rate the overall compensation and benefits package 3/5 stars. What is the highest salary at The Weather Channel? The highest-paying job at The Weather Channel is a Vice President Business Development with a salary of $382,735 per year (estimate).

Did Al Roker go to school to be a meteorologist? ›

Roker did not earn a degree in meteorology, but few television weather forecasters do.

Is Jacqui Jeras still married? ›

Jacqui Jeras is married to Mike.

Is Stephanie Abrams still married? ›

Stephanie got married to Mikes Bettes in 2000. Bettes was also a meteorologist working with CNN at that time. However, the two separated and later filed a divorce in 2009. She is currently dating Lian Freeman.

How long has Stephanie Abrams been on The Weather Channel? ›

Career. Abrams's first position was as a morning meteorologist at WTXL, the ABC affiliate in Tallahassee, Florida. In July 2003, Abrams began on-air work for The Weather Channel as a reporter and fill-in, roles she filled until 2005, when she joined her first show, Weekend View, as a co-host.

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