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

Ashley R. Williams|USA TODAY

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.

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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.

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Who is Jim Cantore?

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

The Jim Cantore effect: What it means when the iconic meteorologist shows up in your city (4)

Southwest Florida prepares for Hurricane Ian

Families and businesses in Fort Myers and Punta Gorda are preparing for Hurricane Ian to make landfall.

Accuweather, Accuweather

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.

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.”

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."

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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? ›

His presence indicates that a hurricane, tornado, or any other wrath of Mother Nature is about to strike. Jim is from Connecticut and was raised in Vermont. He became a part of The Weather Channel

The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel (TWC) is an American pay television channel owned by Weather Group, LLC, a subsidiary of Allen Media Group. The channel's headquarters are located in Atlanta, Georgia.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › The_Weather_Channel
back in 1986 once he graduated from Northern Vermont University (formerly known as Lyndon State College).

What does it mean when Jim Cantore comes to town? ›

Jim Candori shows up to a lot of weather emergencies, whether that be blizzard, storms, tornadoes, etc. But over the summertime, if he shows up in the south because of a Hurricane, we know it's bad. Like Waffle Houses are closing bad.

Who is the most famous meteorologist? ›

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.

Who is the famous weatherman on The Weather Channel? ›

James D. Cantore (born February 16, 1964) is an American meteorologist. He is best known as an on-air personality for The Weather Channel.

Why does The Weather Channel name storms? ›

Ever since the 2012-2013 winter season, The Weather Channel (TWC) has given every significant winter storm event it forecasts and tracks a unique name. Their argument for doing this? "It's simply easier to communicate about a complex storm if it has a name," says TWC hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross.

Where was Jim Cantore during Hurricane Sally? ›

The Weather Channel meteorologist is known for being a magnet for whichever storm he chases. In this case, it's Hurricane Sally and its destination could be near Mobile. Cantore was on the road from where he was broadcasting live from Gulfport, Mississippi.

What is the highest pay of a meteorologist? ›

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.

Who is the richest meteorologist? ›

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 top meteorologist on Fox News? ›

Rick Reichmuth
EducationArizona State University, Georgia State University, Mississippi State University
Occupation(s)Weather anchor, Television host
Years active2000–present
TitleChief meteorologist, Fox News
2 more rows

Who is the famous tornado weatherman? ›

Famous Meteorologist Reed Timmer accepts challenge from The Californian. Amazing footage as Reed Timmer and Joel Taylor chase multiple violent tornadoes in this award-winning documentary.

Who is the famous weatherman in Chicago? ›

On one of his last remaining nights as the chief meteorologist at WGN-TV, Tom Skilling took part of his dinner break to make a surprise appearance at Waveland Bowl. It was a great metaphor for a TV icon whose willingness to veer outside of his “lane” led to his enormous popularity.

Is Al Roker a meteorologist? ›

By the time he earned his bachelor's degree in 1976, he had been promoted to weekday weather-caster at the station. Roker did not earn a degree in meteorology, but few television weather forecasters do.

How do I contact Jim Cantore? ›

To contact Jim Cantore send an email to twcstormtracker@msn.com, twcstormtracker@gmail.com or jim.cantore@weather.com.

Who is the famous hurricane reporter? ›

Jim Cantore, longtime star of the Weather Channel, has become synonymous with Florida hurricanes.

Does Lynette Charles work for The Weather Channel? ›

I'm an On-Camera Meteorologist at The Weather Channel.

Where does The Weather Channel film? ›

The Weather Channel is most often filmed inside a studio near Atlanta, but some people working there sometimes go out to the place where the storm or weather is happening to film it.

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