About
"Weather got hip in the '90s. Movies, commercials... people came out of the closet. I can't say how many emails or written letters I used to get saying, 'Cantore you make this so fun! I want to do what you're doing! I want to do what you're doing!'"
In his two-hour-and-ten-minute interview, Jim Cantore talks about his early life and his interest in weather as a child. He chronicles his study of meteorology and getting hired at The Weather Channel. He recounts his first time reporting from the field for Hurricane Andrew, and covering subsequent extreme weather events such as the Joplin Tornado, Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Sandy. He discusses what he wears in the field and how he attempts to keep himself and his crew safe. Cantore describes technical innovations that have vastly improved the accuracy of weather predictions and speaks on the future of predicting catastrophic weather events like storm surges. He talks about his celebrity from The Weather Channel and recalls appearing on The Late Show with David Letterman during Hurricane Sandy and having a "cameo" on one of the television sets during an episode of The Sopranos. He ends the interview by discussing the power of television and offering advice to aspiring weather-people. Karen Herman conducted the interview on April 24, 2013 in Atlanta, GA.
Highlights
Jim Cantore on being hired by The Weather Channel
Jim Cantore on covering Hurricane Katrina live from the field for The Weather Channel
Jim Cantore on covering Hurricane Sandy for The Weather Channel
Jim Cantore on "The Cantore Snuggle Factor"
Jim Cantore on weather events he's witnessed that have changed history
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on his early interest in weather and science; on being hired by The Weather Channel and the early structure of The Weather Channel
On his early days on the air at The Weather Channel; on the rules of The Weather Channel and NBC's acquisition of it; on covering Hurricane Andrew on location
On the logistics of going into the field for The Weather Channel; on covering Hurricane Katrina for The Weather Channel
On covering the Joplin Tornado for The Weather Channel; on covering Hurricane Sandy
Chapter 2
On the state of early warning methods for extreme weather; on his celebrity and social media's effect on weather forecasting; on how the technology of weather forecasting has changed
On wearing the correct clothing for weather events and the dangers of reporting from the field in extreme weather; on the trend of naming storms; on The Weather Channel covering non weather-related events
On the "Cantore Snuggle Factor"; on The Weather Channel's policy on talking about climate change; on documentary specials he's hosted for The Weather Channel and weather events that have changed history
On a typical week at The Weather Channel; on places he'd like to go; on fans' perceptions of him
Chapter 3
On the audience for The Weather Channel; on the power of television; on advice to aspiring weather forecasters
Shows
Late Show with David Letterman
Jim Cantore on appearing on Late Show with David Letterman
Sopranos, The
Jim Cantore on his voiceover aspirations and his appearance on The Sopranos
Topics
Advice
Jim Cantore on advice to aspiring weather forecasters
Fame and Celebrity
Jim Cantore on his fans' perceptions of him
Jim Cantore on "The Cantore Snuggle Factor"
Jim Cantore on his celebrity from The Weather Channel
First Big Break
Jim Cantore on being hired by The Weather Channel
Historic Events and Social Change
Jim Cantore on covering Hurricane Katrina live from the field for The Weather Channel
Jim Cantore on covering the Joplin Tornado
Jim Cantore on covering Hurricane Sandy for The Weather Channel
Jim Cantore on weather events he's witnessed that have changed history
Media Consolidation
Jim Cantore on NBC's acquisition of The Weather Channel
Natural Disasters
Jim Cantore on covering Hurricane Katrina live from the field for The Weather Channel
Jim Cantore on covering the Joplin Tornado
Jim Cantore on covering Hurricane Sandy for The Weather Channel
Jim Cantore on weather events he's witnessed that have changed history
Pivotal Career Moments
Jim Cantore on being hired by The Weather Channel
Pop Culture
Jim Cantore on "The Cantore Snuggle Factor"
Technological Innovation
Jim Cantore on early hurricane warnings and storm surge warnings
Jim Cantore on how the technology of weather forecasting has changed
Television Industry
Jim Cantore on NBC's acquisition of The Weather Channel
Jim Cantore on advice to aspiring weather forecasters
Jim Cantore on his fans' perceptions of him
Jim Cantore on his celebrity from The Weather Channel
Professions
Journalists & News Producers
Jim Cantore on his career path to being a meteorologist
Jim Cantore on advice to aspiring weather forecasters
Jim Cantore on what he wears when he reports on extreme weather and the importance of protecting equipment
Jim Cantore on the dangers of reporting live from the field
Meteorologist
Jim Cantore on his career path to being a meteorologist
Jim Cantore on advice to aspiring weather forecasters
Jim Cantore on what he wears when he reports on extreme weather and the importance of protecting equipment
Jim Cantore on the dangers of reporting live from the field
Genres
Service Shows
Jim Cantore on documentary specials he's hosted for The Weather Channel
People
David Letterman
Jim Cantore on appearing on Late Show with David Letterman