Jim Cantore

Meteorologist


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

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.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"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!'"

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Jim Cantore on being hired by The Weather Channel
02:37
Jim Cantore on covering Hurricane Katrina live from the field for The Weather Channel
12:35
Jim Cantore on covering Hurricane Sandy for The Weather Channel
02:14
Jim Cantore on "The Cantore Snuggle Factor"
01:30
Jim Cantore on weather events he's witnessed that have changed history
04:54
Full Interview

Play 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

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Jim Cantore on appearing on Late Show with David Letterman
02:31

Sopranos, The

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Jim Cantore on his voiceover aspirations and his appearance on The Sopranos
02:05
Topics

Advice

View Topic
Jim Cantore on advice to aspiring weather forecasters
04:06

Fame and Celebrity

View Topic
Jim Cantore on his fans' perceptions of him
03:42
Jim Cantore on "The Cantore Snuggle Factor"
01:30
Jim Cantore on his celebrity from The Weather Channel
03:33

First Big Break

View Topic
Jim Cantore on being hired by The Weather Channel
02:37

Historic Events and Social Change

View Topic
Jim Cantore on covering Hurricane Katrina live from the field for The Weather Channel
12:35
Jim Cantore on covering the Joplin Tornado
06:59
Jim Cantore on covering Hurricane Sandy for The Weather Channel
02:14
Jim Cantore on weather events he's witnessed that have changed history
04:54

Media Consolidation

View Topic
Jim Cantore on NBC's acquisition of The Weather Channel
02:26

Natural Disasters

View Topic
Jim Cantore on covering Hurricane Katrina live from the field for The Weather Channel
12:35
Jim Cantore on covering the Joplin Tornado
06:59
Jim Cantore on covering Hurricane Sandy for The Weather Channel
02:14
Jim Cantore on weather events he's witnessed that have changed history
04:54

Pivotal Career Moments

View Topic
Jim Cantore on being hired by The Weather Channel
02:37

Pop Culture

View Topic
Jim Cantore on "The Cantore Snuggle Factor"
01:30

Technological Innovation

View Topic
Jim Cantore on early hurricane warnings and storm surge warnings
02:54
Jim Cantore on how the technology of weather forecasting has changed
03:12

Television Industry

View Topic
Jim Cantore on NBC's acquisition of The Weather Channel
02:26
Jim Cantore on his fans' perceptions of him
03:42
Jim Cantore on his celebrity from The Weather Channel
03:33
Jim Cantore on advice to aspiring weather forecasters
04:06
Professions

Journalists & News Producers

View Profession
Jim Cantore on his career path to being a meteorologist
01:55
Jim Cantore on what he wears when he reports on extreme weather and the importance of protecting equipment
03:32
Jim Cantore on the dangers of reporting live from the field
03:48
Jim Cantore on advice to aspiring weather forecasters
04:06

Meteorologist

View Profession
Jim Cantore on his career path to being a meteorologist
01:55
Jim Cantore on what he wears when he reports on extreme weather and the importance of protecting equipment 
03:32
Jim Cantore on the dangers of reporting live from the field
03:48
Jim Cantore on advice to aspiring weather forecasters
04:06
Genres

Service Shows

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Jim Cantore on documentary specials he's hosted for The Weather Channel
03:56
People

David Letterman

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Jim Cantore on appearing on Late Show with David Letterman
02:31

All Interviews

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