“Changing times for television weather in the USA”

According to a George Mason University survey, there are an estimated 2,400 television meteorologists in the US - an increase of about 300 from ten years ago. The job and duties of TV meteorologists continue to evolve, along with the tools with which they deliver weather information. Weathercasts that used to appear at scheduled times must be updated more frequently and are available on-demand through a variety of outlets. Presentations are disseminated on secondary television channels and dedicated phone apps in addition to internet sources.

Weather presenters – like their news colleagues – are having to adapt to the changing habits of their viewers. The days of the scheduled TV news and weather are being eclipsed by news and weather around the clock. For a variety of reasons, some presenters - even highly experienced presenters - have chosen to leave television to produce their own video weathercasts distributed over social media platforms. Some of these platforms are now monetizing content, paying creators to the extent that presenters can make sufficient income on their own outside of traditional commercial television channels. In addition, some newly-graduated meteorologists have chosen to bypass normal television altogether, and have found career success in doing their own weathercasts that are publicly delivered solely over the internet. Of course, social media weather information is unvetted, and is also a source of incorrect weather information posted by amateurs who may or may not have any scientific background whatsoever.

The American Meteorological Society and other groups are attempting to plot a course for the future of weather information and communication in the USA.