When severe weather threatens, every moment counts. I worked over a decade as a broadcast meteorologist and saw it firsthand: families anxiously watching the skies; communities on edge; and the power that timely, accurate information has to help people stay safe. That's what drove me when I was working in local newsrooms in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Vermont and covering national weather stories on CBS—and it's what drives me every day as a Senior Meteorologist for AEM and its WeatherWorks brand.
That same mission inspired my newest project: a video series called Behind the Forecast, part of AEM’s Talking With the Experts podcast. In this series, I’ll sit down with meteorologists, scientists, and other professionals who dedicate their lives to protecting communities when nature turns dangerous, and take you behind the scenes of the decisions, stories, and innovations that make life-saving weather communication possible.
Why I had to start this series
Weather safety doesn’t happen by chance. Behind every forecast and every warning, there’s a network of experts, supercomputers, data and sensors working together to keep people out of harm’s way.
During my years in broadcast meteorology—covering blizzards in Vermont, hurricanes along the East Coast, and tornado outbreaks in Philly and Baltimore—I saw how crucial that network really is. It takes technology, science, and above all, dedicated people working under pressure to make sure critical information reaches communities in time to make a difference.
This series is my way of shining a light on those people. I want to share their stories, give our audience a glimpse of the unseen moments that shape life-saving weather communication, and celebrate the passion that drives all of us in this field.
Kicking things off with James Spann: Live and unscripted on August 20
To launch this series, I couldn’t think of anyone better than James Spann, a name trusted by Alabamians for nearly five decades. James has guided communities through some of the most dangerous storms in the state’s history, often staying on the air for hours to make sure no one misses a critical update.
Beyond his nearly 30 years as Chief Meteorologist at ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, James writes for The Alabama Weather Blog, hosts the WeatherBrains podcast, provides forecasts for dozens of radio stations—and now he’s launching The Alabama Weather Network, a new project focused on providing hyperlocal weather information across Alabama.
On Thursday, August 20 at 8 PM Eastern, James will join me for a live virtual conversation where we’ll talk about:
- The moments that shaped his long career in weather.
- How weather communication has evolved—and what still needs to improve.
- What drives his incredible pace across multiple platforms
- His vision for the Alabama Weather Network and why it matters to Alabama communities
- Plus, you'll get the rare opportunity to ask James your own questions during our live audience Q&A
This won’t be a pre-recorded interview—it’s an open, real conversation about what it takes to keep people informed when the stakes are high.
Full-circle moments and future conversations
James is just the first of many incredible voices we’ll feature on Behind the Forecast.
Later this year, Jim Cantore will join me for an episode you won’t want to miss. Jim is famous for putting himself in the heart of hurricanes and severe storms to show the world what’s really happening on the ground. Early in my career, I was one of Jim’s students, learning firsthand what it means to communicate weather hazards clearly and urgently. Sharing a conversation with him now feels like a full-circle moment I’m honored to bring to this series.
We’ll also hear from Bernadette Woods Placky, a former TV meteorologist who now leads Climate Central’s Climate Matters program, helping local weathercasters connect everyday weather events to long-term climate trends. Her work shapes how communities understand not just what’s happening now, but what’s ahead.
Each guest brings a different perspective, but they all share one purpose: getting critical information to people when it matters most. That’s the same mission we live and breathe at AEM—and it’s the reason this series exists.
See what's coming next
Watch this short video to hear more about what you can expect from Behind the Forecast and our first live episode with James Spann.
Come with me Behind the Forecast
At AEM, we believe the right information at the right time saves lives and builds resilience. Behind the Forecast is one more way we’re living that mission—by giving you a closer look at the people and innovations making early warnings possible.
I’d love for you to join me for our live virtual pilot episode with James Spann on Thursday, August 20 at 8 PM Eastern. You’ll hear his incredible stories, learn how weather communication continues to evolve, and even take part in the conversation during the audience Q&A.
Reserve your spot now, and come with us as we go Behind the Forecast—where safety, science, and storytelling come together to keep communities prepared for whatever nature brings.