WEATHER CHANNEL METEOROLOGIST RECEIVES NOAA-DAVID JOHNSON AWARD

Jim Cantore, a familiar face on the Weather Channel, received the prestigious NOAA-David S. Johnson Award for his innovative use of environmental satellite data, including water vapor imagery, and educating viewers about the causes behind weather events. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Space Club presented the award to Cantore at the 46th Annual Goddard Memorial Dinner on March 28. NOAA is an agency of the Commerce Department.

The NOAA-Johnson Award, named after the first NOAA assistant administrator for satellite and information services, recognizes professional scientists who create new uses for observational satellite data that can predict atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial conditions. The award was first presented in 1999.

Cantore, long acknowledged for his live coverage of major weather events – from Hurricanes Andrew in 1992 to Mitch in 1998, was singled out for this year’s award based on the way he incorporates satellite data and water vapor imagery into his Weather Channel broadcasts.

“Jim has a talent for using NOAA satellite data and imagery to help educate viewers about how certain conditions impact the weather we experience,” said Gregory W. Withee, NOAA assistant administrator for satellite and information services.

A native of White River Junction, Vt., Cantore is co-host of the Weather Channel’s prime-time magazine “Atmospheres” and is a frequent host for other Weather Channel programs. He first appeared on the Weather Channel in 1986 – it was his first job after graduating with a bachelor’s of science degree in meteorology from Lyndon State College in Lyndonville, Vt.

NOAA Satellite and Information Services is the nation’s primary source of space-based meteorological and climate data. It operates the nation’s environmental satellites, which are used for weather and ocean observation and forecasting, climate monitoring and other environmental applications, including: sea-surface temperature, fire detection and ozone monitoring.

NOAA Satellite and Information Services also operates three data centers, which house global databases in climatology, oceanography, solid Earth geophysics, marine geology and geophysics, solar-terrestrial physics and paleoclimatology.

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation’s coastal and marine resources.

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