Distinguished Speaker Series: A History of Weather Forecasting in the Florida Keys

A History of Weather Forecasting in the Florida Keys with Jonathan Rizzo

The history of formal weather observing and forecasting in the Florida Keys began with the U.S. Lighthouse Board and the later establishment of Key West as the site one of the original 24 U.S. Signal Corps weather offices. This presentation will cover critical milestones in our Nation’s operational weather services from its early days as the U.S. Signal Corps to today as the National Weather Service as they applied to the Florida Keys. A survey of early weather forecaster experiences and early methods for observing weather will be shared in the form of historical photographs and anecdotes from early U.S. Weather Bureau officials.

Presenter information:

Jonathan Rizzo has served as the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at NOAA’s National Weather Service office in Key West since May, 2002, responsible for the planning, coordinating and carrying out the impact-based decision support program to protect against the loss of life and property caused by severe weather events.  Jonathan supported Monroe County,its municipalities and the U.S. Navy as a deployment-ready meteorologist during tropical cyclone emergency operation center activations and major public events, providing actionable weather support for decision-makers.  While his National Weather Service experience includes winter and fire weather forecasting in eastern Washington state, Jonathan originally hails from Lower Southern Maryland and holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Meteorology from Florida State University.