Hanging Out In A Storm With The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore

JIM CANTORE, IN DC IN THE EARLY MORNING BEFORE THE FIRST FLAKES

When I heard that Jim Cantore was coming to town I did what anyone would do, I tweeted him, asked for a DM, and then inquired whether we could hang out. Specifically I wanted to know whether I could come to his "live" location on Tuesday morning and observe him reporting on and preparing for the snowstorm that was forecast to hit. He replied, "sure, come on down."

As you will read in my story for Washingtonian, he was a little miffed about DC's slow-starting and potentially paltry storm. After all, the bigger storm translates as more air-time for Weather Channel stars.

I got up early, drank a cup of Austin coffee, and headed to 400 North Capitol, but when I arrived there was no sign of Jim or his crew. Only a camera on sticks, a lonely microphone, and lonelier coffee cup, juice and water bottles. Had The Weather Channel crew been kidnapped? No, they were doing what any smart weather team would do during a brief break on a cold morning - seek warmth. They'd been at the location since 3 a.m., after all. Jim was in his car. His cameraman, Mike Broleman, was zipped inside a tiny "warmth" tent. His producer, Steve Dresner, was, well, I don't know where Steve was, but he eventually appeared and couldn't have been nicer if he handed me his warm gloves. "Jim said you might show up." 

CANTORE CHECKS HIS PHONE BETWEEN LIVE SHOTS

What did I learn about his job, which I consider one of the world's great jobs? It's relentless. A lot of standing and staring at the sky, when not staring into the camera. Cold, very cold, at least in a winter storm. He's very good on his feet. Can talk for a minute or more without consulting notes. It's all in his head.