Off the Radar: Fearless Female Forecasters
Hosted by Emily Gracey, The National Weather Desk
Released: March 25, 2025
Introduction and Background
In the March 25, 2025 episode of Off the Radar, hosted by Meteorologist Emily Gracey, the spotlight shines on the trailblazing women in the field of meteorology. Celebrating Women's History Month, the episode delves into the rich history and significant contributions of female meteorologists, highlighting both past pioneers and current leaders who continue to shape the industry.
Honoring Female Pioneers
Emily Gracey begins the episode by recounting a pivotal moment in meteorological history:
"In June of 1971, viewers tuning in to WGRZ in Buffalo, New York were stunned to see an unfamiliar face delivering the evening weather report... June Bacon Bersey's unexpected debut opened doors that had been long closed to women, particularly women of color."
— Emily Gracey [00:00]
She traces the legacy of women in meteorology from early contributors like Eunice Foote and Joanne Simpson to contemporary figures, emphasizing the often-overlooked roles women have played in advancing weather science.
Introducing the Guests
Gracey warmly welcomes her distinguished guests:
-
Jen Carfagno: A seasoned meteorologist with 27 years at the Weather Channel, known for covering extreme weather events and co-hosting "America's Morning Headquarters." Jen shares how her supportive network and perseverance led her to a prominent on-camera role.
-
Tanya Fransen: The meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service office in Portland, Oregon. Tanya boasts an extensive career in emergency management, wildfire management, climate research, and mentorship, with numerous awards recognizing her contributions.
"Having known Jen for more than 20 years, she's been an amazingly positive influence in my own career."
— Emily Gracey [02:41]
Jen Carfagno's Meteorological Journey
Jen recounts her early fascination with weather phenomena, sparked by significant storms during her childhood in Pennsylvania:
"I remember looking up... and we just peered underneath and we're like, wow, this is really cool. This is hurricane rain."
— Jen Carfagno [05:20]
Despite initially not aiming for a television career, Jen's dedication and the mentorship she received propelled her into an on-camera role after five years of persistent effort.
"Persistence paid off. I was about to end my apprenticeship because I was going back to college to get my MBA... and that's how that came to be."
— Jen Carfagno [09:22]
Tanya Fransen's Path in Meteorology
Tanya shares her long-standing passion for the physical sciences, ignited in childhood and further developed through her experiences with significant weather events like the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption.
"I have 31 years in. I hope I can continue for a while longer still."
— Tanya Fransen [11:24]
Her career trajectory led her from the High Plains to the Northwest, where she expanded her expertise to include tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanoes, culminating in her current leadership role overseeing a diverse team.
"If it doesn't scare you, you probably shouldn't do it... If it's going to scare you, you're going to learn from it and you're going to grow the most from it."
— Tanya Fransen [26:12]
Navigating a Male-Dominated Field
Both Jen and Tanya reflect on their experiences as women entering a predominantly male field. They highlight the importance of a supportive environment and proactive mentorship in overcoming initial challenges.
"I never felt like a fish out of water... everyone looked to me for the weather forecast. But it was really a high school teacher who had a bulletin board... one of them was meteorology."
— Jen Carfagno [15:30]
Tanya discusses encountering subtle biases, such as assumptions about her future based on marital status and motherhood, and how these experiences shaped her resilience.
"Somebody asked me, 'What are you going to do when you get married and have kids?'... What am I going to do when I get married and have kids?"
— Tanya Fransen [16:01]
Strengths Women Bring to Meteorology
The conversation shifts to the unique strengths that women contribute to meteorology and related fields. Jen emphasizes multitasking and a holistic view of weather impacts:
"Women bring a talent to manage multiple things at once... stepping back and seeing the big picture of how the weather is impacting people versus just the weather itself."
— Jen Carfagno [31:50]
Tanya underscores empathy as a key strength, fostering supportive workplace relationships and enhancing team cohesion:
"When you see a colleague struggling, a woman can open their arms and give a hug... men are very reluctant to give women hugs in this day and age when they need that."
— Tanya Fransen [32:57]
Dealing with Stress and Empathy in High-Pressure Roles
Both guests discuss the emotional toll of forecasting life-threatening weather events and the importance of workplace support systems. Jen shares the internalization of stress and the unique challenges women may face in seeking help:
"Women might actually internalize it more because we do that."
— Jen Carfagno [34:06]
Tanya speaks to the normalization of seeking help and the positive shift towards mental health awareness within organizations:
"It's okay to not be okay... I had to let people know that."
— Tanya Fransen [35:51]
Subtle Sexism and Workplace Expectations
The discussion addresses ongoing issues of subtle sexism, particularly in media roles where women often face additional expectations regarding appearance and presentation.
"It's not fair that women have to spend an hour more doing hair and makeup instead of preparing their graphics or working on their forecast before a show."
— Jen Carfagno [37:35]
Tanya adds her frustrations with online misconceptions about merit-based hiring, emphasizing the value and qualifications women bring to their roles:
"I've done a lot. I've given this agency blood, sweat, and tears... I've earned it. I deserved it. I worked for that role."
— Tanya Fransen [38:23]
Parenting and Encouraging Future Generations
Jen and Tanya share insights on nurturing their children's interest in science, highlighting the importance of passion and support in fostering the next generation of meteorologists and scientists.
"I want that for my kids as well... I love talking about the weather. I can't believe I get paid to do this as a job."
— Jen Carfagno [39:30]
Tanya reflects on her sons’ careers, emphasizing the value of scientific curiosity and problem-solving skills:
"My older son... decided to major in physics... my younger son... is a seventh-grade geography teacher."
— Tanya Fransen [40:32]
Future Goals for Women in Meteorology
As the episode draws to a close, the guests articulate their aspirations for the future of women in meteorology. Jen advocates for equal pay and the dismantling of outdated stereotypes surrounding female meteorologists:
"Equal pay for women... dispelling the idea that it has to be a man giving you a weather forecast for it to be trustworthy."
— Jen Carfagno [41:03]
Tanya envisions a field where women no longer experience imposter syndrome and are confident in their professional capabilities:
"I would love for no woman to have imposter syndrome... You are worthy, you're doing it."
— Tanya Fransen [42:55]
Conclusion
Emily Gracey wraps up the episode by celebrating the invaluable contributions of Jen Carfagno and Tanya Fransen, encouraging listeners to support and recognize the achievements of women in meteorology.
"It's been an amazing community to be a part of. Thank you to Tanya Fransen and Jen Carfagno for joining me today."
— Emily Gracey [46:28]
The episode underscores the significance of representation, mentorship, and continued advocacy in fostering an inclusive and equitable environment for women in the meteorological sciences.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Jen Carfagno [05:20]: "I remember looking up... and we just peered underneath and we're like, wow, this is really cool. This is hurricane rain."
- Tanya Fransen [26:12]: "If it doesn't scare you, you probably shouldn't do it... If it's going to scare you, you're going to learn from it and you're going to grow the most from it."
- Jen Carfagno [37:35]: "It's not fair that women have to spend an hour more doing hair and makeup instead of preparing their graphics or working on their forecast before a show."
- Tanya Fransen [42:55]: "I would love for no woman to have imposter syndrome... You are worthy, you're doing it."
About the Podcast:
Off the Radar is a production of the National Weather Desk, hosted by Emily Gracey. Each week, Emily explores diverse topics related to weather, climate, space, and beyond, featuring exclusive interviews with leading experts. The podcast aims to enlighten, entertain, and educate listeners of all levels, from novices to passionate weather enthusiasts. New episodes are published every Tuesday and are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major platforms.