GUEST: Ken Graham, Director of NOAA National Weather Service

National Weather Service Director Ken Graham visited The Weather Channel for a wide-ranging conversation with Jim Cantore about the future of weather forecasting and public safety.

They will discuss ongoing efforts to modernize the National Weather Service, the challenges of maintaining critical infrastructure, the latest developments in forecasting technology and AI, and what improvements may be on the horizon for everything from hurricane forecasts to severe weather prediction. They also talk about staffing, observations, and the tools that help forecasters turn data into decisions when lives are on the line.

And as he marks four years as Director, Jim will ask Ken to reflect on the experiences that shaped his career, the accomplishments he's most proud of, and what he wants the public to better understand about the work happening behind the scenes every day.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Credibility
00:59 Ken Graham's Ten and Progress Overview
02:24 Reflecting on Achievements and Vision
03:45 Staffing Challenges and Hiring Boom
05:19 Reorganizing for the Future
07:01 Modernizing Infrastructure and Cloud Transition
08:20 Partnering with Emergency Managers
08:59 Radars: Aging Systems and Next-Gen Plans
10:29 Private Sector Collaboration on Radars
12:48 Innovations in Data Collection: Drones and Balloons
13:42 NWS Chat and Communication Tools
14:17 Break 1
14:31 Communicating Strong El Nino and Hurricane Risks
15:47 Aircraft and Data for Better Forecasts
16:38 Improvements in Track and Intensity Forecasts
17:19 AI and Machine Learning in Weather Models
18:36 Future of High-Resolution and Rapid Refresh Models
20:17 Balancing Over-Preparation and Real-Time Response
21:28 Next-Generation Modeling and Cloud Computing
22:50 Break 2
22:50 Vision for Year 10: Fully Cloud-Based, Well-Staffed NWS
24:26 Memories of Weather Disasters and Motivation
25:37 The Drive to Save Lives and Limit Damage
26:30 Engagement with the President and Policy Support
27:35 Office Culture and Workforce Changes
28:49 Challenges of Modernization and Change Management
29:23 Supporting NWS Staff and Future Outlook

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