weatherman

Weatherman is a term used to describe a person who presents weather forecasts and related information to the public, typically on television or radio. The term is gendered and more common in older or casual usage; many outlets prefer gender-neutral terms such as weather presenter or meteorologist.

In professional settings, the forecaster who creates predictions is usually a meteorologist, while a weatherman or weather presenter communicates those forecasts. Some presenters have formal meteorology training and work with forecasting teams; others are journalists or hosts who rely on data produced by meteorologists and forecast software.

Duties commonly include collecting data from weather stations, satellites, and radar; analyzing conditions; preparing forecast graphics and scripts; presenting the forecast to audiences; explaining weather patterns and potential impacts; and relaying severe weather alerts when needed.

Education and credentials vary. Many weathermen hold degrees in meteorology or atmospheric science. Broadcast meteorologists may pursue professional certification, such as the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist designation from the American Meteorological Society. Certification is voluntary and requirements differ by employer.

Historically, the term was widely used in broadcast media, especially for male presenters. In recent years there has been a shift toward gender-neutral language, but the term may still appear in some markets or in colloquial use.