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Nationally renowned for becoming one of the best long range meteorologists in the world and presents AccuWeather.com’s official Atlantic Hurricane, Winter and Summer Forecasts as well as the driver behind the AccuWeather.com Professional Site.
It is a real honor to have the privelege of having Joe on this site to be interviewed. I am proud to say he is a great friend of mine. A guy that I personally have great admiration for is exceptionally hard work and knowledge. Thanks, Joe for taking the time out of your 24/7 schedule to take part in this interview for “Weather and Climate through the Eyes of Mark Vogan”
Q and A
1) Joe, Could you start by telling me a little about yourself, where are you from and at what age did you realise your interest in the weather?
From the first moment I can remember I was into the weather. My dad is a meteorologist, and his grandfather was the town weatherman in Bisangnano, Sicily. My parents constantly had to keep watch on me when I was 2 or 3 because I used to stare at the sun so much.
2) When was it you started at AccuWeather and what position did you start at?
I started the morning after I graduated from college, March 5, 1978. I was a forecast trainee for 3 weeks, then went into the fray. Since I was the meteorologist for the opposing radio station in town while I was in college, and was somewhat (in)famous because I was the only meteorologist ever to have wrestled in college, they knew me well. I didnt have to interview, since I beat the founder of the company in his class in forecasting so he had offered me when I was a junior. It was no brainer.. the best forecasters in the world, and I get to butt heads with them every day(still do)
3) I am curious as to what is a typical, Joe Bastardi day? Do you have a set routine?
Well the day never starts or ends. I am awake till 10, then 1-2 then 3-4 and up at 6. I look at the weatheras the night goes on. I prepare forecasts for the long range and hurricane center, which has a greatdeal of private interests. I work till 7:30, then lift at 8, back to office work 9-12 and if I needto go on TV anytime.. I lift again at 12, work 1-4 lift at 4. I have the family around the houseand train with my wife at lunch. basically work to me is like breathing, and its relaxing to me. God made me to do it, so I go hard. Its a wrestling thing..go hard or go home. Well I am home, and I go hard.
4) You appear to be a guy that likes to try and research so much more GLOBALLY weatherwise than most meteorologists and link what’s happening in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America to conclude with the North America pattern, is this part of your work criteria set back AccuWeather or is this something you enjoy personally and have passion for? Certainly for me, through your work, you are likely one of the most gifted long-range forecasters around today.
I am certainly a big picture guy, as I try to stand back and look at the whole world and try to envision what its telling me. I believe God made me to do this and that is what I am going to do until I learn otherwise.. I believe I do have talent, but I think I have the will to constantly prepare. As someone who competes, drug free in bodybuilding now, I know you have to work every body part hard to max it out, and be smart about it. I know no other way. In addition, I have meant many more talented people than me, but I take the attitude not that I know something, but that I dont know it, and I have to constantly work to find it.
5) With the private clientele side of your job, the pro site and indeed items for the free site at AccuWeather, do you have enough time to sleep, eat and spend time with the family? How much sleep do you get and what kind of activities do you enjoy to relax?
Everything in my house is geared toward what is occurring at the time. In other words, all our vacations are based around family, gymnastics ( my wife is Penn States assistant coach) or the weather.If she goes to recruit, we all go and I can work since I have the computer, and then take the kids to the meet, or to the amusement park. If I am speaking somewhere, I like to take Jess Or Garrett for instance if need be. Jessie, my little girl, is into gymnastics more. But we dont sit here and worry about what we miss given our lives, we give thanks for what get and have fun getting the most outof it. I dont like to travel cause I love hanging out with my wife and kids. But look since my wife was a great gymnast and a coach, and trains with me, she knows what its like to compete. Garrett is a great athlete and loves the weather, so we bond, and Jessie being in gymnastics, which is an individual sport, is close to me as far as attitude. She will work like a dog to get something right and wont quit, something you need to be able to do in my job. So all the colors run together as one, to quote Bono from U2.
6) What is your favorite season and type of weather?
I love it all now, I dont see the difference in challenges I guess when you get older, if you love somethng you appreciate every aspect of it.
7) What is your favorite area of the field you enjoy and get most satisfaction from? i.e. hurricanes and the tropics? winter? summer?
Again, its all weather to me, I must say, its like Eric Liddle in Chariots of Fire parpahrased. He said”God made me fast and I feel his pleasure when I run” Well God made me a meteorologist and Isee his handiwork every day in the weather.
8) What is your favorite vacation destination?
Anywhere I have my wife and kids with lots of family around.
9) When your on vacation, do you manage to unwind, and leave the weather at home, do you be in contact with clients or work?
I unwind every day. There is no calendar that says tomorrow and I cant do anything about yesterday so where I am, is where I work and play. But I will say this. for all the nasty things that seem to show up about me from people who have no idea what I am about, one Mark Vogan erases a thousand of that.. I certainly am blessed in that people who I have met in this job are like lights when there is darkness.. I am blessed. Thanks for the chance here to speak about this.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family all the very best for the future. I am a pro site subscriber and worth every penny to hear what Joe has got to say.
Check out the Accuweather.com pro site benefits here where you will get expert annalysis both by two daily videos and via his column. http://www.accuweather.com/proBenefits.asp
There is also a free 30-day trial for the pro site http://www.pro.accuweather.com/
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