Baton Rouge meteorologist talks his daily routine

Meteorologist Josh Eachus’ alarm goes off every morning at 3:30.

Before most of us have even gotten out of bed, he’s suited up and settled into his office at WBRZ. By 7 a.m., he has put together a forecast for the day and a two- to seven-day outlook, analyzed satellite images, deciphered sheets of numbers from three different methods of weather models, recorded a radio broadcast, built graphics for his on-air standups and delivered quick live forecast hits six times an hour throughout the morning programming.

It’s an intense routine, but it helps that he loves what he does.

Though he’s smooth on camera, being a meteorologist involves much more science than just reading off some premade weather forecast. Sitting at his desk beside a forecast sheet he has meticulously filled in by hand, he rapidly walks through the process of turning raw data of surface models and wind speeds into something we can understand for our morning commute.

“I fancy myself a good communicator, but there are a lot of people all around this country in this position that are scientists through and through—have a little bit of a nerd value to them,” Eachus says with a laugh. “And sometimes nerds can be a little bit awkward or not the best communicators. Not saying I’m not a nerd, but I’m trying to be a communications nerd too.”

It’s the communications element around which Eachus has based his own Ph.D. program at LSU, an all-new focus called “weather communications.” Studying psychology, risk perception and media effects has given Eachus a new insight into how to best reach WBRZ viewers—insights he keeps track of alongside contributing meteorologists around the country with his blog, The Weather Social.

His vision for the future of meteorology: scientists who understand the most effective ways to engage with their audiences as well as they understand precipitable water.

“There are some people out there who seem to root for bad weather,” Eachus says. “We like to root for people.” thewxsocial.com