Famed weatherman Jim Cantore arrives in Charleston as city braces for Tropical Storm Debby (2024)

Top Story

  • By Kalyn Oyer and Chelsea Grinsteadkoyer@postandcourier.com and cgrinstead@postandcourier.com

Subscribe to our Hurricane Wire newsletter to receive updates directly to your inbox.

Hold onto your hats, Charleston.

Weatherman Jim Cantore is in town covering Tropical Storm Debby for The Weather Channel. The well-known meteorologist has been filmed in the thick of blasting winds and rising waters every hurricane season for the last more than 30 years, narrating shocking footage of some of the strongest storms in the Southeast.

Charleston radio station 96.9 The Wolf posted on Facebookduring the evening Aug. 4 about Cantore’s arrival with a picture of him at the Charleston International Airport with a large backpack on and suitcase in hand.Later on Aug. 5, Cantore was pictured with Mayor William Cogswell and Charleston Police Department Chief of Police Chito Walker ahead of the 6 p.m. storm briefing.

Hurricane Wire

Charleston hospitals, clinics shut down, reschedule surgeries as Debby approaches

  • By Tom Corwin tcorwin@postandcourier.com

The response to the initial airport post was more than 300 comments and 600 shares, showing a mix of humor and concern.

"If he's coming in, you need to head out," offered Martha Hodges.

Several people simply commented, "Run!" Others, "Yikes!"

Cantore's image at the airport even made it to the local Coburg Cow Weather Report page, which keeps locals updated on the status of an unusual Charleston storm meter: a cow statue on a 10-foot-tall platform in the St. Andrews Shopping Center in Avondale.

When the cow is up, it's said the storm shall pass without much damage. When the cow comes down, the real Charlestonians start to worry.

"Welcome back to Charleston, Jim Cantore," the page, which is used to voice the "Coburg Cow," posted along with two scared-face emojis.

Helpful tips to stay ready during a storm

  • By Theresa Stratford

The page then posted a photograph of the cow named Bessie still intact on her platform, donning a yellow raincoat.

Swig & Swine barbecue restaurant in Summerville had a friendly message for the icon on its marquee, hoping the storm-chasing star would stop in for a meat and three perhaps. “Eat here, Jim Cantore," read the sign.

Cantore is joined by a team of other meteorologists dispatched by The Weather Channel across the Southeast. Nine in total were sent to Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, including Justin Michaels in Bluffton and Chris Bruin in Myrtle Beach.

We'll see what Charleston landmarks, likely ones that will soon be under water, will make it on TV this time around.

Hurricane Wire

'Life-threatening flash flooding': How Tropical Storm Debby could impact the Myrtle Beach area

  • By Dylan Ortuno and Charles D. Perrydortuno@postandcourier.comcperry@postandcourier.com

Reach Kalyn Oyer at 843-469-9863.

More information

  • Inland SC sees river flooding risk from Tropical Storm Debby as Lake Murray spill gate opens
  • Why is the Coburg Cow Charleston's storm meter? A little history on Bessie.
  • SC has seen 20 inches of rain before. What can that tell us about Debby's potential impacts?
  • Aug. 6: Charleston extends curfew as Tropical Storm Debby brings heavy rain, reported tornadoes

Kalyn Oyer

Kalyn Oyer is a Charleston native and the features editor for The Post and Courier. She's a music festival and concert photographer and avid showgoer who used to write about music for the Charleston City Paper as well as national publications.

Chelsea Grinstead

Chelsea Grinstead is a South Carolina native and a reporter for The Post and Courier coveringarts, entertainment and culture. As a previous contributing editor at Charleston City Paper, she spotlighted the diverse voices of the local music scene.

  • Author email

Similar Stories

+2

Off the coast of Puerto Rico, Tropical Storm Ernesto strengthens into a hurricane

Tropical Storm Ernesto developed into a hurricane off the coast of Puerto Rico. It's the season's third hurricane. Both Colorado State University and NOAA predict another nine or 10 hurricanes still to come before the end of the season. Read moreOff the coast of Puerto Rico, Tropical Storm Ernesto strengthens into a hurricane

+3

'Til Debby do us part: Houston couple married in Lowcountry during tropical storm

Tropical Storm Debby rained on their ceremony but did not stop a Houston couple from marrying in Bluffton. Read more'Til Debby do us part: Houston couple married in Lowcountry during tropical storm

Another storm is in the South Atlantic, with little threat to SC. Height of season still to come.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Five is headed west toward the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The storm is expected to develop into a hurricane and turn north, moving into the central Atlantic. Read moreAnother storm is in the South Atlantic, with little threat to SC. Height of season still to come.

Persistent flooding remains in Dorchester and Berkeley counties. Here's what to expect.

Tropical Storm Debby is gone, but the tri-county area is still feeling the impact with road closures and swollen rivers. The Edisto River peaked early the morning of Aug. 11 and is subsiding, but slowly. The area is expected to remain flooded through the first part of this week. More rainfall is forecast, which could further exacerbate flooding in some areas. Read morePersistent flooding remains in Dorchester and Berkeley counties. Here's what to expect.

Editor's Picks

+9

Top Story Editor's Pick

'Whatever crumbs they throw our way': Charleston Uber drivers say company pockets too much of fare

+4

Top Story Editor's Pick Spotlight

Debby left the future Lowcountry Lowline underwater. If built, how will Charleston keep it dry?

+2

Top Story Editor's Pick

What does a school cellphone ban mean? Here's what South Carolina students need to know.

+7

Top Story Editor's Pick

Why is the Coburg Cow Charleston's storm meter? A little history on Bessie.

, Post and Courier, an Evening Post Publishing Newspaper Group. All rights reserved. | Terms of Sale | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Famed weatherman Jim Cantore arrives in Charleston as city braces for Tropical Storm Debby (2024)

FAQs

What does it mean when Jim Cantore comes to town? ›

What is the Jim Cantore effect? Cantore has a reputation for being right in the middle of severe storms. “It's his work in the midst of those storms that has made him the meteorologist his viewers hate to see coming — if Cantore is in town, it means it's time for everyone else to leave,” Weather Group writes.

When did Jim Cantore first appear on The Weather Channel? ›

A native of White River Junction, VT, Cantore graduated with a bachelor's degree in meteorology from Lyndon State College (Lyndonville, VT), where he returns each year to work with students in the meteorology program. The Weather Channel hired Cantore out of college and he first appeared on air in July 1986.

What weather channel does Jim Cantore work for? ›

Aside from live reporting for TWC, Cantore also serves as the narrator on the TWC series Storm Stories.

Where did Jim Cantore live? ›

When he's not covering the weather, Cantore's passion for the outdoors is equally evident in his leisure activities, which he enjoys with his two children. He is an avid skier, golfer, gardener, and makes his home in the Atlanta area.

Who is the famous guy on The Weather Channel? ›

Wherever Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore goes, you probably won't want to be there for long. The location of the iconic broadcast meteorologist has become synonymous with severe snowstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes over the past three decades.

Why does The Weather Channel name storms? ›

We [...] have found this is not good science and will mislead the public." In defense of TWC's practice, TWC's Norcross said, "The fact is, a storm with a name is easier to follow, which will mean fewer surprises and more preparation." Media organizations such as The New York Times and The Washington Post later stated ...

Who was the hurricane guy in Florida? ›

Lane Pittman is a Jacksonville legend. Though he's best known as the guy who headbanged in a Category 5 hurricane, Pittman was actually a local star long before that. In fact, he's one of the rare oddballs to have earned the name “Florida Man” in news headlines not once but twice.

Who is the most famous meteorologist? ›

10 Famous Meteorologists
  • John Dalton. Charles Turner after James Lonsdale/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. ...
  • William Morris Davis. Unknown/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain. ...
  • Gabriel Fahrenheit. ...
  • Alfred Wegener. ...
  • Christoph Hendrik Diederik Buys Ballot. ...
  • William Ferrel. ...
  • Wladimir Peter Köppen. ...
  • Anders Celsius.
Jul 3, 2019

Does NBC still own The Weather Channel? ›

The Weather Channel (TWC) is an American pay television channel owned by Weather Group, LLC, a subsidiary of Allen Media Group.

Does Stephanie Abrams still work for The Weather Channel? ›

Stephanie Abrams (born October 27, 1978) is an American television meteorologist who has worked for The Weather Channel (TWC) since 2003.

Who was the original cast of The Weather Channel? ›

The early years (May 1982–March 1986)

Programming began with an introduction to the channel by Batten and Coleman, which led into an inauguration ceremony that launched the channel's first official broadcast at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time that evening, anchored by meteorologists Bruce Edwards and André Bernier.

Who is the weather guy on CNN? ›

Chad Everett Myers is an American meteorologist and the severe weather expert for CNN. He reports on weather trends across the United States and Canada on a daily basis.

Who was Jim Cantore's ex-wife? ›

How do I message Jim Cantore? ›

Jim Cantore Email Addresses

Email Jim Cantore at twcstormtracker@msn.com, twcstormtracker@gmail.com and jim.cantore@weather.com. This email is the most updated Jim Cantore's email found in 2024.

What do meteorologists do? ›

Meteorologists are scientists who study meteorology and spend their days forecasting the weather. While they may have a public face, such as on the TV or radio, their primary role is studying weather patterns and atmospheric conditions to make educated predictions.

How much does Jim Cantore make a year? ›

What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Jim Cantore Jobs
CityAnnual SalaryHourly Wage
Santa Clara, CA$62,920$30.25
Pasadena, CA$62,231$29.92
San Diego, CA$62,108$29.86
Suitland, MD$61,785$29.70
6 more rows

Where was Jim Cantore during Hurricane Sally? ›

Cantore was live Monday morning in New Orleans, but as the storm's track has shifted east he was in Gulfport on Tuesday, and is headed to Florida on Wednesday. Cantore, who is a veteran of numerous major storms on the Gulf Coast, is known to take the most dangerous post as the storm nears.

How do I contact Jim Cantore? ›

How to contact Jim Cantore? To contact Jim Cantore send an email to twcstormtracker@msn.com, twcstormtracker@gmail.com or jim.cantore@weather.com.

Where does The Weather Channel film? ›

The Weather Channel is most often filmed inside a studio near Atlanta, but some people working there sometimes go out to the place where the storm or weather is happening to film it.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Last Updated:

Views: 6094

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Birthday: 1998-02-19

Address: 64841 Delmar Isle, North Wiley, OR 74073

Phone: +17844167847676

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: LARPing, Kitesurfing, Sewing, Digital arts, Sand art, Gardening, Dance

Introduction: My name is Amb. Frankie Simonis, I am a hilarious, enchanting, energetic, cooperative, innocent, cute, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.