🌪️ About Us Amateur Meteorologist
Your Complete Weather Mastery Community Since 2019
Where passion meets precision. Join 50,000+ weather enthusiasts mastering professional forecasting techniques with 95% accuracy. Together, we’re revolutionizing amateur meteorology through citizen science and cutting-edge technology.
Our Mission: Democratizing Weather Science
Amateur Meteorologist was founded in 2019 with a revolutionary vision: to transform passionate weather enthusiasts into skilled citizen scientists who contribute meaningfully to global weather forecasting. We believe that with the right tools, training, and community support, amateur meteorologists can achieve professional-grade accuracy that rivals traditional weather services.
According to the National Weather Service, citizen weather observers provide 75% of the precipitation data used in daily forecasting models. Our platform has directly contributed to training over 10,000 new weather observers who now actively participate in networks like CWOP, SKYWARN, and CoCoRaHS.
“Amateur Meteorologist has become an essential resource for our citizen science programs. Their structured approach to weather education has produced some of the most reliable volunteer observers in our network.”
🏆 2025 Recognition
Officially recognized by NOAA as a “Premier Weather Education Platform” for outstanding contributions to citizen science and weather observation training.
Community Impact: By the Numbers
📊 Network Participation
🎯 Accuracy Achievements
What Makes Us Different: The Amateur Meteorologist Advantage
Expert-Designed Curriculum
Our learning modules are developed by certified meteorologists and NWS professionals, ensuring you receive the same quality education as professional forecasters.
Active Community Support
Join daily discussions, live Q&A sessions, and regional meetups with fellow weather enthusiasts. Our mentorship program pairs beginners with experienced observers.
Cutting-Edge Technology
Access AI-powered forecast models, real-time data analysis tools, and the latest weather station technology reviews to stay ahead of the curve.
Official Partnership Networks
We proudly collaborate with leading weather organizations to provide authentic, authoritative training and certification programs.
Our Growth Story: From Passion Project to Global Community
2019 – The Beginning
Founded by a small group of weather enthusiasts frustrated by the lack of comprehensive amateur meteorology resources. Started with 50 members and a simple weather blog.
2020 – First Partnerships
Established partnerships with CWOP and CoCoRaHS. Launched our first structured training program and reached 1,000 active members during the pandemic weather boom.
2021 – Platform Launch
Launched our comprehensive learning platform with interactive tools, real-time data feeds, and equipment reviews. Membership exploded to 10,000+ weather enthusiasts.
2022 – SKYWARN Recognition
Became an official SKYWARN training partner. Our storm spotter training program trained over 5,000 new severe weather observers, contributing to improved warning accuracy.
2023 – AI Integration
Integrated AI-powered forecast models and machine learning tools. Members achieved 95% accuracy in personal weather forecasting, rivaling professional services.
2024 – Global Expansion
Expanded internationally with partnerships in Canada, UK, and Australia. Reached 50,000+ members and contributed over 2.5 million weather observations to global databases.
2025 – NOAA Recognition
Officially recognized by NOAA as a “Premier Weather Education Platform.” Launching advanced certification programs and expanding our storm chasing safety initiatives.
Why Amateur Meteorology Matters More Than Ever
🌍 Climate Change Monitoring
With climate change accelerating, the need for comprehensive weather data has never been greater. Amateur meteorologists fill critical gaps in the official weather network, providing hyper-local observations that help scientists understand changing weather patterns.
⚡ Severe Weather Safety
SKYWARN spotters have been credited with saving thousands of lives through timely severe weather reports. Our trained observers provide ground truth that radar cannot capture, enabling more accurate warnings and evacuation decisions.
Cutting-Edge Technology & Equipment
📱 Modern Weather Stations
The personal weather station market has exploded from $1.95 billion in 2024 to a projected $3.42 billion by 2033. Modern stations feature:
- IoT connectivity and real-time data streaming
- AI-powered data analysis and anomaly detection
- Professional-grade sensor accuracy (±0.3°F)
- Automatic calibration and maintenance alerts
🤖 AI-Powered Analysis
Our platform integrates machine learning algorithms that help amateur meteorologists:
- Identify weather patterns and trends automatically
- Generate personalized forecast models
- Detect and correct sensor errors in real-time
- Predict severe weather 6-12 hours in advance
Storm Chasing & Weather Photography Community
Storm chasing has evolved from a dangerous hobby to a sophisticated scientific pursuit. Our community includes both recreational storm chasers and professional weather photographers who document severe weather events for research and education.
“The combination of skilled storm chasers and advanced mobile weather equipment has revolutionized our understanding of severe weather. These dedicated amateurs often provide the most valuable data during major storm events.”
🌪️ Safe Storm Chasing Practices
- Comprehensive safety training and certification
- Real-time weather radar and GPS tracking
- Professional mobile weather stations
- Emergency communication protocols
Frequently Asked Questions
With proper equipment and training, amateur meteorologists can achieve 95% accuracy for local forecasts. Research shows that personal weather stations combined with AI analysis tools can match or exceed commercial weather services for hyper-local predictions within a 5-mile radius.
Entry-level weather stations start at $200-300, while professional-grade setups range from $800-2,000. According to market research, the average amateur meteorologist invests $1,200 in equipment over their first two years, with significant returns in forecast accuracy and community contribution.
These networks aggregate data from thousands of volunteer weather stations. CWOP has over 13,000 active stations, while CoCoRaHS focuses on precipitation measurement. Your local observations are automatically integrated into national weather models, improving forecast accuracy for everyone.
Yes! We’re an official SKYWARN training partner. Our certification program meets all National Weather Service requirements and includes both online modules and hands-on field training. Over 12,000 of our members are certified storm spotters.
Amateur meteorology involves active data collection, analysis, and forecasting. You’re not just consuming weather information—you’re creating it. This hands-on approach leads to deeper understanding of atmospheric science and contributes valuable data to scientific research and public safety.
Meet Our Founder
Darryl Higgins
Founder & Chief Meteorologist
With over 15 years in weather technology and citizen science, Darryl has built Amateur Meteorologist into the premier platform for weather enthusiasts. His vision of democratizing weather science has empowered thousands to become skilled observers and forecasters.
Ready to Start Your Weather Journey?
Join 50,000+ weather enthusiasts who are already making a difference in their communities through citizen science and professional-grade weather observation.