Mention the National Weather Service in the Philadelphia area and no doubt the name Gary Szatkowski is the first name that comes up. He is well respected in the eyes of every meteorologist and has a significant following on Social Media. After close to 40 years with the National Weather Service, half of them spent here in Philadelphia, he will retire on May 27th.
One of our meteorologists had a chance to ask Mr. Szatkowski about his best and worst moments while in Philadelphia, and what it is like to have the title “Meteorologist in Charge”.
Weatherboy
What is your favorite moment while you worked with NWS Philly?
Mr. Szatkowski
Though it was a terrible event for the region, I was extremely proud of the National Weather Service (NWS) Mount Holly staff in the days prior and then during Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy. The entire staff truly gave everything they could give during that event, working incredibly long hours and providing countless briefings to our partners. The positive feedback and compliments we received from our partners and from the general public immediately after Sandy were overwhelming, far exceeding anything seen for any previous weather event.
Weatherboy
What was the worst moment while you worked with NWS Philly?
Mr. Szatkowski
I’ve written about the two times I offered apologies for a weather forecast that went very wrong. Both times involved snowstorms, back in March 2001 and again in January 2015. No one is happy when a forecast misses the mark that much, most of all the weather forecasters involved with producing it.
Weatherboy
Of all the products and services the office provides, what has been the one you enjoy preparing the most.
Mr. Szatkowski
The weather briefing package concept that we implemented during Hurricane Season 2009 is the service we provide that I most enjoy preparing. These weather briefings are event-driven, so there is typically a significant weather hazard threatening the region when we are issuing these briefings. The ability to cut through all the available information and craft a message that helps our customers and partners focus on what they need to know about a potential high impact weather event is very rewarding.
Weatherboy
What is one part of your job that the average person might be surprised to hear you do?
Mr. Szatkowski
Though people understand the general concept of weather forecasting, I think they would be surprised by the magnitude of the impact the forecast has at times. One thing that often surprises people is just how busy and how important Philadelphia International Airport is for our region. Philadelphia International Airport is as busy as any of the airports in the New York City area. That high level of aviation operations makes them very sensitive to the weather. Any restriction to flight operations due to low clouds or visibility (think thunderstorms, rain, snow, fog, etc.) causes delays in the ability to land aircraft. And the airlines hate to be circling the airport waiting to land (it wastes fuel, and if things get really bad, they may have to divert to another airport; no one is happy when that happens!) So, based on the forecast, airlines will implement a ground stop. What that means is that your flight to Philadelphia won’t even take off, and you will be waiting in Atlanta, or Chicago, or Denver, or wherever for your flight to depart. And you’ll be told it’s because of the weather (even if the skies are blue where you are). And they are telling the truth. They are waiting on the weather forecast for the Philadelphia airport to tell them when weather conditions will improve. And when the weather is expected to improve in the next one (or two or three) hours, your flight will get approval to depart. And you’ll board your plane and be on your way. And it’s all based on the weather forecast, because the airlines have found that betting against the weather forecast is a bad bet. Weather forecasting is not perfect, but we are right a lot more than we are wrong. So the safe bet, and the smart bet, is to base your operations on the weather forecast. You may be delayed due to the weather, but you will get safely to your destination. And it’s all because of the work of the aviation forecaster at the NWS office in Mount Holly, NJ.
Weatherboy
Do the meteorologists ever disagree over a forecast? Do you as the Meteorologist in Charge have the final say?
Mr. Szatkowski
Meteorologists always disagree over the forecast. One of the best ways to get into trouble is ‘group-think’. So discussion and debate (respectfully done) are always part of the operational forecast process. Every operations shift has a Senior Forecaster, and they make the final call regarding what the forecast will say. On rare occasions, I will get involved. And typically, it will involve a complex weather situation where policy can be confusing, or on rare occasions, in conflict. When that happens, I ask the forecasters to explain what they want to do, and we work out the best way to make it happen. If any questions arise after the event, it can be accurately said that the Meteorologist in Charge was consulted and concurred. But I do not forecast from the front office; that is what the operations staff is for.
Weatherboy
How has social media changed the way you approach your job?
Mr. Szatkowski
Social media has provided a valuable two way avenue of communication. Social media is now the primary way we receive reports of severe weather from strong thunderstorms (wind damage, hail, tornado) as well as snowfall accumulation with winter storms. Social media also allows a level of communication that can be more in-depth and more detailed than just a phone conversation. The ability to post graphics and imagery when then leads to thoughtful discussion about the weather is one of the biggest advantages of social media and is one of the biggest changes in how we approach our job. Social media has become our tripwire in gauging public interest and concern for upcoming storm events, and helps us in guiding the conversation about an approaching storm.
Weatherboy
What will you miss the most about working as the Meteorologist in Charge for the Philadelphia area?
Mr. Szatkowski
Working with the people. First and foremost, my co-workers, a very dedicated and talented group of people. And I’ll also miss working with our partners and with the general public. Though meteorology was my first passion, and came to me as a young child, my second passion turned out to be public service and was an important reason that I joined the National Weather Service. I feel very fortunate to have had a long career that allowed me to engage in both meteorology and public service.
On behalf of the entire Weatherboy team, we wish Gary Szatkowski a happy & healthy retirement and congratulate him on an incredible meteorology career!
