In 2025, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist program — and appropriately enough, AMS has just awarded its 1,000th CBM designation!
On-air meteorologists display the AMS CBM seal to denote that they are experts in meteorological science and forecasting as well as in science communication. CBMs help to ensure that the public has trusted sources of weather information, both in daily life and when dangerous events threaten. You can learn more about the program here. We asked our Certified Broadcast Meteorologists to weigh in on what it means to earn the seal.
What does the CBM mean to you?
“To this day, being awarded the AMS CBM designation is the proudest moment of my career. I remember looking up to so many AMS CBM meteorologists as a student, learning how to communicate our science effectively from their broadcasts. It is a honor to know my peers agreed that my work in communicating weather and climate science is clear, effective, and trustworthy. It’s the highest, most prestigious ‘stamp of approval’ for our field, and I continue to work hard to maintain its integrity.”
—Elisa Raffa, CBM #813
“Being an AMS CBM has been one of the best things I’ve done not only for my career but also for myself. It taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to, and has given me so many opportunities to be a voice and advocate in this changing broadcast industry.”
—Vanessa Alonso, CBM #815
“With the increase in the number of social media-rologists and the introduction of AI-generated forecasts, it’s never been more important for the public to have access to trusted, accurate sources of weather information. The CBM designation immediately identifies individuals as someone who understands the weather and, more importantly, how it impacts the local community they serve.”
—Tim Heller, CBM #256
“Well, considering there are […] 1,000 and I was number 76, it means I’m old. 🙂 “
—Rob Eicher, CBM #76
“As a female chief meteorologist, I am proud to have held the CBM for the last 10 years to serve as a positive example to young women coming up in the industry.”
—Jessica Hafner, CBM #695
“Earning the CBM was a career goal of mine once I saw the program released in 2005. Being recognized by your peers is one of the greatest honors as a broadcaster. I remember it being a challenging process which made it that much more rewarding once I was awarded it in 2008. I always encourage others to pursue the CBM as a way to demonstrate their expertise and to earn a credential that is backed by the world’s premier organization in weather, water and climate science.”
—Maureen McCann, CBM #228
“I’ve been proud to hold this designation since 2009 and continue to maintain it since leaving the broadcast world, as the skills and what it stands for have followed me into emergency management for the past decade.”
—Jeff Jumper, CBM #375
How or when has your CBM-related expertise had an impact?
“Being able to call out the development of a tornado minutes before the NWS warned it and then confirmed it in Goshen, OH on July 8, 2022. This helped save lives as many viewers said they took action when I warned them.”
—Brandon Spinner, CBM #923
“My audience knew that, as a CBM, not only was I a meteorologist, but I was a SCIENTIST. And I leveraged that trust by frequently adding all sorts of science and environmental information and special stories to my weathercasts, which were highly appreciated. In fact, when we put those stories on my station’s website, they were frequently among the most viewed videos on the station’s entire website that day.“
—Paul H. Gross, CCM, CBM #56
“No one in my position has ever had a CBM so to have that understanding of the atmosphere translates to my stories and reporting at all times. As the chief climate correspondent on top of chief meteorologist, I can be a great conduit of climate science thanks to my understanding of the atmosphere.”
—Ginger Zee, CBM #548
“Continuing education to retain my CBM allowed me to keep my skills sharp throughout my TV career, the pinnacle of which came in 2022 when I was the first meteorologist to go on TV (at WZVN) to alert Southwest Florida that Hurricane Ian was coming for us, not Tampa. Ian turned out to be SWFL’s worst hurricane disaster in recorded history.”
—John Patrick, CBM #403
“As a CBM meteorologist and FEMA-certified instructor, I use my expertise to educate communities — on air and in the classroom — on severe weather preparedness. After teaching a tornado awareness course, an emergency manager told me that my instruction to not go to the EOC until after the tornado warning was over, saved his life! Clear, science-based communication makes a real difference when seconds count.”
—Cheryl Nelson, CBM #397
“After a recent severe weather event, I had several viewers say, ‘Your coverage was outstanding. You are so calm, but you tell us exactly where the storm is and what to do. I know you saved lives.’ That is so reassuring that what we do, every day and when the weather is severe, makes a difference to so many people.”
—Lisa Spencer, CBM #2
Hear from more CBMs on our CBM 1,000th Celebration page!
I’m grateful to stand among other dedicated meteorologists maintaining trust and communicating science to our communities. Here’s to the next 1,000 Certified Broadcast Meteorologists!
—Ryan Marando, CBM #1,000
