Weather Reporter

Job Description

The Washington Post is seeking an experienced meteorologist or resourceful science reporter who can help drive our coverage of national and global weather.

This reporter will write with urgency about weather events around the world, forecasting and spotlighting extreme weather and demystifying the underlying meteorological science behind everything from polar vortexes to Category 5 hurricanes.

The Climate and Environment department’s weather team coversatmospheric conditions that affect and inform people’s daily lives and the disasters that can upend them at any moment.

The team produces a wide array of stories, including forecasts, explainers, spot news, FAQs, visual narratives and enterprise stories that deliver distinct and revelatory accounts of weather’s outsized impact, all bolstered by data.

The successful candidate will have a boundless enthusiasm for communicating weather’s wonder and peril through accessible, engaging and highly conversational prose.

This is a high-metabolism role that requires producing stories throughout the week, often on tight deadlines, and the ability to pivot easily between different weather-related developments.

In addition to contributing meteorology, this role would be expected to help with general news reporting during weather events.

Responsibilities :

Analyze weather data and identify key moments that will require coverage across the team and newsroom.

Ahead of weather events, prepare forecasts, write spot news stories or feed meteorological context to related coverage.

During key weather events, write news stories, provide updates for live files and contribute to reporting anchored by other Post journalists.

Brainstorm and deliver explainer or enterprise coverage that analyzes weather trends or breaks down extreme weather events in ways that help audiences understand complex phenomena in new ways.

Embrace a range of storytelling formats, including graphics, video, audio and social media.

Preferred Qualifications :

Prior experience with or knowledge of weather forecasting, including hurricanes, major storms, blizzards and extreme heat, is strongly preferred.

A passion for analyzing the context of weather events and explaining what makes them significant or fascinating to a general audience.

Strong writing skills and creative ideas for the best ways to communicate both regular and critical weather-related information.

Familiarity with global and regional prediction models, radar analysis and online tools for obtaining national and international climate and storm data.

Formal training in meteorology, such as a certification in atmospheric science or related field, is a plus, but a weather-savvy science or climate journalist with serious meteorological chops could also be a fit.

This position will ideally be based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom, but we will also consider highly qualified candidates based elsewhere in the U.S.

Occasional night and weekend work may also be required.

Interested applicants should upload a résumé, a cover letterand three clips (as PDFs) to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Aug.

2 will be prioritized. The cover letter should be addressed to Managing Editor Scott Vance, Climate and Environment Editor Zachary Goldfarb, Deputy Climate and Environment Editor Juliet Eilperin and Climate and Weather News Editor Paulina Firozi.

Compensation and Benefits :

The salary range for this position is : $97,400.00 $142,300.00. The actual salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

Compensation and Benefits

Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey :

Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage

Company-paid pension and 401(k) match

Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave

Nine paid holidays and two personal days

20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent

Robust mental health resources

Backup care and caregiver concierge services

Gender affirming services

Pet insurance

Free Post digital subscription

Leadership and career development programs

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating.

That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed.

Ever wondered if what you are doing will Impact Tomorrow ? At The Washington Post , every employee shapes the way we deliver the news.

Find the career that’s right for you

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