Jim Cantore, Meteorologist for TWC (The Weather Channel), has inspired many, including me, through his work. Weather surrounds my entire life—even my birth. On September 2nd, 2004, I was born in Saint Petersburg, Florida, when Hurricane Francis was barreling through the coast. I have always believed that this happened to be a coincidence, until my love for the weather grew since that day.

My Abuelo always gave me so much inspiration to pursue a career that is tied to weather. He gave me countless weather books, took me down to the beach to watch the storms roll in, and taught me about the different types of clouds, which, at the time, I did not know there was such a thing. Since I was young, I have always known that the weather would be my passion. After my Abuelo passed, I lacked the inspiration I once had as a child. I started questioning whether meteorology was a passion I wanted to pursue. Not knowing he would bring that spark back for me, Meteorologist Jim Cantore was my role model and someone I wanted to mirror.

Jim Cantore is a great inspiration to me, not only because of his active role in supporting communities around the U.S. by providing safety and warning for them regarding weather events but also because of his fun and outgoing personality. Of the several times I have witnessed Jim Cantore on television, he is doing his job while having a good time, with the constant laughter that is always portrayed. Jim’s love for the weather is something we both have in common.

One of my favorite videos of him is “Cantore’s Thundersnow Montage,” where he experiences a breathtaking weather phenomenon that brings so much joy to him. The spark I once had for the weather was re-kindled after watching Jim Cantore on the news. He filled the shoes of my Abuelo when he was unable to and continues to deepen my love for the weather as time goes on the way my Abuelo once did. I have been inspired to bring others the same joy and safety as Jim. Cantore’s work involves some of the wildest and most well-known weather events dating back to recently. Some may say: “Wherever Jim Cantore goes, you might not want to be there for too long,” but I am choosing to stick around for a while because my whole life has been dedicated to pursuing that.