Kevin Lemanowicz on decades of weather, technology, and public trust
Kevin Lemanowicz is a longtime New England broadcast meteorologist best known for his long career forecasting in the Boston market, most recently serving as chief meteorologist at Boston 25 News. A graduate of Cornell University and an AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist, Lemanowicz spent more than 30 years communicating complex New England weather to viewers while also providing operational weather guidance to organizations across the region. Throughout his career, he has been committed to advancing both scientific communication and community engagement.
After decades forecasting for New England, what moments stand out most in your career at Boston 25?
The moments that stay with me most often happen after the cameras are off.
One that stands out is the tornado outbreak that began near Springfield and tracked across central Massachusetts, hitting Monson especially hard. In the hours and days that followed, I heard from viewers who told me our coverage and warnings helped them reach safety. Messages like that stay with you.
More recently, the devastating flash flooding in Leominster had a similar impact. Visiting residents in the days after the storm, even though many of those conversations never aired, was a powerful reminder of how deeply weather affects people’s lives.
Moments like those reinforce something I’ve come to appreciate over time: the forecast itself matters, but the trust viewers place in you matters even more.
Just as meaningful were the connections away from the forecast desk—scooping ice cream for the Jimmy Fund, ringing the Salvation Army bell, raising money for veterans, and visiting schools across New England. Those community moments, and the people behind them, remain some of the most meaningful parts of my career.
How has covering New England’s notoriously complex weather shaped you as a meteorologist?
Forecasting in New England is an education in humility. The region sits at the intersection of multiple air masses, complex coastal influences, and dramatic seasonal transitions. Small shifts in storm track or temperature profiles can completely change a forecast outcome.
Working in that environment forces you to constantly refine your understanding of the atmosphere and communicate uncertainty clearly. Over the years, my role also expanded beyond the broadcast to providing operational weather guidance to organizations making real-time decisions about events, travel, and safety. That work reinforced how meteorology functions not just as a forecast, but as a decision-support system. For example, I provided operational weather guidance to the Boston Red Sox for more than a decade and later to their minor league team, the Worcester Red Sox.
New England viewers are also incredibly weather-savvy. They will call you out when you’re wrong, but they are fiercely loyal to meteorologists they trust. That accountability makes you better at both the science and the communication.
And it reinforces a truth every meteorologist eventually learns: the atmosphere always has the final word.
How has the science of meteorology evolved since you first stepped into the broadcast studio?
When I began my career in 1991, forecasting was far more manual. Surface maps were printed on large sheets of paper and analyzed with colored pencils. Computer guidance existed, but access to data was limited, and the public had very little direct access to meteorological information.
Today, the transformation is extraordinary. High-resolution numerical models, advanced Doppler radar, satellite data, and real-time observations are available instantly. Communication platforms also allow meteorologists to share updates continuously through television, mobile devices, and digital channels.
While the technology has evolved dramatically, the core responsibility remains the same: interpreting complex atmospheric data and translating it into clear information people can use to make decisions in their daily lives.
What are you most proud of in terms of your impact on viewers?
That became most clear during my last week on the air. The messages, stories, and calls I received were overwhelming. Some viewers told me they pursued careers in meteorology because of a visit I made to their elementary school. Others shared that the forecast had simply become part of their family’s routine for decades.
Seeing former interns and colleagues now working successfully at other stations, including four current chief meteorologists in Boston, is especially meaningful. Knowing that the work inspired others and earned the trust of viewers over so many years is what makes me most proud.
Commitment to AMS and Professional Excellence
As an AMS-certified meteorologist, how has the American Meteorological Society influenced your career?
I first joined AMS as a student member while studying at Cornell University. At the time, it was one of the best ways for aspiring meteorologists to connect with the professional community.
Early in my broadcast career, it was clear that many of the most respected meteorologists held the AMS Seal, so earning it quickly became a professional goal.
After moving to Boston, I also served on the AMS Membership Committee and spent time at AMS Headquarters on Beacon Hill. Those experiences deepened my appreciation for the organization and its role in advancing meteorological science and professional standards.
When the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) designation was introduced, pursuing that certification was the natural next step.
Why is the AMS Seal or CBM designation important in today’s broadcast environment?
The CBM remains the most rigorous credential in broadcast meteorology. It requires a degree in meteorology or atmospheric science, a comprehensive examination, and peer review of on-air work. That process helps ensure that those communicating weather to the public have strong scientific training and professional accountability.
In an era when weather information spreads rapidly through digital platforms and social media, professional credentials help viewers identify sources grounded in science and responsible communication.
What advice would you give young meteorologists pursuing broadcast careers?
First and foremost: love the science.
Broadcast meteorology can be demanding, especially early in a career. Many meteorologists begin in smaller markets, working long hours while gaining experience. Today’s role also extends far beyond television, with responsibilities that include streaming, digital updates, and social media communication.
If your motivation is simply to be on television, there are easier ways to pursue that goal. But if you are genuinely fascinated by the atmosphere and passionate about communicating science, it can be an incredibly rewarding profession.
How do you balance scientific accuracy with making forecasts relatable and engaging?
Scientific accuracy must always come first. Without credibility, nothing else in the forecast matters.
Once viewers trust the forecast, the challenge becomes communicating it clearly and engagingly. That means explaining the science behind the weather in ways people can understand while still maintaining accuracy.
At its best, broadcast meteorology is about translating atmospheric science into decisions that help people stay safe and plan their lives. Over the years, I’ve continually refined my presentation style to balance those goals.
What role do broadcasters play in communicating climate trends versus daily forecasts?
The daily forecast remains the primary responsibility of broadcast meteorologists. Most viewers tune in to understand how weather will affect their immediate plans—what to wear, how to travel, or whether severe weather is approaching.
Climate information can still play an important role when it naturally connects to the weather story being told. When used thoughtfully and in context, it can help viewers better understand what is driving the bigger picture.
Looking Ahead
How do you see the future of local weather broadcasting evolving?
Weather will remain central to local news because it affects every viewer every day.
What is changing is how and when that information is delivered. Modern newsrooms operate across multiple platforms, and viewers expect real-time updates through television, streaming, mobile apps, and social media.
Meteorologists are now communicating more frequently and across more platforms than ever before. The core mission—providing accurate forecasts and clear guidance during high-impact weather—remains the same. The ways we deliver that information continue to evolve.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self starting in meteorology, what would it be?
I would remind my younger self to protect time for yourself and those in your life.
Broadcast meteorology can easily become all-consuming, especially during major weather events. Over the years, I missed too many of my sons’ games and milestones while chasing the next forecast or storm coverage.
The work matters, but so do the moments at home. Meteorology demands focus and dedication, but the most meaningful forecasts are the ones that protect the communities we serve while also protecting the lives we build.
