Susie Martin is president of Praedictix, a Minnesota-based company focused on weather communication and applied meteorological expertise. With a background spanning broadcast meteorology, forensic weather analysis, and weather risk communication, she helps organizations and clients make informed decisions through weather intelligence. A Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) and Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM), Martin brings extensive experience translating complex weather information into clear, actionable insights for both public audiences and clients across a range of industries. Her work spans broadcast weather, consulting, litigation support, and operational weather decision-making.
AMS Headlines spoke with Martin about her business and what the CCM designation means to her.
What drew you to the consulting side of meteorology?
It developed organically. As our broadcast business grew, we began receiving inquiries for consulting work, and over time I became increasingly involved in that side of the field. What really drew me in was discovering just how many ways meteorological knowledge can be applied. Forecasting for television and applying weather science to legal cases, business decisions, or operational challenges are very different experiences, and I quickly fell in love with the problem-solving aspect of the work.
What types of problems do your clients typically bring to you?
Forensic weather analysis is currently our fastest-growing consulting area. Clients often come to us when weather has affected business operations, when they are involved in a weather-related dispute, or when there is potential or active litigation. We also provide tailored weather intelligence and risk management support for businesses, helping them anticipate impacts and make more informed operational decisions before weather becomes a problem.
How do you translate meteorological data into actionable insights for decision-makers?
The key is taking complex meteorological information and making it understandable, actionable, and relevant to the decisions that need to be made. Equally important is communicating uncertainty effectively. Weather often exists in shades of gray rather than black and white, and clients still need to make meaningful decisions despite that uncertainty.
Listening is also critical. You need to fully understand a client’s needs and how weather specifically impacts their business or situation. Extensive knowledge of meteorological data is important, but so is understanding what information actually matters to the person making the decision. Our experience in broadcasting translates naturally into consulting because, at its core, both fields are about communicating complicated information clearly. Broadcasters are master communicators.
Can you share an example of a project where your expertise had a measurable impact?
Our team provides on-site winter weather forecasting support for an international airport, and it is incredibly rewarding to play a role in decisions that help keep millions of travelers safe. Winter weather operations require a balance of accuracy, timing, and communication because even relatively small changes in conditions can have significant operational impacts. Our meteorologists often express a tremendous sense of pride during these events because we know our work directly contributes to both safety and efficiency.
How do you maintain objectivity, especially in high-stakes or legal contexts?
In many ways, maintaining objectivity comes down to remembering your role. I am there as a meteorological expert, and my responsibility is to remain grounded in the data and the known limitations of the science.
The challenge comes when clients naturally hope for a particular outcome and may encourage a specific interpretation. While it can be tempting to think, “maybe that could have happened,” it is essential to resist that pressure and stay true to what the evidence supports, even if the conclusions are not what a client wants to hear.
Learning to navigate high-pressure situations is also important. Attorneys may challenge your conclusions aggressively during cross-examination, and part of the process is learning to remain confident, stay within your expertise, and avoid being pulled outside your lane—and believe me, they will try. That confidence comes with experience. One of the things I enjoy most now is helping newer meteorologists prepare for those situations, because I had to learn the hard way. It is always valuable to have a mentor preparing you for what lies ahead.
What skills beyond meteorology are essential in your work?
Writing is essential. A large portion of my work today involves developing reports that require clear analysis, defensible conclusions, and strong supporting evidence. Sometimes it really does feel like writing research papers again.
I had to laugh when my third grader was learning persuasive writing and started asking me questions about it. He was surprised to learn that persuasive, evidence-based writing is a major part of my job. While our work is rooted in science and objectivity, we still need to build logical, evidence-supported narratives.
Public speaking and communication are equally important. Whether presenting to clients, briefing decision-makers, or providing testimony, you need to explain complex information with confidence, clarity, and authority.
What makes the CCM certification particularly valuable in your field?
The CCM designation has been tremendously valuable in my career and has opened many professional doors. It immediately strengthened my credibility and demonstrated a commitment to maintaining high standards within the profession.
In consulting, trust and credibility matter greatly. Clients and colleagues want confidence that your work has been rigorously evaluated and meets a high professional standard. I have also found it valuable when working alongside other CCMs because it establishes a shared level of expertise and professionalism. It truly is an honor to be a CCM.
