Television meteorologists are known for their calm demeanor, delivering crucial information during natural disasters to help keep the public safe. But during a recent broadcast, veteran meteorologist John Morales, who has forecasted weather for over four decades, broke down on air while discussing the devastating Hurricane Milton. This emotional moment reflected not just the severity of the storm but also the mounting emotional toll climate change is taking on experts like him.
Hurricane Milton: A Category 5 Storm on a Rampage
The broadcast aired on WTVJ/NBC6 in Miami as Hurricane Milton became a Category 5 storm, hurtling toward Florida’s west coast. The image of the massive, swirling storm filled the screen, and Morales, a steady voice in the region, found his composure slipping. “It’s just an incredible, incredible, incredible hurricane,” he said, visibly shaken, before his voice faltered while explaining the rapid intensification of the storm—a 50 millibar drop in just 10 hours. For those who may not understand the technicalities of weather, his emotional delivery conveyed the seriousness of the situation: this was a monstrous storm with catastrophic potential.
The Emotional Toll of Climate Change on Meteorologists
For Morales, his breakdown on air was more than just about the sheer size of Hurricane Milton. It was a culmination of years of watching extreme weather events intensify, driven by the undeniable effects of global warming. He admitted that part of his emotional response stemmed from the frustration of seeing society’s failure to act despite overwhelming scientific evidence about the climate crisis. “It claims lives. It wrecks lives,” he said in an interview, expressing empathy for the people and communities in the storm’s path.
His emotional moment resonated with audiences, particularly younger generations, who, like Morales, are deeply concerned about the accelerating climate crisis. On social media, the broadcast quickly went viral, garnering millions of views and support, especially from younger viewers on TikTok who felt his vulnerability mirrored their own anxiety about the future.
From Calm Weathercaster to Climate Advocate
John Morales began his meteorology career in 1984, first with the National Weather Service and later with major Spanish-language networks like Univision and Telemundo. He joined NBC6 in Miami in 2009, where he became a trusted figure in weather forecasting. For much of his career, Morales prided himself on being a calm, non-alarmist voice, delivering just-the-facts information to help keep people safe. However, as climate change began to reshape the nature of storms, his approach evolved.
In recent years, Morales has become more outspoken about the growing threat of climate change, weaving its effects into his broadcasts. He recalls a pivotal moment during the Clinton administration in 1997 when about 100 meteorologists, including him, were briefed on climate change. This meeting left a lasting impression, pushing him to find ways to communicate the impending threats.
But with storms like Hurricane Milton intensifying at unprecedented rates, Morales admits that his confidence in predicting storm strength has waned. “As the temperature of the planet increases, my confidence in forecasting storm intensity is decreasing,” he wrote in a recent essay. “Today, I am no longer as comfortable putting everyone at ease. I am afraid of rapid intensification cycles happening at the drop of a hat.”
Pushback and Societal Resistance to Climate Science
Despite being one of the most trusted voices in journalism, meteorologists like Morales face increasing hostility when discussing climate change. While Morales has not received death threats, unlike some of his peers, he has noticed a sharp rise in pushback, especially on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). After he predicted the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Helene, some critics labeled him a “climate militant,” accusing him of exaggeration.
But Morales stands firm, stating that his predictions were not exaggerations but reflections of reality. “Perhaps those who have known me as the non-alarmist meteorologist can’t get used to the new me,” he wrote. But no one, he emphasized, can hide from the truth.
Climate Change: A Present-Day Crisis, Not a Future Problem
For meteorologists like John Morales, discussing climate change is not just about forecasting the weather—it’s about facing the harsh realities of a planet in crisis. And for viewers, particularly in places like Florida, where climate change is often politically charged, hearing these truths can be unsettling. But for Morales and other meteorologists like him, addressing the climate crisis head-on is no longer an option; it’s a necessity.
Morales’s emotional broadcast underscored a vital message: the climate crisis is not a distant problem. It’s here now, and it’s affecting lives in real-time. He, along with a growing cadre of meteorologists in Florida, including Jeff Berardelli of WFLA-TV and Steve MacLaughlin of NBC6, are pushing for greater awareness and action.
As the storms grow stronger and the planet warms, their voices will only grow louder. The question is, will the world listen?
