Meteorologist Madness: Jim Cantore joins KSR's snow forecast showdown

With a major snowstorm approaching, all eyes are on our local meteorologists. You have your favorite. I have mine. Wherever you live, there’s likely a loyalty to one network, or at least a preference, for one meteorologist or another. With no scoreboard or clear track record, their personalities and delivery outweigh any accuracy in the eyes of viewers.

The only true head-to-head battles happen when the meteorologists get spicy with each other on social media, which seems to happen often around Lexington and Louisville. Big personalities in TV weather around here. That’s why KSR is bringing them all together for Meteorologist Madness, a first-of-its-kind weather competition.

It’s essentially a pick ’em contest for snowfall totals. Each meteorologist will give a specific prediction (not a range) for the upcoming storm in both Lexington and Louisville. The forecasts will cover the 48-hour period on Saturday and Sunday. No hedging. No “anywhere from 2 to 20 inches.” KSR is making them put a number on it to the tenth of an inch. Official measurements will be taken at the airports in each city.

And the best part? The winning meteorologist will receive $10,000 to donate to the charity of their choice. The glory of the most accurate prediction will be sweet, and the bragging rights sweeter. But the charitable aspect is what really makes it worth doing. Commonwealth Causes, ServPro, and Matt Jones donated the money.

Now, for the field. The following Kentucky meteorologists were quick to reply and eager to play. Honestly, it’s a little shocking how excited they were to commit. Only one invitee did not respond to multiple requests.

Now, for the plot twist. The original group of 10 included mostly Lexington and Louisville meteorologists, an independent YouTuber, and two popular TV personalities who came out of retirement for this one. Then, Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel caught wind (pun absolutely intended) of the competition and threw his hat in the ring, bringing us to the final 11 participants:

Meteorologists

• Chris Bailey, WKYT (Lexington)
• Jim Caldwell, formerly of WKYT (Lexington)
• Jim Cantore, The Weather Channel
• Jay Cardosi, WLKY (Louisville)
• Ryan Hall, Y’all (YouTube)
• Kevin Harned, WAVE (Louisville)
• Justin Logan, FOX 56 (Lexington)
• Bill Meck, LEX 18 (Lexington)
• Mallory Schnell, WHAS 11 (Louisville)
• T.G. Schuck, WTVQ (Lexington)
• “Captain” Reed Yadon, formerly of WHAS (Louisville)

Listen to KSR for more Meteorologist Madness

Tune in to Friday’s show from 10 a.m. to noon to hear each participant’s prediction and the charity they are playing for, then stay safe all weekend. Listen on WLAP.com.