Science Saturday Ӏ Come Rain or Shine: The Voice Behind the Forecast
As the seasons change across the territory, Virgin Islands residents often turn to multiple sources to keep track of those day-to-day changes. Among those sources, the VI Weather Lady is one of the most trusted. During a recent episode of Science Saturday, the Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas’ Grants Administrator, Brigitte Berry, hosted VI Weather Lady Andrea Sewer, and Content Curator Gabrielle Querrard to discuss how weather forecasting impacts the daily lives of Virgin Islanders.
The conversation highlighted the importance of accurate weather forecasts to community members who often base their daily activities on changing weather patterns. Andrea shared that she has always had a keen eye for patterns and developed a particular interest in weather trends because of her experiences living through tropical storms and major hurricanes while growing up in the Virgin Islands. In 2019, despite having no formal meteorological training, Andrea leveraged social media and the skills she developed by studying storm-tracking maps as a child to analyze, organize, and share data with the community.
Brigitte noted that radio broadcasts were among the primary sources of information Andrea relied on when preparing for storms in her early years. Today, Andrea uses a variety of tools to monitor local weather conditions, including satellite imagery and forecasting models that she tracks consistently. Gabrielle recalled an instance when Andrea predicted a potential shift in a storm’s trajectory that differed from forecasts issued by major meteorological news outlets, and her assessment proved accurate.
Andrea emphasized that her attention to the small details that can quickly influence weather conditions stems from her desire to protect her family, friends, and community. Her commitment is seen on a regular basis, particularly during hurricane season, when timely and accurate information is critical.
Would you like to learn more about how the VI Weather Lady balances keeping the community informed while avoiding unnecessary fear or panic? Click the link below to watch the full conversation between Brigitte, Andrea, and Gabrielle as they discuss storm preparedness, climate change, and the importance of building credibility in the community.
Science Saturday, a monthly Facebook LIVE event, airs on the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. Watch the full interview on the Department of Planning and Natural Resources Facebook page or the Science Saturday YouTube playlist.
