From Tim O’Rourke, vice president of content strategy for Hearst Newspapers (HNP):
The San Francisco Chronicle is launching a meteorological team to cover weather across the Bay Area, Northern California and beyond through a data-driven, scientific approach that deepens the conversation around climate across the communities we cover.
The newsroom is hiring for three new positions and will look to build a team of freelance forecasters and subject-matter experts to bring readers unique stories, analysis and information as well as regular forecasts to help residents navigate their days.
These are the full-time jobs being added; applicants welcome:
“With the Bay Area seeing first-hand the negative impact of climate change, now is the exact time to launch an initiative that goes beyond the forecast and explores the science of weather,” said Chronicle Editor in Chief Emilio Garcia-Ruiz. “We expect this project to see deep community involvement and give our readers who closely follow meteorology a place to contribute what they’re seeing across the various models.”
Before launching the team, The Chronicle spoke with experts from weather-related fields, including broadcast television meteorologists, climatologists, academics, National Weather Service leaders, science journalists and other successful local meteorological teams. The feedback was used to build the initiative’s framework, and all the experts agreed on a few general principles: focus on the science, cover news relentlessly, use data and graphics to explain complex information, build a community of weather wonks, and have some fun.
The team is expected to share regular forecasts with readers through an easy-to-scan newsletter (sign up early!), report on breaking weather news and add depth to the meteorological discussion online through data- and graphics-driven explainers and analyses.
The Chronicle’s air quality tracker shows ratings for the Bay Area and California in real time.
The Chronicle“Chronicle readers already gravitate toward and engage with our current weather reporting,” said Sarah Feldberg, editor for emerging products and audio. “This team will allow us to respond more quickly to breaking weather events and level up our coverage to better explain to our audience what’s happening outside their windows and why.”
In addition to daily weather stories and forecasts, Chronicle users will continue to have access to climate-focused reader tools such as the California Fire Tracker, Bay Area Air Quality Map, Drought and Reservoir Database and Quake Tracker.
Want to learn more about The Chronicle’s new weather team? We published details in an informational deck for the public and prospective applicants.
About The San Francisco Chronicle
The San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfchronicle.com) is the largest newspaper in Northern California and the second largest on the West Coast. Acquired by the Hearst Corporation in 2000, The San Francisco Chronicle was founded in 1865 by Charles and Michael de Young and has been awarded six Pulitzer Prizes for journalistic excellence. The staff won ONA Online Journalism Awards for General Excellence in 2020 and for Breaking News coverage in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Follow us on Twitter at @SFChronicle.
