National Weather Service Tucson, Arizona

Thank you for taking a moment to look at our Story Board!  I have served as the Meteorologist in Charge at the National Weather Service in Tucson for almost 6 years, and I can honestly say there is no place I would rather be. A little further down in this presentation, you will learn about our staff, what southern Arizona has to offer, who we serve and most importantly, what we stand for as a team.  We take our mission very seriously, but also know how to have fun.  We take pride in our diversity and are proud to serve our partners in the best way we can. If you want to know more about our office or are interested in working with a welcoming and experienced staff, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Thanks again for spending a few minutes with our office, and good luck!

"It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness."  - Seneca

Thank you for your interest in Tucson! I am the Science and Operations Officer at this office, tasked with keeping up with the latest science and technology trends and ensuring our team of meteorologists have the tools and training they need to succeed. My job extends much further than that though, as I aim to provide opportunities, project ideas, coaching and mentoring to help our staff achieve their career goals. Our staff has done incredible work in the recent past to advance our agency’s mission, so if you wish to be part of a diverse and dynamic team…NWS Tucson is for you.

I am originally from Kansas (go Jayhawks!), but have spent my entire NWS career in the West. I started my career in Anchorage AK, and made stops in Sacramento CA and Spokane WA before arriving in Tucson. I am happy to call Tucson my home, as the extracurricular activities here are incredible! From sporting events to cultural and outdoor activities, southern Arizona has a little bit for everyone. My email address is  tom.dang@noaa.gov  if you would like to talk more.

I am originally from Florida (Tampa Bay area), where my love for weather started after being impacted by Hurricane Charley in 2004. My passion for the weather continued to grow. While obtaining my Meteorology degree from Florida State University (FSU), I was a student volunteer at NWS Tampa Bay and an Intern at the Florida Division of Emergency Management. After graduating from FSU, I began my career as a Meteorologist in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2017 with the goal of eventually becoming a Warning Coordination Meteorologist. After 5.5 years in Las Vegas, I was promoted to a Lead Meteorologist position in Sacramento, CA, where I spent about two years. In June 2024, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to return to the Desert Southwest as the Warning Coordination Meteorologist for NWS Tucson. In this role, I serve as the primary liaison between the National Weather Service and its core partners across southeastern Arizona. Building new and strengthening existing relationships with partners is no small feat and requires a team of people. So, if partner outreach, decision support services, and being a part of an awesome and diverse team interests you, come work with us at NWS Tucson! Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about NWS Tucson, chelsea.peters@noaa.gov.

My journey in the field of meteorology with the National Weather Service has been very fulfilling and exciting to do each day. It all started when I was a student volunteer at the Tucson office where I learned about the many aspects of the forecast process to being allowed to launch weather balloons. The office staff is very knowledgeable and friendly to anyone that interacts with the office. Soon, I felt like I was part of a team where I could freely contribute ideas to improve the agency’s services and operational meteorology. Plus, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and working within the community such as emergency management teams and the wildfire community. Eventually, my journey continued as a Pathways Intern while I was completing my college career. One of the best experiences to have while attending school because I saw the practical applications being used outside the classroom. Then, I was happy to stay on as a full-time meteorologist and continue to serve the community through research to partner outreach and engagement in Southeast Arizona. Also, one of the many advantages of living in Tucson is that the city has a lot to offer. It may be just a desert, but there are a lot of hidden gems to do and explore through the mild winters to the active monsoon seasons. The city is a great hub to jump around the area for hiking the local mountains, driving up north to ski, and exploring the local gastronomy scene. To this day, I am still finding new things to eat, drink, and hike in southeast Arizona. 

Starting one’s professional career is never easy, with lots of challenges, learning and growing. I am very glad that I began this journey at NWS Tucson. Having graduated with my B.S. in Meteorology only in May 2022, I knew from my past Pathways internship  that the National Weather Service was the place I wanted to begin my career. Knowing which office to apply to was not as straightforward in my mind. While looking for a NWS WFO to apply to and interview with I asked myself 2 questions: “Can I learn and grow in the world of meteorology at this office?”and “Can I see myself living at this place for the foreseeable future?”. Right away I could see myself learning from all of the people on my interview panel, and they and everyone else in the office continue to teach me, afford me opportunities to meet with partners and participate in outreach, and help me gain confidence in my budding meteorology skills. As someone who loves being outdoors, I saw Tucson (and Arizona as a whole) a great place to see a different kind of nature than I am used to, being a native New Yorker. The many desert museums, endless hiking trails, and the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets are a major appeal of the area. Another important aspect of finding a place to live was the food, and I can say it does not disappoint thus far. One of the best things is to try and conquer the never-ending list of recommendations of local restaurants from everyone in the office. Even though I have not been in the office or Tucson long, with each passing day it is becoming more and more my home.

I’ve settled in for an extended tenure at the NWS Tucson office since 2006 after numerous experiences in the meteorology field including in broadcasting, private sector meteorological forecasting and civilian service in the Department of the Army. Simply put, Tucson is home! This is an amazing multicultural and diverse city with a great NWS office smack dab in the middle of the action at the University of Arizona. Originally having grown up in New York and receiving my B.S. degree on the cold and snowy shores of Lake Ontario at SUNY Oswego, the desert warmth is a nice change and I now consider myself a desert rat. I love the great outdoors in Tucson, most commonly for a simple hike or daily exercise. When not enjoying the fabulous desert climate, I’m often planning my next trip with my wife. We’ve been to 35 countries and counting. NWS Tucson is an excellent office for personal and professional growth - there is nonstop convective action during the monsoon with numerous slower periods of weather during the fall, winter and spring that allow additional time to take on projects of personal interest. The camaraderie and inclusivity among the staff is excellent and we all have each other's back. If you have any questions about NWS Tucson or living in Tucson, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at glenn.e.lader@noaa.gov.

Hi there! My name is Kei (pronounced like key) and my pronouns are they/them. Before starting my career at the NWS Tucson, I received my Bachelors in Meteorology from SUNY Oneonta in Upstate NY in 2021 then received by Masters in Meteorology with a concentration in Fire Weather from San Jose State University in California in 2023. When looking for an office in the Weather Service my top priorities were: if my wage compared to the cost of living was doable, if the office culture was welcoming and positive, and if the office encouraged personal and career growth. Since joining the NWS Tucson team in June of 2023, I can confidently say that all of my priorities have not only been met but have exceeded my expectations. I have had more opportunities to expand my network, improve my leadership skills, and learn and experience more of what NOAA and the NWS has to offer than I could have ever imagined. From electronic techs to meteorologists to administrative persons, everyone in the office is welcoming, kind, and a joy to work with. I can't express my gratitude and appreciation for the Tucson office more, it is truly an excellent place to work. If you would like to chat about office culture, Tucson, or learn more about my experience in the Weather Service, please don't hesitate to reach out at kiera.malarkey@noaa.gov.

I got the opportunity to intern at NWS Tucson as a part of my NOAA's Hollings program experience. I was working on my undergraduate degree at the time, majoring in Geographic Information Science, commonly referred to as GIS. I was fortunate to get the opportunity to apply some of my knowledge in my field of study to weather by automating a weather risk visualization method as a part of my experience. The NWS Tucson team was welcoming and provided me with a great environment to intern in over the summer. While my field of study is little related to atmospheric science, the staff made it so simple to understand local phenomena, providing me with a significant amount of knowledge within just a few weeks. The office was often engaged in a variety of activities and outreach opportunities that made my experience more entertaining. Arizona’s unique ecosystem and scenery added to the great things I got to experience over the summer months; there are so many things to see and do.

I spent my time at NWS Tucson during the Summer of 2023 for a research internship through the NOAA Hollings Program. The research project I worked on, titled “Integrating Lightning Data into the Warning Decision Process in the Southwest”, focuses on the possibility of using lightning data from satellites as a proxy for storm intensity when tools such as radar are leveraged by the local topography. In addition to research, I also participated in a number of incredibly fun outreach activities with the office, including visiting partners such as the Arizona State Climatologist, Tucson Communications Center, Tucson Airport, and local news station KOLD.

I also spent my summer enjoying Arizona’s natural beauty. As I’m originally from a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, this environment was quite different from what I’m used to! Whether it’s Mount Lemmon, Tucson Mountain Park, or Tumamoc Hill, there are so many fun things to do in the breathtaking desert that surrounds Tucson. Thank you to everyone at NWS Tucson for a wonderful summer!

I was a Pathways student for NWS Tucson from 2018-2019 while I finished my Masters degree in Atmospheric Sciences at the U of A. Between the diverse weather, climates, and experiences in IDSS, I was exposed to everything that made me the successful forecaster that I am today at NWS Seattle. Thanks to the expertise and wide variety of skills within the NWS Tucson staff, I was ready to take on these next challenges at my new office. Since becoming a general forecaster, I am now an Incident Meteorologist Trainee who has been to a wildfire this summer, confident in leadership roles, and continuing to learn daily. Tucson is a great city with a lot of diversity culturally, environmentally, and meteorologically, so there will always be something to see or experience!

Attended the University of Arizona, where studied Atmospheric Science, is what brought me to lovely Tucson! One of the things that made my Pathways experience so enjoyable at NWS Tucson is how great the learning environment is here! I was rather nervous starting out since there was so much to learn but the people here have made me feel so welcome. I learned so much being here, from learning how to launch a weather balloon, to how to read more complex weather maps and models, to making and sending various briefings, and so much more. In addition, being able to have a direct impact on my community has been such a cool experience as I'm from out of state. Tucson is such an interesting place, not only weather-wise with the variability that comes with the monsoon season, but also with how much there is to do here! The office is right on the University of Arizona campus, which is only a quick street car ride away from downtown Tucson. There is so much to explore here, from hiking and going up to Mount Lemmon or discovering fantastic local restaurants and coffee shops.

My career started around thirteen years ago as a SCEP student (now called a Pathways Intern) at NWS Jacksonville, FL just before my junior year of college at Florida State University. Go Noles! Since then I have moved around the weather service a bit working in Morristown, TN, Jacksonville, FL (again), Las Vegas, NV, and Tucson. After living on the east coast for most of my life, coming to the West was a very eye-opening experience for me. I fell in love with the mountains and the unique beauty that this side of the country offers. I love being able to see mountains every day and the challenges that they bring to the weather forecast. For those looking for exciting weather, don't write off southern Arizona. The monsoon is a very busy three to four months of the year where weather hazards range from dust storms to extreme flash flooding to wildfires. It definitely keeps you on your toes. In addition to the weather, I have always been passionate about improving partner relations and services as well as public/partner education. We have a diverse range of core partners including the U.S. Border Patrol, National Park Service, tribal nations, academia, and many others. As a city, Tucson has a lot to offer outdoor enthusiasts, foodies, sports fans, and families. I have a young family and the city provides many family-friendly options like the Reid Park Zoo, Desert Museum, and Children's Museum Tucson. Feel free to reach out to me at kate.guillet@noaa.gov if you have any questions about the office or the area. I would be happy to help!

As an advisor and program manager for the University of Arizona’s Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences (HAS), there is little I appreciate more than a professional organization’s partnership to strengthen our academic programs. Our collaboration with NWS Tucson has had positive impacts such as student training through NOAA scholarship/pathways/mentorship programs, improving our curriculum in Weather Analysis and Forecasting by designing real-world simulations, and participation in our department research conference day El Día del Agua y la Atmósfera. The members of NWS Tucson are friendly, open-minded, and creative people who see the value of skillsets beyond the general science. They have helped me as an advisor explain the advantages of building interests in areas such as arts and social science, which bring perspective to the forecast office tasks. Above all else, they are personable people whose company I enjoy, and I am richer as an individual in addition to the overall department benefit!

As a broadcast meteorologist, I find it incredibly important to have a good working relationship with the local National Weather Service office. At the end of the day, we both have the same goals – to forecast the weather as accurately as possible and to communicate that forecast to the public as effectively as possible. In my short time working in this market, I have been thoroughly impressed with the NWS Tucson office. The staff are not only good at what they do, they are wonderful people too! It can be intimidating moving to a new city, starting a new job, creating all new connections, and acclimating with a new climate. NWS Tucson reached out to me quickly after I arrived at KOLD and asked how they could be of service during my transition. We were able to squeeze in an in-person meeting during Monsoon to openly discuss our partnership and how we can help one another moving forward. I'm excited to continue strengthening our partnership through media workshops and upcoming collaborations with the University of Arizona. We can accomplish so much more – and learn so much more - when we work together!  

The diverse staff of NWS Tucson has worked and lived in a plethora of states and offices across the country! In addition, our staff combined has studied at over [21] universities!

Southeast Arizona is a beautiful and unique part of the country rich in culture and heritage. Though the desert seems like a quiet place to forecast the weather, there are actually more weather challenges than one may realize. Read on for more information about the Tucson forecast area, climatology, and Tucson living.

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Additional Benefits include a TSP, health and life insurance, and retirement/pension.

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