Ethan started his weather reports in the seventh grade and has since become an essential resource for the community.
As Hurricane Helene approached last week, weather reports became more crucial than ever for North Carolina residents. But many weren’t tuning in to the evening news; instead, they turned to 21-year-old college student Ethan Clark, who runs the online weather page North Carolina’s Weather Authority.
« In seventh grade, I started [the page] for friends and family. It was really small, just a little Facebook page », Clark told Newsweek.
While in middle school, his curiosity about weather led him to analyze data and share forecasts with friends and family online, but it was during Hurricane Matthew in 2016 that the page started to gain traction as people outside of his circle began following his weather reports. « I’ve realized during hurricanes, severe weather outbreaks, or winter storms, very in-depth details are what people like », Clark said.
Over the years, he has developed his forecasting skills. « I’ve taken courses in basic and advanced meteorology, and I have my AMS [American Meteorological Society] CBM [Certified Broadcast Meteorologist] certification and NWS [National Weather Service] storm-spotter certification », Clark said.
Now he uses the same tools as the professionals, analyzing real-time weather data and observations to understand patterns and deliver the latest updates.
As Hurricane Helene approached, Clark’s page saw a huge increase in followers and engagement. Residents turned to him for timely updates, valuing his clarity and straightforward style.
