Steve’s story
A career built online, for the public
In 2007, I started writing a simple weather blog as an outlet for my passion. Sometimes, we fall. What matters is what we build next.
In the seven years before that, I earned my meteorology degree, moved to the Southern Plains for my first meteorology job, and began a career in operational meteorology. Everything was going well, but circumstances changed in early 2007 and I had to move back home to New Jersey.
Social media was new and growing quickly, with plenty of opportunities and pitfalls. I was fortunate to use this emerging medium to share my passion and help people. Along the way, I created a membership service, worked with legacy media, and spoke with some remarkable atmospheric scientists.
I was beyond excited when Erica Grow Cei approached me about the potential for an American Meteorological Society certification created for Digital Meteorologists. I never thought I would have an opportunity to earn a professional certification because many of us were not working in television or radio and were not consulting for major corporations.
We were the meteorologists people talked with on YouTube, Twitter (X), or Facebook—and the meteorologists helping a small landscaping company make a weather-sensitive decision. Neither the CBM nor the CCM fully represented that work. The CDM finally does.
“Why is the CDM important to me? Trust and reliability.”Steve DiMartino
The public needs to know who is providing reliable and accountable meteorological information. Over nearly two decades, I have worked to earn that trust. Now that commitment is recognized through the AMS.
I want to thank everyone who helped me throughout my career, including my wife Susan, my parents, and all of you who allowed me to share my passion and pursue my dream.