Justin berk meteorologist9/12/2023 ![]() ![]() When an elderly man needs a chair at the packed Panera, Berk grabs one for him. The irony is that Berk comes across like an inveterate people-pleaser. Somehow, this self-described “weather nut” has touched a nerve, becoming one of Baltimore’s most divisive media figures. And though he has won several “Best of” awards from local media (including Baltimore in 2000, 2006, and 2007), he has also taken plenty of hits for his denial of man-made climate change and his thin-skinned reactions to criticism. A parody Twitter account ( regularly mocks his forecasting skills, his catch phrases (“Faith in the Flakes,” “stickage,” et al.), and his general persona. But since heading online-only in 2012, his following has, well, snowballed, and he now reaches about 1 million people a week on Facebook alone, and up to 5 million during storms.īut he has accumulated a small, vocal contingent of detractors, as well. Almost certainly, a portion of his audience followed him over from his Baltimore TV gigs, first at WBAL from 1997 to 2003 and then at WMAR from 2003 to 2012. With more than 200,000 followers on Facebook, nearly 30,000 on Twitter, and as many as hundreds of thousands of daily visitors to his website,, Berk’s populist touch can’t be denied. ![]() “Now how do you that without putting people to sleep?” he asks, his eyes alight with all the delight of a kid on a snow day. “This is where it’s going to start as rain and go to heavy snow, probably a couple inches of accumulation, then to rain, then into snow tomorrow,” he says, pointing to the pink smear on the map engulfing the greater Baltimore region. Look,” he continues, turning his computer to reveal a radar map. I hate to be rude,” he says in his rapid-fire patois that still retains a hint of his native “New Yawk” accent. Suddenly, snow that was scheduled for the following day might arrive as early as this afternoon, and Berk, the meteorologist of choice for many Baltimoreans, is worried about missing a chance to update his legion of social media followers on the latest projections. A storm system is headed for Maryland and is moving in faster than anticipated. His preoccupation, as always, is the weather. Though he’s being interviewed in the back of a Timonium Panera Bread, he keeps stealing glances at his MacBook Pro and his iPhone, which lies on the table buzzing and ringing frequently. That pocket of cooler air this weekend will likely help morning sun build afternoon clouds… We should remain dry into the middle of next week.Justin Berk is distracted. This is why I believe the Severe Risk will be expanded to more of central Maryland… It will feel stick around Baltimore- to the west and north. It’s one we need to consider seriously as it would introduce a higher chance for severe storms later.Ĭooler air will hold over Delmarva… But metro areas in between will feel sticky. The suggestion for 100✯ is an abrupt uptick. The fringe of that Heat Dome will try to reach western Maryland and northern Virginia. Here we can see the development of storms ‘close’ to the forecast simulation I showed last night. This is for ‘potential’ over about a 6 hour period.Ī Warning will be issued when there is a storm occurring to track. ![]() The timing and how hot we get will determine how far south into Maryland these storms may reach tonight.Īny severe storm can produce: Large Hail, Damaging Wind, Isolated Tornado, and Flash FloodingĪ Watch may be issued for the region. We will track a line of storms from the Great Lakes into Central Pennsylvania. Round 2 with Severe Potential: Expected This Evening and Tonight We still have storms to track this morning. This will not only make it very sticky and uncomfortable for some, but add to the fuel for severe weather later.įather’s Day Weekend is still looking pleasant. The latest information I see on the high resolution guidance brings in the high heat to our western counties. The morning round of storms are still with us through noon. ![]()
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