Meet Jacob Lanier of Missouri – Midtown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Lanier.

Hi Jacob, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey to becoming a broadcast meteorologist started in elementary school. My interest in weather led me to set up a small weather studio in my basement using colored markers and a white eraser board. My dad, who always encouraged me to dream big, took me on a visit to The Weather Channel in Atlanta when I was in the sixth grade. I remember being fascinated by the dozens of cameras, big weather maps, and complex computer models. Ever since, I have been in love with broadcasting and sharing the science of weather with my viewers. I hope my continuing journey to follow my passion for weather will inspire you to pursue your life and career dreams!

Some call television a “nomadic” industry because it typically involves moving between TV markets. While I was still in college, I worked for nearly two years as a weekend meteorologist in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and I am always grateful to them for giving me my first chance to be on-air. There, I experienced my first several days of tornado coverage – which would prove beneficial for my future positions in “Dixie Alley,” centered in Mississippi, and “Tornado Alley,” centered just west of Kansas City.

After graduating from Mississippi State University (which has trained more than one-third of on-air meteorologists in the country), I moved to Jackson, Mississippi. There I was the weekday morning meteorologist for three years. It was a busy weather city; I worked hard tracking tornadoes every month of the year, several tropical storms during hurricane season, and even a few winter storms, one of which could cripple the city for weeks. After three annual cycles of non-stop weather in Mississippi, I felt I had gained the experience needed to take on a meteorologist role in a larger market. Kansas City had never been on my radar, but when I came into town to interview with FOX4 News, I knew this would be an amazing place to call home. God had opened a rare door to this opportunity meant for me so that I couldn’t say no!

We have a talented and diverse team at FOX4, and I love working alongside them to help keep people informed and safe during impactful weather! In the spring of 2022, I joined the most accurate weather team in KC (for the last two years running, according to WeatheRate). I have tracked tornado warnings for the Kansas City Metro, helped launch our new 4 pm newscast, and met many community members.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have been very blessed in my career and have so many family members, friends, mentors, teachers, and coworkers to thank. People always ask when I became interested in the weather, and that spark has always been there! It’s exciting when you do what you love daily for work. There is never only one “right” path for you, though they all generally require sacrifice, hard work, and faith! Bumps in the road happen for all of us, even if you think you have your roadmap planned out. Most of my struggles have honestly just been from trying to please others. Remember that nobody but yourself can see the complete picture of the hours you’ve put into your craft and the goals you’ve set for your future.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a meteorologist at FOX4 News, my schedule is never quite the same. When the weather calls, I’m working! But you can typically watch me during the week on our noon and 4 pm newscasts and weekend evenings at 5, 9, and 10 pm.

I consider myself a specialist in severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds, based on my education and experience in one of the most active tornado spots in the world. The worst storm I have had to track produced deadly twin EF-4 tornadoes on Easter Sunday of 2020 in southern Mississippi. Even though twelve people lost their lives, I know we saved dozens more because of our tornado coverage, the intensity of these storms, and our powerful technology. My team and I could give many residents warnings for these twisters up to an hour in advance. Later, the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters would award our lifesaving coverage with first place in the weather category. While Midwest winters are a bit colder and snowier than the South, I have several snowstorms under my forecasting belt. The fine line between rain and ice and snow is tough to call sometimes, so I will bring knowledge to the table and keep our forecasts most accurate during Kansas City’s coldest months. Those big snow days require the best predictions to help people make safe decisions across the city.

In addition to tracking the dangerous side of mother nature, I also love sharing windows into the world of weather in the form of pictures and videos sent to me by my thousands of social media followers. My “photo of the day” posts feature some of the best weather and nature photography from my followers across the country, including here in Kansas City! There is something special about Kansas and Missouri sunsets, but storm cloud photos are always my favorites.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Having a mentor is beneficial, no matter what stage of a career or education you are in. I was fortunate to have a great meteorologist oversee my college internship at the Atlanta FOX affiliate. He has been so helpful to me throughout my career, providing me with feedback and encouragement. But your mentor can be from anywhere — a more experienced coworker or someone you admire in your field of interest.

Make sure you are getting advice from someone you respect and trust in your industry and someone who will be brutally honest in providing constructive criticism to push you to improve. Remember that even though they are helping and guiding you, the mentor-mentee is a two-way relationship you should contribute to! Be thankful and encouraging, ask targeted questions, and even tie it back into their work with your feedback. We can all positively influence others as mentors as well by encouraging them toward their dreams and believing anything is possible instead of focusing only on the practical.

One final important lesson I am continuing to learn in Kansas City and the media industry is that the professional world is a small circle, so everyone is only one or two degrees away from you. Remember this before you burn bridges or put others down. It is always easier to be supportive and friendly!

For networking, don’t be afraid to reach out to others in your industry, geographic location, or who have similar interests. Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn are your friends. It is so easy now to create new online connections that can blossom into work partnerships. Just always be friendly and be ready to work together for a common goal that can bring results for both of you. None of us get to where we are alone, so I hope that you will find solid relationships that will help you thrive as you follow your passions!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fox4kc.com/author/jacob-lanier/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacoblanierwx/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacoblanierwx
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JacobLanierWx
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzXvdcVO7dAf8gmI9N2k3Ug