Al Roker’s Guide for Weather Talks with Kids

I’ve always had a deep love for the science of weather and enjoyed sharing this knowledge with the public. I began reporting on the weather in 1974, when I was a sophomore in college, and have continued doing so ever since. During the same timeframe, my wife, Deborah, and I have raised three kids and are now grandparents to our beautiful granddaughter, Sky.

The weather has become more extreme since my days studying broadcasting. We’ve seen history-making hurricanes, record-breaking blizzards, rising ocean levels, extreme droughts, unprecedented heatwaves, fires, flash flooding, and more.

Extreme weather affects us all, and as a weathercaster, parent, and grandparent, I wonder what kind of world our kids and grandkids will inherit. I’ve also wondered how to talk about extreme weather with kids in a way that supports their understanding while also building resilience, hope, and optimism.

I conceived my new animated series, “Weather Hunters,” for PBS KIDS, as not only engaging entertainment but also a resource for grown-ups to discuss weather and climate with their kids. The show follows 8-year-old Lily Hunter, a sharp and fearless weather detective, as she explores how climate and weather affect people and communities—with help from her family: parents Al and Dot, sister Corky, and brother Benny.

“Weather Hunters” provides the basic building blocks for a kid-level understanding of weather science, exploring fascinating questions like: What is rain? Why does it snow? Where do puddles go when the sun comes out? And how on Earth do you pronounce anemometer?

Watching “Weather Hunters” with your kids is a great way to spark meaningful conversations about how weather impacts our daily lives. Families can watch together, pausing to notice what’s happening and ask questions along the way.

In the episode “Through Rain, Sun, Snow and Hail,” five-year-old Benny Hunter not only forges a friendship with the local mail carrier, Ms. Hughes, but also learns about how to dress for different forms of precipitation.

In another episode, "Cold Snap," Lily Hunter realizes a sudden drop in temperature on a spring day could harm the neighborhood gardens. She leaps into action, gathering items she and her siblings can use as covers to protect the plants until the cold snap passes. They save not only their mom’s plants, but their neighbor, Ms. Joyce’s plants, too.

Episodes like these can inspire simple, real-life conversations at home:

• How might today’s weather affect your plans?

• What kind of clothes do you need for today’s forecast?

• How does the weather affect other people, animals, and plants?

With extreme weather events affecting many of us, “Weather Hunters” provides a safe space for parents to talk about these events in kid-friendly ways. Helping children make sense of what’s happening in the world and understand their emotional responses is vital to building their resilience.

In the episode, “Properly Prepared,” the Hunter family models what it looks like to get ready for a hurricane. While Al heads to the TV studio to warn folks in their area about a possible hurricane heading their way, Dot and the kids walk through key steps every family can take to stay safe.

First, they bring in outdoor furniture and other heavy items to prevent them from causing damage or injury. Next, they track the storm’s severity and direction by watching Al’s weathercast so they know what to expect. Then, they create a checklist of supplies they’ll need to either ride out the storm or evacuate and pack a go-kit filled with essentials like flashlights, a radio, extra batteries, food that won’t spoil, bottled water, dry clothes, a first aid kit, and more.

The Hunter family also models safe practices by staying away from windows during the storm. Before and after it passes, they check on their neighbors — helping them prepare and pitching in with cleanup. The episode offers not only practical advice but also important emotional lessons, showing how kids and grown-ups can support one another and talk about their feelings during weather emergencies.

As animated Al says to his family on the show, “The more you’re prepared, the less you’ll be scared.”

Most folks know me as a weathercaster and TV host. But a lesser-known fact about me? I’ve always loved animation — and even once had dreams of becoming an animator! Creating and producing “Weather Hunters” for PBS KIDS is the culmination of two lifelong dreams: to share my passion for weather with a wide audience and to work in animation. I hope the series will help families discuss the weather so we can all work together to sustain a healthy planet for ourselves, our children, and future generations.

As the Hunters always say at the end of their weathercasts, “Whatever the weather, we’re in it together!”