MPR News welcomes new chief meteorologist Ben Cathey
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Ben Cathey started his new job Monday as chief meteorologist for MPR News, leading the weather team following the recent retirement of longtime meteorologist Paul Huttner.
Cathey comes to Minnesota from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he was a Ted Scripps Fellow in environmental journalism. He’s also reported for the Pulitzer Center on the climate impacts of wildfires in Argentina.
He joined host Clay Masters on All Things Considered to talk about his new job.
The transcript below has been lightly edited for clarity. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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You’ve been working as a meteorologist all over the country — Colorado, Tennessee, Ohio. Is there anything about Minnesota’s weather that you’re particularly interested in?
From International Falls down to Worthington, we have a ton to talk about each and every day. The challenge is going to be fitting it in.
Derechos are something I’m looking to learn a lot more about. Wildfire is one of my specialties, and we have those ongoing in the northern part of the state right now.
You’ll be working with new hosts across MPR and our incredible meteorology team. What’s something you want our listeners to know about you?
I've loved the weather since I was 7 years old. I always talk about my dog, Bolt, who got the name because he’s afraid of the lightning. But I love puzzles, love the weather as a puzzle and finding out how to make climate really compelling content for the listener or the viewer, no matter where he or she is.
It’s obnoxious when you come into a role and somebody keeps talking about the guy who had the job before you. But your predecessor, Paul Huttner, was here a long time, a staple in Minnesota, known for his commitment for talking about climate change. Do you share that interest, and how will that affect your work?
Yeah, absolutely. I was really honored a couple of years ago when our trade organization, the American Meteorological Society, made me its top science reporter for broaching climate in an area where it wasn’t really welcomed initially.
I'm excited to bring that here to MPR listeners as well — whether it's, “Hey, we’re seeing additional wildfire days out there,” or maybe your frost and freeze is more erratic for the spring planting on the heels of Mother’s Day. There’s so much to talk about.
You’re joining MPR in the middle of May, which means you've got plenty of time to prepare for a Minnesota winter. What do you suspect your first Minnesota winter will look like?
I think I'm gonna look ASAP for some snowblower sales — hopefully they’ll come into sales soon. I've got my Sorel boots. I think I need to get my dog some boots as well.
Yeah, you know, I lived and worked at this powerhouse station in South Dakota very early in my career, and I got a taste of the high plains cold. So I can say I’m ready now — but wait ‘til it's below zero.
We'll check back in in a few months. You're new to our state. Is there anything you’d like help with in terms of acclimating to Minnesota culture?
I've had Juicy Lucys, some amazing pizza hot dish, especially with the tater tots on top. But yeah, any kind of hiking trails or secret spots, maybe for fly fishing or ice fishing. Looking forward to that. And I’ve already been welcomed to the community, got this great landlord and people have been messaging me all day, so it's been a real treat.
