The College of the Florida Keys will host the latest installment of its VIP speaker series on Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m. in Tennessee Williams Theater on the school’s Key West campus. Jonathan Rizzo, warning coordination meteorologist at NOAA’s National Weather Service Key West office, will present: “Science, Technology and Operational Advances in Meteorology Since the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane — How Would a Historic Hurricane Event in the Florida Keys be Communicated Today?”
Rizzo’s presentation takes a look back at the catastrophic 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, one of the most powerful storms to strike the United States and Florida Keys. Rizzo will guide the audience through the severe limitations meteorologists of that era faced in predicting and communicating its impact. He will trace nearly a century of technological advancement in hurricane science, from the earliest computer-based weather modeling and radar systems to today’s satellite imagery, Hurricane hunter aircraft and artificial intelligence-driven forecasting tools.
The presentation will examine the growing role of social science in hazardous weather messaging and how forecasters communicate risk in ways that motivate action. He will close with a forward-looking scenario: If a Category 5 hurricane mirroring the track and intensity of the 1935 storm were approaching the Keys today, how would public safety officials and residents be warned?
Rizzo is responsible for public outreach and preparedness coordination across Monroe County and its municipalities. He serves as a deployment-ready meteorologist during tropical cyclone emergency operations, providing direct weather support to decision-makers during activations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in meteorology from Florida State University.
Now in its 12th season, the college’s series showcases the visions, ideas and perspectives – “VIP” – of speakers with local, regional and national prominence.
Doors open at 6 p.m. with the discussion beginning at 7 p.m. Rizzo’s 50-minute presentation will be followed by 10 minutes for questions and answers. Tickets are $5 at the door; they are free for CFK and Monroe County school students. The event will appear live on the college’s Facebook page.More information is available from 305-296-9081 or at www.cfk.edu/vip.
