James Franklin (meteorologist)

James Franklin (middle), with Scott Gudes (left) and retired Air Force General Jack Kelly, director of NWS.

James L. Franklin is a weather forecaster with the National Hurricane Center and its current branch chief. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology^[1] and of Ransom Everglades School^[2] in 1976 in Miami, where he was a co-valedictorian.

Franklin likes to add his wit to many of his forecasts, much like his counterpart Dr. Lixion Avila and in contrast with the often dry commentary of other forecasters. For example:

• In forecasting 2002 Atlantic hurricane season's Hurricane Kyle, Franklin noted "for fun, [a] long-range run of the GFS [model] has Kyle — its decayed remnants actually — reaching south Florida just in time for the kickoff of the Miami/Florida State game, one week from tomorrow."^[3] Later, as the storm deteriorated, Franklin started his forecast discussion with a line from the Bee Gees' song Stayin' Alive.^[4]
• When forecasting Tropical Storm Franklin in 2005, Franklin said "Franklin — the storm, not the forecaster — has become a little better organized overnight. [...] It is quite possible that little or nothing will be left of Franklin — the storm, not the forecaster — in 2–3 days." ^[5]
• In the Tropical Cyclone Report for Hurricane Vince in 2005, Franklin alluded to My Fair Lady when he quipped "The rain in Spain was mainly less than 2 inches, although 3.30 inches fell in the plain at Cordoba."^[6]
• In a discussion for Tropical Depression Ana in 2009, Franklin noted that "[t]he intensity forecast is complicated by the uncertain existence of an actual tropical cyclone..."^[7]

References

1. The Best of New Orleans! News Feature: Lessons from Lili (2002-10-15)
2. Alumni Directory. Coconut Grove, FL: Ransom-Everglades School. 1981.
3. Franklin, James (2002-10-04). "Tropical Storm Kyle Discussion number 58". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
4. Franklin, James (2002-10-09). "Tropical Depression Kyle Discussion number 78". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
5. Franklin, James (2005-07-23). "Tropical Storm Franklin Discussion number 8". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2010-06-05.
6. Tropical Cyclone Report—Hurricane Vince
7. Franklin, James (2009-08-17). "Tropical Depression Ana Discussion 22". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2010-06-05.