At Media Party Buenos Aires 2023, John Keefe shared how The New York Times Weather Data Team translates complex data into clear, actionable coverage of extreme weather events. To bridge technical forecasting and public understanding, the newsroom integrated specialized expertise directly into its workflow—even hiring a professional meteorologist to provide context across formats ranging from interactive maps to TikTok videos.
Central to their approach is utility and personalization. The team simplifies complex government risk models into intuitive categories—like “some,” “moderate,” or “high” risk—while building interactive tools for local impact. They also created an automated service allowing users to register up to four locations for personalized, real-time email alerts during severe events like tornadoes or heavy rain.
Behind the scenes, this effort relies on seamless collaboration among weather journalists, graphics editors, and software engineers. By deploying automated scripts that refresh data trackers in real time—often every few minutes—The New York Times ensures readers receive vital, accurate information when extreme weather strikes.
Don’t miss the full presentation! Watch John Keefe’s Keynote at Media Party Buenos Aires 2023.
Speaker Profile
John Keefe
Weather Editor, The New York Times
