Noted Meteorologist Jim Witt To Speak at Little Red Schoolhouse

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Award-winning and innovative meteorologist Jim Witt will speak on the topic:  “Long-Range Weather Forecasting in the Hudson Valley” on Saturday, October 15th, at 2 p.m., at  The Little Red Schoolhouse, 297 Locust Avenue, Cortlandt Manor, New York.   Open free to the public, the program will include the sales and signing by Mr. Witt of the 2012 edition of his popular weather prediction calendar. 

He originated and has developed over the years the highly accurate Hope for Youth Foundation Long-Range  Weather Calendar, whose proceeds go directly to charities for children.   

Since 1965, he has been involved in extensive long-range weather research and instruction for secondary schools, the media, government, and higher educational institutions throughout the country, including Columbia University, Western Connecticut State College, Pace University, and BOCES. 

A few years ago, Mr. Witt  was an invited speaker at The White House to brief presidential advisors (economic, military and energy leaders) on expected winter weather conditions in Afghanistan and the U.S. and the impact it would have on our faltering economy.   At the height of America’s role in the exploration of space, he developed the curriculum “Introduction to Space Science” for the National Aeronautics & Space  Administration (NASA).

From 1962 to 1977, he was a teacher and chairman of the Science Department of the Lakeland Central Schools, where he organized and operated nationally-recognized secondary school weather programs.

Since 1972, he has been an  on-air  weather personality in major radio markets throughout the U.S., including WABC and WOR Radio in New York City, and currently WHUD & WLNA Radio in the Hudson Valley and WKIT in Bangor, Maine.  He has also appeared on the former MacNeil-Lehrer Report on PBS, and WCBS-TV, where he compiled that station’s Weather Almanac for several years.

Mr. Witt co-founded  Fleetweather, Inc. in 1970, and was its co-owner and vice president until 1996. 

He has been published several times and authored “Traveling Weatherwise in the U.S.A.”   

Known for his dedication to youth and the disabled,  he has received many distinguished community service awards since 1967.  The Lakeland Education Foundation honored him in 1999 for “his service to the Lakeland School District and the role he has played in providing unique learning opportunities for our students.”  

A longtime Rotarian, in 2008 Rotary International  named him a Paul Harris Fellow for his  significant contributions toward “the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.” 

He is most proud of a “Special Award” he received this year from The American Meteorological Society for his “innovative leadership in teaching high school meteorology, mentoring, and inspiring his students to accomplishments in the meteorological community and in life.”

Mr. Witt and his wife, Nancy, residents of Cold Spring,  New York,  have raised three children and have five  grandchildren.  

The Little Red Schoolhouse is located at the north end of Locust Avenue, just south of Oregon Road, next  to Old Saint Peter’s Church and cemetery in the Town of Cortlandt.   For more information on the October 15th program, visit the Society’s website at:  www.vancort.net;  or call 914-736-7868.