George Mason climate science alumnus helps predict the nation's weather
As a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center (WPC), Noah Blanco-Alcalá, MS Climate Dynamics ’25, helps forecast some of the nation's most significant weather events, including flash flooding, winter storms, extreme precipitation, and temperature extremes. His forecasts help inform emergency managers, government officials, and communities preparing for hazardous weather conditions.
After earning his bachelor's degree at Virginia Tech, Blanco-Alcalá chose George Mason in part because of its proximity to the Washington, D.C., region's scientific and professional community.
"I knew being at George Mason would help me network with both meteorologists and climate scientists," he said.
While pursuing his master's degree, Blanco-Alcalá joined the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center through the federal Pathways Internship Program, where he trained alongside operational meteorologists and gained hands-on forecasting experience.
The College of Science’s Master’s in Climate Science also introduced him to areas of atmospheric science beyond day-to-day forecasting, including oceanography, climate variability, and land-atmosphere interactions.
"I wanted to understand more than just the forecast itself," he said. "The program gave me a much broader view of atmospheric science and how different parts of the Earth system are connected."
Blanco-Alcalá noted J. Shukla Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences Professor Paul Dirmeyer's course on land-atmosphere interactions as particularly impactful, helping him better understand how soil moisture and environmental conditions can play a role in flash flooding, knowledge he now applies in forecasting.
Blanco-Alcalá served as a graduate teaching assistant for introductory atmospheric science courses and worked as a research assistant under Professor of Climate Dynamics David Straus. Through his research, he gained experience with Earth system models, coding, and large-scale data analysis, skills that continue to support his work today.
Beyond academics, some of Blanco-Alcalá's favorite memories at George Mason came through music. A lifelong violinist, he performed with the George Mason Orchestra during graduate school.
"Being able to play with such talented musicians was a really cool experience," he said.
Today, Blanco-Alcalá's advice for students interested in meteorology is simple: gain experience early and develop strong communication skills. As weather forecasting becomes increasingly intertwined with public safety, he believes scientists must be able to translate complex information into clear, actionable guidance.
" Look for opportunities to get involved, even if they aren’t necessarily formal positions,” he said. “Volunteering and getting to know people in the field can help you build experience and make connections. That was a big part of how I got my start.”
