How a legendary weatherman’s career, a famous storm, and a passion for meteorology shaped the future of weather forecasting
The great storm of 1987 propelled Dr. Michael Fish to national fame, ultimately leading to the Met Office investing £60 million in a supercomputer to enhance the UK’s meteorological capabilities. Even today, his reputation continues to be trusted by companies seeking his endorsement.
Dr. Michael Fish was the longest-serving broadcast meteorologist on British television. His career with the Met Office began in 1962, followed by a move to BBC Radio in 1971 and BBC Television in 1974. A true national treasure, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2004 and, in 2025, was selected by a British company to endorse its award-winning products.
Now happily retired, Dr. Fish enjoys life with his wife of 54 years, Sue, and spending time with his grandchildren. Yet, his passion for weather remains unwavering.
“My fascination with meteorology began when I was just ten years old in Eastbourne,” Dr. Fish recalls. “A devastating storm in 1953 swept through Eastern England, particularly East Anglia and Kent, causing widespread destruction, injuries, and loss of life. The event dominated the news for weeks and sparked my curiosity about weather patterns and their effects.”
Straight out of school, Dr. Fish joined the Met Office—an uncommon path today—and found himself immersed in the world of meteorology. “Weather forecasting isn’t just about public interest; it’s crucial for aviation, the military, and many other industries,” he explains.
His broadcasting career took off in 1972 when he was asked to deliver weather reports on BBC Radio from the London Weather Centre. A year later, the BBC sought a new television meteorologist. “They wanted someone suave, sophisticated, and good-looking, so I thought, why not?” he jokes. “At the audition, most candidates were older men in stiff grey suits with perfect received pronunciation. I showed up in a leather jacket and was simply myself—and the rest is history.”
The 1987 storm controversy, which made Dr. Fish a household name, still amuses him. “The media never quite told the full story,” he says. “A woman had called, concerned about an impending hurricane in Florida. I reassured her that she didn’t need to cancel her trip. On air, I did warn of strong winds in the UK, but the storm turned out to be far more severe than anticipated. Technically, it wasn’t a hurricane. At the time, we had limited data—France’s meteorological service was on strike, which meant fewer observations. Without satellite imagery, we relied heavily on international reports that weren’t available that day.”
Despite the controversy, the incident had a silver lining. “It brought meteorology into the spotlight and led to major investment in forecasting technology. If I had a penny for every time someone mentioned it, I’d be a millionaire!” Dr. Fish laughs. “Even now, I get opportunities like endorsing GaraDry, a UK-designed garage door threshold seal that prevents rainwater from seeping into garages during storms.”
Ashley Smith, founder of GaraDry, speaks highly of Dr. Fish: “He’s a national treasure, and we couldn’t think of a better person to promote our product, which protects homes from storm-related water damage.”
When it comes to climate change, Dr. Fish remains steadfast. “I’ve been educating people about climate change for over 50 years. It’s a critical issue, and if we don’t act now, reversing the damage could take at least a century. Every country must prioritize this crisis; otherwise, we risk catastrophic flooding and environmental disaster.”
He also holds strong opinions on so-called green solutions. “Electric cars are a distraction. The environmental cost of manufacturing them might outweigh their benefits. True change requires a more holistic approach.”
Though he misses the camaraderie and science of his former job, retirement has been fulfilling. “I stay in touch with colleagues—I even got a Christmas card from John Kettley recently! I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2016, so I’m not as mobile as I once was, but I’m fortunate to have a wonderful support system in my family. I’m enjoying retirement with Sue, our children, and our grandchildren—and, of course, I still keep a close eye on the weather!”
