Students at a weather desk looking at radar software

For Students, Partnership & Community.

For Students, Partnership & Community

Two students looking over python code on a computer

For Students, Partnership & Community.

Group photo of IW Staff in front of Milwaukee's Harbor

For Students, Partnership & Community.

Group shot of IW's staff and students at the Summerfest grounds on Milwaukee's Lakefront

For Students, Partnership & Community.

Innovative Weather will be closing its operation on April 30th, 2024. For reasons ultimately tied to Wisconsin state funding of the UW System and it’s campuses, this program will not be able to operate after 17 years of dedicated service. In the meantime, thanks to continued healthy student involvement and the ongoing commitment to us from our close partners, we will continue at 100% capacity until our closing date.

To our dedicated students and alumni, trusting partners, and supportive community, we offer you our deepest thanks. This program has supported more than 100 Wisconsin students, many of whom now serve as full-time meteorologists in different organizations in Wisconsin and across the country, as well as others who now serve in high-impact fields. Our demonstrated legacy to our partners is the value of customized weather decision support, to UWM is excellence in experiential learning, and to our alumni is a commitment to servant leadership.

Valuable Student Experiences

Innovative Weather exists to give students experience as qualified meteorologists. Careers in meteorology are competitive, so Atmospheric Science students need a strong education, and often times a “plus one.” What really separates future meteorology candidates is having real-world forecasting experience and polished professional skills. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, you can earn both through Innovative Weather, while achieving your Undergraduate or Graduate degree. Student opportunities come as a paid internship that gives both the operational forecasting and soft skills to lead students to their dream job.

Customized Weather Partnership

Adverse weather impacts all businesses and industries differently. We work with partners to learn their specific needs, so that our qualified student forecasters can understand and communicate the inherent risk to a forecast well in advance. Beyond just forecast data, our partners thrive from well-communicated and high context decision support services. Armed with the most up-to-date radar software, access to atmospheric observations, live lightning data and more, our team works 24/7 to assure that our partners receive all the information they need in an active weather environment.

Strong Community Involvement

Next to taking care of the bottom line, companies are often thinking about the next generation and desire to see students well equipped to enter the work force ready to succeed. Our weather partners, community supporters, and the University of Wisconsin system help to give our students an excellent educational and professional development experience. Our students gain valuable experience out in the community, visiting and serving local industries and organizations that have an impact right in our back yard. Only together can the combination of education and experiential learning happen at this level. You aren’t just a client or granting agency, you are a partner making excellence in education happen.