Rich Foot is the man behind Foot’s Forecast, which gained a huge following during the major storms that dumped record setting snow amounts on our region last winter.

By John Singleton

Rich Foot is the chief powderhound and forecast team director of Foot’s Forecast, a meteorological analysis and weather forecasting group that skyrocketed to prominence during last winter’s record-breaking snowfall. The website had its biggest day on February 24, 2010, when it registered 147,000 unique visitors.

Singleton 1: You developed quite a following last winter with your spot-on forecasting of major snowstorms. How did you do it?

Foot: Three things. One - readership on the website exploded once high school students became involved as forecasters. Two - the snowiest winter since records have been kept gave readers plenty to talk about. Three – the forecasting model is a multi-county, multi-state effort, giving readers access to data-driven, scientifically supported forecasts.

Singleton 2: Your use of student forecasters from local high schools and colleges was unique and a critical part of your forecasting model. Say more about that.

Foot: Because I’m a teacher by trade with a passion for science and the weather, I work with students every day. I want to help them develop the scientific background to make decisions on their own. For example, if they’re outside and clouds start rolling in, can they apply their acquired knowledge of science to make a practical decision that can protect lives and property?

Singleton 3: How did you get started?

Foot: I’ve been a certified earth science teacher in Maryland for the past 10 years. Every summer as a kid we went to the Chesapeake Bay, I have Old Bay in my blood, and my mother, Bobbie Ann Riggin, was crowned Miss Crustacean back in 1967. So, as a kid I always thought “crustacean” was a beautiful word because my mom was so beautiful. When I got older and talked about my mom being Miss Crustacean, I learned it was a fancy word for crab – so I got teased. But I still think “crustacean” is a beautiful word.

Singleton 4: A lot of people want to learn about the personal side of Mr. Foot. What are you like when you’re not forecasting blizzards and hurricanes?

Foot: I grew up in the suburbs of Philly, went to Penn State, and married a girl from northwest Pennsylvania. We both work in education, and started working for Baltimore County schools in 2001. We have two children, both in the county school system.

Singleton 5: What is the key to your forecasting success?

Foot: Collaboration is the key. We have forecasters looking at the sky and the water. We have forecasters looking at upper-level atmospheric data. We have forecasters observing weather service discussions. We want as many players on the field as possible. There’s always another component or perspective that can be added and refined so what readers receive is the best forecast we can produce.

Singleton 6: What’s your forecast for the upcoming winter?

Foot: Fifty percent of the snowfall of last winter. That’s about 40 inches at least. Maybe more given the data we are seeing.

Singleton 7: How can Severna Park students become involved in Foot’s Forecast?

Foot: Severna Park High School students can easily become involved by filling out an application on the website. Any life interest that you have – poetry, sports, mathematics – weather is a component.  Most of our training can be done on a daily basis as students become involved in our team collaboration. We’re definitely looking to add more female forecasters and boost overall interest in science among female students.

Singleton 8: You talk about reading the tides and the sky with your eyes. Can you give us some tips on how to do that?

Foot: When you look up and see a jet contrail extending across a clear blue sky, that’s a sign the moisture content at that elevation is increasing. It’s an indication there’s a major change in the atmosphere many miles away that should result in rain within 36 hours.

Singleton 9: What’s next for Foot’s Forecast?

Foot: We are working to become a 501c3 non-profit organization. This will help us gather funds and other assets so the students will have paid internships and college-based scholarships.