A forensic meteorologist is a weather expert who reconstructs and explains past weather conditions for a specific time and place, with a focus on answering questions that arise in legal disputes. For attorneys, this means having a scientist who can turn raw weather data into clear, defensible evidence about what the weather was, or most likely was, when an incident occurred.
Forensic meteorologists work with historical, not forecast, data. They collect and analyze observations from weather stations, radar and satellite imagery, lightning and storm reports, and numerical model output to build a detailed picture of conditions at the location of interest. Because weather can vary dramatically over short distances and time intervals, they evaluate how representative each dataset is, reconcile conflicting sources, and then form an opinion to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty about what conditions existed and how they evolved.
In litigation, their role is driven by the specific factual and legal questions in the case. Common matters include slip‑and‑fall incidents involving snow, ice, or wet surfaces; motor‑vehicle crashes affected by fog, heavy rain, or sun glare; property damage from hail, straight‑line winds, tornadoes, or tropical systems; and flood, freeze, or heat‑related losses. The forensic meteorologist can address questions such as: When did freezing conditions begin and end at the site? What were the wind speeds at the property when the claimed damage occurred? Did rainfall intensity or visibility meet thresholds relevant to duty, notice, or standard‑of‑care arguments?
Their work product is typically a written report designed for use in claims, mediation, arbitration, or court. That report will outline the data sources, methods, and conclusions in straightforward language that attorneys, adjusters, and fact finders can understand, while still meeting scientific and evidentiary standards. Where appropriate, the expert can also explain what weather information and warnings were available at the time—an important factor in analyzing foreseeability, reasonableness of preparations, and alleged failures to act on weather information.
When a case proceeds to deposition or trial, the forensic meteorologist serves as an expert witness. They testify about the weather conditions, address competing interpretations of the data, and respond to hypotheticals that link their analysis to the elements of the claim or defense. By providing objective, scientifically grounded weather reconstruction, a forensic meteorologist helps attorneys strengthen or challenge causation theories, evaluate liability, and resolve disputes where the weather is a central or contributing factor.