"It's as if he's sitting in the living room with you tracking the storm,"
""digital meteorologist" and "The Internet's Weather Man.""
"They're not going to the National Weather Service web page, they're just looking at what's in their feed,"
"Once you start clicking on viral extreme weather stuff, then the algorithm is going to just feed you more and more."
Ryan Hall, known online as "Ryan Hall, Y'all," provides livestreamed storm coverage and has over 3 million YouTube subscribers. Social media weather accounts range from accredited meteorologists to amateurs with no science background. Some presenters deliver solid information and clear communication while others omit technical context. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X tend to prioritize engagement and likes over accuracy, increasing the chance of sensationalized or context-lacking updates. Algorithm-driven feeds amplify viral extreme weather content. During Hurricane Helene in 2024, social media use for weather updates rose as severe impacts affected western North Carolina, killing 108 people.
Read at www.npr.org
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