NOAA Meteorologist Jonathan Rizzo to Speak at CFK VIP Series in Key West

Jonathan Rizzo, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at NOAA's National Weather Service Key West forecast office, will take the stage at the Tennessee Williams Theatre on March 26 to examine how meteorology has transformed since one of the most catastrophic storms in American history tore through the Florida Keys.

Rizzo's presentation, titled "Science, Technology and Operational Advances in Meteorology Since the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane," begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Tennessee Williams Theatre on CFK's Key West campus at 5901 College Road. The talk is part of the College of the Florida Keys' VIP Lecture Series, now in its twelfth season.

The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane struck the Florida Keys as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the United States. Rizzo will walk the audience through the severe limitations forecasters of that era faced when trying to predict and communicate the storm's impact, and trace the technological and scientific advances that have reshaped the field in the decades since. The presentation will also examine the growing role of social science in hazardous weather messaging, specifically how modern forecasters communicate risk in ways designed to motivate action rather than simply inform.

That focus on community preparedness is central to Rizzo's day job. According to CFK, "Rizzo is responsible for public outreach and preparedness coordination across Monroe County and its municipalities." He also serves as a deployment-ready meteorologist during tropical cyclone emergency operations, providing direct weather support to decision-makers during activations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from Florida State University.

The 2026 VIP Series, sponsored in part by David and Annette Curry, features five events total: four at the Tennessee Williams Theatre on CFK's Key West campus and one at CFK's Upper Keys Center. CFK describes the series as presenting "speakers and performers of local, regional, and national prominence to share their visions, ideas, and perspectives on an array of topics."

Tickets for the March 26 event are $5 at the door. Admission is free for CFK students and Monroe County School District students. For tickets and box office inquiries, contact KeysTix at 305-295-7676 or boxoffice@keystix.com. For general information about the VIP Series, call CFK at 305-296-9081 or visit CFK.edu/VIP.

The following evening, CFK marks another milestone: the college's 60th Anniversary Celebration takes place Friday, March 27, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Fort East Martello, 3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd., featuring dining, cocktails, a historical exhibit, and live music by the Bay Kings Band.