WJLA

Ryan began his career in the atmospheric sciences as an associate researcher in the Physics Section with Arthur D. Little Inc. in Cambridge, Mass., where he conducted research in cloud physics. He holds a BS degree in Physics and M.S. in Atmospheric Science from the University at Albany. While at ADL Ryan began to work part time as a broadcast meteorologist in Boston. Eventually his broadcast career became full time and his research career part time. He became the principal meteorologist with Channel 5, WCVB-TV in Boston, and the first meteorologist to regularly appear on the “Today Show” from 1978-1980.

Before joining ABC7/WJLA-TV, Ryan was Chief Meteorologist at NBC4 where he initiated and supported many one-of-a-kind programs. For 25 years, his annual Almanac provided weather and environmental information and data to readers, and raised over $600,000 for local children’s charities. He created and oversaw a program which, with corporate partners, placed more than 400 interactive weather stations in area schools, which is now the WeatherBug network at ABC7/WJLA-TV. The project gives students a “hands on” introduction to meteorology and what science really is and provides opportunities for practical applications of their science, math and geography studies. Ryan was also co-investigator for a NASA supported project which led to one of the first television weather sites on the Internet, WeatherNet4.

Outside his news and ABC7/WJLA-TV weather department duties, Ryan remains actively involved in his science. He has served the American Meteorological Society Chair of the Committee of Broadcast Meteorology, Commissioner of Professional Affairs, Member of the Council of the Society and in 1996 as the only broadcast meteorologist elected President of the AMS. Additionally Ryan has been called to testify before various committees of Congress and recently served on the National Academy of Science, Board of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate. He has also served on report committees of the National Research Council and the Advisory Committee of the Geosciences Directorate of the National Science Foundation.

During his career he has received numerous awards including regional Emmys for Weathercasting and the Ted Yates Emmy for outstanding service to the community. He has received the University of Albany “Distinguished Alumni” Award, the Charles Franklin Brooks Award from the AMS, for his outstanding service, and was one of the 1996 “Washingtonians of the Year”.

Ryan is most proud of his recognition as “husband and father”. He and his family reside in Virginia.