Peter Neilley is a renowned meteorologist who discovered his passion for the field at a young age. Growing up in the Northeast, he was fascinated by snowstorms and aspired to forecast them more accurately than the meteorologists he saw on television. Neilley pursued his interest in meteorology through high school and into college, attending McGill University for his undergraduate studies in meteorology. Despite his immersion in the field, he was unsure of his career path until his undergraduate advisor, Roddy Rogers, encouraged him to apply for graduate school at MIT, Rogers' alma mater. Neilley went on to earn his PhD from MIT, where he also benefited from the mentorship of several influential figures in the field. After completing his studies, he accepted a postdoc and then a scientific appointment at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). During his ten-year tenure at NCAR, he worked on the Research Applications Program, now known as the Research Applications Lab. In the latter part of his time at NCAR, Neilley led a project to develop artificial intelligence forecasting methods for the Weather Channel. When the contract ended, he moved to the Weather Channel, which later became the Weather Company and is now part of IBM. Throughout his career, Neilley has been actively involved in the American Meteorological Society, serving on various committees and boards. He believes in the importance of giving back to the society and values the social interactions with peers and colleagues that these roles provide.

Scope and Content Note
This interview with Peter Neilley, conducted by Jinny Nathans on June 7th, 2018, provides an in-depth look at Neilley's career path and his contributions to the field of meteorology. Neilley discusses his early interest in meteorology, his educational journey, and his career trajectory. He shares anecdotes about his time at McGill University and MIT, including the pivotal role his undergraduate advisor played in guiding him towards graduate school. Neilley also talks about his work at NCAR and the Weather Channel, highlighting a project he led to develop artificial intelligence forecasting methods. He reflects on the importance of mentorship and the influence of his mentors at MIT. In addition, Neilley discusses his involvement with the American Meteorological Society, emphasizing the value of social interactions with peers and colleagues in advancing the science. He expresses his sense of duty to give back to the society and his commitment to the society. The interview concludes with Neilley reflecting on the importance of passion in the field of meteorology and how it has contributed to the success of the American Meteorological Society and the meteorological enterprise as a whole.