Philip D. Thompson, meteorologist, is interviewed by Joseph Tribbia and Akira Kasahara on December 15-16, 1987, as part of the American Meteorological Society's Tape Recorded Interview Project. The conversation details Thompson's early influences and the formative experiences that shaped his career in meteorology. Growing up in Rossville, Indiana, he was exposed to scientific thinking through his father, a biologist, and his early interest in the natural world was fostered during childhood, particularly through experiences on laboratory boats. Thompson reflects on his high school years, where his mathematical aptitude and scientific interests were nurtured by a close-knit group of peers. His fascination with science eventually led him to pursue a career in meteorology, initially sparked by his interest in the dynamics of weather phenomena like thunderstorms. After attending the University of Illinois, Thompson's path to meteorology was solidified by an influential lecture from renowned meteorologist Carl-Gustaf Rossby, which sparked his interest in the field. Thompson's early career in meteorology began in the U.S. Air Force, where he trained as a weather officer after a brief stint in Air Traffic Control. His Air Force career included assignments at various bases, and he was involved in projects related to meteorological research, eventually leading to a post at UCLA, where he led the Divergence Project. Thompson also recalls working alongside key figures in meteorology, including Aldo Leopold, with whom his father had collaborated.