Vijay Tallapragada is a seasoned meteorologist with over twenty-five years of experience in the field. His journey in meteorology began with a master's degree in Andhra University in India, where he was introduced to the fascinating subject of meteorology and atmospheric sciences. Despite the initial struggle due to limited access to information, Vijay was encouraged to continue further and pursued another Master's in atmospheric sciences. His interest in the dynamics of the atmosphere, physics, and modeling led him to delve into both the computational and theoretical aspects of meteorology. Vijay's association with a project on tropical cyclones and the devastating impact of a cyclone on his village in 1996, which resulted in the loss of people he knew, was a turning point in his career. This event prompted him to apply his knowledge and explore opportunities to become a true meteorologist. Vijay's journey led him to Florida State, where he worked under the mentorship of Prof. Krishnamurti, a renowned tropical meteorologist. Under his guidance, Vijay was introduced to the modern era of meteorology and its applications. He was the first person to invent the superensemble technology along with Prof. Krishnamurti, which significantly improved tropical cyclone prediction. Before his meteorology journey, Vijay was brought up in a coastal town in India called Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag. His fascination with the sea breeze and land breeze, even before he knew what meteorology was, led him to model it in a physical sense. Despite the societal pressure to become an engineer or a doctor, Vijay's interest was always towards pure sciences. He initially wanted to become a nuclear scientist or delve into space science, but due to lack of employment opportunities in these fields, he chose the path of meteorology.

Scope and Content Note:
This interview with Vijay Tallapragada provides a detailed account of his journey in the field of meteorology, starting from his early interest in the subject during his master's degree in Andhra University in India to his significant contributions in the field. The interview covers his initial struggles due to limited access to information, his fascination with the dynamics of the atmosphere, physics, and modeling, and his association with a project on tropical cyclones. The interview also delves into his personal life, including his upbringing in a coastal town in India called Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag, and his early fascination with the sea breeze and land breeze. The interview further discusses Vijay's career progression, including his time at Florida State under the mentorship of Prof. Krishnamurti, his invention of the superensemble technology, and his role as a hurricane team leader at the Weather Service. It also highlights his active participation in AMS conferences and his efforts to mentor young professionals in the field. The interview concludes with Vijay's reflections on his career, his responsibilities as the chief of the modeling and data simulation branch, and his ongoing challenges in the field. It provides a comprehensive overview of Vijay's contributions to meteorology and his ongoing commitment to advancing the field.