3 Weather Women Who Changed History Forever

This International Women's Day, we're spotlighting three groundbreaking meteorologists whose stories deserve way more recognition.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Ada Monzón became Puerto Rico's first female meteorologist and guided her community through Hurricane Maria's devastating 155 mph winds and the longest blackout in modern U.S. history. Anna Mani, India's first weather woman, turned down working with a Nobel Prize winner to build her country's entire weather infrastructure from scratch—laying the foundation for cyclone warnings and wind energy research. In 1962, Dianne White Clatto shattered the color barrier as the first full-time African American weathercaster on TV at KSD-TV in St. Louis, after modeling for Saks Fifth Avenue.

Why it matters

These women didn't just forecast the weather—they made history by breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of female meteorologists and weathercasters.

The details

Ada Monzón, Anna Mani, and Dianne White Clatto all overcame significant challenges to achieve groundbreaking accomplishments in the field of meteorology and weather broadcasting. Their stories highlight the important contributions of women in these traditionally male-dominated professions.

  • This story is being published on International Women's Day 2026.

The players

Ada Monzón

Puerto Rico's first female meteorologist who guided her community through Hurricane Maria.

Anna Mani

India's first weather woman who built her country's entire weather infrastructure from scratch.

Dianne White Clatto

The first full-time African American weathercaster on TV at KSD-TV in St. Louis.

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The takeaway

The stories of Ada Monzón, Anna Mani, and Dianne White Clatto serve as inspiring examples of how women have broken barriers and made significant contributions to the field of meteorology and weather broadcasting, paving the way for future generations.