Meet the Team

Nikko Gilbert

Founder, Co-Website Designer and Main Forecaster, Storm Chaser and Content Creator.

My journey started about 27 years ago, when I was about 15 and started getting an interest in the weather due to also having an interest in horticulture. I’d studied horticulture and became qualified in the field however I didn’t pursue a career in the subject. Instead I used it for my personal life as well as a few odd jobs for land lords in the past. Over the years my interest in weather over took and I spent hours studying weather, watching the clouds, observing what did what, learnt how to read models, and other things along the way. Asked people who knew more when I found something I was unsure of.  Over the years I learnt how to forecast and did it mostly for myself and close friends. This changed in 2019 when I first came to Darwin. I joined a group called Pilkos Chat on Weather, I’d ask questions, make observations, etc, to learn about the Darwin Climate. Not long after joining the group, I became close friends with several people within the group and was offered an admin role, which I accepted and remain as an admin to this day. In my time here, I learnt to read Soundings completely (Something I tried to self teach myself but had the gaps filled in from a Pilkos member), learnt about the Monsoon more (Something I never really looked at before hand living in Brisbane). I helped with forecasts for storms in the wet season etc. Several people had tried to convince me to make my own page and start forecasting etc, for the greater public. For ages I kept saying no, because I lacked confidence but in November 2023, I decided to try it and that’s when I created my page, Originally named Aussie Weather Watch but later changed to The Wandering Weatherman due to the fact I will eventually be travelling the country and chasing weather here in Australia and over seas.  The travelling has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances but eventually the dream is to chase and document weather across the country. Go where no weatherman has gone before.

My goals for the website and Facebook page

  • One of my goals is to document weather where people aren’t, so capture unseen weather in outback Australia, record what I observe. Provide this data to the BoM to help increase the knowledge we have available (On Going)
  • Provide people accurate forecasts across the nation (On going)
  • Provide support for people effected by weather disasters (Long term goal)
  • Make a set of forums that allow people to openly discuss subjects without the restrictions of social media (Already live)
  • Create a weather Social media platform, where everyone in the weather community can create content and share without all the other rubbish associated with the Social Media platforms available today. Work with everyone in the community to keep the public inform with easy to find information (Long term goal).
  • Establish a yearly gathering of like minded people who love the weather, similar to the Storm Chasing summit in the USA. A place with educational talks etc. (Long term goal)
  • Chase weather worldwide, especially tornados in the USA and document.
  • Grow out a unified, cooperative weather community where there is no drama and all work towards a common goal of keeping people informed. (Long term goal)

More will be added to the list but I need to start small and work up.

Renee Finn

Admin for Social Media

I’m Renee from Melbourne, I grew up around port Phillip bay on the water, I learnt from a young age how to read weather by my Uncle & Dad who are ex sailors & Navy. I also was able to predict weather daily when it would rain or storm the old fashioned way. I never use charts til much later in life. My interest was lightning, I could sit watch it for hours as little a kid, while most kids run and hide, not me. I’m 49 now and I wish to learn so much more as my passion is still there for the weather, I could talk for hours about it with like minded people. I am very excited to be part of a team who are dedicated to doing what I have dreamt of for years.

Mel Holder

Website manager and designer, Business Adviser

More to come.