Intercepting Thunderstorms and Opportunities
There is grass under her feet and open air overhead—Jessica Muniz is exactly where she wants to be. Whether she is playing soccer, fishing, kayaking or shooting hoops at Ramsey, the sophomore geography and atmospheric science major feels most at peace outdoors.
“Anything with grass and air, I’ll do it,” Muniz said.
That love for the outdoors eventually led her straight into the eye of the storm.
During her time at the University of Georgia, Muniz went storm chasing with a friend after learning how to forecast in one of her atmospheric science courses. As they tracked developing systems and intercepted a thunderstorm, something clicked.
“I think storm chasing is when I got that aha moment,” she said. “The new movie, Twisters, was part one of the aha moment, and the storm chasing heavily solidified my dream and aspirations.”
Muniz traces her passion for weather back even further. In middle school, after her parents took away her electronics, she reluctantly stepped outside and discovered she preferred it. What began with outdoor activities evolved into sports and eventually into a fascination with weather patterns and the natural world.
Through storm chasing, the science she had studied in the classroom became real, dynamic, and deeply personal. It solidified her decision to pursue meteorology, and now she has a clear goal to be a warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service. That role bridges science and public communication by advising schools, local governments and communities during severe weather events.
“I want to work more communications than the nitty gritty programming,” she explained, highlighting her interest in translating complex atmospheric data into information people can use.
That focus on communication is rooted in experience. A longtime participant in Georgia 4-H, Muniz credits the organization, among others, such as Georgia Ready and the Discovering Engineering at UGA Internship Program, with helping her discover her path.
“Honestly, it’s the reason why I’m at Georgia right now,” she said.
Through 4-H, she developed leadership skills and confidence. She now works part-time for the organization, giving back to the same program that once guided her.
On campus, Muniz channels her energy into both environmental advocacy and professional development. She serves as treasurer for Climate Collective, helping organize discussions and events centered on climate issues, and as treasurer of the American Meteorological Society chapter, where she connects with peers and professionals in her field.
Her academic journey reflects the same blend of science and community that defines her interests. As a first-year student, she conducted research in the Community Mapping Lab under Dr. Jerry Shannon, contributing to a project that preserves the history of the Reese Street neighborhood in Athens. Later, she transitioned to meteorological research under Dr. Andrew Grundstein, studying how different road materials influence urban heat and how asphalt properties may affect temperature patterns in cities.
Beyond research and leadership, Muniz is a member of the Morehead Honors College. Recently, she accepted the Mid-Term Foundation Fellow and Stamps Scholarship through the Honors College.
“The Honors College is, hands down, probably one of the best places ever,” she said. “The staff know how to meet you where you are and they know how to talk to you, so you don’t feel like you’re getting talked down to.”
Looking ahead, Muniz hopes her career will come full circle. If she’s able, she would love to start a scholarship fund or initiative to support students in the way she was supported.
For Muniz, chasing storms is about more than adrenaline — it’s about service, preparation and connection. From intercepting thunderstorms to mentoring future students, she continues to follow the same instinct that first drew her outdoors: step outside, look up and see what’s possible.
