What better way to illustrate AP’s commitment to climate coverage—and to “being there”—than by reporting from the center of a hailstorm?
A multiformat AP team gained exclusive access to a first-of-its-kind research expedition in which storm chasers drove fortified vehicles directly into powerful hailstorms. Their goal: to gather data that could improve forecasting. The result was a vivid, multipart series featuring exclusive photo, video and text reporting from science writer Seth Borenstein, climate videojournalist Brittany Peterson and POND chief photographer Carolyn Kaster.
The team joined around 60 researchers on the road, deploying drones, weather balloons and airborne probes in pursuit of some of nature’s most damaging storms. AP’s strong source relationships and trusted reputation opened the door to the assignment—and the team’s storytelling skills ensured audiences got to experience the storm as it happened.
One installment took readers into the heart of the storm with a suspenseful DR video edit, stunning images and a lively text story with the novel dateline “INSIDE A TEXAS HAILSTORM.” A second story chronicled the process of analyzing hail, using sharp visual storytelling and hands-on science. The final piece offered a behind-the-scenes photo essay with contextual reporting.
Judges praised the dynamic, cinematic and digital-friendly storytelling, noting how the team turned exclusive access into immersive reporting.
For their ambitious and creative approach to climate journalism, Seth Borenstein, Brittany Peterson and Carolyn Kaster are this week’s Best of AP — Second Winner.
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