WHO13 viewers in Iowa have relied on meteorologist Jeriann Ritter, 49, for weather coverage since 2004. But on Tuesday she shared a far more personal update, revealing a serious diagnosis that will shape what comes next.
On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the veteran forecaster said she has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disease.
“I pray every day that a miracle is going to happen. I keep thinking, ‘It could be something else,’ ” the broadcaster said. “But if the doctors are right, I’m probably done telling you about the weather.”
ALS is a rare degenerative condition that gradually damages nerve cells controlling muscle movement. Over time, it can lead to widespread muscle weakness and paralysis, affecting critical functions such as speaking, swallowing, movement, and independent breathing.
There is currently no known cure for ALS. Prognosis varies from person to person, but the disease is often associated with an estimated life expectancy of around three to five years after diagnosis, while some people experience a slower progression.
In an open and emotional interview, Ritter said her first symptoms appeared last summer, when she noticed numbness on one side of her face along with trouble speaking.
Because she wasn’t experiencing pain, she initially suspected a dental issue and scheduled a visit with her dentist. Instead, she said the concern was that she might be having a stroke, prompting further medical evaluation.
She then underwent months of appointments and extensive testing before doctors ultimately confirmed ALS.
Throughout the process, Ritter continued working while keeping her health concerns mostly private. As her symptoms became more noticeable, some viewers began to comment on changes they saw on-air.
“Viewers started sending me messages in late November. ‘Are you drunk? Are you okay?’ Those [messages] hit me hard,” she recalled. “People think I’m drunk? I was trying so hard to disguise it.”
“It is killing me that something that came so easy is so hard now,” she added. “When I was having the speech problems on TV but still working, I knew what I was facing but the people watching me did not. It started to open my eyes, you never know what people are going through. So just remember that.”
Ritter acknowledged that the path ahead will be difficult, but emphasized that she has support, pointing to her husband and sons and the way they’ve responded since learning about the diagnosis.
“They said, ‘Wow Mom, are you gonna fight?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah I’m gonna fight but there’s not a lot you can do,’” she recalled. “So instead, I’m gonna do what I’ve always done for almost 50 years of my life. I’m gonna live and I’m gonna love. And that’s what I’m doing.”
“I’m gonna finish this race strong,” Ritter said, starting to cry. “There is not one ounce of ‘I’m scared.’ It’s like, I’m gonna miss out but I’m gonna have fun doing it.”