If there is one thing that dictates the rhythm of life for our producers more than the markets, it’s the weather. At First Citizens, our conversations with customers almost always start with a simple question: “How much rain did you get last night?”

During our 2026 Ag Forum, Jason Landis, our VP and Ag Lending Team Leader, sat down with a familiar face to many in our region: Eric Finkenbinder, Meteorologist for ABC27 News. Eric isn’t just a voice on the television; he’s a sixth-generation beef farmer from Perry County.

The topic of the day? How Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we predict the storms that impact our livelihoods.

Math vs. Patterns: A New Way to Forecast

For the last 50 years, weather forecasting has relied on massive supercomputers crunching complex mathematical equations. These “traditional” models are powerful, but they have limitations—often updating only four times a day.

AI is shifting the internal logic of forecasting. Instead of just doing the math, AI relies on pattern recognition.

“For example, with a Nor’easter,” Eric explained, “AI looks at previous systems that were similar and uses that pattern to predict what’s next.”

The biggest advantage for the modern farmer? Speed. Because AI models don’t require the same level of raw “number-crunching” as traditional supercomputers, they can be updated almost instantaneously. In a season where an afternoon window is the difference between getting the hay in or watching it get soaked, that frequency matters.

The Limits of the Machine

We’ve all joked about the elusive “perfect 10-day forecast,” and while AI is a powerful new tool in the toolbox, it isn’t a magic wand.

Eric pointed out a critical distinction for producers:

  • The “Synoptic” Win: AI is becoming incredibly adept at tracking large-scale events, like tropical systems or massive winter storms, weeks in advance.
  • The “Field-Level” Challenge: For the farmer who needs to know if a specific thunderstorm is going to hit their cornfield or the neighbor’s three miles over, AI still has a significant learning curve.

The localized, “micro-weather” of Pennsylvania’s valleys still requires a human touch—and a lot more development before we can rely on an algorithm to tell us which way the wind will blow on a specific acre.

Generations of Stewardship

Perhaps the most grounded part of the conversation was the reminder that while technology changes, the “why” behind the work does not.

Eric spoke about raising his children on the farm, noting the “visible work” and chores that build character. This reflects the heart of our Ag Forum: we discuss AI and technology not because we want to replace the farmer, but because we want to ensure that the sixth and seventh generations have the best tools possible to succeed.

The Bottom Line

AI isn’t taking over the weather desk, and it isn’t taking over the farm. It is, however, providing more information, more frequently. As we continue to navigate the 2026 season, we’ll be watching those models closely—but we’ll still be checking in with the experts who know what it’s like to have dirt under their fingernails.