NBC meteorologist Jeriann Ritter reveals ALS diagnosis
NBC meteorologist Jeriann Ritter reveals ALS diagnosis
Lucia Cheng, Des Moines RegisterWed, February 25, 2026 at 6:32 PM UTC
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An NBC meteorologist is keeping her head up after receiving a life-altering diagnosis.
Jeriann Ritter, who works for the Des Moines, Iowa, affiliate WHO 13, revealed she's been tentatively diagnosed with bulbar amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, in an interview that aired Tuesday, Feb. 24. She said doctors have told her there is no treatment nor cure if she has the neurodegenerative disease.
"I didn't forecast this storm hitting. It's raining right now, and I'm just trying to find the sunshine," said Ritter, who noted that doctors are still "trying to prove" her exact condition.
The meteorologist first discussed her health troubles publicly in a Jan. 12 social media post, telling viewers that she was having issues with her voice but that she was feeling good and receiving medical attention.
WHO 13's weather team includes meteorologists (from left to right) Jason Parkin, Brad Edwards, chief meterologist Ed Wilson, Jeriann Ritter, Matthew Glanzmann and Megan Salois.
ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a nervous system disease that affects the brain and spinal cord and causes loss of muscle control, according to Mayo Clinic. The condition generally begins with muscle weakness that spreads and gets worse over time.
Though symptoms vary from person to person depending on which nerve cells are affected, symptoms may include weakness in the hands, legs, feet or ankles, as well as slurred speech or trouble swallowing.
Bulbar Onset ALS refers to patients whose early symptoms primarily affect their speech or swallowing, according to ALS advocacy organization Augie's Quest. Signs can include changes in the voice, feelings of breathlessness, facial spasms and difficulty chewing or swallowing.
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How did Jeriann Ritter get ALS diagnosis?
Ritter first noticed that her speech sounded different in October.
Initially, the weathercaster had gone to her dentist, saying, "I think my teeth are moving. Like, something's weird." Her dentist thought she had symptoms of a stroke, which set off a long chain of referrals to various other doctors. It took months for her to schedule the appointments that finally led to a neurologist.
During Ritter's consultation with the neurologist, the doctor found something on Ritter's tongue that led to the initial diagnosis that the journalist may have bulbar ALS.
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Ritter has tried speech therapy to see if relaxing her muscles could help her speak. Unfortunately, relaxing the muscles means they will weaken even faster. When she is officially diagnosed, she can visit an ALS speech therapist.
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Jeriann Ritter remains optimistic amid possible ALS diagnosis
Ritter, who worked on newscasts at noon and 4 p.m. on WHO, has been a meteorologist at the station since 2004. She previously worked on the morning show before changing shifts in 2022.
The broadcast journalist says she hopes doctors are wrong about her ALS diagnosis, but she wants to put her energy into spending time with her family and living her life, no matter what happens.
One of her doctors said Ritter should continue taping herself. Because she's been on the air for so long, Ritter said she may have the ability to help others with ALS because she has a record of how her speech issues progressed.
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"I'm probably done telling you about the weather, but I still have a lot to say," Ritter said. "I'm trying to figure out what that new race or journey looks like, but I want it to be about spreading love."
Despite the health ordeal, Ritter, who grew emotional, said she wants people to know that she is not scared of what the future may hold.
"I'm going to do what I've always been doing for almost 50 years of my life," Ritter said. "I'm going to live, and I'm going to love. That's what I'm going to be doing."
Contributing: Edward Segarra and Sara Moniuszko, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Jeriann Ritter health - NBC meteorologist reveals ALS diagnosis
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