A native of Beacon Falls, Connecticut, who was raised in White River Junction, Vermont, Cantore graduated from Lyndon State College in 1986.
[6] Though he is best known for his live field coverage of major weather events (such as Hurricanes Andrew, Bonnie, Mitch, Floyd, Isabel, Katrina, Rita, Ike, Gustav, Irene, Sandy, Matthew, Irma, Dorian, Isaias, Laura, Ian, Idalia, Francine, Helene, and Milton), his contributions go well beyond severe weather field reporting.
[9] On February 14, 2015, while covering the impacts of Winter Storm Neptune along the South Shore of Massachusetts, an intense band of thundersnow struck the area, causing Cantore to react excitedly to the presence of the ultra-rare phenomenon.
[10][11] On October 10, 2018, while covering landfall of Hurricane Michael in Panama City Beach, Florida, Cantore was forced to quickly dodge a flying piece of lumber while reporting live.
[12][13] On September 28, 2022, while covering Category 5 Hurricane Ian, Cantore was hit by a flying tree branch in the eyewall of the storm at Punta Gorda, Florida.
He also contributes his time to Make-a-Wish Foundation events around the country and he has also served as a celebrity cabinet member with the American Red Cross.