Ask a TV Meteorologist anything

326 Questions

Last Answer on December 24, 2019

I live in southern Missouri on a south facing ridge and have lived here since 2006. It seems that this year, beginning in February and continuing thru today(4/10/16) the strong winds have been relentless Why is that? Thank you.

Asked by Anne over 9 years ago

The general storm pattern favors that this year, Anne. Air flows clockwise and toward the center of a low pressures area, so storms to your west, which some have been, produce a south wind.

888 Votes

1.) What is the hardest thing about being a meteorologist?
2.) What are personable qualities that you think are important to have to be a meteorologist?
3.) How do you become a meteorologist?
4.) Is there any skills that a meteorologist should have?

Asked by Monkeyangelgirl over 10 years ago

Great questions. I'll answer as a television meteorologist. A National Weather Service meteorologist or someone in research or private industry would have much different answers.

1. The most difficult thing lately is the increasing number of places to put weather information and the 24 hour nature. TV, website and social media mean there is little "off" time.

2. Good time management, the 5:00 news starts right at 5:00! Able to explain things simply. Enjoy visiting with people.

3. There are a number of good colleges that offer degree programs in Meteorology.

4. Good math and science skills/interest are a big help.

Thanks!

883 Votes

I'm a pilot and trying to learn to read the clouds. I often see cumulus clouds in the summer here in Indiana. Sometimes the bottoms are a little gray and the bottoms are often fairly flat, instead of being puffy like they are everywhere else. Why?

Asked by sampsont about 10 years ago

Great question. The bottom of the cloud is the point where the water vapor in the warmer rising air cools to the point where it condenses (kind of like the condensation out the outside of a glass of water with ice) and turns into a visible water droplet. The darker gray is an area of higher moisture and less sunlight gets through. Happy flying!

882 Votes

You wrote that weather segments aren't scripted. So how do you know what to say? Or have you just done this so much now that you can basically speak off the cuff without stumbling?

Asked by KV over 10 years ago

Well.....most of us are highly intelligent. :) We take visual cues from the maps that are behind us. We can see the maps in the teleprompter that the anchors use for their scripts. Since we have prepared the forecast we can pick a couple of things from each graphic to talk about. Actually pretty easy with some practice. Great question, thanks!

882 Votes

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I'm not scientifically knowledgeable, but I've wondered why California and the southwest with the major drought problem couldn't siphon ocean water into Death Valley and the Salton Sea, let it evaporate and come down as rain?

Asked by flcfly@gmail.com almost 10 years ago

Creative thinking. Probably a huge cost to transporting that water but even if you could get it there the prevailing atmospheric winds would carry the water vapor to east, away from the areas that need it. Keep thinking!

882 Votes

Are tornados easily predicted these days with advanced weather radar or do you still rely heavily on spotters on the ground? Is there hope for one day knowing when a tornado is going to strike (any new advancement in tech)?

Asked by Curious weather man over 9 years ago

Pretty easily detected in thunderstorms with Doppler radar. You are correct, we still use spotters heavily. Radar usually sees rotation above ground in the storm. Since the earth is round it curves away from the radar beam which is why the spotters are so critical providing "ground truth". Warning times have increased over the years and will continue, especially with new radar technology coming over the next few years.

881 Votes

Could it in theory be possible for a hurricane to travel up the warm waters of the Gulf of California and hit the US along the California/Arizona border?

Asked by Joe over 10 years ago

Possible and does, Joe! http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/?epac

880 Votes

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TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I live in southern Missouri on a south facing ridge and have lived here since 2006. It seems that this year, beginning in February and continuing thru today(4/10/16) the strong winds have been relentless Why is that? Thank you.

1.) What is the hardest thing about being a meteorologist?
2.) What are personable qualities that you think are important to have to be a meteorologist?
3.) How do you become a meteorologist?
4.) Is there any skills that a meteorologist should have?

I'm a pilot and trying to learn to read the clouds. I often see cumulus clouds in the summer here in Indiana. Sometimes the bottoms are a little gray and the bottoms are often fairly flat, instead of being puffy like they are everywhere else. Why?

You wrote that weather segments aren't scripted. So how do you know what to say? Or have you just done this so much now that you can basically speak off the cuff without stumbling?

Also on Jobstr...

I'm not scientifically knowledgeable, but I've wondered why California and the southwest with the major drought problem couldn't siphon ocean water into Death Valley and the Salton Sea, let it evaporate and come down as rain?

Are tornados easily predicted these days with advanced weather radar or do you still rely heavily on spotters on the ground? Is there hope for one day knowing when a tornado is going to strike (any new advancement in tech)?

Could it in theory be possible for a hurricane to travel up the warm waters of the Gulf of California and hit the US along the California/Arizona border?

TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I live in southern Missouri on a south facing ridge and have lived here since 2006. It seems that this year, beginning in February and continuing thru today(4/10/16) the strong winds have been relentless Why is that? Thank you.

1.) What is the hardest thing about being a meteorologist?2.) What are personable qualities that you think are important to have to be a meteorologist?3.) How do you become a meteorologist?4.) Is there any skills that a meteorologist should have?

I'm a pilot and trying to learn to read the clouds. I often see cumulus clouds in the summer here in Indiana. Sometimes the bottoms are a little gray and the bottoms are often fairly flat, instead of being puffy like they are everywhere else. Why?

You wrote that weather segments aren't scripted. So how do you know what to say? Or have you just done this so much now that you can basically speak off the cuff without stumbling?

Also on Jobstr...

I'm not scientifically knowledgeable, but I've wondered why California and the southwest with the major drought problem couldn't siphon ocean water into Death Valley and the Salton Sea, let it evaporate and come down as rain?

Are tornados easily predicted these days with advanced weather radar or do you still rely heavily on spotters on the ground? Is there hope for one day knowing when a tornado is going to strike (any new advancement in tech)?

Could it in theory be possible for a hurricane to travel up the warm waters of the Gulf of California and hit the US along the California/Arizona border?

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1.) What is the hardest thing about being a meteorologist?
2.) What are personable qualities that you think are important to have to be a meteorologist?
3.) How do you become a meteorologist?
4.) Is there any skills that a meteorologist should have?