TV Meteorologist

TV Meteorologist

Kevin Selle

Wichita Falls, TX

Male, 55

I've been a broadcast meteorologist on television since the early 1990's. Happy to answer any questions about the weather or local TV news. Yes, I often wear sneakers on set just out of view of the camera.

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326 Questions

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Last Answer on December 24, 2019

Best Rated

What’s the difference between a hurricane and a superstorm?

Asked by Hope over 6 years ago

Good question, Hope. Superstorm isn’t a scientifically recognized meteorological term, most likely a media creation at some point. Hurricane has a definition in the American Meteorological Society Glossary: A tropical cyclone with 1-min average surface (10 m) winds in excess of 32 m s-1 (64 knots) in the Western Hemisphere (North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern and central North Pacific east of the date line). Thanks!

The name is derived from "huracan," a Taino and Carib god, or "hunraken," the Mayan storm god. For a more complete discussion, see tropical cyclone.

After a severe thunderstorm yesterday I noticed that a bunch of mature trees in the road median had their bark removed on one side. There had been constant lightening and very high wind. What could have caused this tree damage? It looks bad.

Asked by Wendie about 7 years ago

Lightning could certainly have been the cause. When it strikes it heats the sap and air extremely high and fast. That boils the sap and expands the air and can blow off the bark. Best guess without seeing pictures!

Is there a name for the period of silence between the lightning strike and the thunder clap?

Asked by Shane Chuvalas about 7 years ago

Great question! Not that I know of. The delay in hearing thunder is because light travels faster than sound. The lightning causes the air to heat and expand rapidly and that shockwave is the thunder. The visible flash gets to you faster. If you were standing right next to the bolt (not recommended) you would see and hear at the same time. Thanks!

If a hurricane makes landfall in an area already high in humidity will it weaken slower?

Asked by Steve almost 9 years ago

Good question, Steve. A number of factors will influence the storm after landfall. The greatest are friction with land and loss of primary energy source, the warm ocean water. Hurricanes have been known to take in drier air from over land and weaken more quickly. I suppose you could argue your point but I think amount would not be great. Certainly a higher humidity environment would increase rainfall, particularly away from the center of the storm.

What exactly is fog?

Asked by Dylan C over 7 years ago

Hi, Dylan. Water can be seen in the atmosphere in three states. Solid, liquid and gas. When water vapor (the gas) cools, visible liquid drops form by condensation. Think of putting ice in glass of water. Liquid water drops form on the outside because the air around the glass cools. Fog is drops of liquid water (there can be freezing fog too) that form on small particles in the air called condensation nuclei. An easier way to think about fog is a cloud in contact with the ground.

Are you allowed to eat or drink something while live? Sometimes they go live for a long time but don’t drink anything. They must get thirsty at one point?

Asked by Tj over 6 years ago

Yup! Not always easy. I know there have been more than a few times while on the air in continuous coverage when I see someone out of the corner of my eye holding a cup of water. I try not to hug them but the motivation is there. Thanks, TJ!

What do you think happened. So we drove back from the store and when we got into our neighbourhood it started getting windy, heavy rain, and hail. There was crap blowing across the road. When we drove down our street. Nothing instantly stopped.

Asked by Dan about 7 years ago

Sounds like you may have been right on the edge of a thunderstorm. They can have a pretty tight gradient especially has they approach. Thanks, Dan.