Ask a TV Meteorologist anything

326 Questions

Last Answer on December 24, 2019

Are you chummy with other meteorologists in your market? Is there really all that much difference between the way each of you gives the weather for the same region?

Asked by FB almost 10 years ago

Some cities are more competitive than others but in general I think we are usually friendly with each other. I had lunch with a competitor a few weeks ago. And, to beat that, I married one of the meteorologists from a competing station when we met at a live event! Sometimes managements frown on hanging out with "the enemy". We all draw from the same sources of forecast data. The differences can come from time spent in the market, preference for one computer forecast model over another in a given situation and overall experience. Usually the biggest differences will come during bigger events, like a snow storm or tropical weather, or there is no agreement among the different computer forecasts. Great question, thanks!

730 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 over 9 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!

729 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 9 years ago

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

729 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 almost 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!

723 Votes

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Why will it snow at 27° for hours, and then while it is still 27° change to sleet/snow mix

Asked by Krissy almost 9 years ago

Excellent question, Krissy. Snow occurs when the temperature is below 32 from the surface of the earth to as high as 10,000 feet. Sleet occurs when a warm layer of air develops in between the ground and the formation zone so the snowflake melts and refreezes in the cold layer next to the ground.

723 Votes

If a tsunami hits the west coast of america in winter , would it effect moisture in the air for the entire county and produce another snowstorm like "jonas"?

Asked by Zac almost 9 years ago

Hi, Zac. No you would need to convert that water to vapor to move it across the country.

722 Votes

I like to take gigapan pictures. What weather pattern should I look for to predict extremely clear visibility (i.e. no haze, fog or pollution)?

Asked by Paul almost 9 years ago

Might depend on your location. Broadly I would say look to be behind a cold front. You are looking for an airmass change to one cooler and drier, perhaps with an origin in Canada.

718 Votes

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TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Are you chummy with other meteorologists in your market? Is there really all that much difference between the way each of you gives the weather for the same region?

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?

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?

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?

Also on Jobstr...

Why will it snow at 27° for hours, and then while it is still 27° change to sleet/snow mix

If a tsunami hits the west coast of america in winter , would it effect moisture in the air for the entire county and produce another snowstorm like "jonas"?

I like to take gigapan pictures. What weather pattern should I look for to predict extremely clear visibility (i.e. no haze, fog or pollution)?

TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Are you chummy with other meteorologists in your market? Is there really all that much difference between the way each of you gives the weather for the same region?

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?

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?

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?

Also on Jobstr...

Why will it snow at 27° for hours, and then while it is still 27° change to sleet/snow mix

If a tsunami hits the west coast of america in winter , would it effect moisture in the air for the entire county and produce another snowstorm like "jonas"?

I like to take gigapan pictures. What weather pattern should I look for to predict extremely clear visibility (i.e. no haze, fog or pollution)?

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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?