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.
Hi, Tori. My best suggestion is to get an internship at a local station. Hang around as much as you can and soak up the environment. You'll learn about the weather computers and should have some time to practice on the green wall and make some recordings. A demo reel will help you apply for jobs at other stations. If you make yourself known and willing to help during the internship you might just find an opening at some point. That is how it happened for me. Good luck!!
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Of the big weather events, I would rate tropical systems first, then severe storms, then winter storms. Second favorite thing is an approaching shelf cloud ahead of a line of storms, but the best of all is the passing of a dry cold front. To feel the wind turn around and the cold air hit your face is one of the best things around. How about you?
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I've always loved the sky, I think I have as many photos of clouds as of my son. I was a radio DJ at the beginning of my career. One of the local TV meteorologists did weather for our station. He and I became friends and he took me under his wing, got me involved in a meteorology program at Mississippi State, and gave me my first TV job (and one day I'll get him for it!) We remain friends to this day and do a podcast together called WeatherBrains. I grew up up and down the east coast. Your question is right on, many of us have stories of encounters with tornadoes or other weather extremes that set the course into meteorology. Thanks for asking!
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I've never had that happen, but I can imagine it has. Often times station management will see something that happens naturally they like and encourage it. I used to do a lot more live shots out in the field and really enjoyed them so they sent me out often. One time they sent me out for no apparent reason to a local park where nothing was happening. To show my frustration I had the photographer set up a good distance away from me and I sat on a bench with my back to the camera enjoying the sky. Turned out it was one of their favorite shots. :\ Thanks again!
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It is different from person to person. Many have degrees in meteorology, others will use the forecast provided by the National Weather Service or a vendor like AccuWeather. Some have a weather producer who helps with the TV graphics. Thanks for the question!
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Tough question. Certainly there is a bias toward "telegenic" people on TV. That said, Al Roker was very large for many years before weight loss surgery. Interestingly, I have heard of cases where television broadcast companies could consider hiring the people on the news like "casting a play" which would allow them the latitude to decide they wanted a particular gender or ethnicity for an open position, sometimes to play to the demographics of a particular city. In my circles, often times when a job opening comes up, we will hear, "they want a woman", or some other character type. Interesting question, thanks!
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Interesting question. We have a pretty integrated system. The numbers I've seen suggest that the return on investment for weather operations, on a percentage basis, is one of the best of all government expenditures. But, to answer your question, you might be right, I wouldn't want to lose the daily weather balloons since that is where the forecast starts, and radar more readily saves lives...so, okay maybe the satellites, if you must take something!
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