Ask a TV Meteorologist anything

326 Questions

Last Answer on December 24, 2019

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 almost 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.

754 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 about 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!

753 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!

753 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!

751 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 about 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.

747 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 about 9 years ago

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

745 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 about 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.

742 Votes

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TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

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)?

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?

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?

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 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)?

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?

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?

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?