Ask a TV Meteorologist anything

326 Questions

Last Answer on December 24, 2019

Hi, I was wondering what your major was in college. My college offers geology as a major; would that work in order to become a meteorologist? Thank you!

Asked by Courtnee about 11 years ago

Hi, Courtnee! I first studied Radio-TV-Film at Texas Christian University, then Broadcast Meteorology at Mississippi State. I think you might have some trouble getting into weather with a geology degree. You might ask for some advice and a visit from a local television station and/or National Weather Service office (weather.gov). Good luck!

915 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

915 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!

913 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.

912 Votes

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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!

909 Votes

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!

909 Votes

How do you tell when a hurricane or tornado hits??

Thanks you for using your time!!!

Asked by Danica almost 10 years ago

Not sure I understand the question, Danica. Both are characterized by strong wind.

908 Votes

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TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Hi, I was wondering what your major was in college. My college offers geology as a major; would that work in order to become a meteorologist? Thank you!

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?

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)?

Also on Jobstr...

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?

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?

How do you tell when a hurricane or tornado hits??

Thanks you for using your time!!!

TV Meteorologist

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Hi, I was wondering what your major was in college. My college offers geology as a major; would that work in order to become a meteorologist? Thank you!

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?

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)?

Also on Jobstr...

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?

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?

How do you tell when a hurricane or tornado hits?? Thanks you for using your time!!!

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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?

How do you tell when a hurricane or tornado hits??

Thanks you for using your time!!!