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

How many weather models does a forecaster have to work with and where is the data for the weather models coming from?

Asked by Richard Ferstandig about 7 years ago

Complicated answer, Richard, but a good question. There are quite a few and I really can't give a number off the top of my head. Easily more than a dozen It is complicated because different models offer different solutions. Some are short range, some are longer range. Some are US based, others European and Canada and Japan. To further complicate the issue some models are run as "ensembles" meaning they are run from the basic initial data but small variations are introduced to give different solutions. The basic input data is collected twice a day from about 900 upper air sites, or weather balloons, launched twice a day, noon and midnight Greenwich mean time. The idea is to take a snapshot of the entire planet atmosphere at the same time. Also, more and more data, from satellites and radar for example, is now ingested into the models to varying degrees. A shorter answer is, on a regular day I'll look at three or four.

Winds seem to flow along an isobar, but pressure changes between them. Why don't the winds flow in the direction of changing pressure rather than along lines of constant pressure?

Asked by Hal over 6 years ago

Hi, Hal. Uneven heating of the atmosphere helps create air pressure differences. Mother Nature tries to equalize the imbalance and air moves from high to low. Since the earth rotates the air is subject to Coriolis force and the air is deflected from moving perpendicular to the isobars. Thanks! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coriolis_force

can the temp. drop if its raining

Asked by darrell8675309 about 7 years ago

Yup. Sure can. Cold air moving into an area, cold air advection, can drop the temperature. And something called evaporative cooling can happen when it is raining. The friction with the air caused by falling raindrops can transfer heat to the water vapor and cool the air as well. Great question!

Once a Tornado warring expires due to weakening or the threat has moved is that extra five or ten minutes them looking at the storm trying to see if it was accurate scans and re development and/or something behind it?
Should I remain in shelter?

Asked by Daniel about 6 years ago

Great question. National Weather Service folks take the tornado expirations very seriously and would most likely issue an extension for any risk. That said, rotation could certainly increase again. An extra five of ten minutes would be a reasonable course of action. I highly recommend a radar app called RadarScope for your phone. It allows you to locate yourself on the map and animate radar so you can see if a storm is moving toward or away from your location. Thank, Daniel.

At what altitude does the weathermen on tv report the wind speeds. Example..5m or 500m?

Asked by Reyna over 7 years ago

Hi, Reyna. Standard anemometer height is 10 meters.

Should the lacrosse fields be cleared of kids if you hear thunder and see lightening? Our couches seem to be relying on apps on their phone to decide. I always heard if you see lightening get off the field.

Asked by Stacey Marshall almost 8 years ago

Absolutely, yes. The field should be cleared. Not doing so is irresponsible. If you can hear thunder you can be struck and lightning can travel many miles from a storm. Also wait at least 15 minutes after the last thunder before returning to play.

Why did the siren sound change form a long wail to shorter wails?

Asked by sdafdf almost 6 years ago

Siren choice is up to each municipality. You might check with your local county emergency management office. Thanks!