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

Did you ever give a weather forecast that turned out to be SOOO inaccurate that it still haunts you to this day?

Asked by Bandito_II over 11 years ago

I think the incident I regret the most was leaving the weather office unstaffed back in the mid 1990's when a tornado formed in our market in Virginia in the early afternoon between shifts. Interesting question, thanks.

I want to study meteorology in college, but it is hard to find a school that is not so far away that offers it as a major. (in the NE) What kind of salary can i expect if I am not a meteorologist on TV, and am working directly for NWS or NOAA?

Asked by matt about 11 years ago

Hi Matt.  I'm actually not familiar with the payscale at the National Weather Service.  You can get a pretty good idea by looking at NWS and NOAA job postings online at http://www.weather.gov/careers.  Most jobs have a salary range attached to them.  You might also have luck contacting your local NWS office.  Click on your region at weather.gov for the closest office.  Good luck!!

What are questions you are asked most often?

Asked by Jackie over 11 years ago

Is it going to rain?  Will the storms be severe?  What are the best apps for my phone?  What about global warming? Do people ever blame you for bad weather?  I recognize your voice, where do I know you from?  Thanks, Jackie!

do weathermen specialize by climate? like warm vs. cold climates? e.g. could a weatherman in hawaii take the same job in alaska without missing a beat?

Asked by CBass over 11 years ago

Great question. One of my mentors told me, "You go to school for four years to learn meteorology, and then it takes two more to learn to forecast." So, time spent in a particular area gives you valuable experience in the local climatology. In your example, the weatherman in Hawaii, if he had had a good education, could certainly take a job in Alaska, but it would probably take a few seasons to get comfortable. Thanks!

is there a particular state, region, city, province, etc that meteorologists generally agree is the "ideal" climate? (san diego comes to mind...)

Asked by runnin rebel over 11 years ago

I remember a job posting for a San Diego television station many many years ago that said, "Can you say 72 and sunny?" I think most of us prefer locations that have some action. Some like snow, others severe weather, others hurricanes. I guess the ideal job is in a place with the type of weather you are most interested in. Having been to San Diego a number of times I would agree with you, it is pretty nice!

if a weather guy predicts a sunny day and a thunderstorm ensues, what can cause such an inaccurate prediction?

Asked by jameson over 11 years ago

Great question...complicated answer. A weather forecast is made up of many different data points. One of the most important data sets is the twice daily weather balloons that gather data through the height of the atmosphere. One of the weaknesses in the system is that there is an average of only one or two balloon launches in each state, 12 hours apart. The data from those balloons is used in computers that use mathematical equations that predict how the gases and water in the air will behave. Given that the balloon network has so many gaps in it, certain features can be missed. Also, since the data collected at the time of the balloon is not a perfect picture, the forecast 2, 3, 5 or more days out gets more fuzzy. Kind of making a copy of a copy of a copy on a photocopier.

Do u have to stop yourself from talking weather in social situations b/c other ppl think it's small talk?

Asked by bomb'chelle over 11 years ago

Never mind that...did you see what the Global Forecast System is doing over the plains at 384 hours!?! :) Usually what happens for me is once I get to the point in a conversation where I have to say, "Mostly cloudy tomorrow", or "Rain by mid-morning" people will giggle and say, "He sounds just like a TV Weatherman!" My favorite kind of interaction is when someone doesn't realize who they are talking with and makes some comment about the weather. Like in a elevator or the checkout line, they will say, "Boy, this is the worst hot spell in 100 years!" I usually play along and walk away wondering what they would think if they knew who they were talking with. :)