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

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 about 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!



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 over 9 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!

Are you chummy with other meteorologists in your market? Is there really all that much difference between the way each of you gives the weather for the same region?

Asked by FB over 10 years ago

Some cities are more competitive than others but in general I think we are usually friendly with each other. I had lunch with a competitor a few weeks ago. And, to beat that, I married one of the meteorologists from a competing station when we met at a live event! Sometimes managements frown on hanging out with "the enemy". We all draw from the same sources of forecast data. The differences can come from time spent in the market, preference for one computer forecast model over another in a given situation and overall experience. Usually the biggest differences will come during bigger events, like a snow storm or tropical weather, or there is no agreement among the different computer forecasts. Great question, thanks!

Why will it snow at 27° for hours, and then while it is still 27° change to sleet/snow mix

Asked by Krissy over 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.

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 about 10 years ago

Possible and does, Joe! http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/?epac

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 over 9 years ago

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

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 over 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.