Responsibilities of a Broadcast Meteorologist at TV Broadcasting Company
Meredith's role as a Broadcast Meteorologist involves far more than simply presenting a forecast; it requires building the forecast from scratch daily using scientific expertise and experience, "looking at the current weather...and the storm system's heading our way," while also crafting compelling on-air presentations through skillful research and visual storytelling to connect with the audience. The inherent complexities of atmospheric science, coupled with the need to constantly learn from both successes and failures, makes it a continuously evolving and engaging profession.
Meteorological Forecasting, Data Analysis, Communication, Visual Communication, Problem-Solving
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Meredith Garofalo
Broadcast Meteorologist
TV Broadcasting Company
Valparaiso University
NA
Environmental & Related Sciences
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Communication and Marketing
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Broadcast Meteorologists build their own forecasts daily, utilizing their meteorological background and analyzing current weather and incoming storm systems.
2. The role involves nowcasting (present weather) and forecasting (future weather predictions) using computer models and experience to assess storm intensity and potential impact.
3. Accuracy is paramount, but not always achievable; the job includes analyzing successes and failures to improve forecasting and adapting to the complexities of atmospheric science.
Transcript
What are the main responsibilities within your role?
It's not as easy as people might think. There are so many responsibilities involved beyond just walking into a studio and giving the daily weather report.
Every day when I'm doing weather reporting, I have to use my background and my bachelor of science in meteorology to build my own forecast. I know some people wonder if I just use data models. No, I actually do all my own forecasting.
I come in and look at the current weather, but also consider storm systems heading our way. This involves "nowcasting"—what's happening right now—and "forecasting"—looking at what's coming. I analyze what computer models might indicate.
If there's a bad storm system out west heading towards Ohio, I need to calculate its speed. I see if it's moving into an area where storms could intensify and cause severe weather, or if a blizzard is developing. I recall a time in the New York City area when a coastal low started to strengthen, and I had to determine the potential impacts.
I use my background and my experience over the last decade and a half, drawing on things I've seen before to make a more accurate forecast. As with any science, it's not perfect. Sometimes there are successes with perfect forecasts, and sometimes there are failures when one small thing changes in a storm system.
The atmosphere is very complex, and even with my background, there are storm systems that stump me. Afterward, I always try to explain what happened and why. I think that's what makes science fun: you're always learning and using that knowledge to make a better forecast next time.
If a forecast isn't perfect, I figure out what went wrong and how to improve moving forward. When I'm reporting, it involves a lot of research. I need to find people to talk to and plan how to best tell the story.
I consider who can help tell the story, what graphics or visuals to use, and then I make those calls. My goal is to use everything possible to bring a story to life and make the audience feel like they are there, having a one-on-one interview.