@JoelECarlson – @ChikageWindler – Before we start, with a crazy weather day, what does the afternoon look like for the Twin Cities?
@ChikageWindler – Million $ Question, eh? We’re watching for severe t-storms (tornado threat) to break out this pm – Metro pts s/e best chc
@JoelECarlson – A Wacky Wild Weather Wednesday on the day of @ChikageWindler’s Twitterview! Lets “breeze” through this. j/k :)
@ChikageWindler – Sounds great … fire away!
Q – #1 So @ChikageWindler – Where did you grow up, and what are some of the steps that led you to what you do today?
A: Grew up in the heart of tornado alley – OKLAHOMA. I’m a proud Sooner!! Got a B.S. in Meteorology there plus a B.A. in Journ.
Growing up where tornadoes are so frequent, it was easy to catch the weather bug. Interned at KOTV in Tulsa during H.S.
Then went to OU and got to chase tornadoes – and get paid for it!!! as a student researcher one summer!!
Q – #2 So after college, what cities have you worked in doing weather?
A: First job out of college @ WVEC in Norfolk, VA. Then TXCN in Dallas, WRC in DC, WHDH in Boston, and now KSTP in MN
Q – #3 Doing the weather, are there types of cities/markets or locations that you have preferred to work in?
A: I’m lucky to have worked in a lot of great cities! All the places I’ve been have had active, interesting weather (i.e. today)
Q – #4 Great! So does having a family make it tough in moving around and getting settled in new cities?
A: What’s so great is that my hubby and I did all our moving around before having our almost 3-year-old daughter Austen
Now that we’re in MN – we love it. SO family friendly (I think Austen has been to more festivals/fairs than most!!)
Q – #5 Very outgoing I understand too! Now your husband is in “the biz” too to correct? What does he do?
A: Yep. Austen’s a ham!! My husband is a news photog @ FOX 9 – really good at what he does!
Q – #6 That’s neat! Now in forecasting the weather, how much is computer models and how much is your gut?
A: I look at more computer models that I know what to do with!!! But they all help guide me to a forecast conclusion.
Then comes the “gut instinct” … that’s the intuition, the “feeling” you get that storms are going to hit – maybe 20%
Q – #7 Interesting! So what kind of weather is the most difficult to predict, and easiest? Tornadoes? Snow? Wind speeds?
A: Tornadoes are tough. Snow can be brutal. Wind isn’t bad. Temperatures are challenging to forecast but routine.
Q – #8 Lets now go to the FAVS questions: Favorite – restaurant, store, summer activity, color and time of day?
A: Favorite restaurant: Crave is one of them – love going to MOA on Toddler Tuesdays (kids eat free!)
Favorite store: (not here, I’m afraid) Filene’s Basement in Boston – get a LOT of my work suits there!!!
Favorite summer activity – Photography (anytime, actually) – and taking Austen to fairs, festivals, fun!!
Favorite color: RED (or should I say “Crimson” – as in Crimson and Cream – Go Sooners!!!) Favorite Time of Day: AM
Q – #9 Yes, @CRAVEamerica is awesome! In regards to Social Media, how do you see it helping news providers?
A: For me…it’s great. The news is only on @ certain times of day. But people NEED weather info when they need it!
So I tweet when I’m on duty but not on-air to keep people in the know :-)
Q – #10 Did you, the station or others teach you about how to use Social Media tools?
A: a bit of both
This has been fun! Gotta run though – storms starting to pop and need to focus on that :-) Thx again! -C
@JoelECarlson – Understood, you’ve got an important job to do. Thanks for your time and comments!
