Maybe you’ve heard the expression ‘Weather office’, or ‘
Forecast Center’ used during a weather broadcast on 13 WHAM news? Perhaps that made you wonder, ‘Where is the
Forecast Center’, and ‘What do the Meteorologists at 13 WHAM-TV do there’?
The short answer is that the ‘Forecast center’ at 13 WHAM-TV is quite a distance from the studio, about a 30 second walk to be exact. All of the data used for the production in our weather forecasts come from the area you see in the pictures below.
Naturally, we have a window in the office, a satellite dish right outside the window that receives our weather data from the National Weather Service (NWS) and our weather graphics partner Weather Services International (WSI).
We have many computers and a desk that some guests have said, ‘Looks like the Starship Enterprise’. The unusual desk exists because we used to produce on-air television broadcasts from this office many years ago.
In all, we have about 10 computers in weather that are working 24 hours a day to keep our weather forecasts fresh and up to date. These computers also provide the latest and most accurate data for 13WHAM.com, our stations web site. You’ll see familiar graphics in the pictures below, like ‘Ultimate Doppler Radar’ in this room and other graphics like the 7-DAY forecast that your used to seeing on TV.
It’s not uncommon to find several meteorologists working in the forecast center at any time, especially when the weather is active. Our current weather team consists of Glenn Johnson, our chief meteorologist.
Glenn works Monday through Friday during the evening broadcasts at 5,6 and 11 PM.
Marty Snyder anchors 13WHAM News this morning at the station from 5-9 AM Monday through Friday and 13WHAM News Midday.
You’ll also see Mark Mclean on Weekend weather at 6 and 11 PM as well as 13WHAM News Midday.
Jeff Najder and Stacy Pensgen fill-in as needed and also help out during active weather in the forecast center.
For a video tour of the wx center click here!
