More
about
me
A meteorologist
in the making
Katie Melvin
Weather Girl
Meteorologist
For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a meteorologist. I remember the moment in elementary school when I found out looking at the weather all day was a real job.
I’m originally from North Carolina where I was born and raised in a very small town. I spent most of my childhood outdoors on my parents’ small farm with my brother. Living in the countryside always gave me a good opportunity to watch clouds and storms move in. The mid-Atlantic also exposes you to almost every type of weather . . . including hurricanes, snow storms and extreme heat.
I attended community college, which happens to be where I found my black cat Salem, and earned my Associates before transferring to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Despite the challenges of living through an on-campus deadly school shooting and a global pandemic, I am incredibly thankful for the opportunities there.
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Meteorology, along with my Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a focus in mass media. I decided to add the BA halfway through my meteorology schooling because I found myself so interested in the social science behind how we communicate weather information. That even includes why we choose certain colors for specific weather events over others, and how that impacts the public.
My research and thesis took it one step further, diving into inclusiveness on weather graphics. My dad is colorblind and I myself have a mild condition, and that really inspired the work. I wanted to focus on making sure anyone with any type of disability was able to understand and receive accurate weather information.
I recognize in this day and age, especially with the rising cost of inflation, that many households can’t afford cable. That includes my own household. This is exactly why I lean into social media, a much more easily accessible and free platform. You’ll often catch me posting forecasts in detail across social media as a result of my want to be inclusive. Content creation is something I really enjoy doing as a hobby, especially on TikTok and Facebook!
Outside of broadcasting, I do have interests and goals that don’t include the TV. In early 2024, I plan to work towards obtaining my AMS and NWS seal. Showing the public you’re a credible source is very important to me, especially in today’s world that is full of social media hype.
Continuing my research is also a goal of mine. Becoming a published scientist and continuing to pave the way as a woman in a male dominated field is something I hope to accomplish. Women are 13% less likely to be named authors on published articles.
I’m thankful for how far I have come in this field and am incredibly grateful to truly feel like I work my dream job. It’s exciting to think about what the future may hold!
