Learning Experiences in Broadcast Meteorology

One of the unique on-campus preprofessional partnerships the Meteorology Program benefits from is with the Department of Communication’s Northern Television Center (NTC). The NTC assists in applying the meteorology students’ knowledge of weather analysis and forecasting in a real-world television studio environment. For many years, NIU meteorology students have participated in daily student-run broadcasts that feature weather segments – what a great experience for those interested in pursuing a meteorology broadcasting career! Students have the opportunity to develop and construct their own weather presentations in front of the studio’s green screen, which is an excellent way for students to practice communicating weather phenomena to a broad audience. In addition, tapes of these broadcasts may be used to illustrate a student’s abilities to potential employers when applying for internships or jobs.

The Northern Television Center studios.

Meteorology students who study and work at the NTC utilize a variety of weather data obtained through the National Weather Service, including sophisticated data from remote sensing tools such as radars and satellites as well as advanced numerical weather prediction models. Using these data, in combination with their forecasting knowledge gathered from classes such as Synoptic Meteorology (MET 320 and 421) and Mesoscale Meteorology (MET 444), students are encouraged to formulate their own five-day forecasts similar to those forecasts found on local and national news broadcasts. The NTC broadcasts are aired daily Monday-Thursday with full news, sports, and, of course, weather coverage! The daily show is broadcast worldwide through the Department of Communication website and through MySpace, as well as on-air broadcast to the student body and local community via the Northern Television Channel. The NIU Northern Television Center and the Meteorology Program is a distinctive on-campus partnership that facilitates the development and honing of professional broadcasting skills in our students!

Current and future Meteorology Students interested in preprofessional experiences at NTC are asked to contact Carrie Cunningham, an undergraduate junior majoring in Meteorology and Journalism. Students interested in Meteorology as a major, as well as meteorology broadcasting internships with local channels in Chicago, Rockford, and the Quad Cities, are asked to contact the Meteorology Undergraduate Coordinator, Dr. Dave Changnon. Students in the Meteorology Program with an interest in broadcast meteorology should investigate completing a Minor in Journalism through the Department of Communication. Dr. Allen May, the faculty coordinator for the NTC, will work with Dr. Changnon to assist Meteorology Program students in the integration of the broadcast minor coursework into their academic program. This minor, much like the GIS certificate, assists students who are looking for internships and employment.