Featured Meteorologist Brooke Brighton

You can Follow Brooke on Twitter/X or over at Facebook and Instagram

What was your most memorable weather event?

My most memorable weather event while working at Spectrum News 1 has to be the tornado outbreak of June 15, 2022. I remember it was nearing the end of my shift when tornado warnings started firing off in western Wisconsin. Being a statewide news channel, we stayed on-air for the duration of warnings for all of Wisconsin. I remember there were several tornado warnings in effect, and I just tried to balance my time giving information about each warning along the line of storms while also paying attention to areas on the radar that indicated strong circulation. Even once this line moved through Wisconsin, the aftermath in some areas was devastating. 

What is your favourite and least favourite type of weather?

My favorite weather to forecast is severe thunderstorms. Growing up in the Midwest, and fortunately being able to work here as well, I always get zoned into severe warned storms that pop-up and I'll likely track them for hours, curious to see what these storms are capable of producing.

On the flip side, I'd say anything tropical isn't my forte, simply because I have more experience covering weather systems that move through the Midwest.

When I was applying to colleges, I really had to take a second to figure out what I really wanted to do. Growing up, my dad was a sportscaster, and my mom was a news anchor, so I got to see the behind-the-scenes of what a day in the life of a TV personality looked like. Being a TV meteorologist was always at the top of my list. But with my love for math and science, I also considered pursuing careers as a pediatrician or a math teacher. In the end, I think if I wasn't a meteorologist, I'd probably be teaching somewhere.

From a purely meteorological point of view, where would you most like to live?

I might be biased since I've lived in the Midwest my whole life, but I really do love living here! From a weather perspective, we get a taste of everything. From severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to blizzards and subzero wind chills, Mother Nature always keeps us on our toes!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
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If you have any interest in weather, I'd highly encourage you to reach out to your local meteorologists. Whether it's your TV meteorologists, Atmospheric Science professors, or those who work at the National Weather Service, you can learn a lot from these professionals. Exploring weather and related professions could lead you to consider engaging in weather-related activities in your community, such as being a weather observer or storm spotter. 

If you are interested in being a Featured Meteorologist on StormHour, please contact mark @ stormhour.com or via DM on Twitter.