Weather choice of career for area scientist
by Ines Salomon, reporter

    A local meteorologist shared various aspects of his professio

n with South Campus students last week.
    Scott Chesner, weekend meteorologist for NBC 5, talked about the science of meteorology, his job experiences and training.

    During his presentation, sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, Chesner elaborated on topics of global warming, U.S. drought and water. He also showed a short video on aspects of the environment such as the greenhouse effect, the jet stream and other elements that affect the weather.

    Chesner told the audience that meteorologists at Channel 5 prepare for their weather forecasts by looking at four to five various maps. Based on all the information that they gather from these maps and personal knowledge and experience, the meteorologists make their predictions regarding the weather, he said.

    He also told the group how he got his break at NBC 5.

    “I got thrown into the job,” Chesner said. “They were short on meteorologists, so I had to start immediately.”

    Born and raised in New Jersey, Chesner graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology. During his college days, he served as a weather forecaster for his college newspaper and worked at the University Weather Station at Penn State.

    Later, he worked for Accu-weather, Inc. at State College of Pennsylvania as a meteorologist and head weather forecaster for the Northern United States. He arrived at NBC 5 in 1981.

    Chesner also does weather forecasts for two local radio stations. During the week, he does the morning weather for KSCS 96.3FM and on weekends for WBAP 820AM.

    Chesner described the programs at U.S. colleges offering degrees in meteorology. Texas A&M’s research program specializes in climate, and the University of Oklahoma’s specialty is severe weather storms. Penn State, his alma mater, employs experts on weather storms.