Chris Thompson

Chris Thompson

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Meteorologist


Professional Experience:
I got my interest in weather growing up in Minnesota and Illinois. After I received my degree in meteorology, my first job at WORK-TV in Rochester, N.Y., then on to WCIV-TV in Charleston, S.C. I've been forecasting Triangle weather for more than 20 years, with 15 of those at WRAL-TV, and have lived in Cary all that time. I also have worked in the field of air pollution meteorology.

Awards & Recognition:
American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval for television

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Meteorology, 1982, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, Ill.

Birthplace:
Long Island, N.Y.

Hobbies, Interests & Community Involvement:
Bicycling, exploring North Carolina with my wife and two daughters. I work with the Multiple Sclerosis Society on the MS150 Bike Tour, and I am a regular volunteer at the Shepard's Table Soup Kitchen where I am also on its board of directors.

Family & Pets:
Wife, Lisa (high school sweetheart); daughters, Roxanne and Alexandra; two cats and one guinea pig

Favorite Books & Movies:
Movies: "Dr. Strangelove," "Singin' in the Rain." It's hard to pick a favorite book. I mostly read non-fiction.

Favorite Web Sites:
Interactive Weather Information Network, Real-Time Satellite Data

Likes Best About North Carolina:
EVERYTHING! I enjoy exploring North Carolina with my family.

Most Memorable Assignments:
Both involve hurricanes: The first, when Hugo came into Charleston, I was on WPTF radio all night, supplying information to the folks there. All local TV and radio was out, and we were taking collect calls from folks in the Charleston area. Having lived there, I was very familiar with the area. We were dialed in to Charleston radar, and I was able to be very specific about where the worst parts of the storm were. WPTF won an award for that broadcast from the South Carolina Broadcasters Association.

The second was covering Fran. I was at the coast and was able to experience it firsthand. It's one thing to be in the WeatherCenter with all that data at your fingertips, but it's another to experience it in person.