Steve Templeton, the chief meteorologist at KMOV, is a familiar face to the residents of St. Louis. For many, he's the laid-back guy with a classic anchorman's haircut and bright smile, delivering the forecast and reminding you to grab an umbrella. But during "active weather," as Templeton calls it, he transforms into a man possessed, sleeves rolled up, eyes darting rhythmically to the radar feed. In these moments, he's more than just a weatherman; he's a source of crucial information and a protector, guiding the community through dangerous times.
From Geology to Meteorology: A Serendipitous Journey
Templeton's path to meteorology wasn't a straight one. Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, he initially considered following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, a geologist at the University of Illinois. However, he soon realized that rocks weren't his passion. Instead, his earth science classes introduced him to the atmosphere, sparking a love that would define his career.
Despite diverging from geology, Templeton seems to share his grandfather's passion for education and sharing knowledge. He enjoys visiting schools to share his love of weather. Like his academic grandfather, Templeton often teaches as he forecasts by using high-level meteorological terms: rain-wrapped, debris ball, supercell, circulation, hook, inflow notch, radar-indicated, ground truth. During severe weather, it’s comforting to know the name for what’s happening-terms that transform atmospheric chaos into known scientific phenomena.
The Weight of Knowledge: Templeton During Severe Weather
During severe weather, Templeton's demeanor shifts dramatically. Good-Weather-Steve, with his easy smile, is nowhere to be found. He shouts instructions to his studio team and calls out "all-clears" once the storm has passed a community by. He’s still polite, but he’s tormented by the weight of his knowledge. He might be more compelling than the drama outside the window.
Executive News Director at KMOV, Scott Diener, suggests that it’s Templeton’s demeanor and transparency that make people turn to him during uncertain weather. “He’s always ahead of it. I don’t think viewers necessarily realize this.”
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A Protector's Role: Explaining and Guiding the Community
Templeton sees his role as a protector, providing clarity and guidance during dangerous weather events. He explains with the clarity of science what’s happening in their communities. He doesn’t enjoy severe weather, though people sometimes think he does. A weather forecast is meant to help you figure out anything from how much sunscreen you might need, to whether you should evacuate to a safer location.
The Evolving Climate: A Call for Vigilance
Today, the voices of Templeton and his fellow meteorologists are more important than ever. Although the tools we use to forecast weather are increasingly accurate, the weather itself is becoming more extreme. We’ve always had tornadoes here, but the location, timing, and prevalence of severe weather have begun to shift, likely due to climate change. Lately, tornadoes have arrived out of season instead of bullying us during the spring. One crashed the holidays here on New Year’s Eve in 2010. Another in December 2021 stole six lives at an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville. Flash floods surprised St. Louis in July 2022, and the region experienced its share of a global, record-breaking heat wave this past summer.
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