Robert Gauthreaux

About Robert Gauthreaux

In recent years, it has become extremely important to emphasize accuracy and exercise principles of clear communication as it relates to weather, climate, and general science, especially in media. Too often do people not understand a simple weather forecast, and thus consider a weather forecast to be “always wrong.” Too often is critical weather information misinterpreted by an interstitial entity and thus incorrectly disseminated to the consumer. While it is true a weather forecast may be wrong occasionally, most professional meteorologists will tell you their forecasts are generally fairly accurate. To investigate this dichotomy, I took it upon myself to pursue a Ph.D. in Media and Communication, in addition to my degrees in meteorology and climatology. I did this while still working in television. My career goals include improving and fine tuning the way weather is communicated. I\'ve been a professional broadcast meteorologist since 2013, and my passion is driven by my effort to connect with consumers of weather information. I strive to build a personal relationship with the TV viewer. Rather than being perceived as another talking head on television, I aim to come across as a friend or neighbor. It is this relationship that I believe motivates a viewer to act during critical weather events, rather than trying to show off any esoteric meteorological knowledge. While meteorological knowledge is a must for weathercasters, so is an appreciation for the parasocial relationship one develops with a viewer. With a B.S. in Meteorology, as well as a M.S. in Climatology, I possess a highly unique and advantageous combination of degrees. These specialties obviously work together hand-in-hand, but they are also distinctly different. Unless their degrees are only in journalism, most broadcast meteorologists specialize in one or the other. Add my current Ph.D. studies in Media and Communication, and my highly specialized academic foundation augments my ability and drive to be the absolute best resource for weather information consumption. I also present my research from all fields at various national conferences. My current research focuses on neuroscience. Specifically the cognitive and emotional processing of weather information, I utilize biologically-based psychophysiological measures to discover how the brain cognitively and emotionally processes weather, climate, and risk information. I hope to find the best ways to create the most permeating, wide-reaching, and clearly understood weather, science, and risk messaging practices available.

Experience

1. Meteorologist

   Cox Media Group

   Jan 2022 — Present · Dayton, OH, US

   Emmy-nominated evening meteorologist for the #1 CBS affiliate in the nation, the legacy WHIO-TV. From May to August 2023, was interim Chief Meteorologist, due to all other meteorologists quitting their positions within a matter of three months. Was the only remaining full-time meteorologist on staff. Tasked with leading and managing various freelance meteorologists, as well as various managerial duties such as making schedules, attending meetings, and taking the lead during severe weather outbreaks. Deliver daily presentations to the public and internal briefings regarding expected weather conditions, which includes the process of actively simplifying esoteric content into more digestible lay explanations and live severe weather coverage. Work in cooperation with the National Weather Service weather forecast offices during critical weather situations, especially via NWSchat. Specifically, sharing reports and relaying messages to and from the local National Weather Forecast offices, in addition other various agencies which make up the National Weather Service as a whole such as the Storm Prediction Center, as well as local emergency management. Develop, innovate, fine-tune methods of communicating risk via verbal, textual, graphical, and digital means on a case-by-case basis. Provide advice and suggestions to news staff on how to communicate weather risks to public. Organize team plans under strict and short deadlines during the onset of critical weather situations. Conduct in-depth research into various local meteorological and climate issues and topics and perform data analyses. Technical and simplified writing regarding weather for internal and public dissemination. 70+ career guest and public appearances including speeches, presentations, lessons, emceeing, etc.

Education

• Rogers High School

  Puyallup, Wash.

• University of South Alabama

  Bachelor of Science, Meteorology

  2011

• Texas Tech University

  Doctor of Philosophy, Media and Communication

  2025

• Louisiana State University

  Master of Science, Geography (Climatology)

  2017