Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1543375
34 COMING HOME MAGAZINE 7 uestions with A M E T E O RO LO G I S T Insights from the expert behind the map. Wondering if a spring day is bringing sunshine or showers? Meteorologists have the answer! With a deep understanding of the atmosphere, these experts are trained to track the weather so you can plan your days with confidence. We talked to meteorologist Aurora Murray to learn more about what a career in the industry looks like, and her top tips for staying safe during severe weather season. 1. What made you want to become a meteorologist? Growing up, I just wanted to know why the earth did what it did! I'm from the Chicagoland area, so we had all four seasons, and I loved going outside. Experiencing that and critical weather conditions sparked an interest in learning about climate. My path was a bit non-traditional. Because my university didn't have an official meteorology program, my professor and I built one. I got my degree in geography and minored in meteorology. Studying urban geography taught me why the world is the way it is, how people interact with their environment, the rationale behind various decisions, and the skills needed to create maps. It all meshed together, making me a better forecaster. 2. What's the most extreme weather event you've covered? I remember one Cinco de Mayo weekend when severe thunderstorms were rolling in non-stop. We saw a funnel cloud on the weather radar, only for it to disappear and downgrade to a severe thunderstorm warning. Then, right as it was heading toward our viewing area, it popped back up! Luckily, the threat ultimately dissipated, but it had the potential to be a rain-wrapped tornado on top of the storms. This could've been terrible since so many people were out and about. 3. Do you have a favorite type of weather phenomenon to track or study? I'm currently fascinated by dust storms. They can occur out of nowhere, travel long distances, and drop visibility all the way down to zero. It's a unique type of severe weather event that can have a significant impact with little to no warning.