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There’s definitely something in the air at UMass Lowell. Ever since the University’s Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EEAS) was established by Prof. Robert Curtis in 1967 as the Department of Meteorology at the then Lowell Technological Institute, it has proven to be a great springboard for launching careers as TV weather forecasters. Many of the big-city TV stations across the country have our graduates on their weather teams.
Just ask Danielle Niles, a Weymouth native who joined the New England Cable News (NECN) weather team in late 2008 as a meteorologist studying and forecasting New England’s challenging, ever-changing weather.
“The EEAS Department gives the fundamental math and science background that is essential for anyone interested in pursuing a career in meteorology,” says Niles. “While attending UMass Lowell, I really felt a close connection with all my classmates and professors— the department has a true ‘family feel’ to it, which isn’t the case for other bigger schools that offer meteorology.”
She received her bachelor's degree (cum laude) in atmospheric science in the spring of 2006, and was captain of the women’s soccer team. She also earned a master’s degree in meteorology at Florida State University in 2008. At NECN, she produces graphics and delivers on-air forecasts mainly on weekdays between 9 a.m. and noon. Before joining the network, she worked for Weather Services International in Andover.
“I’ve had a passion for weather since I was a little girl, and being a broadcast meteorologist has always been my dream,’’ says Niles. As a child, she was fascinated with severe weather, like thunderstorms, blizzards and hurricanes, to name a few.
She has even been storm chasing in the Midwest, where last year she saw her first tornado. Last year, Niles was inducted into the Chi Epsilon Pi honor society for outstanding meteorology students. She is also an active member of the American Meteorological Society.
Shiri Spear, a New Hampshire native who joined the 22 News Storm Team in Springfield in 2007 as the weekend morning meteorologist and environmental reporter for the station’s Green Team, says she would not have had the confidence to pursue her career without the support from her teachers at UMass Lowell.
“When I told Prof. Frank Colby that I was interested in becoming a broadcast meteorologist, he helped me get an internship,” says Spear. “I also had a great working relationship with Prof. Arnold O’Brien when I was one of his teaching assistants. The respect and commitment my mentors showed me are qualities that I strive to bring to the workplace, present and future.”
She received her master’s degree in 2007 and immediately joined the 22 News Storm Team as the station’s first female meteorologist. “I do the forecasts, build my graphics, update our website and record forecasts for our phone service and a couple of local radio stations before I go on the air,” she says.
“As new data come in, I review them and make necessary adjustments to my forecasts.”
Prior to working at the station, she was a teacher, educating local preschoolers about the wonders of weather. “Since I was a young girl I wanted to know everything about the weather,” she says.
She lives in Springfield with her husband and high-school sweetheart Matthew, daughters Gabrielle and Mia, and their family Husky.
For Sarah Wroblewski, it was the UMass Lowell faculty and size of the classes that made a difference in her success as a TV meteorologist. “Since our classes were smaller, everyone knew one another and the faculty was ready to help with any of the problems we encountered,” she says. “I think the one-on-one attention we received helped bring confidence to our forecasts, and that confidence, in turn, continued into my professional career.”
Wroblewski received her bachelor’s degree in 2005, and in her senior year she was captain and most valuable player of the women’s soccer team. She joined WBZ-TV in 2005 as the weekday morning weather producer. In 2008 she was promoted to be the weekend-morning meteorologist for the WBZ-TV weather team, which includes veteran meteorologist and UMass Lowell alumnus Barry Burbank.
With fellow WBZ meteorologist Mish Michaels, she helps manage and critique the content of the Weatherwise exhibit at the Museum of Science in Boston.
A member of the American Meteorological Society, Wroblewski also works full time for Weather Services International, doing forecasts for Verizon Fios and CNN International, and her voice can be heard on several Time-Warner TV stations across the country. She was also featured as an on-air meteorologist in episodes for HBO’s hit police drama series “The Wire."
In her leisure time, the Connecticut native enjoys sports and visiting schools to encourage youngsters to pursue careers in math and science. She lives in the suburbs of Boston, where she and Danielle Niles are roommates.
Joe Venuti is a weather producer and fill-in meteorologist for WCVB-TV Channel 5 in Boston. He says his education at UMass Lowell enabled him to go on to graduate school at Penn State and become very competitive in the field.
“Profs. Keith Seitter and Frank Colby, my advisors at UMass Lowell, encouraged us to apply for internships while we were getting our degrees,” he says. “If it were not for their encouragement, opportunities might not have come my way.”
At WCVB, Venuti produces weather segments for the 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m. shows. “I act as the IT specialist for the HD computers that we currently use, and fill in on the air during severe-weather coverage and vacations,” he says.
Venuti received his bachelor’s from UMass Lowell in 1991 and master’s from Penn State in 1994. Prior to joining WCVB full time in 2006, he worked at WPSX-TV 3 in University Park, Penn.; WGME-TV in Portland, Maine; Weather Services International; Fox News in New York; and WLVI-TV in Boston.
In 1997 the American Meteorological Society recognized his professionalism in weather forecasting and reporting by awarding him its Seal of Approval.
“The Blizzard of ’78 was a big factor in my decision to become a professional meteorologist,” he says. “However, I’ve always had an interest in weather from as far back as I can remember. I used to watch Don Kent and Bob Copeland on TV, and then give the forecast to my kindergarten class.”
Born in Revere and raised in Reading, Venuti now lives in Billerica with his wife and two sons.