Michael Susko

WGAL News 8 Meteorologist | AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal #974 | Penn State Meteorology 2020 | M.S. in Emergency Management | Space Weather

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States

About

At FOX56 WOLF-TV, my primary goal as Chief Meteorologist was to deliver accurate and engaging forecasts, to spearhead our severe weather response, and drive community engagement through outreach. My proficiency with WSI TruView Max Graphics and on-air experience enabled me to create compelling weather narratives, fulfilling our mission to inform and safeguard the community. It was the desire to fulfill this mission that led me to obtain my CBM (Certified Broadcast Meteorologist) seal from the American Meteorological Society (AMS). Previously, while with KNWA-TV in Fayetteville, Arkansas, I learned to forecast and track several tornadoes and severe thunderstorm events, historic winter storms, flash flooding, tropical weather, and extreme cold/heat. By obtaining my Bachelor's in Meteorology & Atmospheric Science, a Master's degree in Emergency Management, and a post-bachelor certificate in Space Weather, I was able to build a strong foundation in not just weather forecasting and communication, but other natural disasters our communities may face. My commitment to continuous learning and public service is evident in my efforts to provide life-saving updates and digital content, ensuring our audience is well-informed during critical weather events. It's this dedication to public safety and effective communication that defines my professional journey.

Experience

  • Meteorologist at WGAL 8 TV
    Oct 2024 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos

    • Forecast and present the day's top weather story on the 12 PM & 4 PM newscasts using WSI graphics • Analyze, interrupt, and communicate numerical weather prediction model data to the public. • Communicate severe weather alerts to the public in an effective and situationally appropriate manner. • Fill in for other weekday and weekend newscasts as needed. • Use various forecasting techniques to identify potential model biases and make corrections as needed. • Create accurate and engaging weather forecasts for the Harrisburg-Lancaster-York-Lebanon TV market. • Provide life-saving severe weather updates on-air, online, and on social media. • Write fresh digital content and continuously update the forecast on station's website. • Attend and represent our weather team and station at various community outreach events. • Help execute weather content strategy across all platforms to drive viewer engagement.

  • Chief Meteorologist at FOX56 WOLF-TV
    Sep 2022 - Sep 2024 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    • Analyze, interrupt, and communicate numerical weather prediction model data to the public. • Communicate severe weather alerts to the public in an effective and situationally appropriate manner. • Use various forecasting techniques to identify potential model biases and make corrections as needed. • Forecast and present the day's top weather story on weeknight newscasts using WSI graphics. • Create accurate and engaging weather forecasts for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA TV market. • Lead and coordinate our station’s severe weather coverage with the news manager and reporters. • Provide life-saving severe weather updates on-air, online, and on social media. • Write fresh digital content and continuously update the forecast for the website. • Provide radio forecast updates to various clients. • Attend and represent our weather team and station at various community outreach events. • Work with the news manager and sales department to make sure all weather department sponsorships are fulfilled properly and on schedule. • Develop and execute weather content strategy across all platforms to drive viewer engagement. • Mentor and train college students in the company's internship program. • Regularly provide fill-in weather coverage for other company stations.

  • Weekend/Digital Meteorologist at KNWA-TV and Fox 24 News (NBC and Fox affiliate)
    Jun 2020 - Aug 2022 · 2 yrs 3 mos

    • Forecast and present the day's top weather story on all weekend newscasts. • Create accurate & engaging weather forecasts for Northwest Arkansas & the River Valley. • Acted as interim morning meteorologist from June 2022 - August 2022. • Fill-in for weekday morning and evening newscasts as needed. • Provide life-saving severe weather updates on-air, online, and on social media. • Organize, plan, & perform various live shots and on-air interviews. • Write fresh digital content and continuously update the weather section of our website. • Provide radio forecast updates to various clients, including live severe weather updates. • Create fresh, unique weather graphics (including 3-D graphics) using WSI Storm, WSI Connect, and WSI Engage platforms. • Post regular updates and live video content to various social media platforms. • Attend and represent our weather team and station at various community outreach events.

  • Student Scheduler at Penn State Commons Desk Operations
    Oct 2019 - May 2020 · 8 mos

    • Oversee and maintain a schedule for over 200 student employees • Maintain and update employee warning files • Work with managers to create and update department policy

  • WPSU Penn State (3 yrs 10 mos)
    • Host/Forecaster
      Jan 2019 - May 2020 · 1 yr 5 mos

      • On-air host and forecaster for Emmy Award winning weeknight weather show for channels WPSU and PCN.

    • Weather World Graphics Producer/Director
      May 2018 - May 2020 · 2 yrs 1 mo

      • Create/edit feature and forecast graphics. • Prepare/manage studio floor and control room before, during, and after show production. • Record daily meteorological observations for National Weather Service. • Speak to prospective students and their families during department tours.

    • Weather World Floor Manager
      Aug 2016 - Apr 2018 · 1 yr 9 mos

      • Give time information to on-air broadcasters • Prepare and manage studio floor before and during show. • Communicate with director and graphics manager during the show.