(WGHP) — Why is the sky blue? What’s the difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane? How do you know all this stuff?
FOX8 Meteorologist Alex Schneider has your answers!
Alex joined the FOX8 Max Weather Team in August 2022. You may have seen her on-air presenting your weekend weather forecast or in the classroom during one of her school visits.
Ask Alex! is an opportunity for you and your family to learn more about the world we live in and the science that makes it so interesting.
If you or your child have a weather-related question, use the form below to Ask Alex!
Ask Alex!
Who is Alex?
I was born and raised in Durham, N.C., just a short drive down I-40 from the Triad. I attended high school at Durham School of the Arts with an art focus in photography.
After sitting in on my first Intro to Meteorology class with Dr. Hennon at UNC Asheville, I was sold. Weather was something I was meant to do and I wanted to explore it further as a possible career option. Dr. Hennon ended up being my advisor in the meteorology department throughout my time at UNC Asheville.
My favorite class in college was tropical meteorology where we dove further into forecasting tropical systems. We learned where the systems typically originated from, how they developed and how to forecast their future track based on other weather occurring around the tropical cyclone. This class is part of the reason that hurricanes are my favorite weather to forecast.
My first internship was at CBS17 in Raleigh, N.C., and my second internship was at WLOS in Asheville, N.C. I was able to get hands-on experience with a green screen and graphics as well as learn more about forecasting for a particular area. These two opportunities helped me realize that being a broadcast meteorologist was exactly what I wanted to pursue a career in.
North Carolina has always held a special place in my heart, especially because I grew up here. It truly has everything a girl can ask for—mountains, the beach, fall foliage, hurricanes, snow and, of course, family.
You can find me on social media and on air Saturdays and Sundays at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.
More opportunities for kids
Ask Alex! isn’t the only way for kids to learn more about weather and meteorology.
Each week, we invite one lucky child to the studio to help FOX8 Chief Meteorologist Van Denton present the weather forecast in a segment we like to call Van’s Weather Kids. They’ll have a chance to see the studio in person, learn about meteorology and meet some of FOX8’s award-winning news team—not to mention the opportunity to appear on live TV.
