Ben Abell

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Ben Abell


Birth name Benjamin F. Abell[1]
Born c. 1932
Station(s) KWMU-FM
Time slot  :09 after the hour (M-F)
Style Meteorologist
Country Flag of the United States United States
Website Benjamin F. Abell @ SLU.edu

Ben Abell has been a professor of meteorology in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Saint Louis University (SLU) since 1962[1]. He also volunteered as the sole meteorologist for St. Louis, Missouri NPR station KWMU-FM since the station began broadcasting in 1972[2] through early 2007. To recognize and preserve his contributions as an outstanding member of the St. Louis radio community[3], Abell was a 2005-2006 inductee to the St. Louis Radio Hall of Fame.[4]

Ben Abell grew up in the Washington, D.C. area, and as a child began his fascination with weather when that area suffered severe flooding. He also gained firsthand experience of the consequences of weather working on his uncle's tobacco farm in the summers.[5]

[edit] Professional work

Abell received his Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Louis University in 1960, continuing with his master's degree in meteorology and statistics in 1965.[3] Originally intending to work for the National Weather Service after graduation[6], Abell accepted a SLU offer for a position on staff at (then) Parks College in 1962. His primary research areas are severe local storms, climate change, tropical cyclones, and weather forecasting, while his primary teaching areas are climate and humankind in history, and mesoscale analysis and severe storms.[1] As the undergraduate meteorology program director, he teaches some introductory courses in the department as well as serves as the primary contact for prospective and new meteorology students.[7]

[edit] Volunteer forecasting

Abell began his stint as volunteer meteorologist for KWMU when the station began airing in 1972.[2] Before accepting the position at KWMU, students from SLU were making the forecasts and broadcasts for the station, but would make the morning's forecasts the night before to avoid any early-morning engagements. After repeated requests from the fledgling broadcaster, and to better ensure correct and appropriate morning forecasts, Abell acquiesced and accepted the non-paying position as the station's meteorologist.[8]

Professor Abell is renown for his pragmatic stance on his forecasting, evidenced by his signature phrase: "I can't rule it out;"[5][8] forthright with his listeners, Abell lays out the evidences he has for his forecast and the rationales for his conclusions.[9] In addition to computer generated weather models, Abell draws upon "years and years and years of experience"[5], and is more inclined to rely on his instinct as opposed to the computer when the two forecasts diverge.[9]

Upon retiring from his 35-year volunteer position on April 27, 2007, Abell had provided the St. Louis area with more than 120,000 forecasts.[10][dead link – history]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Faculty at the department of earth and atmospheric sciences. Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Saint Louis University. Retrieved on 2007-04-29.
  2. ^ a b Weber, Tom (2007-03-09). KWMU meteorologist Ben Abell to retire. kwmu NewsRoom. KWMU-FM. Retrieved on 2007-04-29.
  3. ^ a b Berry, Clayton (2006-01-04). SLU Professor Ben Abell Named to St. Louis Radio Hall of Fame. Saint Louis University. Retrieved on 2007-04-29.
  4. ^ ::St. Louis Radio - Broadcasting History, Articles about Broadcasting and Local Personalities::. STL Radio Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2007-04-29.
  5. ^ a b c Block, Melissa (2007-04-27). Sun Sets on St. Louis Weatherman's Long Career (streaming audio). All Things Considered. NPR. Retrieved on 2007-04-29.
  6. ^ Roberts, Mike (2007-04-22). Longtime Radio Meteorologist, SLU Professor Begins 'Phased Retirement'. KSDK. Retrieved on 2007-04-29.
  7. ^ Abell, Ben. Undergraduate Meteorology Programs. Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Saint Louis University. Retrieved on 2008-03-07.
  8. ^ a b Marsh, Don (2007-05-02). Ben Abell Tribute (MP3). St. Louis on the Air. KWMU-FM. Retrieved on 2007-06-23.
  9. ^ a b (2005-01-10). Ben Abell [Television production]. St. Louis, Missouri: KETC. Retrieved on 2007-12-09.
  10. ^ Peterson, Deb. "Breaking schmooze: Local ice cream man will be in national spotlight", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2007-04-13. Retrieved on 2007-06-23.