Holly Obermeier, Research Associate (CIMMS/NSSL)
Background:
M.S., Meteorology, University of Nebraska – Lincoln (2014)
B.S., Meteorology and Climatology, University of Nebraska – Lincoln (2007)
Experience:
Holly was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and earned both her bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Upon completion of her bachelor’s program, she began her career as a broadcast meteorologist. She first worked at KLBK, the CBS station in Lubbock, Texas, from 2008-2010. Then, she moved on to ABC-affiliated KETV in Omaha, Nebraska, where she remained until 2015. As a broadcaster, Holly enjoyed forecasting and severe weather coverage, and she specialized in radar analysis. She came to Oklahoma in 2015 as a participant in the Hazardous Weather Testbed, where she was intrigued by the opportunities in research meteorology. In September 2015, she was hired as a full-time research associate with OU CIMMS.
What She Does:
Holly endeavors to improve severe weather warnings by working with radar data. Her current work focuses on the identification of thunderstorm types using WSR-88D radar data. She is helping to build an algorithm through a process called machine learning, aiming to assist weather forecasters who are making warning decisions. Holly also studies impact-based tornado warnings, and was involved in this year’s PHI project in the Hazardous Weather Testbed, studying how broadcast meteorologists may use and communicate warning information in the future. She applied her on-air experience at NSSL, hosting the most recent “Bite-Sized Science” video on Eye-Tracking Technology.
Trivia:
Holly enjoys hiking, camping, running, frisbee, photography, and hanging out with her husband, Jeremy.