NBC10 meteorologist Krystal Klei gives weather lesson to students
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
Are you smarter than a fourth-grader? When it comes to knowledge about the weather, probably not. Ask any 10-year-old at Samuel K. Faust Elementary School to tell you what type of cloud is in the sky, and they’ll give an in-depth explanation of cirrus versus cumulus, air pressure and more.
To help students connect this year’s science lesson to the real world, NBC10 meteorologist Krystal Klei made a special visit to the school to test their knowledge, answer questions and show them what a typical day is like for an on-air weatherwoman.
Klei’s appearance took place on Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. After almost an entire day of anticipation, the excitement was palpable as the school’s four fourth-grade classes crowded into Mrs. Carol Tinkleman’s room to welcome their long-awaited guest.
The instant Klei entered the classroom, it was clear she was just as happy to be there as the kids were to have her. As usual, Klei was all-smiles, bright blonde hair perfectly styled, though she traded in her professional attire for casual jeans and a blouse.
To keep the students engaged and entertained, Klei had an interactive slideshow presentation ready to go. Kicking things off, she asked a simple question — what is a meteorologist? Immediately, dozens of hands shot into the air. Klei called on a handful of students and, though the answers slightly varied, all agreed a meteorologist predicts the weather.
Klei provided the students with a bit of background information on herself, all while connecting things back to the weather. Originally from Arizona, she received a BA in Broadcast Journalism and a BS in Geography with a speciality in Meteorology/Climatology from Arizona State University. At this point, she explained the difference between “weather,” which is how it feels outside on a day-to-day basis, and “climate,” which takes place over a longer span of time.
After graduating, Klei told the kids how she landed her first job in Texas as a weekend meteorologist. She remained there for four years before transitioning to Philadelphia.
“As someone who knows the weather and loves to talk about it, this was a great career move for me,” she said.
The kids were all ears as she gave a breakdown of a typical day in the life of a meteorologist. Many were stunned to learn they’re allowed to stay up later than Klei, who is usually in bed by 8 p.m. before her weekend shift. Each Saturday and Sunday morning, she wakes up bright and early at 2 a.m. From 3 to 5 a.m. at the station, she fixes her hair and makeup before studying the various computer models.
“The forecasts aren’t always right, but they give an idea of weather trends,” she said.
Klei spends anywhere from three to four hours in front of the camera each work day, and afterward shares weather updates on social media to keep followers engaged and informed. Noon to 8 p.m. is her downtime when she runs errands and plays with her dog Freckles, whom she adopted on live television while in Texas.
The students quickly learned that meeting furry friends isn’t the only perk of the job. A collage of pictures highlighted some of Klei’s favorite moments spent outside of the studio, including a Zamboni ride at the Blue Cross RiverRink, seeing the Hurricane Hunters in Washington, D.C. and participating in Weather Education Day at Citizens Bank Park.
“I feel like I’m living my dream every day,” Klei said.
Once the kids had a solid understanding of what a career in meteorology entails, Klei conducted a mini weather lesson to test their knowledge and share some new information. The students were pros when it came to describing various cloud types such as cirrus, which look like feathers, and cumulus, which Klei compared to fluffy pieces of popcorn.
Klei then went on to cover types of precipitation. The students had the pleasure of learning how rain, hail and snow form while viewing an interesting time-lapse video of snow accumulation over a two-day period.
The students were intrigued, but this was nothing compared to their fascination over hurricanes and tornadoes. During this portion of the presentation, Klei showed another time-lapse video shot during Hurricane Harvey where water flooded a front lawn and driveway. She explained the water level kept climbing because the ground was “saturated” and the rain had nowhere else to go.
“It could not take any more moisture,” she said.
To show the severity of the damage a tornado can cause, Klei pulled up before-and-after aerial shots of a town in Oklahoma. Where rows of homes once stood, there were vacant lots after the storm ravaged through. Once the kids saw the second picture, a stunned murmur of “wow” rippled through the classroom. Those views aren’t something you see every day in a textbook.
After Klei’s presentation, she brought five student volunteers to the front of the room to assist her in the hands-on experiment, How to Make a Cloud, which involved creating smoke particles in a jar. The day wrapped up with a brief Q & A session, during which Klei happily discussed when the last tornado took place and the difference between air pressure and gravity.
The fourth-graders at Faust left school that day equipped with advanced weather knowledge, but also life advice. Klei encouraged the kids to embrace their interests and seek guidance from parents and teachers. Though she’s been in the field for some time, Klei still learns from her mentor, longtime NBC10 meteorologist Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz.
“There’s always room for growing,” she said. “Work hard and follow your dreams. Working hard is key to getting what you want.” ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
