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Lisa Meadows (American Meteorologist)
Lisa Meadows’ age is 38 years old, but her career accomplishments tell a story that goes far beyond her years. Born on May 19, 1987, in Highland, Indiana, Meadows grew up watching Midwest thunderstorms roll across the sky — and turned that childhood fascination into an Emmy Award-winning career in broadcast meteorology.
Today, she is one of the most recognized weather journalists in the Upper Midwest. Meadows anchors weekend weather on WCCO-TV CBS News in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she has built a reputation for accurate forecasting, compelling storm reporting, and a genuine connection with her audience. She is not just a television personality. She is a certified meteorologist holding the American Meteorological Society’s Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal and the National Weather Association’s Broadcast Seal of Approval — two of the most respected credentials in the field.
Her path to Minneapolis was anything but straight. Meadows earned dual degrees from Valparaiso University — a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications — before working her way through CBS affiliate markets in Lubbock, Texas; Champaign, Illinois; and Sacramento, California. She later added a Master’s degree in Strategic Communication from the University of Minnesota, with a focus on communicating climate change to the public.
| Full Name | Lisa Meadows |
| Date of Birth | May 19, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Highland, Indiana, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Meteorologist, Broadcast Journalist, General Assignment Reporter |
| Employer | WCCO-TV CBS News, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Education | B.S. Meteorology (Math Minor) & B.A. Communications — Valparaiso University (2011); M.A. Strategic Communication — University of Minnesota (2023) |
| Career Start | WVUR 95.1 FM, Valparaiso, Indiana (weather broadcaster, 2006) |
| Current Role | Weekend Meteorologist & General Assignment Reporter — WCCO-TV CBS News, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Notable Coverage | -63°F Wind Chill Cold Outbreak (Alexandria, MN); 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season (Harvey, Irma, Maria); Historic California Wildfires; Record-Setting Texas Drought; Central Illinois Severe Storms |
| Marital Status | Not publicly available |
| Children | Not publicly available |
| Awards | Upper Midwest Emmy Award — Weather Composite Category |
| Certifications | AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (Seal #885); NWA Broadcast Seal of Approval; Nationally Certified EMT; National Search & Rescue Technician II; Wilderness II Tracking & Trailing |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$1 million (estimated; not officially confirmed) |
| Salary | Estimated ~$86,000 annually (not officially confirmed) |
| K9 Partner | Thunder (Northstar Search & Rescue — Minnesota & Western Wisconsin) |
| Siblings | Not publicly available |
| Parents | Not publicly available |
| Residence | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States |
Who is Lisa Meadows?
Lisa Meadows is an Emmy Award-winning American meteorologist and weekend weather anchor at WCCO-TV CBS News in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Born on May 19, 1987, in Highland, Indiana, she holds dual degrees from Valparaiso University and a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota. She is also a certified EMT and K9 search and rescue volunteer.
Early Life and Education
Lisa Meadows was born on May 19, 1987, in Highland, Indiana — a small city in the heart of Northwest Indiana, just a short drive from Chicago. Growing up in the Midwest meant growing up with weather. Powerful thunderstorms, unpredictable seasons, and dramatic skies were part of daily life. For most children, those storms were something to fear. For Meadows, they were something to chase.
From an early age, she told her parents she wanted to become a storm chaser. That childhood declaration turned out to be less of a fantasy and more of a forecast.
Childhood and Family Background
Meadows grew up in Northwest Indiana, an area known for its proximity to Lake Michigan and its often intense weather patterns. According to publicly available biographical information, some members of her family are based in the Chicago area. Beyond that, she has kept her family life largely private. The names of her parents and any siblings have not been publicly disclosed. Highland High School has been reported as her secondary school, though this has not been directly confirmed by Meadows herself.
Educational Journey
Meadows pursued her passion with focus and discipline. She enrolled at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, where she earned both a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology with a Mathematics Minor and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, graduating in 2011.
Her time at Valparaiso was far from ordinary. According to her official biography, she became the founding Chief Meteorologist for VUTV, the university’s college television station — building the weather department from the ground up. She also served as President of the Northwest Indiana chapter of both the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association, demonstrating leadership well ahead of her professional career.
One of her most defining academic experiences came through the Valparaiso University Storm Intercept Team (VUSIT). As an active member, she participated in a rigorous ten-day convective field study that took her team across seven states, covering 5,626 miles of the Great Plains in pursuit of severe weather. It was during that journey she witnessed her first tornado — a moment that cemented her calling.
Before graduating, Meadows completed internships at three of Chicago’s major television stations: WGN Chicago under veteran meteorologist Tom Skilling, FOX Chicago under Amy Freeze, and NBC Chicago under Ginger Zee. These placements gave her hands-on experience in some of the most competitive broadcast markets in the country.
Her academic journey did not stop there. Meadows later earned a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication from the University of Minnesota. Her graduate capstone project focused specifically on communicating climate change to the public — a subject that bridges her scientific expertise and her work as a broadcast journalist.
Career Timeline and Achievements
Lisa Meadows did not arrive at a major CBS affiliate overnight. Her career is a textbook example of building experience market by market, story by story, storm by storm. From a college radio booth in Indiana to a network-level weather desk in Minneapolis, her professional journey reflects both patience and purpose.
Early Career
Meadows began her broadcasting career while still a student at Valparaiso University. According to her official resume, she started reading live weather updates for the local Valparaiso community on WVUR 95.1 FM — a role she held throughout her undergraduate years. It was a modest start, but it gave her real on-air experience at a time when most students were still studying theory in classrooms.
After graduating, she took her first professional television position as a fill-in meteorologist at WYIN Lakeshore Public Television in Northwest Indiana. From there, her career moved steadily forward through a series of CBS affiliate markets across the country.
At KLBK CBS in Lubbock, Texas, she served as a Morning and Noon Meteorologist, where she covered a record-setting regional drought — one of the most challenging weather stories a young meteorologist can face. Communicating the slow, invisible devastation of drought to a farming community required both scientific precision and journalistic sensitivity.
She then moved to WCIA CBS in Champaign, Illinois, where she anchored morning and noon weather coverage across Central Illinois, gaining experience with the severe storms and tornado activity that define the region’s climate.
Her next posting took her west. At KOVR CBS in Sacramento, California, she worked as a Weekend Meteorologist and Reporter — a significant step up in market size and visibility. In Sacramento, she covered historic wildfires, a weather story that demands both urgency and accuracy. She also delivered in-depth forecast coverage and scientific analysis during the record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season that brought catastrophic devastation from three major storms in rapid succession.
Each market added a new layer to her skillset. By the time she was ready for Minneapolis, she had covered drought, tornadoes, wildfires, and hurricanes across four states.
Current Role at WCCO CBS Minneapolis
Meadows joined WCCO-TV CBS News in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she currently serves as Weekend Meteorologist and General Assignment Reporter. It is one of the most demanding schedules in local television weather.
According to her official biography, she anchors weather on the WCCO Evening News on weekends, the WCCO Noon News from Monday through Wednesday, and CBSN Minnesota from Saturday through Wednesday. On weekdays, she also works as a general assignment reporter — meaning she is not simply a weather anchor but a full broadcast journalist capable of covering a wide range of stories.
When severe weather strikes, Meadows goes where the storm is. She regularly deploys in the field with the CBS Mobile Weather Lab, delivering live reports from the front lines of major weather events. Her work has also earned her appearances on CBS Network News, covering significant national weather stories from the Upper Midwest.
One moment stands out above the rest. During a brutal cold outbreak in Alexandria, Minnesota, Meadows was on the ground reporting conditions that produced a wind chill of -63 degrees Fahrenheit — among the most extreme recorded in state history. She later recalled spending the night before the broadcast building graphics in her hotel room, only to find that no electronics would function in the extreme cold by morning. It is the kind of story that separates field meteorologists from studio-only anchors.
Major Achievements and Certifications
Lisa Meadows’ professional credentials extend well beyond her television roles. According to publicly available records, she holds some of the most respected certifications available to broadcast meteorologists in the United States.
She is an Emmy Award winner, having received the Upper Midwest Emmy in the Weather Composite category — one of the most competitive regional broadcast distinctions in American television journalism.
In terms of meteorological credentials, she holds the American Meteorological Society Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal — designation number 885 — as well as the National Weather Association Broadcast Seal of Approval. These two certifications are widely regarded as the gold standard for on-air meteorologists, recognizing both scientific knowledge and broadcast communication skills.
Her service extends beyond the newsroom. Meadows is a Nationally Certified Emergency Medical Technician and holds the National Search and Rescue Technician II certification. She volunteers as a K9 Search and Rescue Handler with the Northstar Search and Rescue Team, working alongside her dog, Thunder. Together, they are certified in Wilderness II Tracking and Trailing, and deploy across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin to help locate missing persons. It is an extraordinary body of service for someone whose primary job is already one of the most visible in Minnesota media.
Lisa Meadows Salary and Net Worth
Questions about a public figure’s earnings are among the most searched topics online. For Lisa Meadows, those questions are understandable. She is an Emmy Award-winning meteorologist with a master’s degree, a decade and a half of experience across multiple major CBS markets, and one of the most demanding schedules in Minneapolis television news. What she earns reflects all of that — though the precise figures remain private.
These figures are estimates based on publicly available information and should not be treated as confirmed data.
Lisa Meadows Salary Details
Lisa Meadows’ exact salary has not been publicly disclosed by either Meadows herself or CBS News. The figures circulating online are third-party estimates drawn from industry salary data and publicly available compensation benchmarks — not confirmed figures from any official source. With that important disclaimer in place, third-party biographical sources estimate her annual salary at approximately $86,000.
That figure is consistent with what major-market television meteorologists in cities like Minneapolis typically earn. According to publicly available industry data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and broadcast journalism salary surveys, experienced meteorologists working at network-affiliated stations in mid-to-large markets generally earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on seniority, contract terms, and role responsibilities.
Meadows’ position covers weekend evening news, weekday noon broadcasts, a streaming news program, and general assignment reporting — a multi-role workload that would typically reflect the higher end of that range for her market level.
Lisa Meadows Net Worth Estimate
Lisa Meadows’ net worth has not been publicly verified by Meadows herself. Based on third-party estimates compiled from her career history and publicly available information, her net worth is estimated at approximately $1 million.
That figure, while unconfirmed, is not difficult to understand in context. Meadows has worked continuously in professional broadcast meteorology for well over fifteen years. Her career has taken her through CBS affiliate markets in Texas, Illinois, California, and Minnesota — each representing a step up in market size, responsibility, and likely compensation. She also holds a graduate degree, multiple professional certifications, and has taken on speaking and community outreach roles alongside her primary broadcasting work.Taken together, those income streams — broadcast salary, potential speaking engagements, and a long uninterrupted career — form the basis of the estimate.
It is also worth noting what is not known. Meadows has never publicly discussed her finances, investments, or personal assets. Any figure attached to her name on third-party websites should be treated as an informed estimate, not a verified fact.
Personal Life and Family
Behind the weather desk, Lisa Meadows is a private person. She has built one of the most recognizable careers in Upper Midwest broadcast journalism, yet she has consistently kept the details of her personal life away from public view. That is a deliberate choice — and one that deserves to be respected. What is known about her life outside the newsroom speaks to someone driven by purpose, community, and a genuine love for the natural world.
Husband / Partner
Lisa Meadows’ marital status has not been publicly disclosed. No confirmed information about a spouse or romantic partner appears in any official biography, verified publication, or statement made by Meadows herself. She is widely known for maintaining a clear boundary between her professional identity and her private life. That boundary extends to her relationships. While various third-party websites have speculated about her personal life, none of those claims are supported by verified sources.
Out of respect for that boundary — and in keeping with the standards of factual reporting — this article does not speculate on her relationship status. If and when Meadows chooses to share that information publicly, it will speak for itself.
Note: Lisa Meadows’ relationship status is not publicly available. Any claims to the contrary on third-party websites are unverified.
Children
Similarly, no confirmed information about children is publicly available. Meadows has not disclosed details about any children in interviews, official biographies, or public statements. As with her relationship status, this article makes no assumptions and offers no speculation. The absence of public information is not a gap to be filled with guesswork — it is simply information that belongs to her.
Hobbies and Interests
While Meadows keeps her romantic and family life private, her life outside the studio is anything but quiet. Her publicly documented interests paint a picture of someone who is deeply engaged with her community and genuinely passionate about the outdoors.
Storm chasing remains a central part of her professional and personal identity. Beyond her regular field reporting with the CBS Mobile Weather Lab, she has pursued severe weather throughout her career — not out of spectacle, but out of scientific curiosity and a commitment to giving viewers the most accurate, ground-level information possible.
Her most significant off-air commitment is her work as a volunteer K9 Search and Rescue handler with the Northstar Search and Rescue Team. Alongside her dog, Thunder, she deploys across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin to assist in locating missing persons. The work is demanding, physically challenging, and entirely voluntary. She holds both a Wilderness II Tracking and Trailing certification and a National Search and Rescue Technician II certification — qualifications that require serious training and ongoing commitment. According to her official biography, Meadows also enjoys hiking and photography in her personal time — interests that align naturally with someone who spends much of her life outdoors and in the field.
Her community involvement extends to education. She has mentored students on the subject of meteorology, helping young people understand weather science and explore potential careers in the field. Earlier in her career, she volunteered as a mentor at a Women’s Protective Shelter, where she looked after children while their mothers attended counseling sessions. She also volunteered at the Lubbock Humane Society, assisting with dog walking and adoption events during her time in Texas.
Taken together, these activities reveal someone whose sense of purpose reaches well beyond the television screen. Lisa Meadows is not simply a meteorologist who happens to do community work. She is, by any fair measure, a committed public servant who also happens to be an excellent meteorologist.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Lisa Meadows
Key questions answered about the Emmy Award-winning CBS meteorologist and her public life
Born on May 19, 1987, in Highland, Indiana, she holds dual degrees from Valparaiso University and a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication from the University of Minnesota. She is also a Nationally Certified Emergency Medical Technician and volunteer K9 Search and Rescue handler with the Northstar SAR team alongside her dog, Thunder.
She celebrates her birthday every year on May 19th. Her zodiac sign is Taurus. Her age is one of the most frequently searched topics about her, reflecting her growing public profile as one of Minnesota's most recognized broadcast meteorologists.
She grew up watching Midwest thunderstorms and developed a passion for weather science from an early age. Before settling in Minneapolis, her career took her through CBS affiliate markets in Lubbock, Texas; Champaign, Illinois; and Sacramento, California.
No confirmed information about a spouse or romantic partner appears in any official biography or verified public statement made by Meadows herself. This article does not speculate on her personal life. Any claims found on third-party websites are unverified.
This estimate reflects her long career spanning more than fifteen years across multiple major CBS affiliate markets. Income sources include her broadcast salary, speaking engagements, and community outreach work. This figure has not been officially confirmed by Lisa Meadows or CBS News.
She joined WCCO in 2018 after working at CBS affiliates in Texas, Illinois, and California. She anchors weather on the WCCO Evening News on weekends, the WCCO Noon News from Monday through Wednesday, and CBSN Minnesota from Saturday through Wednesday. She also covers general assignment stories on weekdays.
While at Valparaiso, she founded the weather department at the university's television station VUTV and served as President of the Northwest Indiana chapter of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association. She later earned a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication from the University of Minnesota, with her capstone project focused on communicating climate change to the public.
Based on third-party industry estimates and publicly available compensation benchmarks for major-market television meteorologists, her estimated annual salary is approximately $86,000. This figure is consistent with industry averages for experienced meteorologists at CBS-affiliated stations and has not been officially confirmed.
Meadows has never publicly confirmed or discussed having any children. Her family life remains entirely private by her own choice. This article does not speculate beyond what has been publicly confirmed.
In addition to her Emmy, she holds the American Meteorological Society's Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal (designation number 885) and the National Weather Association's Broadcast Seal of Approval — two of the highest professional credentials available to broadcast meteorologists in the United States.
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