Maryellen Pann is originally from Ohio. She graduated from Mississippi State’s broadcast meteorology degree program. Her first media job was in Salisbury, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore, working part-time and raising her daughter. Later, Pann moved so she could freelance at FOX45 in Baltimore and WUSA in Washington, DC. She began part-time as the weekend meteorologist at FOX43 in 1999 and was offered the chief meteorologist position in 2012. Her favorite weather to prepare forecasts for is snow.
Did you want to be a meteorologist when you were growing up?
No. I’m actually shy; I don’t like to speak in front of people. When I go to reunions, they laugh when they find out what I do. For a while I thought I would make a really good mechanic, because I’m good at putting things together. My husband, Tony Pann, sparked my interest in meteorology. When I first started working behind the scenes at a TV station, I used to watch the forecast and think, that’s fun and challenging. I could do that…except for the TV part!
What was it like moving into management at the station?
I was nervous because I never thought of myself as a leader. It was challenging, and it took me a good year to get comfortable, but I’ve embraced it now. Our department, which includes morning and weekend meteorologists as well as a freelancer, is strong. We have a team atmosphere. We all have strengths, and I recognize that and try to utilize everyone in their best capacity.
Why meteorology? I love my job. I love forecasting and its challenges.
What makes presenting the weather difficult?
We get criticism from viewers about snow forecasting. What people don’t understand when we put out a forecast is that it’s going to be adjusted. It’s not in the area yet; sometimes it’s not even in the US yet. I personally put in a lot of effort to get it right. We have to look at the surface, [the] mid-levels and the upper levels of the atmosphere, where the Jet Stream is located. I like the challenge because we have mountains and the ocean, and they play a huge role.
What kind of weather affects you the most?
I get really excited about snow storms. What gets me nervous is severe weather, because it’s extremely urgent. With snow storms, you get an idea of when it will come. During severe weather when the atmosphere is right, tornadoes can be spawned at any time.
Would you ever live in a region where there aren’t four seasons?
I like the change of seasons, and I don’t mind the cold; it’s refreshing. Holidays aren’t the same when you’re in the South. Fall is one of my favorite times of the year, so yes, I definitely need the four seasons. When I was in school, we had to present a reel of our forecasting work. A gentleman from San Diego had to deal with forecasting every day as being sunny and 80 degrees. He had to come up with a lot of adjectives! That seems boring, although it would probably be an easy job.
What do you like about your job?
I like the community events we do. We help with a lot of charities: blood drives, golf tournaments, Make a Wish, leukemia events, etc. These events really get us out there so people get to know what we are like. When you’re on TV, people have this perception of you; it’s not always who you are. We’re just regular people who have daily issues too. We care, and we want to help our community. I also enjoy going to schools and talking about meteorology. Kids love to hear about that and about TV and what we all do.
Is there any particular cause you are personally invested in?
A couple of years ago I was off work for two months, and we were receiving emails and calls asking where I was. The news director talked me into going public with the fact that I have Crohn’s. I found it to be emotional, since I don’t normally talk about my health issues with people. It was a risk, but it turned out to be amazing. The support -- the amount of people who reached out to me with their own experiences -- was great, whether they themselves have it, or a friend or a family member has it . I also like to help the Cancer Society, because my sister had breast cancer. She’s now made it cancer-free past her five-year mark.
Anything funny ever happen during a weather forecast?
Once Evan [Forrester] came in ringing the Salvation Army bell right in the middle of my forecast. It was hard to concentrate. Another time one of our robotic cameras swung around and caught an employee’s clipboard. She fell and was laughing, which was disruptive, obviously.
Ever get stranded at the station by weather?
Yes, on several occasions. Most recently was 2015’s big snow where we received 31 inches. I packed a bag and someone brought me to work at noon on Friday; I didn’t get home until 2 p.m. on Sunday, since we had to do cut-ins every half-hour for just over 24 hours. Friday night I slept on a love seat for about four hours until someone accidently set the fire alarm off. A photographer drove a few of us to a hotel Saturday night after we got off the air, and I slept like a baby.
You have a good rapport with the FOX43 staff. What is it like in between live shots?
We have a lot of work to do, but there’s a lot of joking that goes on behind the scenes. We talk about things in our lives or what we’re going to do on the weekend. I feel very lucky to be working with Ali [Bradley], Jackie [De Tore] and Evan [Forrester], who’s very witty. It helps to have people you get along with who are genuine; we don’t have any divas or attitudes. The same goes with my weather department; it’s fantastic. We do everything: our own web discussions, our own forecasting, our own graphic building. It’s a job where you are working on your own, although we collaborate to make sure we’re all on the same page. When I go out with a forecast it represents the team. Plus our management trusts us, which is really important.
How did the “MaryEllen Weather Kids” broadcasts come about, and what’s that like?
That was something [the] sales and promotions [team] came up with, and it has really taken off. Kids love it. They come terrified, but by the time they go on air, I’ve made them feel more comfortable, and they have a good time. I haven’t had too many kids chicken out. They get a couple opportunities to practice, plus we talk together for a half-hour, which helps them to relax. I’m really hard on myself, so I always tell the kids I mess up all the time and that I just keep on going. What’s funny is that I have a lot of adults who want to do it.
Favorite things about South Central Pennsylvania?
I love the wineries. Also, everybody knows everybody; it’s a tight-knit community. I’ve been impressed with the cultural growth, and it’s nice to be part of that. I do miss Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay, and I still go down there. But there’s a lot to do here, like the ski resorts. And for the mountains, just drive west.
Do people approach you when you’re out and about?
That happens a lot. It makes me feel good. I wouldn’t have my job if it weren’t for the fans. It is my way of giving back. If they want a picture, an autograph, no problem! I never assume someone knows who I am, but people do stop me all the time. I’ll be out running errands, and I’ll see someone dart down an aisle at, say, Walmart, and I think they’re trying to figure out who I am. They ask if they can take a picture, and I think, really, like this [no makeup]? Okay, if you really want to. Once I had someone trying to take pictures of me surreptitiously. It was funny.
What do you like to do in your time off?
I love golfing, and I try to go as much as I can. It’s a great way to meet people. You’re competitive with yourself more than anything. I also love to read mysteries. I’m huge on crime stories, especially if they take place around the DC area, because then I’m familiar with the surroundings. I love to run and work out as well.
Any particular hobbies?
I’ve never been a real domestic type, and it doesn’t always turn out well. I made a video of a pie I was making and put it up online. I would rather have built a house! (I’m not very domestically inclined.) I really love sports, and I’m a huge football fan. Everybody makes fun of me because I’m a suffering Browns fan. I also like college football. I’m a Buckeye fan; that kind of saves me a little bit.
Do you mind when people call you “the weather lady” or “the weather girl”?
I like it when they call me weather girl. Makes me feel young! I used to be one of the youngest here, but not anymore. It’s a lot of pressure to keep up with the young ones.
You have to have extra clothes for variety on broadcasts. Is that a challenge?
It is. I feel pressure! I do wear something twice, but I change it up a bit. Up until probably five years ago, I always wore pants. My hair stylist told me I needed to “sex it up a bit” and start wearing skirts. So I did. I never thought of myself as a dress person. I actually like it, so I’m rebuilding my wardrobe with more dresses. I’m a pretty thrifty shopper; I don’t like to pay full price for anything. It’s amazing the deals you can find.
Beach or mountains? Beach. I have to be by the water. Favorite craft beer? Breckenridge Vanilla Porter Favorite wine? MacMurray Pinot Noir Favorite food? Pizza
Favorite movies?
It’s probably corny: Pretty Woman. And Scarface. I like the mafia movies. I also liked The Notebook.
Favorite TV shows? Forensic Files. The ID network. Sports.
Is there anything you’d like to say to viewers?
I want to say thank you to everyone. Women who are chief meteorologists in our business are few and far between. I feel fortunate that they’ve accepted me as chief and look forward to continuing here.
