Chad Merrill joined the Storm Watch 4 weather team in December 2022 as a part-time meteorologist and was recently promoted to Chief Meteorologist in March of 2023. He has worked as a meteorologist in the private industry and media over the last 20 years. This includes WJAC-TV in Johnstown, Pa., WHAG-TV (now WDVM) in Hagerstown, Md., and WTOP Radio in Washington, D.C.
Chad was formerly a senior meteorologist at Earth Networks in Germantown, Md., before moving to southern West Virginia. Merrill is currently the weather prognosticator for the Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack, weather columnist for the Cumberland Times-News and Allegany Magazine and freelance meteorologist for WTOP Radio.
Chad earned his NWA (National Weather Association) Seal of Approval in 2022. This is one of several certifications that meteorologists can obtain in their field.
Chad had the opportunity to produce a showcase on Bridge Day weather policies (West Virginia’s largest outdoor event) and the special pattern leading up to the October 2023 Bridge Day festivities at the 2024 NWA Annual Meeting in Irving, Texas.
Chad also has formed a special connection with the New River Gorge National Park Forest Service since continuing his meteorology career at WOAY. He recently provided a briefing on weather patterns that prompt brush fires in southern West Virginia to a group of new forest service management employees at the Glen Jean office.
Merrill also has established a close relationship with Winterplace Ski Resort. Merrill produces an on-air weekly forecast for the ski resort during the winter season and occasional briefings on seasonal forecasting trends to help them prepare for upcoming changes in the patterns.
Chad grew up in western Maryland and was always intrigued by the micro-climates that exist in the mountains. He once did a science project comparing the accuracy of the Old Farmer’s and Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack. He studied meteorology at California University of Pennsylvania, now known as Penn West California in southwestern Pennsylvania.
He enjoys the forecasting challenge in southern West Virginia, reporting on weather stories that matter to our viewing area and experience the great outdoors here in the Alleghenies (including the New River Gorge National Park, of course)! He is an avid runner and skier.
