Megan Salois: Meteorologist WHO Channel 13

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Des Moines Mom recognizes that moms wear a lot of hats. You are a mom, wife, friend, diaper changer, nose wiper, meal planner, lost toy finder, the list goes on and on!

This summer we are thrilled to feature some local moms who are thinking outside the box and making a difference in our community through the businesses they own, organizations they are involved with, and work they do. Check out the rest of the series and read profiles from previous years here.

salois familyMegan Salois is the early morning meteorologist for WHO-13 Today in Iowa. She loves forecasting severe thunderstorms and tornado outbreaks. She lives with her husband and 2 sons in Urbandale. 

What do you consider the biggest challenge of motherhood to be? Biggest joy? 

The biggest challenge to motherhood is juggling it all. A mother tries to manage the home, do the day-to-day care kids and create fun memories with them, being a great wife or significant other to your partner, plus for many of us, working full time and being a dependable employee. As I mom, it’s very hard for me to find time for myself to just slow down and relax. I rarely do so and I feel this is a big part of my life I need to improve on.

The biggest joy of motherhood is watching your kids become independent people with personalities and interests of their own. I love the stage we are in with our boys, Nate (13) and Josh (9). They are starting to truly become the people they will be. I’m enjoying being a “big boy” mom, rather than a “little or baby boy” mom.

When did you join WHO-13?

I joined WHO in April of 2006. My husband and I were newly married with no kids. It was a step up for me in my career to move from the small town of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to Des Moines. I’ve worked weekend morning weather and weekday shifts, three days a week covering the noon newscast for 16 years. July 1, WHO promoted me to the Monday through Friday early morning meteorologist position and I go in to work by 3 AM for Today in Iowa. I’m excited to be in this new position and having weekends off for the first time in my entire career!

What’s the best part about being a meteorologist?

I enjoy studying and forecasting the weather each day. I enjoy the four seasons and each of the challenges each season brings in forecasting. I especially love being the one people can turn to and trust for accurate information to help them make their plans each day and to help them feel safe in dangerous weather situations. I want to be a calm presence for others.

What’s the hardest part about working in broadcast meteorology?

The hardest part about being a broadcast meteorologist is being away from my kids during prime times in their days, whether it’s the evening or weekends. Without my husband, I definitely could not follow my dream to work in the broadcast industry. He takes such a huge role in being the primary person to get the boys where they need to be and be there to see their concerts and games. Don’t get me wrong, I do get to many of them, but there are many occasions my odd work schedule does not allow it.

It’s also very hard being away from my family during severe weather, especially when it’s headed towards where my husband and kids may be. I do get very nervous when a storm (especially one that may produce a tornado) is near them and I am at work. I stay in close contact with them and will call them, even while on the air to just say, Take Cover Now!

The second hardest part about working in broadcast meteorology is the sleep schedule. I’m up in the middle of the night to get to work and get very little sleep. This makes it challenging on occasion to keep my cool around my kids when they may be trying my patience. A 20 minute power nap often helps.

What advice do you have for moms or young women who want to get into broadcast news?

Prepare yourself for working odd hours, early mornings, weeknights, and weekends and being able to get to work at a moment’s notice (often disrupting your plans). Have a partner and/or support system in your life you can depend on to help care for your children, especially when they are very young. It takes a village to work in a business that is at odds with family life.

What do you wish you knew when you started?

This is a tough question for me. I feel like my career and family life has played out just as I had hoped. My goal was to work in a market where I could forecast the weather and have a fulfilling and comfortable family life. I feel like I have been so blessed with my work schedule, and that while I may not be at ALL activities and events with my kids, I’ve been able to be at many! I have been so lucky to get the position I found at WHO when I did. Not everyone in the broadcasting industry is so lucky. WHO and my management has also been very family friendly and will do their best to get you where you need to be with your family when it is absolutely necessary, but you also have to be willing to miss out on a few things to be there for your work and co-workers at times too. There is a give and take. 

What do you love about raising a family in Des Moines? 

I absolutely love living in Des Moines, which is why we have not left! I grew up in the Atlanta suburbs, which is a huge city, so I have no ties to Iowa or Des Moines. But this city stole my heart! Des Moines is a city that is the perfect size where you have everything you need. You don’t feel like you are missing out on a big city amenities but it has a small-town feel. My boys and I have spent so much time at the area parks, trails, pools and museums over the years. I’ve noticed in the Des Moines Metro, families participate in weekend festivals and farmers markets in the summer and that was just NOT something we did in the Atlanta area. Families stuck more to themselves. I truly treasure the community spirit and love here in Des Moines.

Quick Takes

Favorite local restaurant: Honestly, any Mexican restaurant. Preferably one close to my house and with my girlfriends and margaritas. This is another escape for me. We can feel like we are somewhere tropical for an hour!

Best place to take kids: The pool!

Favorite summer activity: Again…the POOL. No questions asked! I don’t care which pool. But I like to lay out and let my kids have fun swimming. We spend most of our time at Clive Aquatic Center.

What’s the last show you watched, thing you listened to, or book you read? The second season of Bridgerton. It’s my guilty pleasure. I’m currently reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. 

How/where do you relax? And again… At the pool (do you see a trend?) – while the kids do their swimming thing! I enjoy puzzling as well. I sit in my dining room and just puzzle and watch Netflix. I can escape from the crazy of the rest of the house for a bit.

If your life had a hashtag, what would it be? #megansmadness #isitpooltime?

Connect with Megan

Megan Salois | who13.com

Weather | who13.com

Meteorologist Megan Salois | Facebook

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