Newest member of KSLA’s StormTracker team shares stories

Meteorologist Kevin Roth may be the new kid on the block at KSLA, but he’s settling in nicely in Shreveport. A Tampa, Fla., native and a graduate of Florida State University and Mississippi State University, Roth is the newest member of KSLA’s StormTracker 12 weather team. Here, we asked him about himself and his experience in Shreveport so far.

Where did you live and work before coming to Shreveport?

Roth: I lived in Starkville, Miss., where I was getting my master’s degree, and drove every weekend to Greenville, Miss., for my first on-air weather gig. It was six hours of driving every weekend, and it wasn’t great for my social life, but that job gave me the experience I needed to get here.

So far, what are some of the things you like about Shreveport?

Roth: The people couldn’t be any nicer, and the food couldn’t be any better!

Your bio on the KSLA website says you’ve won some awards for forecasting. Tell us about those.

Roth: Believe it or not, there’s such a thing as the “National Forecast Championship,” and while I was at Mississippi State, we won it. It’s kind of like winning the college football championship ... only for nerds.

Tell us about your most awkward (and/ or awkwardly hilarious) on-air moment.

Roth: The worst ones were so bad that I can’t even repeat them here. I’m amazed that my live mistakes aren’t YouTube hits. I did once wear a green tie on the green screen – turns out, that doesn’t work very well! The temperature graphics, which are supposed to be behind me, were getting projected onto my tie. Doug Warner made fun of me all morning long.

Southern Maid or Krispy Kreme?

Roth: I usually get recognized when I’m wearing my suit, tie and sandals. The camera never shoots below the shins, so I focus on comfort. Secret of the pros!

How did you get interested in meteorology as a career?

Roth: I just love science. It’s as simple as that. “Chose a job you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” That was either Confucius or StormTracker Steve. I’m not exactly sure who said it, but boy, is it true!

Do you have a wife, kids or any other family you’d like to mention?

Roth: No wife or kiddies, but I do have a loving mom and dad who have always supported me, a couple of sisters I would do anything for, and an older brother who produced the video game “The Walking Dead” (And I thought my job was cool; the guy gets paid to make video games!).

Do people really get mad if the weather forecast isn’t precisely accurate?

Roth: I had an older lady flip me the bird once because it didn’t rain at her house. Does that count?

Where’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to so far? Where do you want to go next?

Roth: I just participated in a Krispy Kreme doughnut eating contest last week – five in five minutes. I’m still feeling the hurt! Never again, Krispy Kreme, never again.

Do you often get recognized in public?

Roth: Germany is my tops so far. I got to see where my grandma was born, and I met all kinds of crazy German relatives I had never met before. Next stop has got to be Japan. No relatives there, but I hear they have sushi vending machines – that’s got to count for something!