The Meteorologist and the Maverick: Inside the Life of Lisa Meadows, CBS’s Emmy-Winning Storm Chaser

In the world of broadcast meteorology, a calm, steady hand is the most vital tool. Yet, for Lisa Meadows, the Emmy-winning CBS Weekend Meteorologist and reporter at WCCO in Minneapolis, her career is defined by the restless pursuit of the extreme.

From the eerie silence inside a blizzard to the heart-pounding chase of her first tornado, Meadows embodies the rare blend of clinical scientific knowledge and raw, adrenaline-fueled adventure.

She’s the face who guides the Twin Cities through blizzards and severe storms, yet when the camera is off, she’s often tracking missing persons in the wilderness with her certified K9 partner, Thunder.

This isn’t just a weather reporter; it’s a profile in dedication, proving that true professional excellence often happens outside the studio.

Chasing the Unthinkable: Where the Passion Began

Born and raised in Northwest Indiana, Lisa Meadows’ fascination with the sky started early, fueled by the spectacular, often violent, Midwest thunderstorms.

This childhood wonder wasn’t a phase—it became a vocation. She didn’t just want to watch the weather; she wanted to understand its complex, mathematical language.

Her pursuit led her to Valparaiso University, a powerhouse for aspiring meteorologists. Her time there was far from confined to lecture halls. Meadows dove headfirst into the practical application of her studies:

• A Dual-Degree Scholar: She earned both a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology (with a Math minor) and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, building the essential foundation for translating complex science into clear, relatable broadcasts.

• The Founding Chief: She served as the founding Chief Meteorologist for VUTV, the college’s TV station, where she honed her on-air skills.

• The 5,626-Mile Rite of Passage: As an active member of the Valparaiso University Storm Intercept Team (VUSIT), Lisa undertook a now-legendary 10-day convective field study. She traveled a staggering 5,626 miles across seven Great Plains states, witnessing her first-ever tornado. This experience forged her identity: she was a scientist who had officially become a storm chaser.

Insight: Her early internships included work alongside famed Chicago meteorologists like WGN’s Tom Skilling and WFLD’s Amy Freeze, ensuring her skills were mentored by industry veterans before she even graduated.

Across the Weather Map: A Midwest Meteorologist’s Journey

Before returning home to the Midwest, Meadows built her portfolio in markets across the country, showcasing her ability to handle diverse and challenging weather events that proved invaluable to her later role at CBS.

This diverse experience—from drought to fire to hurricane analysis—gave her a deep understanding of how global weather phenomena affect local communities, a key reason she was brought back to her home region in 2018.

The Unfrozen Moment: A WCCO-CBS Anecdote

Since joining WCCO-TV CBS News Minnesota, Lisa Meadows has become synonymous with reliable, award-winning coverage. One story, in particular, captures her reporting mettle.

In January 2019, Meadows and her crew were in Alexandria, Minnesota, covering a brutal cold snap that plunged wind chills to an unbelievable -63°F. This wasn’t just a forecast; it was a survival story.

“I remember building all these graphics in the hotel the night before,” Meadows recalled, “and when we got up we couldn’t use any of them, because none of the electronics would work. No cars in the parking lot could start and our camera cables were frozen solid.”

Faced with a complete technical breakdown, her boss gave the order: report from inside. Instead of a weather map, viewers saw Meadows in the hotel lobby, sharing coffee with stranded guests and telling the human-interest story of how they were all stuck in “frozen Alexandria.”

It was a moment of authentic, live television that perfectly showcased her resourcefulness and ability to connect with people, not just data. Her dedication to factual, high-impact reporting has since earned her an Emmy Award.

Communicating the Future: Advanced Education

Meadows understands that today’s meteorologist is more than just a forecaster; they are a key voice in the global conversation on climate.

To bolster her role as a science communicator, she returned to academia while working, obtaining a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Communications from the University of Minnesota.

Her capstone project had a critical focus: communicating climate change to the public.

This advanced training gives her reporting an authoritative edge, allowing her to connect daily weather fluctuations to long-term climate patterns.

Her multiple seals of approval—the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) designation and the NWA Seal of Approval—are the scientific badges of honor that further cement her authority.

Beyond the Forecast: Search, Rescue, and K9 Thunder

Perhaps the most unique and humanizing element of Lisa Meadows’ life is her extensive volunteer work in public safety. When she’s not tracking blizzards, she’s tracking people.

Meadows is a Nationally Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and a dedicated volunteer with the Northstar Search & Rescue team.

Her partner in this work isn’t a colleague, but her K9, Thunder. Together, the certified human-and-dog team are Wilderness II Tracking/Trailing Certified, deploying across the Upper Midwest to help locate missing persons.

This is a profoundly important, high-stakes commitment that requires immense emotional resilience and technical skill. It illustrates a life dedicated to service, moving beyond merely reporting on crises to actively assisting in them.

A Story of Resilience: Health, Anxiety, and Lisa Meadows’ Weight Loss

Public figures often face relentless scrutiny, and Meadows has used her platform to speak honestly about her own challenges, offering a relatable narrative of self-care.

Around early 2024, Meadows embarked on a personal transformation journey. This was not solely about appearance, but about addressing her overall mental and physical well-being.

She spoke about confronting anxiety and emotional hurdles that stemmed from the pressures of a high-demand career.

• The Transformation: Over a six-month period, Lisa shed approximately 20 pounds, a change she achieved through sustainable dietary shifts and consistent physical activity, reframing food as “fuel, not a coping mechanism.”

• The Message: Meadows’ experience provides a powerful message of perseverance and self-discovery. Her journey highlights that transformation involves a crucial mental shift, moving from neglecting oneself to prioritizing health, making her an inspiration to viewers facing their own emotional and physical challenges.

The Next Chapter: Partner, Family, and Personal Life

While fiercely protective of her privacy, Lisa Meadows has publicly moved into an exciting new phase of her personal life.

The CBS meteorologist is engaged to her partner, Nick Houge. The couple’s wedding is anticipated for June 2025. This glimpse into her personal life affirms her roots in the Minnesota community she serves.

The meteorologist is a Midwest native, raised in Northwest Indiana.

While specific details about her siblings or parents are kept private, her upbringing is clearly the source of her work ethic, passion for severe weather, and deep commitment to community.

As of the current date, there are no public records of Lisa Meadows children.

Summary: Lisa Meadows—A Profile in Service and Science

Lisa Meadows has built a distinguished career by blending her scientific expertise with a deeply human element.

Her commitment to weather safety is paralleled only by her dedication to public service, both on and off the air.

Colleagues and Peer Recognition

Lisa Meadows works alongside a dedicated team at CBS News Minnesota (WCCO), including news anchors, reporters, and fellow meteorologists like Chris Shaffer. Her work often involves collaboration for national segments, showcasing her expertise to a wider CBS Network audience.

Sources & Further Reading

• WCCO-CBS News Minnesota Official Bio.

• American Meteorological Society (AMS) Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Database.

• National Weather Association (NWA) Seal of Approval Database.

• Valparaiso University Storm Intercept Team (VUSIT) Historical Records.

• University of Minnesota Master’s Program Alumni/Thesis Data.

• Northstar Search & Rescue Official Volunteer Records.

• “Lisa Meadows Weight Loss Transformation” Media Reports [e.g., McPherson University (Used for key facts: 20 lbs lost, focus on mental health/anxiety)].

• Nick Houge and Lisa Meadows Wedding Registry (The Knot/Other registry sites).

• CBS Network News/WCCO Archival Broadcast Clips (The -63°F Alexandria, MN, story).