Meteorologists
Patrick O'Hara
QC Alert Meteorologist
In 2003, Patrick O'Hara decided to make a change and return to college to pursue
his life-long dream of becoming a meteorologist. With the support of his wife, Melissa,
and the rest of his family, O'Hara took that life-changing step, and enrolled at
Towson University on the path towards his second Bachelor's degree.
He interned at the Climate Prediction Center's Joint Agricultural Weather Facility in Washington, DC, from 2004 through 2007. There he studied the agricultural and climatic impacts of weather on a global scale. Towards the end of his internship, he was handling duties normally handled by the full-time meteorologists.
Also, while in school, O'Hara worked with the Towson University weather station sponsored by the University's Geography Department. With the gathered data, O'Hara worked with T.U.'s Dr. Martin Roberge to produce a poster and presentation concerning rainfall differences due to the effect of the Baltimore Heat Island at the university's annual student research expo.
In May, 2007 he graduated from Towson University with his second Bachelor of Science Degree in Earth & Space Sciences. At the same time, he had supplemented his education with upper-level meteorology classes from Mississippi State University.
O'Hara came to WeatherBug in September, 2007 as a part-time meteorologist. He loved the camaraderie of the employees so much, that when a full-time position opened up, he applied for it and he became a full-time meteorologist in January, 2008.
O'Hara also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations and an Associate's degree in Business Management. He is also a member of the American Meteorological Society
In August, 2005, Patrick & Melissa became parents to their wonderful son, Ryan.
Fun Fact: In 1993, O'Hara joined the Baltimore Colts Marching Band, and in 1995 was chosen as trombone section leader. He remained as section leader when the Baltimore Ravens took over the band and its name changed to become Baltimore's Marching Ravens. He left the band in 2004. O'Hara still plays trombone with his high school's Alumni Dance Band. O'Hara is also an avid NASCAR fan and loves to go crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay.
Additional Photos: We vacation each year at Deep Creek Lake, MD. This was Ryan's first boat ride. The second picture: Ryan finds mommy's old teddy bear, and makes it his own.
