Jeff Renner

Jeff Renner is the Chief Meteorologist for KING Television in Seattle, delivering on-air weather forecasts during the 5pm, 6:30pm and 11 pm broadcasts. He also serves on the broadcast board of the American Meteorological Society.

Background and Early Career

Jeff was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, but spent most of his childhood in Wisconsin, where he graduated from Muskego High School. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1975 with degrees in Mass Communication and Political Sciences, working through college at the NBC affiliate WTMJ-TV television and WTMJ radio. He worked as a reporter at WTMJ Television until December of 1977, when he accepted a job at Seattle's KING Television. He served as the station's science and medical reporter; among his major assignments was the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980, the first underwater documentary filmed in Puget Sound ("Under Puget Sound") aired in 1979. He also was a certified flight instructor for airplanes (CFII), holding a commercial pilot's license with land, sea, multi-engine and instrument ratings. Jeff continues to serve as an FAA designated safety counselor.

Career in Meteorology

Jeff earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Atmospheric Science from the University of Washington in 1988. He served first as KING's weekend weathercast, then as the initial meteorologist when KING Television began it's weekday morning news in the 1980s. He was then promoted to Chief Meteorologist for KING 5's weeknight newscasts, a post in which he continues to serve the station. He was awarded the American Marketing Association's TV/Cable Broadcaster of the year award for Seattle in 1994, as well as an Emmy for best weathercaster for the northwest region in 2006. Renner was named to the American Meteorological Society's national broadcast board in 2006, and frequently consults for the legal and engineering profession as a meteorologist. He has also received service awards from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, the National Ski Patrol and the Northwest Marine Trade Association.

Publications

Jeff has authored numerous books and articles, includingMountain Weather, Northwest Marine Weather, andLightning Strikes, all published by Mountaineers Books. He has also contributed sections of Freedom of the Hills, a mountaineering text published by the Mountaineers organization of Seattle.

Personal Interests

Renner's personal interests include skiing, hiking, climbing and boating.