12 | MARCH 2 • 2023 

weatherman like Sonny Eliot — the late 
well-known Detroiter weathercaster. Gross 
studied meteorology and graduated from 
the University of Michigan’s Department of 
Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Science. 
In his sophomore year, he became WDIV’s 
first weather intern and was later hired for 
a part-time, off-camera position. This led to 
part-time on-air positions in Lansing and 
at WKBD in Detroit, while still working at 
WDIV
, where he soon became a full-time 
meteorologist.
Gross has received many awards from 
both meteorological and broadcast organi-
zations. He was one of the youngest meteo-
rologists selected to serve on the American 
Meteorological Society’s (AMS) Board of 
Broadcast Meteorology in 1987. 
In 1989, Gross was diagnosed with tes-

ticular cancer and underwent surgery and 
five rounds of chemotherapy. He’s been can-
cer-free ever since.
Mike Nelson, chief meteorologist at 
Denver7, the ABC affiliate in Dallas, says 
that Gross is “a longtime friend and col-
league. I have known Paul for over 35 
years and have sat on many committees 
with him for the American Meteorological 
Society. In 1990, we co-chaired the annu-
al Broadcast Conference for the AMS … 
At that time, Paul had just finished his 
brave battle against cancer, and I was so 
impressed by his strength and positive out-
look. It always struck me what an extraordi-
nary individual he was during that difficult 
time.
” 
Gross is known for his clear and objective 
efforts to explain climate change and its 
effects on weather. “I do not get into politics 
and never accept information from advoca-
cy groups — only scientific groups,
” he says. 
Gross points out that “we [Great Lakes 
residents] are surrounded by 20% of the 
world’s surface fresh water supply, which is 
important for sustaining life, the ecosystem 
and commerce.
” 

WEATHERMAN AS EDUCATOR
Gross is proud of his efforts to provide 
objective, comprehensive information about 

climate change through his on-air broad-
casts and presentations to local synagogues 
and temples as well as chapters of Hadassah 
and the National Council of Jewish Women.
Nelson says, “Paul has done exemplary 
work in the area of climate change. His 
simple, yet thorough explanations of how 
the increase in carbon dioxide from the 
burning of fossil fuels is warming our world 
truly help the average American to under-
stand the science. 
“Paul has been a great example and role 
model for other broadcast meteorologists 
and helps inspire them to also educate their 
viewers.
” 
In 2006, the AMS selected Gross to chair 
its new Committee on the Station Scientist 
and, in 2017, he was named a Fellow of the 
Society.
Scillian adds that “his legacy goes well 
beyond WDIV and weather forecasting. 
The tornado drills our children go through 
in Michigan schools are the result of Paul’s 
tireless lobbying in Lansing and the Gross 
Weather Bill John Engler signed into law 
in 1997. He can retire — but that legacy 
endures.
” 
His interest in tornado drills developed 
while serving on the Michigan Committee 
for Severe Weather Awareness. While 10 
school fire drills were mandated each year, 

Developing a 
Television Weather 
Forecast

“Making a forecast is paramount 
because people make decisions 
based on weather,” says Gross. 
“I dive deep into maps and data. 
I look at what is happening right 
now — where the fronts are, 
satellite imagery and radar,” he 
explains. 
Gross analyzes computer 
models, which can include 
the U.S. Weather Service and 
European weather models, and 
assesses which one has the 
best handle on what is happen-
ing now. 
“It can be a very complicated 
process,” Gross says. 
Once he is set on the forecast, 
he creates the graphics that will 
accompany it on air, writes an 
article for WDIV’s website and 
provides information for the sta-
tion’s apps. Forecasts are updat-
ed continually. 
Gross says that “meteorol-
ogists are among the hard-
est-working people at television 
stations.”

Paul Gross 
gives the 
weather report 
while working 
with the green 
screen. 

OUR COMMUNITY
ON THE COVER

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