Last modified: Monday, May 12, 2008 2:31 AM EDT NBC 10 meteorologist Kelly Bates became interested in weather after Hurricane Gloria uprooted a favorite tree at her home in 1985. (Submitted photo) Greetings at 'Sunrise' PROVIDENCE - When Kelly Bates was a girl growing up in Attleboro Falls, a hurricane ripped her favorite willow tree from the ground in her backyard. At that moment, a meteorologist was born. "I had to know how winds like that were made," she said. Bates, 36, a North Attleboro native who attended the Falls School and St. Mary's Sacred Heart before graduating in 1990 from Bishop Feehan (and who also delivered The Sun Chronicle while in seventh grade) is a familiar face to early morning TV viewers - NBC 10's Sunrise meteorologist, alongside Rhode Island news host and icon Frank Coletta. The Lyndon State College graduate achieved the Dean's List with Distinction for scoring a 4.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. She holds a bachelor of science degree in broadcast journalism with a minor in meteorology. She began her television career at WJAR as a college intern. In 1996, Bates began her professional career at WMUR in Manchester, N.H., serving as the weekend morning meteorologist and science editor for four years. From there, she went to Atlanta to work for a private weather company, providing forecasts and graphics for a cable television station in the Netherlands. In 2000, Bates spent four years at WLNE in Providence before coming back to NBC 10. Bates joined the NBC 10 Weather Plus staff in August 2004, forecasting weather and was both a 2004 and 2005 Emmy nominee. SUN CHRONICLE: Did anyone or anything at Bishop Feehan influence you to go into broadcasting or meteorology? When did your interest begin? KELLY BATES: Hurricane Gloria in 1985 cemented my interest in the weather. We lost my favorite tree in the yard with that one. It was a huge weeping willow. I was awestruck at the power of nature and had to know how winds like that were made. At Feehan, through the fine arts department, I learned how to be an effective communicator. Teachers Charlene Andrade, Joe Taylor, Donna Lacivita and Alden Harrison were instrumental in helping me develop this skill across many mediums, which is essential to telling a message people can relate to. I cannot thank them enough. They are truly great teachers. SC: You replaced Art Lake, a 40-year fixture as a weatherman over the Rhode Island airwaves. What was your reaction when they told you that you were replacing this icon? BATES: The day I interviewed for the position at 10, I watched Art tape the first birthday announcements for the following day. The date was July 8, 2004. July 9 was my youngest son's first birthday. It was quite a trip watching THE Art Lake read my son's name right there in the studio! I didn't replace Art Lake. No one can. I'm just lucky enough to work his old shift. SC: What time do you have to get up to be on the air so early? Walk us through your morning preparation. BATES: My alarm goes off at 1:50 a.m. My shift begins at 2:30 a.m. I gather weather data - the infamous computer models - formulate my forecast, build my graphics and tape a weather segment for 92 PRO-FM by 4:15 a.m. I then update Turnto10.com, and do my hair and make-up by 4:45 a.m. (Yes, I do it all myself. I am responsible for my own bad hair day.) I then tape a segment for the WeatherPlus cable channel as well as the 30-second updates that air during the Today Show. These are the ones that Al Roker leads into saying, "And now, here's a look at weather in your neck of the woods." Then, at 4:58, Sunrise begins. My shift is through 10:30 a.m. The shift is very demanding, indeed, but, it wouldn't work without my truly awesome husband, Michael. He gets our sons up in the morning, packs their lunches and brings them to school. He then goes to work himself. Michael gets home from work in the evening and we have our nightly family dinner. Then, Michael takes over with tubby time, stories and puts the boys to bed at night since I have to be sleeping by 7 p.m. A huge plus of working the early morning shift is I get to pick up our kids from school and we get to do many things during the day. I get to be active in their school and activities like baseball, soccer and karate. I also never have to deal with traffic. SC: What's longtime Sunrise host Frank Coletta really like? Are you really grumps until you get that jolt of coffee? BATES: Frank is exactly as you see him. He is the real deal. What few people know is that he went to high school with my mother. She was a year ahead of him at West Warwick High School. SC: There are a lot of people who feel meteorologists on TV make too much money for being wrong much of the time, especially with all that radar stuff you brag about using. What do you say to them about the challenges of accurately forecasting New England weather? BATES: This is a great question! Back in the '80s, broadcast news was a booming industry, before cable TV and CNN. As a result, on-camera personalities were paid huge salaries. During the '90s, it all changed. The ones who make the big eye-popping salaries now are those still in place from that time, locally, or those who are in the larger television markets like Boston, Chicago, LA and New York. I've actually had an accountant giggle at my W-2. Salaries within a local station will vary drastically within the same department, contingent upon tenure. I use many tools to put together the most accurate forecast possible. Most of the time it works and, of course, sometimes it doesn't. Southern New England weather is notoriously difficult to forecast. Within Southern New England itself, there are several micro-climates. Attleboro has weather that differs greatly, almost daily, from Westerly, RI. This difference is accentuated most in winter and summer. Also, the slightest change in the track of an oncoming storm can mean the difference between a foot of snow, an inch of rain, and nothing at all. So when we forecast for a big storm showing all the signs of holding its projected track, only to have it change course at the last moment, it means the stereotype continues. It's really frustrating sometimes, and I feel awful when it happens. SC: Rhode Islanders can be very tough. Did anybody ever hassle you over a blown forecast, as in, "You said it was going to rain and I canceled my barbecue!" BATES: I hear mostly from golfers who cancel tee times. I was surprised, as I expected to be called to task by those who make a living by the weather. SC: I presume you are exactly where you dreamed of being when you started in this business, on the very show you watched as a kid. How does that feel? BATES: As someone who grew up watching Sunrise on 10, the Sunrise show was like the ultimate dream; something unlikely to actually happen, but something to shoot for. I initially thought my news director was kidding when she asked me to be part of this legacy newscast. I am very proud of my contribution to Sunrise. I am truly honored to be where I am today. SC: What's the most dramatic forecasting you can remember? Have you ever predicted a perfect storm? BATES: The biggest storm I had the pleasure of working on was the Blizzard of 2005. As with all winter storms, you always have to think, "What would be the worst case scenario here." I knew this one was on the way, (so) I worked for 21 hours straight, catching naps on a couch in the reception area here at the station. The best part was that the storm happened according to plan. The snow totals verified and the timing was dead on. It remains my most difficult challenge and my proudest moment professionally. SC: Outside of the studio, what's the best part of your job? BATES: The best part of my job is the direct contribution I have the opportunity to make in the community. I love going to area schools and talking about the weather. I also help out with the Girl Scouts SMART program, visit retirement communities and help promote charities. I love everything about my job. I am truly lucky.