UNC Charlotte Partners with WSOC-TV for New Meteorology Program

The program provides students with state-of-the-art weather graphics systems and broadcast meteorology expertise.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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UNC Charlotte's meteorology program has partnered with WSOC-TV Channel 9 to provide students with access to professional-grade weather graphics systems and a new course in broadcast meteorology taught by retired chief meteorologist Steve Udelson. The program has seen a surge in enrollment in recent years, and the new technology and expertise will help prepare students for careers in fields like broadcast journalism and aviation.

Why it matters

The partnership between UNC Charlotte and WSOC-TV strengthens the university's meteorology program and gives students a competitive edge in the job market. By providing access to industry-standard technology and instruction from an experienced broadcast meteorologist, the program is better equipped to train the next generation of weather forecasters, communicators, and aviation professionals.

The details

As part of the new program, WSOC-TV has donated weather graphics systems to UNC Charlotte, allowing students to develop skills in real-time forecasting, building graphics, and delivering on-camera presentations. The new course, METR 4000 'Selected Topics in Meteorology: Broadcast Meteorology,' is designed to bridge scientific knowledge with public communication, teaching students how to interpret weather data and translate it into accessible stories for the public.

  • The meteorology program at UNC Charlotte has seen enrollment more than triple in recent years, growing from about 20-30 students to over 90 students.
  • The new partnership and course were launched in 2026.

The players

UNC Charlotte

A public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina, offering a meteorology program as part of its Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences.

WSOC-TV

A television station in Charlotte, North Carolina, that has partnered with UNC Charlotte to provide equipment and expertise for the university's meteorology program.

Steve Udelson

A retired chief meteorologist who spent 40 years in broadcast meteorology and is now an adjunct professor at UNC Charlotte, teaching the new 'Broadcast Meteorology' course.

Danielle Miller

A graduate of UNC Charlotte's meteorology program who now works as a meteorologist at WSOC-TV.

Joseph Swain

A senior meteorology major at UNC Charlotte who is applying the skills from the program towards his goal of becoming a pilot.

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What they’re saying

“When I first started here, the meteorology program had only about 20 or 30 students in it, and now we have over 90 students as meteorology majors.”

— Terry Shirley, Associate Chair, Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences (WSOC-TV)

“It's all about getting a leg up. And these students will come out of this class and out of this school with the knowledge of how to put graphics together, how to put weather stories together and just how to do the job.”

— Steve Udelson, Adjunct Professor, UNC Charlotte (WSOC-TV)

“Having a space to practice delivering a weather forecast is vital to any up and coming meteorologist. And now, thanks in part to a donation from Channel 9, they have state-of-the-art equipment to do just that.”

— Danielle Miller (WSOC-TV)

What’s next

The new 'Broadcast Meteorology' course will continue to be offered at UNC Charlotte, providing students with hands-on experience using professional-grade weather graphics systems and developing their communication skills.

The takeaway

The partnership between UNC Charlotte and WSOC-TV is transforming the university's meteorology program, equipping students with the technology and expertise they need to excel in fields like broadcast journalism, aviation, and weather forecasting. This innovative collaboration is helping to prepare the next generation of weather communicators and professionals.