Pat has been in broadcasting for 29 years. Originally from Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, Pat began as a weathercaster at KQTV in St. Joseph, Missouri. Then he moved to Baton Rouge before relocating to WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Since his 1981 return to Baton Rouge as WBRZ’s Chief Forecaster, Pat has accepted many responsibilities. He is the President of Pat Shingleton Productions and has produced, distributed, and syndicated various shows, such as We Play Baton Rouge, The Fifth Quarter, and Hotline After Dark. Since 1992 he has tracked Santa Claus’ location on Christmas Eve with other weathercasters from around the country in his syndicated project, “Santa Tracks.”
Pat is a member of various professional organizations, such as the American Meteorological Society, the National Weather Association and the National Association of Television Program Executives. He has been recognized by the Louisiana Associated Press for his weather presentations, and he was selected the best in the state in 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2001, and 2002.
In conjunction with his position as a weathercaster for WBRZ, Pat is involved in many community activities. He is a chairperson for several programs, including “Pat’s Coats for Kids.” He developed the concept for the St. Vincent De Paul Society’s “Community Pharmacy,” creating “Fill a Prescription for the Needy.” He originated The St. Patrick’s Day Parade, “The Wearin’ of the Green,” in 1986, and he continues to be the St. Patrick’s Day Parade coordinator.
Pat has been instrumental in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthwhile causes such as the Our Lady of the Lake Foundation, Our Lady of Mercy’s “Campaign for Tomorrow,” The Diocese of Baton Rouge’s “Preparing for the New Millennium” and Catholic High School’s “Second Century of Excellence.” He’s the co-host of the Children’s Miracle Network’s telecast, benefiting the Children’s Hospital. In 2003, Pat received the Baton Rouge Speech and Hearing Foundation’s Volunteer Activist Award. In 2005, the Society of Fundraising Professionals honored him as their “Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser.”.
Pat has been a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church since 1980, assisting in numerous positions for the Church and school. He is currently a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and Commentator for the Church.
Pat has a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Point Park College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is married to Mabyn Kean Shingleton and has two children, Michael and Katie.
“Good afternoon, everyone. I will be heading toward the ‘Arklatex’ region this afternoon. My plans are for an initial target along the I-20 corridor for Wednesday. I will progress along with the storms in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. Models are showing a slight risk with a probabilistic of 30 percent for this area.
ABC News reported northern Wisconsin high school students are earning credits for helping poor nations by making solar cookers. In Hawaii, John Grandinetti has been cooking meals for friends in Kahala on a solar oven that resembles a children’s slide.
We took the Weather Road Show to Convent on Tuesday. The show focuses on the importance of protecting life and property during severe weather. Dave Nussbaum and I also provided information to the folks at Motiva concerning the upcoming hurricane season.
The National Lightning Detection Network includes 100 sensors throughout the U.S. that detect electromagnetic radiation from lightning return strokes. The return strokes are transmitted to a central processing center in Tucson, Ariz., and within 30 seconds the data is transmitted, via satellite, to 1,000 locations.
On April 16, Dave Nussbaum and I visited Lakefront Airport in New Orleans. We met with representatives of NOAA’s Aircraft Operations Center, the National Weather Service and interviewed the new director of the Hurricane Center. On the tarmac was the workhorse of the Hurricane Center’s fleet, the P-3 Orion.
As noted in a previous Weather News article, the Pacific Institute said China is the most dammed nation in the world, followed by the U.S., India, Japan, Spain and Canada.
Years ago, on Wiley Hill in Ellwood City, Pa., Cindy Bridge would encourage her cat to come home. Much to the irritation of my brother Kevin, Cindy would holler with her speech impediment, “Miiiiidnight, time for din-oar.”
I stood corrected when meteorologist Chris Stevens commented that the Pineapple Express sometimes extends to Maine. I thought it stalled around Arkansas.
Canada will host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. For the Nordic skiing events, officials will use the expertise of professors from the University of Utah. They will train forecasters in the science of logging and predicting snow temperatures.
We say goodbye to April and rewind to some interesting weather events on this date. “Oceania” are land areas that are not a part of a continent. On this date in 1912, a temperature of 108 was recorded at Tuguegarao, Philippines, for Oceania’s all-time recorded high.
As we nudge a possible record low, it was another record in Phoenix. The relative humidity is a marker for the amount of water-vapor content in the air.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac Acts of God notes an excerpt from one of Benjamin Franklin’s journals which may have placed the famed statesman and inventor as one of the first to execute resuscitation.
There are plenty of gimmicks at ball parks these days to entertain the crowds. My brother Kevin and I reminisce about our trips to Forbes Field in Pittsburgh — no gimmicks at this ball park, just baseball.
It is estimated that sea level was 400 feet lower 18,000 years ago than it is today. The reason was the amount of water in the polar ice caps. Global sea level has risen approximately 7.9 inches during the last century.
Thursday marked the 100th anniversary of the “1908 Tornado.” The Tornado Project reports this was a major event when a twister touched down in the community of Weiss in northwest Livingston Parish. It ranks seventh on the list of Top 10 Killer Tornadoes.
Tuesday evening’s storm not only delivered an intense lightning display but also a batch of hail. The stormy ingredients were in place: a high of 90 that tied the record for the date, sea breezes that enhanced the moisture field, an upper level trough, cool air aloft.
On Tuesday, we recounted how engineer James Francis recommended to Lowell, Mass., the construction of a gate to deflect flood waters. The gate would drop to close off feeder canals to the Merrimack River.
This is a repeat article on a unique anniversary. In 1848, Lowell, Mass., was the center of the textile industry. James Bicheno Francis, chief engineer of locks and canals, constructed a system of canals, drawing water from the Merrimack River, providing an uninterrupted source of power to mills.
It may be getting harder to keep your eyes on the road. As you review text messages and answer your phone, soon you can check the weather.
On this date in 1952, the tankers Esso Suez and Esso Greensboro collided in dense fog, 200 miles south of Morgan City.
Researchers at Arizona State University believe that different phases of the moon have some effect on terrestrial weather. NASA notes that statistical analysis suggests a slight correlation to Earth’s weather conditions such as thunderstorms, air pressure changes, cloudiness and the concentration of ice crystals.
Dr. Loren Scott was a regular on our 5 p.m. broadcasts years ago, providing advice on the economy and trends that could affect the viewer. I saw in the March issue of the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society he was quoted concerning the largest claim ever filed with the federal government.
Continuing our repeated report from Wednesday, about 200 French salt farmers, known as paludiers, who collect the gourmet of all salts for renowned restaurants worldwide. Once a gate traps the sea water, clay walls promotes slow evaporation. Seepage leads to shallow pools and the appearance of the salt.
Whether it’s Morton’s or Tony Chachere’s, we need it. Repeating a previous Weather News article, salt-farming depends on the weather, and in France, it’s a labor of love.
We complete our series on events that occurred on April 14-15, 1912. What is known about the sinking of the Titanic is that more than 900 icebergs floated in the Atlantic at the time of the accident. Ocean liners did not have radar, sonar or infrared imaging systems and relied on human lookouts, positioned in the crow’s nest, high above the decks.
Sunday’s article showcased the 96th anniversary of the Titanic disaster that happened on this date at 11:40 pm and how weather was never considered in the investigation.
Monday marks the 96th anniversary of a disaster in the North Atlantic. Weatherwise magazine published an article on how icebergs doomed the RMS Titanic on April 14, 1912.
My friend Cindy Coffman sent a note from her Dad. He noted the difference of written expression from 1858 to 2008. He attached a weather column from the Mobile Press Register that included the following excerpts.
Hydrologists expect a crest on the Mississippi River at Baton Rouge at 42 feet April 21. To relieve levee pressure, the Bonne Carré Spillway will be opened today. As mentioned in a previous Weather News article, scientists speculate that 15,000 years ago, 50 floods deluged an area from Missoula, Mont., to the Willamette Valley in Oregon.
In my younger days, vegetable gardening wasn’t a hobby, it was an assignment. Fruits and vegetables planted and harvested were consumed in a variety of preparations during the cold months. Today, the task is a hobby that my brother, Kevin, enjoys. He shared with me and his son, Spencer, how he “put in the garden” as my grandfather would call it.
British physician Harold Des Voeux coined the word “smog” in 1905. from a combination of smoke and fog. A photochemical smog is a chemical combination that forms because of a combination of exhaust from automobiles, power plants, industry and lifestyles. The main ingredients of smog are oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds or industrial emissions.
