Meet the Mets: AccuWeather's Brian Koochel

Brian Koochel became fascinated with the weather in early grade school. He remembers wondering how a thunderstorm developed and what caused a winter storm. Brian also wondered why it snowed when it was 30 degrees but then sleeted when it was 20 degrees. When he started learning more about basic meteorology in high school, he knew he wanted to pursue it as a career. 

While obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Atmospheric Science from the University of Kansas, he interned with a regional weather company in Kansas City, Missouri. He was hired full-time before graduating in May 2001. After working at that company for 15 ½ years, Brian wanted to expand his experience. He wanted to work for a company with a broader range of clients over a large area. AccuWeather For Business was a perfect fit, and he joined our company in June 2015. His new position came along with an extra perk. His family lives in Wichita, KS,  and the surrounding area. 

Here at AccuWeather For Business, Brian wears many hats. He works at our Storm Operations Center in Wichita, where he is the AccuWeather SkyGuard® Operations Assistant Manager, helping his team of five meteorologists when they have questions and ensuring the office runs as smoothly as possible. As a Senior Storm Warning Meteorologist, he organizes forecast and storm warning shifts throughout the day to meet the needs of our clients. Brian also quality-checks all SkyGuard forecast products and warnings, helps answer questions, provides needed guidance, and forecasts and warns of weather hazards. Finally, as a Training Coordinator, Brian oversees the development, improvement, and implementation of the AccuWeather For Business Training Program for new hires and interns.

Growing up in the Central Plains, Brian experienced the "best" mother nature had to offer, so picking a favorite type of weather to forecast is a tricky task. He saw everything from blizzards and snowstorms in the cold season to severe thunderstorms in the warm season. However, Brian has always been drawn toward the winter systems. He enjoys forecasting complex winter storms as they cross the U.S., ranging from feet of snow in the mountain passes to a multi-hazard storm in the Plains to a nor'easter. It is only fitting that Brian's most memorable weather event was the winter of 1992-1993 in his hometown of Great Bend, KS. There were 42.2 inches of snow recorded throughout that winter. And fun fact: experiencing lake-effect snow is on his bucket list.

Brian believes that AccuWeather's proprietary SmartWarn system, hands down, gives AccuWeather For Business a considerable advantage over its competitors. SmartWarn enables our “met-watchers” to view various real-time meteorological datasets. These datasets are seamlessly overlaid with all of our client locations. This allows our meteorologists to quickly determine whether or not a weather hazard will impact a specific client and then efficiently issue a warning. These site-specific warnings are then delivered directly to AccuWeather For Business clients. Those clients can view them on their phones and the AccuWeather For Business Portal.

AccuWeather For Business used this technology early on in Brian's role as a shift commander. It was a very active weather day with severe thunderstorms from east Texas through Pennsylvania, with "gnats" occurring across the Southeast and the West. Brian coordinated the shifts so that each "met-watcher" was comfortable with the amount of area they were responsible for covering. There were several high-quality Proof Of Performances (POPs) in which that team of meteorologists, including myself, was recognized with a "Team of the Month" award. 

His general love of weather and the camaraderie amongst the team is what Brian likes most about working for AccuWeather. He believes that it is truly a team environment. They enjoy each other so much that small groups will get together for dinner, a movie, or to play pickleball or volleyball to have fun on their days off. Of course, in the fall and winter months, watching their favorite sports teams, including the Chiefs, is a must. 

When he's not hanging out with friends, fitness has become a staple in Brian's life, so he likes to hit the gym at least four times a week. During the growing season, Brian likes caring for his yard and making it look nice and clean. He also enjoys hosting events at his home, including movie and game nights, watching sporting events, or casual barbeques. Family time is also essential to him, as is taking time off work to rest, relax and rejuvenate.