NWS has a new meteorologist-in-charge in Brownsville

The National Weather Service Office in Brownsville has a new meteorologist-in-charge with Steve Drillette being appointed to head the station. He replaces Nezette Rydell, who transferred to a forecast office in Denver.

Drillette, who worked at the National Weather Service Office in Amarillo, began his first day of work at the Brownsville office on Monday.

“I am just very excited to be in Brownsville and to have this opportunity to lead and manage this office,” Drillette said. “I think we have great staff and I think they do a great service to the community already and we are just hoping to be able to expand on that.”

In his position, Drillette will be responsible for ensuring residents and the marine community receives timely and accurate weather warnings, forecasts and climate information, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said in a press release.

Drillette will also be responsible for maintaining close working relationships with partners in the emergency management community and the media.

In addition, Drillette will be charged with providing severe weather awareness, preparedness and safety education to the public.

Although he has covered many weather events, he has yet to experience a hurricane, Drillette said. “I haven’t had a lot of hands on experiences with hurricanes, but I did my senior research paper on hurricanes and it is one aspect of the weather that I haven’t experienced and would pretty much like to.”

Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30. It began on June 1.

“A meteorologist-in-charge is the front line officer carrying out the National Weather Service’s highest calling of protecting lives while helping mitigate the economic losses during hazardous events,” said Bill Proenza, regional director of the U.S. National Weather Service Southern Region, in a press release. “Steve Drillette, with his experience, leadership and communication skills, will continue to assure the best weather services for the residents of South Texas.”

Drillette began his NWS career as a meteorologist intern at the NWS in Amarillo in 1993. He also served as a hydrologist in Lubbock from 1995 to 1998 and as a senior forecaster from 1998 to 1999 in Midland. He then returned to Amarillo where he was promoted to the position of warning coordination meteorologist. He worked in Amarillo for 11 years.

Drillette is a member of the American Meteorological Society, the National Weather Association and the Texas Floodplain Management Association. He earned a bachelor’s degree in meteorology from Texas A&M University in 1993.