Rebecca Stevenson is chief meteorologist at KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

Stevenson holds the Seal of Approval from the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the National Weather Association. She is an active member of both groups as well as the Puget Sound chapter of the AMS. She is planning to get her Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) designation, conferred to those who demonstrate a broader range of scientific understanding, especially in respect to environmental issues, and who pass rigorous testing of their knowledge and communication of meteorology and related sciences.

In the time she’s been forecasting in the Pacific Northwest, Stevenson has been through some of the area’s most extreme weather patterns in decades. From the heavy snow events of 1996 and the ice storms of 2004 to the tsunami warning off the Washington coast in 2005 and the severe windstorms of 2006, she has developed a keen understanding of how seemingly minor shifts in our weather can dramatically turn life upside down.

Born in Key West, Fla., Stevenson developed her fascination with weather in Pensacola watching thunderstorms, hurricanes and severe floods. Inclement patterns followed her to the harsh winters of the Midwest, where she earned her bachelor’s degree at Tarkio College in Tarkio, Mo. Her fascination turned into a profession when she completed the three-year Meteorology program at Mississippi State University. She is currently working on her second bachelor’s degree.

Stevenson has authored and contributed articles to various books and newspapers on the topic of Northwest weather. Most recently, she’s been an active supporter of installing radar on the Washington coast. Prior to joining KIRO 7 she was a meteorologist at KING 5 and Northwest Cable News.