Profile for Dan Bickford

Meteorologist at WSPA-TV

Dan Bickford is the meteorologist for 7 On Your Side Daybreak and Noon, holding that position since June of 2001. He is a member of the American Meteorological Society, and holds their "Certified Broadcast Meteorologist" designation. He served a term on the Society's Board of Broadcast Meteorology, and is a three-time president of the Society’s Upstate Chapter.

Since first hearing the sounding of tornado sirens as a child, Dan has had a strong interest in weather, specifically strong storms. This led him to study at the University of Oklahoma, where he received a Bachelor's and Master's degree in meteorology. The interest in strong storms continued, as during his college years Dan did some studying at the National Severe Storms Laboratory and spent two spring seasons as a storm chaser for KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City. While completing his studies, Dan also spent a year and a half as the weekend meteorologist for KSWO-TV in Lawton, OK/Wichita Falls, TX. College also included a two year captaincy of the University of Oklahoma water polo team.

After graduating in December of 1993, Dan became the chief meteorologist at KOAM-TV in Joplin, MO/Pittsburg, KS, a position he would hold for seven years. During that time, he became heavily involved in severe weather education, was a member of a local emergency management group, and became involved in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Project Impact campaign to mitigate severe weather losses. As a hobby, he also worked for four years as a radio personality for KXDG-FM in Joplin.

Dan enjoys swimming, hiking, watching Chicago sports teams (and Oklahoma of course), and spending time with his wife.