BBC - Weather Centre - About BBC Weather - Biographies

Carol Kirkwood was born in Morar, Inverness-shire. She attended Lochaber High School in Fort William before going on to Napier University in Edinburgh, where she gained a BA in Commerce.

Carol initially joined the BBC's Secretarial Reserve in London in 1984. Various internal moves led to her first broadcasts for the BBC's Religious Broadcasting department on Radio Scotland, Radio 2 and Radio 4. Carol also worked as Associate Director for a head-hunting organisation and as Training Consultant for a Management Consultancy in Cheshire. In 1993 she joined the BBC's Television Training department at Elstree as a Presenter. During this time, she also researched, produced and presented a bi-monthly programme called 'Talking Issues' for HTV.

In 1996, Carol joined The Weather Channel, presenting the weather on satellite and cable television, as well as on Talk Radio's 'Drivetime' shows.

Having undergone meteorological training at The Weather Channel, Met Office and the BBC, Carol joined the team at the BBC Weather Centre in April 1998. She started broadcasting on News24, then quickly added BBC ONE and BBC TWO to her portfolio. Now she is the main weather presenter on BBC's BREAKFAST.

In 2003, Carol was named best TV Weather Presenter at the Television and Radio Industry's (TRIC) Club Awards, beating other BBC favourite, Michael Fish as well as ITV's, Sian Lloyd to win the accolade, which was given out for the first time this year.

There was no rest for Carol though, as she was back at work on Wednesday at 5am for another presenting shift. She says she's delighted with the award, "I'm absolutely ecstatic - totally thrilled to bits." "I was really shocked by it. I genuinely didn't expect to win it, as the competition was really fierce".

Carol says the award shouldn't be just for her. "A lot of work goes into getting a weather forecast on air, so this belongs as much to my colleagues at the BBC Weather Centre and the Met Office, as to me".

On her days off, you will find Carol ensconsed in a book, or singing and dancing! The latter skills being demonstrated during Children in Need in recent years. She also enjoys fishing, travelling and driving fast cars!

FAQ - Carol Kirkwood
Find out the answers to some of your most frequently asked questions to the forecasters in our team. Here we quiz Carol Kirkwood on your behalf...

What did you do before becoming a weather forecaster?
I was a television presenter, presenting my own light entertainment programmes on the cable network. I also set up a successful company with a friend. Before that, I went to University in Edinburgh where I studied for a BA in Commerce. I also had a host of other jobs such as management consultant and BBC production assistant.

When did you become a weather forecaster?
1996.

Why did you want to be a weather forecaster?
I was always fascinated by the weather, for example, how a front over the Atlantic comes our way and brings rain. I especially love tornadoes, hurricanes etc. They are a wonderful natural phenomena.

Do you get nervous before a broadcast?
I always feel nervous before my first broadcast, and also if I have people standing next to me watching me! But generally I love the challenge of presenting live with no autocue, in a news environment, where your time can be curtailed or lengthened whilst on air with very little or no real notice.

Have you ever made any mistakes?
Loads. Only last week I went out live saying 'low pleasure' instead of 'pressure'. Occasionally I say East instead of West!

Is your job hard?
I would say challenging rather than hard. I feel when you've got it, you've got it. There is a lot of information to absorb in a relatively short period of time - that is probably the hardest part.

Do you enjoy your job?
I love it (most of the time).

Could anyone do your job?
No. You need certain qualities (and huge amounts of brains) to be able to do this job successfully. As a non-meteorologist, you have to have the aptitude to absorb, sometimes technical, information quickly, and the ability to put it across to viewers in a user-friendly, logical manner.

Weather Home Weather News Photo Gallery Weatherwise About BBC Weather UK Reviews UK Warnings Monthly Outlook Climate Guides Average Conditions Sports Coast and Sea Climate Change Site FAQ Today's team Meet the team Find a forecast Graphics More BBC Weather	Carol Kirkwood	Team Biographies ...and some familiar faces from over the years bbc.co.uk Links BBC Mobile website BBC Sport on PDA h2g2 on PDA More about BBC Weather About the BBC Weather Centre Michael Fish retires Farewell Helen Young Helen Willetts 'Best Weather Presenter' Also in BBC Weather Award Winner - Carol Kirkwood
	Carol Kirkwood was born in Morar, Inverness-shire. She attended Lochaber High School in Fort William before going on to Napier University in Edinburgh, where she gained a BA in Commerce. Carol initially joined the BBC's Secretarial Reserve in London in 1984. Various internal moves led to her first broadcasts for the BBC's Religious Broadcasting department on Radio Scotland, Radio 2 and Radio 4. Carol also worked as Associate Director for a head-hunting organisation and as Training Consultant for a Management Consultancy in Cheshire. In 1993 she joined the BBC's Television Training department at Elstree as a Presenter. During this time, she also researched, produced and presented a bi-monthly programme called 'Talking Issues' for HTV. In 1996, Carol joined The Weather Channel, presenting the weather on satellite and cable television, as well as on Talk Radio's 'Drivetime' shows. Having undergone meteorological training at The Weather Channel, Met Office and the BBC, Carol joined the team at the BBC Weather Centre in April 1998. She started broadcasting on News24, then quickly added BBC ONE and BBC TWO to her portfolio. Now she is the main weather presenter on BBC's BREAKFAST. In 2003, Carol was named best TV Weather Presenter at the Television and Radio Industry's (TRIC) Club Awards, beating other BBC favourite, Michael Fish as well as ITV's, Sian Lloyd to win the accolade, which was given out for the first time this year. There was no rest for Carol though, as she was back at work on Wednesday at 5am for another presenting shift. She says she's delighted with the award, "I'm absolutely ecstatic - totally thrilled to bits." "I was really shocked by it. I genuinely didn't expect to win it, as the competition was really fierce". Carol says the award shouldn't be just for her. "A lot of work goes into getting a weather forecast on air, so this belongs as much to my colleagues at the BBC Weather Centre and the Met Office, as to me". On her days off, you will find Carol ensconsed in a book, or singing and dancing! The latter skills being demonstrated during Children in Need in recent years. She also enjoys fishing, travelling and driving fast cars! FAQ - Carol Kirkwood Find out the answers to some of your most frequently asked questions to the forecasters in our team. Here we quiz Carol Kirkwood on your behalf... What did you do before becoming a weather forecaster? I was a television presenter, presenting my own light entertainment programmes on the cable network. I also set up a successful company with a friend. Before that, I went to University in Edinburgh where I studied for a BA in Commerce. I also had a host of other jobs such as management consultant and BBC production assistant. When did you become a weather forecaster? 1996. Why did you want to be a weather forecaster? I was always fascinated by the weather, for example, how a front over the Atlantic comes our way and brings rain. I especially love tornadoes, hurricanes etc. They are a wonderful natural phenomena. Do you get nervous before a broadcast? I always feel nervous before my first broadcast, and also if I have people standing next to me watching me! But generally I love the challenge of presenting live with no autocue, in a news environment, where your time can be curtailed or lengthened whilst on air with very little or no real notice. Have you ever made any mistakes? Loads. Only last week I went out live saying 'low pleasure' instead of 'pressure'. Occasionally I say East instead of West! Is your job hard? I would say challenging rather than hard. I feel when you've got it, you've got it. There is a lot of information to absorb in a relatively short period of time - that is probably the hardest part. Do you enjoy your job? I love it (most of the time). Could anyone do your job? No. You need certain qualities (and huge amounts of brains) to be able to do this job successfully. As a non-meteorologist, you have to have the aptitude to absorb, sometimes technical, information quickly, and the ability to put it across to viewers in a user-friendly, logical manner.