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BBC Weather forecaster Sarah Wilmshurst was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. She became interested in meteorology at Cheadle Hulme school where there was a Stephenson's Screen for taking weather readings, and the opportunity to study GCSE Meteorology. From then on, she decided she wanted to present the weather on television.

On leaving school, Sarah went to Birmingham University where she gained a BSc in Geography and then as MSc in Applied Meteorology and Climatology. After graduating in 1993, she joined the Met Office.

Her first posting was to Southampton Weather Centre where she gained her first experience of broadcasting by presenting the weather on local radio and television. In 1996, Sarah moved to London where she worked partly at the London Weather Centre and partly as a forecaster for BBC Radio 5 Live. Sarah joined the BBC Weather Centre in December 1997 and began broadcasting on BBC World and BBC Prime, then other channels from June 1999. She went on to broadcast across all BBC channels.

She is married, to a fellow meteorologist, with two children and lives in Berkshire. Her hobbies include skiing, sub-aqua and playing the saxophone.

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

What did you do before becoming a weather forecaster?
I went straight into the Met Office after finishing my MSc degree in Meteorology and Climatology at Birmingham University in 1993.

When did you become a weather forecaster?
After completing the Met Office forecaster training course I started working at Southampton Weather Centre in 1994 where I presented the weather on local TV and radio. I then spent a year at Radio Five Live in 1996/97 before joining the BBC Weather Centre in December 1997.

Why did you want to be a weather forecaster?
I have always been interested in the weather, and took a GCSE in Meteorology at school... from then on I just wanted to be the next Michael Fish!

Did you get nervous before a broadcast?
Yes! In the early days the adrenaline really got going before a broadcast... I think you need a bit of that to make you do your best performance.

Did you ever made any mistakes?
Of course... I wouldn't be human if I never made a mistake, but they tend to be just small ones.

Was your job hard?
Yes. When we were not broadcasting we are making up charts and deciding on the weather. We did an awful lot of work behind the scenes and need to be graphics artists, forecasters, editors and producers... as well as presenters!

Did you enjoy your job?
Very much. It's was all I ever wanted to do, and it is so variable I never get bored. The weather changes every day and there always seems to be a new challenge to get my teeth into.

Could anyone do your job?
I don't think so. You need to be a 'jack of all trades' and be a scientist to do the forecasting, as well as an artist to the presenting. You also need a very thick skin!

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	BBC Weather forecaster Sarah Wilmshurst was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. She became interested in meteorology at Cheadle Hulme school where there was a Stephenson's Screen for taking weather readings, and the opportunity to study GCSE Meteorology. From then on, she decided she wanted to present the weather on television. On leaving school, Sarah went to Birmingham University where she gained a BSc in Geography and then as MSc in Applied Meteorology and Climatology. After graduating in 1993, she joined the Met Office. Her first posting was to Southampton Weather Centre where she gained her first experience of broadcasting by presenting the weather on local radio and television. In 1996, Sarah moved to London where she worked partly at the London Weather Centre and partly as a forecaster for BBC Radio 5 Live. Sarah joined the BBC Weather Centre in December 1997 and began broadcasting on BBC World and BBC Prime, then other channels from June 1999. She went on to broadcast across all BBC channels. She is married, to a fellow meteorologist, with two children and lives in Berkshire. Her hobbies include skiing, sub-aqua and playing the saxophone. FAQ - Sarah Wilmshurst Find out the answers to some of your most frequently asked questions to the forecasters in our team. Here we quiz Sarah Wilmshurst on your behalf... What did you do before becoming a weather forecaster? I went straight into the Met Office after finishing my MSc degree in Meteorology and Climatology at Birmingham University in 1993. When did you become a weather forecaster? After completing the Met Office forecaster training course I started working at Southampton Weather Centre in 1994 where I presented the weather on local TV and radio. I then spent a year at Radio Five Live in 1996/97 before joining the BBC Weather Centre in December 1997. Why did you want to be a weather forecaster? I have always been interested in the weather, and took a GCSE in Meteorology at school... from then on I just wanted to be the next Michael Fish! Did you get nervous before a broadcast? Yes! In the early days the adrenaline really got going before a broadcast... I think you need a bit of that to make you do your best performance. Did you ever made any mistakes? Of course... I wouldn't be human if I never made a mistake, but they tend to be just small ones. Was your job hard? Yes. When we were not broadcasting we are making up charts and deciding on the weather. We did an awful lot of work behind the scenes and need to be graphics artists, forecasters, editors and producers... as well as presenters! Did you enjoy your job? Very much. It's was all I ever wanted to do, and it is so variable I never get bored. The weather changes every day and there always seems to be a new challenge to get my teeth into. Could anyone do your job? I don't think so. You need to be a 'jack of all trades' and be a scientist to do the forecasting, as well as an artist to the presenting. You also need a very thick skin!