Matt Hoffman is the chief meteorologist for NewsWatch 12.

Title: Chief Meteorologist

matthoffman@kdrv.com

https://www.facebook.com/MattNW12

https://twitter.com/matthoffmanwx

Matt Hoffman joined the NewsWatch 12 team as Chief Meteorologist back in January 2018.

He grew up in the Twin Cities in Minnesota and graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Meteorology in May 2010. Matt has always had a fascination with weather since he was very young. He was watching storms out his window and giving mock forecasts to his parents all the way back in elementary school.

While in college, Matt interned at TV stations in Des Moines and Minneapolis. After college, he started his career as a meteorologist in Eau Claire, WI then moved across the state to Green Bay in 2015. Also, in 2015, he was proud to receive the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal from the American Meteorological Society.

Matt now calls the Rogue Valley home and has fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest and Southern Oregon. He loves the challenge of forecasting the different climates and interesting weather that we have here in Southern Oregon and Northern California.

When he isn’t watching the sky and the latest forecast models to help you plan your day, you can find him out exploring everything our area has to offer. Matt enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, biking, camping and getting out on his paddle board in the summer then heading up in the mountains for some skiing in the winter. He loves to travel. Matt is also a big fan of food. He loves to bake, sample Oregon’s best craft beers and visit local wineries. You’ll also likely see him on the weekend at a local brunch hot spot. He’d love to hear about cool places to explore in Southern Oregon and Northern California and of course great places to eat too.

You can catch Matt on our weekday evening newscasts on NewsWatch 12 at 4, 5, 6 & 11.

Feel free to share weather photos or ask weather questions with Matt. Connect with him on Twitter and Facebook.

Hot summer is melting glaciers on Mt. Shasta, sending debris and mud flows down the mountain

Lack of snowpack from last winter and the heat this summer is causing the glaciers on Mt. Shasta to melt, creating several debris flows on the mountain that have blocked trails and roads in the area.

Massive magnitude 8.2 earthquake strikes near Alaska, prompts tsunami alerts

A magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck Wednesday night off the coast of Alaska. Tsunami alerts were initially issued for Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands. However, the tsunami threat has passed and all alerts have been canceled.

Firefighters try to help bear cub discovered alone in the Bootleg Fire burn area

Firefighters attempted to help a bear cub found in the Bootleg Fire burn scar over the weekend.

Highway 97 opens up again after closure due to wildfires

Highway 97 is back open in Siskiyou County after being closed due to the Lava and Tennant Fires.

Juniper Fire in northern Modoc County spreading smoke into Lake County

Crews are responding to the growing Juniper Fire in northern Modoc County that began Monday afternoon.

Jack Fire burning in Douglas County

The Jack Fire started Monday afternoon east of Steamboat in Douglas County and is 800 acres. Crews are responding to the fire. A stretch of Highway 138 is closed in the area due to the wildfire.

Beswick Fire now 118 acres and 60 percent contained

According to CAL FIRE, the Beswick Fire is now 118 acres and 60% contained.

OHA suspends capacity limits at swimming pools, movie theaters and shopping malls

The impending heat wave has lead OHA to immediately suspend capacity limits at swimming pools, movie theaters and shopping malls.

National Weather Service has first Wildfire Awareness Week

The Medford National Weather Service office is having its first Wildfire Awareness Week from May 24th to May 28th. The campaign is an effort to help people of Southern Oregon and Northern California prepare for fire season.

Burning debris seen streaking under the night sky in Southern Oregon

The National Weather Service is reporting the burning debris seen in the night sky was likely from a SpaceX rocket booster.

Data is updated nightly.

Cases: 309841

Reported Deaths: 3569

Data is updated nightly.

Cases: 4620663

Reported Deaths: 67781