MEXICO — Mallory Brooke, the Channel 8 meteorologist, was recently at Meroby School to “throw out the first ray of sunshine” for opening day of the school’s integrated unit of study of the atmosphere and weather. The students will be getting a in-depth look at the water cycle and its main components along with the weather and its effects on people.

“Meteorologist Mallory” greeted the students at their school-wide morning meeting with her infectious smile and a very interesting monologue about her job as a weather forecaster for WMTW Channel 8 News and Weather.

With a demanding schedule suited for only anyone with a nocturnal lifestyle, Mallory noted that her day usually begins at 1:30 a.m. for her three-hour preparation time to get her ready for the 4:30 a.m. on-location weather update that takes her anywhere from Wells Beach to Fryeburg to give her viewing audience an update on current weather conditions and what lies ahead.

“My job is all about forecasting the weather so people will simply know what to expect. Forecast preparation is the top priority. It actually takes one hour of preparation for a one-minute segment shown on television,” she said.

With the help of very expensive and elaborate computer systems, more data arrives on one shift than a weatherman back in the ’50s received during an entire career. New information is automatically updated with an assortment of visual tools and graphics allowing the viewers to understand what’s in store for them.

“There are no rehearsals for our on-the-air segments, and every day brings something new,” she said. “Weather affects everything and this job allows me to inform people of what to expect.” Expect the unexpected could certainly be a message from any meteorologist considering the winter we have just endured.

Mallory Brooke became interested in the weather as a little girl growing up in New Jersey. Her inquisitive mind always asked “why” when she experienced a variety of weather conditions. This mindset paved the way to a career in meteorology where she has spent the last 18 years observing and predicting what a sometimes fickle Mother Nature will create in our area.

Perhaps her energy and passion for the weather will rub off on a few of the young Merobians who bombarded her with questions as she meandered her way around the gym full of excited children on the “opening day” festivities.