
Patrick Hammer Biography: Chief Meteorologist, WGRZ-TV (Buffalo, NY), Career, and More
Patrick Hammer is an American meteorologist currently serving as the Chief Meteorologist at WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, New York.
He joined the station in June 2015. Before this, he worked at various stations, including KRQE in Albuquerque, KIRO-TV in Seattle, KTVU in San Francisco, and KSTP-TV in Minneapolis.
He holds a TV certificate of approval from the American Meteorological Society and has a rich career history, even contributing as a meteorologist for the production of the Coen Brothers’ film A Serious Man.
Patrick is originally from the West Coast and is a fan of the Buffalo Bills and the band Phish.
Key Biographical Points:
- Education: Patrick graduated from The University Of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles.
- Professional Affiliations: He is a member of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and holds their Television Seal Of Approval, signifying his expertise and commitment to professional standards in broadcast meteorology.
- Career Journey: Patrick’s career in meteorology has taken him to various locations across the United States:
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- He started in Chico, CA, at the NBC affiliate.
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- He then worked as a meteorologist for KRQE in Albuquerque, NM.
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- His career continued at KIRO-TV in Seattle, WA.
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- He also worked at KTVU in San Francisco, CA.
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- Before arriving in Buffalo, he was a meteorologist at KSTP-TV and KARE 11 in Minneapolis, MN.
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Beyond Traditional Broadcasting:
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- Patrick served as a meteorologist for the US Ski Team in the years leading up to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, BC. In this role, he traveled extensively to Japan, the US, and Canada.
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- He also worked as a meteorologist for the production of the Cohen Brothers movie “A Serious Man.”
Despite being a West Coast native, Patrick is known to be an enthusiastic fan of the Buffalo Bills and the band Phish. He also enjoys tackling his “honey-do list” in his spare time.
Age:
Patrick was born on March 17 in San Francisco, California. He belongs to the White ethnicity and holds American nationality.
Patrick Hammer’s exact birth date isn’t publicly documented, but based on his career timeline, he likely started his meteorology career in his mid-20s at KNVN-TV in Chico, California, from 1996 to 2000.
This suggests he was born between 1970 and 1973, making him approximately 52 to 55 years old as of 2025.
Parents and Siblings:
Patrick Hammer Fay was born and raised in San Francisco, California. He grew up alongside four siblings in a family that valued creativity and hard work.
His mother, Laurie Elliott, worked at Architectural Digest magazine and was a significant influence in his life.
Sadly, she passed away at the age of 75 on July 4, 2020, in Santa Barbara, California, due to COVID-19 complications.
Patrick has often spoken about his deep connection to his family and his West Coast roots
Wife:
Patrick Hammer is married to Kimberly Hammer, and they have two children: Francesca and William.
Married for over 20 years, Kimberly is a supportive partner who occasionally engages with media to update on Patrick’s work or health matters. D
espite his public career, Patrick values privacy, sharing little about his family life. They reside in Hamburg, New York, where they enjoy a close-knit, low-profile family dynamic.
Height, Weight:
Patrick Hammer stands at an estimated height of 5 feet 8 inches and weighs approximately 150 to 170 pounds, based on average proportions for his build.
Career and Background:
Patrick graduated from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He is a member of the American Meteorological Society and holds their Television Seal of Approval.
His meteorology career began at the NBC affiliate in Chico, California. He then worked for KRQE in Albuquerque, New Mexico; KIRO-TV in Seattle, Washington; KTVU in San Francisco, California; and both KSTP-TV and KARE 11 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Notably, Patrick served as a meteorologist for the U.S. Ski Team leading up to the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, traveling extensively across Japan, the U.S., and Canada.
He also contributed as a meteorologist for the production of the Coen Brothers’ movie “A Serious Man.”
NBC Affiliate in Chico, California
Patrick began his meteorology career at this station, where he honed his skills in weather forecasting and broadcasting. This role laid the foundation for his future success in larger markets.
KRQE in Albuquerque, New Mexico
At KRQE, Patrick gained valuable experience in covering diverse weather patterns, including the unique challenges of forecasting in the Southwest region.
KIRO-TV in Seattle, Washington
Moving to the Pacific Northwest, Patrick worked at KIRO-TV, where he tackled the complexities of Seattle’s maritime climate, known for its frequent rain and varying weather conditions.
KTVU in San Francisco, California
Returning to his home state, Patrick joined KTVU, where he provided weather updates for the Bay Area, a region with microclimates that demand precise forecasting.
KSTP-TV and KARE 11 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
In Minneapolis, Patrick worked at two prominent stations, KSTP-TV and KARE 11. Here, he dealt with extreme weather conditions, including harsh winters and severe storms, further solidifying his expertise.
WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, New York
Patrick joined WGRZ-TV in June 2015 as the Chief Meteorologist. In Buffalo, he has become a trusted voice for weather updates, particularly during the region’s notorious lake-effect snow events.
His role at WGRZ-TV also includes engaging with the community and providing critical weather information during severe conditions.
Patrick Hammer’s Notable Weather Coverage:
- Lake Effect Snow Events (Buffalo, NY):
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- Coverage of the November 2014 “Snowvember” storm with over 7 feet of snow.
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- Analysis of the November 2022 lake-effect snowstorm with snowfall rates of 3+ inches per hour.
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- Covered the December 2022 blizzard, labeled “strongest storm in a generation,” emphasizing safety.
- Severe Weather (Minneapolis, MN):
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- May 22, 2011, North Minneapolis tornado EF-1 with extensive wall-to-wall coverage.
- On-Location Reporting:
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- Live reporting near Lake Erie during windy conditions in 2015, showcasing his engaging style.
- Broader Career Highlights:
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- Covered New Mexico monsoon season at KRQE-TV (2000–2003).
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- Forecasted Pacific Northwest storms at KIRO-TV (2003).
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- Covered California wildfire seasons at KTVU-TV.
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- Forecasted for U.S. Nordic Ski Team during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Patrick Hammer collaborates with a talented team at WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, New York. Some of his notable colleagues include:
- Melissa Holmes: Co-anchor of Daybreak, known for her engaging storytelling.
- Kate Welshofer: Anchor and reporter, bringing a unique perspective to news coverage.
- Michael Wooten: Anchor and reporter, specializing in investigative journalism.
- Heather Ly: Reporter and anchor, focusing on community stories.
- Maria Genero: Meteorologist, delivering weather updates alongside Patrick.
These professionals contribute to the dynamic and informative programming at WGRZ-TV.
Net Worth and Salary:
Patrick Hammer, the Chief Meteorologist at WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, New York, has an estimated annual salary ranging between $50,000 and $150,000.
His net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million, accumulated through his extensive career in meteorology.
Is Patrick Hammer Meteorologist Married?
Yes, Patrick Hammer is married to Kimberly Hammer. The couple has been together for over 20 years and has two children.
How Old Is Patrick Hammer Meteorologist?
Patrick Hammer is estimated to be between 52 and 55 years old in 2025, based on his career starting around 1996 and typical entry-level age after college.
Where Is Patrick Hammer Meteorologist Working?
Patrick Hammer is currently the Chief Meteorologist at WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, New York.
He has been with the station since June 2015, delivering reliable weather forecasts and engaging with the community.
His role involves providing critical updates during severe weather events, such as Buffalo’s infamous lake-effect snowstorms, and ensuring viewers are well-prepared for changing conditions.
Patrick Hammer is active on social media. He frequently shares updates about his work, weather forecasts, and personal insights on platforms like Facebook.
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