Eric Braate, who has served as a KPRC 2 meteorologist and weather department executive producer on and off since 2007, is leaving the station for New York.
"My great friend and colleague Eric Braate leaves for WNBC tomorrow after a decade as my producer," KPRC Chief Meteorologist Frank Billingsley posted on Facebook. "I love you Eric and wish all the best for you as you start a new chapter!"
At the NBC owned and operated WNBC 4 New York, Braate will serve as a Meteorologist and Weather Executive Producer.
Braate first joined channel 2 Houston in December 2006 as a weekend meteorologist. In 2008, Braate left for KPRC sister-station WDIV Detroit as a weekday morning meteorologist. Let's weigh the differences between Houston and Detroit. Guess who won out? Yes, Braate returned to KPRC Houston in 2011 where he has been ever since.
Prior to his "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could" moment in 2007, Braate worked as a meteorologist for:
- WITI Milwaukee, Wis.
- WJXT Jacksonville, Fl.
- WXVT Greenville, Miss.
Besides winning a 2018 HAIRRY Award, Braate has a unique history in that he started out in a totally different career before having a zonal flow towards TV meteorology. Actually his colleague, Justin Stapleton, also jumped from another career to the weather world too.
Turns out Braate first got a chemical engineering degree from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor working for companies like General Electric. After realizing his meteorology passion, Braate attended Mississippi State University, earning a master's degree in geoscience.
Outside of television news weather, Braate is a runner and triathlete, completing more than 30 marathons and three IRONMAN triathlons.
In 2014, Braate has a serious injury when he was hit by a van while training for a triathlon.
"(I) broke my neck in two places," Braate said in his bio. "In the emergency room, I vowed to battle back and cross the finish line in 2015. I kept that promise. Crossing the finish line was a moment I’ll never forget!"
*Updated with Braate's official duties at WNBC 4 NBC New York.
