In an unexpected turn of events, a Minnesota meteorologist gained widespread attention after he was seen sending a text to his wife during a live severe weather broadcast.
Nick Jansen, who serves as the chief meteorologist for KTTC, an NBC affiliate, was caught on camera using his phone as his colleague provided updates on a storm system affecting southeastern Minnesota and northern Iowa on July 28.
During the broadcast, Jansen paused briefly to address the audience, stating, “Sorry, I just had to text my wife.”
He further explained, “[The] baby was sleeping the whole night. So that’s going to be over with at this point in time.”
Initially, it seemed like a minor incident, but the clip soon gained traction on social media. Jansen himself shared the video on his Facebook page after some negative feedback emerged.
A viewer criticized his actions as ‘unprofessional,’ a viewpoint Jansen felt compelled to address.
In response, he posted: “I don’t usually post things like this, but after nearly 3 hours of storm coverage Monday night, I wanted to share a quick thought. I received an email telling me how unprofessional I was during my coverage.”
He continued, quoting the email: “‘That he has to call his wife to make sure she takes the baby to safety? Maybe some people think it’s noble or cute. I don’t’ – I posted the video of the act attached.”
Jansen emphasized, “I take my job and your safety very seriously. But I’m also a husband and a father. In the middle of severe weather, I decided to take a brief moment to make sure my wife and child were safely in the basement. That’s not me being unprofessional, it’s me being human. I am a husband and a father FIRST. Let’s all try to show each other a little more understanding and respect in life.”
Jansen received support from many who appreciated his priorities, countering the critiques.
Stephanie Hedrick, Vice-President and General Manager of KTTC, also stood by Jansen, issuing a supportive statement.
“The KTTC team is proud of Nick and the work he and the First Alert weather team did Monday night and the work they continue to do to keep our communities safe. That includes their own families – informing them and helping to keep them safe,” Hedrick stated.
“In this case, viewers saw that happen live – Nick being a good husband and dad by taking a moment and making sure they were safe.”
She added, “Thank you to all those who support our team during such moments. We hope all know the importance of such safety measures during severe weather.”
As the video continued to spread online, Jansen expressed his gratitude in a subsequent Facebook message.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support has meant more to me than words can express,” he wrote.