When it comes to making small talk, Milwaukeeans have a handful of tried and true topics in the gift of gab grab bag.

The Brewers, Brett Favre, and, of course, the weather.

Ever since he was a kid growing up near St. Louis, Mark Baden has loved talking about the weather -- so much so that he made it his profession. Baden, 38, is in his 12th year at WISN-TV (Channel 12), where he is chief meteorologist.

OnMilwaukee.com caught up with Baden recently to talk about his career, his education, an upcoming charity golf event and, of course, the weather.

OnMilwaukee.com: Give us the Mark Baden story. How did you get to be chief meteorologist at Channel 12?

Mark Baden: I'll give you the dorky version. My interest in weather started when I was in second grade when I saw lightning strike a tree.

I grew up in St. Louis. I was a Cardinals fan, but I've changed. I still love the Cardinals, but the Brewers are ahead.

I worked in four other markets before I started here on March 17 -- St. Patrick's Day -- of 1997. That's 12 years I've been in Milwaukee, which is unbelievable.

OMC: It seems like this would be a pretty good market to do weather, as opposed to a place like Phoenix, where it's 110 degrees every day.

MB: (Milwaukee) is a fantastic place for weather, because every day is different. Phoenix is the worst place I can ever imagine working as a meteorologist. Every day would be the same.

OMC: They still devote a couple minutes to it every newscast. You'd think they could just say, "It's gonna be hot again" and be done with it.

MB: They show more of the nation for people in places like Phoenix and Los Angeles. There are so many transplants that want to know what's going on elsewhere. Around here, we focus in a lot more on the "here" -- just Southeastern Wisconsin.

OMC: That leads to a question -- what has kept you in Milwaukee? Surely, you've had opportunities to consider moving to a bigger market ...

MB: I had five jobs in five years (before coming to Milwaukee). Then, I got here and started to raise a family and realized there are more important things than moving on to the next market. I've got three daughters and a beautiful wife. We like it here.

OMC: Let's get back to the weather. Where did you go to college?

MB: I went to Western Illinois. The Fighting Leathernecks.

OMC: When I was in college, I took a one-credit class called "Thunderstorms and Tornadoes," or something like that, taught by a local TV meteorologist. Like a lot of people, I thought it was going to be an easy "A" and it ended up being one of the harder classes I had that semester. I know you teach a course at Concordia University. What's the deal?

MB: People don't realize, and it sounds like I'm just tooting my own horn, but a meteorology degree is one of the hardest degrees to actually get as a bachelor's. There is lots and lots and lots of math and tons and tons of physics. It would bore most people to tears.

Now, do I use much of that all? Truth be told, no. I love computers. They take care of business.

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Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by TosaJimBob on June 3, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. (report)

Mark is a great Meteorologist. And he's a nice guy too....I played softball with the Channel 12 team in a couple of tournaments and he was genuinely nice and a decent player too. Mark, good luck with your future in Milwaukee...I'm glad you are here....now bring us some sunshine.

Posted by curlyboy1978 on June 3, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. (report)

Nice interview! People who blame meterologists for bad weather or wrong forecasts - going as far as sending nasty emails- really really need to get a life.

Posted by brunocarlson on June 2, 2009 at 11:50 a.m. (report)

Mark Baden is one of the better meteorologists in this market. I especially like it when he gets it wrong, he will apologize on the air (the afore mentioned snowfall issue) and where there is severe weather, he will pop on with his sleeves rolled up and tie undone to give the up-to-date reports or you can see him in the background while Lance Hill does the reports. Regardless of good or bad weather, thanks for giving me the facts and not the fluff. Mark Baden and Lance Hill are great.