Kristen Van Dyke Bio 2026: Age, Height, Babies, Salary & Net Worth – Utah’s Favorite Meteorologist Revealed!
Kristen Van Dyke is the Emmy-certified Chief Meteorologist viewers across Utah wake up to on KSL 5 News. From tracking desert monsoons in New Mexico to Utah’s legendary powder dumps, the South Carolina native has spent nearly two decades turning complex atmospheric data into easy-to-understand forecasts that keep families safe—and she does it all while balancing life as a mom of two energetic boys.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kristen Van Dyke |
| Stage Name | Kristen Van Dyke (AMS Seal #68045) |
| Profession | Chief Meteorologist / Weather Anchor |
| Born | 1983 (exact date not public) |
| Age | 43 years old( exact age not public) |
| Birth Place | South Carolina, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | KSL 5 Weekend Chief Meteorologist (Salt Lake City) |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn (inferred) |
| Height & Weight | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) / ≈ 128 lb (58 kg) |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Education | College of Charleston (B.A. Communications); Mississippi State University (B.S. Geosciences & AMS Seal) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Tom Nelson (m. Dec 2018) |
| Children | 2 sons (james b. 2021; second son b. 2025) |
| Hobbies | Snowboarding, mountain-biking, surfing, hiking with goldendoodles |
| Years Active | 2006 – present |
| Net Worth | ≈ $1.2 M – $1.5 M (2026 est.) |
Early Life & Education
Kristen grew up in a small South Carolina town that was directly hit by Hurricane Hugo when she was five. Watching neighbors prepare and recover sparked a lifelong fascination with weather. She graduated from the College of Charleston in 2005 with a communications degree, then chased her meteorology certificate at Mississippi State University, earning the prestigious AMS Seal of Approval in 2009.
Career Journey
2006-2009 – WPDE Myrtle Beach
Started as weekend meteorologist; covered Hurricane Hanna (2008) live from the Grand Strand.
2010-2012 – KASA / KRQE Albuquerque
Forecasted high-desert monsoons and 100°+ heat waves; hosted lifestyle show “New Mexico Style.”
2013-2014 – KOIN Portland
Promoted to Chief Meteorologist; tracked Pacific tornadoes and Columbia River gorge wind storms.
2017-2020 – KSTU FOX 13 Utah
Returned to the Rockies as Chief; led wall-to-wall coverage of the 2018 “Bomb Cyclone” and record 2019 lake-effect snow. Left in October 2020 on maternity leave.
2020-Present – KSL 5 Salt Lake City
Weekend evening Chief Meteorologist; also fills in on “KSL Today.” Forecasted the historic 2022 Utah drought and 2023 atmospheric rivers. In 2025 she began co-anchoring the station’s new 9 p.m. newscast while continuing weekend weather duties.
Career Stats & Highlights
- 4x Regional Emmy nominee (weather) – 2015, 2018, 2021, 2024
- AMS Board of Broadcast Meteorology Seal #68045 (2009)
- National Weather Association “Broadcaster of the Year” finalist – 2022
- Social reach: 52 k Twitter [@kvandykewx], 38 k Instagram, 25 k Facebook
- Delivered > 10,000 on-air forecasts; covered 6 land-falling hurricanes & 3 major Utah tornado outbreaks
Personal Life
Marriage & Family
Kristen married Tom Nelson—an aerospace project manager—in an intimate December 2018 ceremony in Park City. Their first son, James, arrived in 2021; a second boy was born quietly in early 2025. The family shares a mountain-modern home in Cottonwood Heights with two goldendoodles, Storm & Powder.
Off-Camera Passions
She’s on Utah’s slopes 25+ days a season, mountain-bikes the Wasatch crest, and still sneaks in surf trips to So-Cal. Kristen also volunteers with “She Can Ski,” mentoring middle-school girls on STEM & snow sports.
Awards & Achievements
- AMS Seal of Approval – 2009
- S.C. Broadcaster Assoc. “Best Weathercast” – 2008
- Oregon AP “Outstanding Specialty Reporting” – 2014
- Utah Chapter Emmy winner “Weather – Best Anchor” – 2024
Physical Statistics
- Height: 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
- Weight: ≈ 128 lb (58 kg)
- Build: Athletic / runner’s frame
- Hair: Blonde (medium length)
- Eyes: Brown
- Shoe: 8 US
Quotes
- “If you can see the mountains, it’s going to snow. If you can’t… it already is.”
- “Motherhood taught me to forecast with more empathy—every warning is someone’s family.”
- “Utah weather changes faster than a toddler’s mood—stay flexible!”
Controversies
None on public record; maintains a science-first, apolitical on-air approach.
Favorites
- Season: Utah fall (70° days, 40° nights)
- Snack: Salt-water taffy on beach days
- Music: 90s alternative & taylor swift sing-alongs
- Vacation spot: Maui (for waves) & Bear Lake (for calm)
- Weather gadget: Hand-held Kestrel 5500
Salary & Net Worth 2026
KSL chief meteorologists earn $135 k – $160 k base; adding freelance hosting, brand partnerships and real-estate investments, Kristen’s estimated net worth in 2026 is $1.2 – $1.5 million.
Interesting Facts
- Keeps a personal snow-measuring board at 9,200 ft in Big Cottonwood—data dates back to 2018.
- Ran the 2023 Salt Lake City Half-Marathon in 1:52 while 6 months post-partum.
- Collects vintage barometers; oldest piece is an 1893 Holosteric she found in Maine.
- Secret talent: fluent in Spanish forecasts for KSL’s Saturday-night digital stream.
Social Media Links
- Twitter: @kvandykewx
- Instagram: @kristenvandykeweather
- Facebook: Kristen Van Dyke KSL
- LinkedIn: Kristen Van Dyke
FAQs
How long has Kristen Van Dyke been in Utah?
She arrived in 2017, making it 9 years as of 2026.
Is Kristen Van Dyke Mormon?
She has not publicly confirmed any religious affiliation.
What happened to Kristen Van Dyke on FOX 13?
She left in October 2020 ahead of the birth of her first son and joined rival KSL weeks later.
Does Kristen still chase storms?
Yes—she occasionally joins the National Severe Storms Lab for Utah field projects but limits travel while her kids are young.
Will Kristen return to weekday mornings?
For now she prefers weekends so she can spend weekdays with her children; KSL management says the door is open whenever she’s ready.
Conclusion
Kristen Van Dyke has transformed childhood awe of a hurricane into a distinguished, two-decade career guiding Western communities through everything from desert deluges to powder-packed blizzards. Balancing Emmy-level expertise with mom-life candor, she remains Utah’s trusted voice when the skies darken—and a role model for women who want to cover storms without sacrificing family sunshine. Share this bio with the weather-lover in your life and catch her next forecast on KSL 5!
