Matt Ritter
Storm Team 4 Meteorologist Matt Ritter is a native of Washington, D.C., (yes, actually born in the District) and spent his youngest years in Vienna, Virginia, going to kindergarten at Cedar Lane Elementary School. Then his family moved to southern New Jersey, literally while a hurricane was moving up the eastern seaboard. That’s likely where his fascination with severe weather began.
After graduating Saint Augustine Preparatory School, he attended Millersville University near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Meteorology. While at Millersville he was involved with the campus weather service as a student forecaster, the school newspaper and the campus radio station. During his senior year, he took a part time behind the scenes job in the early mornings at WGAL-TV in Lancaster. Having been completely bitten by the media bug, he stayed after graduation and worked his way up to a full-time on-camera role, staying heavily involved with the weather graphics systems and online weather content.
A few years ago, Matt returned to his native Washington to take an position involving aviation weather on a government contract. He started freelance work with WTOP soon after and quickly fell in love with covering the weather on the radio, having to describe what he sees to a listening audience, especially people who are in their cars and may be about to experience severe weather. These days Matt is even more involved with Storm Team 4 for WTOP over the air and online, regularly writing weather blogs and contributing to social media, especially during severe storms. Matt enjoys the complexity of the delivering and explaining the forecast for such a large listening area.
Currently residing in Fairfax, when not working Matt’s time involves listening to a lot of music: his collection, going to concerts, and as a freelance disc jockey, specializing in the ’80s and ’90s. His favorite teams are the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles (remember the Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania thing). A lover of craft beer, he enjoys supporting the area’s microbreweries. In the community, he tries to “give back” by helping area children’s and homeless charities, and is a lector at area churches.
Latest Articles by Matt Ritter
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Friday storms could bring wind, heavy rain; flash flood watch issued
A major storm system forming in the South will bring severe weather to the D.C. region as the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch in effect Friday afternoon. Here’s what to expect.
1 month ago -
1st snowstorm in months likely this weekend; impacts moderate
Winter storm watches have been posted for parts of the area from noon Saturday until noon Sunday ahead of the first snowstorm the D.C. area has seen since November. Potential accumulation is looking to be around 4 to 7 inches for most of the area. WTOP has the info you need.
4 months ago -
Meteorologist’s view: Flood warnings for bigger rivers in DC area
The Potomac, Rappahannock and Shenandoah rivers have locations under a flood warning through the week or until further notice. Here’s what you need to know.
12 months ago -
Workweek weather blog: From a muggy Monday to a fall-like Friday
The remnants of former Hurricane Nate will continue moving up the Appalachian Mountains and bring the area the first soaking rain we’ve had in almost 25 days.
2 years ago -
Workweek weather: Summerlike temps return this week
This same dome of high pressure will continue to dominate the weather pattern for the entire week. This will mean some temperature swings, but it also means almost no chance of needed rain until almost Friday.
2 years ago -
Workweek weather: Finally feeling like fall by Friday
High pressure that has been keeping it dry and unseasonably warm will remain in control of the weather, but some interactions with Hurricane Maria will bring some caveats.
2 years ago -
Workweek Weather: Some showers from Jose possible this week
Though the autumnal equinox is this Friday, it won’t feel like a change of seasons. See what to expect this week and how the approach of Hurricane Jose will impact the weather.
2 years ago -
Workweek Weather: Irma remnants to bring showers to DC
Take a look at Irma’s track as it makes its way north and its impact on this week’s weather.
2 years ago -
Workweek weather: Big temperature swings, plus more rain
This week, temperatures will see some ups and downs and there will be a dose of soaking rainfall.
2 years ago -
Labor Day plans? Here’s the weather forecast
With folks heading out of town toward the beaches or the mountains for the holiday weekend, here’s what to expect with the weather for the upcoming days.
2 years ago -
Workweek weather: Coastal storm brings rain, return of humidity
While Tropical Storm Harvey continues to bring catastrophic, life-threatening flooding to Texas in the days ahead, we may have a named tropical low pressure system moving up the eastern seaboard from now through the middle of the week.
2 years ago -
Workweek Weather: Some clouds for eclipse; back to humidity
There may be some clouds in the D.C. area dotting the sky, but they are not expected to interfere completely with eclipse viewing.
2 years ago -
Workweek Weather: Humid Monday followed by hot weather
Monday could be muggy with warmer temperatures coming later in the week. Here’s what you need to know about the workweek weather.
2 years ago -
Workweek Weather: Monday washout followed by comfortable weather
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will kick off the week, but the middle of the workweek will get more sun.
2 years ago -
Workweek weather: July ends pleasantly, August arrives with hotter weather
Monday starts out quite pleasant as the D.C. region heads back to work, but by the end of the week, summer’s humidity returns.
2 years ago
