Jay Prater Biography
Jay Prater is an American meteorologist working for KAKE as a managing meteorologist since joining the station in in January 2004. Before working for KAKE, Prater worked for WJHG in Panama City, Florida, as the morning meteorologist.
Jay Prater Career
Prater works for KAKE as a managing meteorologist. In this role, he is on the air on weekdays at 4, 5, 6, and 10 p.m., or whenever tornadoes threaten. He is committed to teaching viewers about severe weather, as embodied by his life-saving broadcast of the May 2007 tornado in Greensburg, Kansas. He obtained the American Meteorological Society’s Award for Broadcast Meteorology in 2010.
Prater received the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist™ Seal from the American Meteorological Society. He attained the CBM™ certificate number 4, even though he was the first to take and pass the CBM™ exam. This made him the first meteorologist in Kansas to obtain it and the fourth worldwide.
Before being replaced by the CBM™, Prater earned both Television and Radio Seals of Approval from the American Meteorological Society®. He still maintains both Television and Radio Seals of Approval from the National Weather Association.
Prater worked as a member and Chairman of the AMS Board of Broadcast Meteorology. He previously worked as an NWA Councilor, Recertification Chairman for the NWA Seal of Approval, Chairman of the NWA Broadcast Meteorology Committee, and a long-standing member of the NWA Subcommittee on Standards and Ethics.
Before working for KAKE, Prater worked for WJHG in Panama City, Florida, as the morning meteorologist. Also, he worked as the managing meteorologist for WSMV in Nashville, Tennessee, and WAFF in Huntsville, Alabama. While in Huntsville, he worked as a weather consultant to the contractor of the Unity Module. He launched his TV career in 1987 at WVTM in his native Birmingham, Alabama, where he did weekends.
Besides his broadcasting career, Prater is a Commercial Pilot and FAA-certified Advanced Ground Instructor. He actively teaches aviation meteorology to future pilots and flight instructors. He co-owns a 1974 Piper Arrow, which enables him to travel quickly to the multiple National Weather Service offices across KAKEland, host NOAA weather radio programming events, and visit schools. During his free time, he is an Extra Class Amateur “Ham” Radio operator, working with volunteer storm spotters.
Awards
During his career, Prater has received many awards, including the 25th Anniversary Special Award from the National Weather Association. The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences(NATAS) nominated him for a Regional Emmy in 2005 for Interactivity for Technical Achievement, 2012, as well as for Weathercast in 1998, 1997, 1996, and 1995. He also received a nomination for the organization’s Regional Emmy® Weather Anchor Award in 2013, 2007, 2006, and 2004. In 1996, he was no,imated for a NATAS Regional Emmy® Award for Engineering Achievement.
The State Press Associations granted him 1st Place honors for Weathercast in 2023, 2019, and 2009. He earned the organization’s 2nd Place honors for Weathercast in 2020, 2010, and 2007. Additionally, he received the State Press Associations Award for Best Weather Anchor in 1999, 1997, 1996, 1994, and 1993.
“Birmingham Tornado” won him a 1998 State Press Associations Best Spot News Award and a nomination for a 1998 Regional Emmy® Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The following year, he earned a NATAS Regional Emmy Weathercast Award. In 2006, he received a NATAS Regional Emmy® Award for Set Design: “The KAKEland WeatherPlex.”
In 2023, he received a RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award for “Beyond the TV Screen.” He also received the award in 1998 for “Rainsville Tornado,” 1995 for “The Doppler Dilemma,” and 1993 for “Hurricane Andrew.” “Huntland Tornado” won him a 1996 State Press Associations Best Spot News Award. He received that same award in 1994 for “Ice Storm ’94.” Kansas State Fair chose him as the Grape Stomp Champion in 2007 and 2006.
Jay Prater Age
Prater was born on June 17th, but has not yet disclosed the year he was born. However, he might be in his 50s. Prater celebrates his birthday on June 17th, as evidenced by KAKE’s Facebook post on June 17, 2025, captioned “Please join us in wishing Meteorologist Jay Prater, CBM KAKE a happy birthday! 🎂🎈🎉”
Jay Prater Height
Prater stands at an approximate height of 5 feet and 7 inches.
Jay Prater Family
Prater has managed to keep his personal life away from the limelight; hence, he has not disclosed any information about his parents. It is also not known if Prater has any siblings.
Jay Prater Wife
Prater is very private about his personal life; therefore, it is not known if he is in any relationship. He lives in Wichita with his daughter and son. He games online via Xbox Live during his free time. Also, he is an ardent “Kansas Explorer” who has been to over 50 of the 64 counties of KAKEland, including the “daunting” climb of Mt. Sunflower, standing on the “3 corners” of Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska, and the “World’s Largest Ball of Twine” in Cawker City. Along the way, he’s captured photographs of most of the county courthouses.
Jay Prater Net Worth
Prater has an estimated net worth ranging between $1 million – $5 million, which he has earned through being a journalist.
Jay Prater Salary
Prater earns an annual salary ranging between $40,000 – $ 110,500.
Jay Prater KAKE
Prater is working at KAKE where he works alongside other famous anchors and reporters, including;
- Frank Waugh
- Cameron Venable
- Colton Williams
- Micaela Dea
- Kate Devine
- Chris Earl
- Johan Marin
- Deb Farris
- Pilar Pedraza
- Jack Cooper