Q&A: News 9's Megan Gold talks severe weather, Miss Oklahoma & her mission

From the spotlight of the Miss Oklahoma stage to the high-energy world of meteorology, News 9's newest meteorologist Megan Gold shares how her passions for weather, public speaking, and inspiring the next generation have shaped her career and life.

Q: So, Megan, where are you from?

Megan Gold: "I'm from Oklahoma City, and the wild thing is I grew up watching News 9. So to get to be here with all of you that I grew up watching—it's really special!"

Q: What can you tell us about your time at our sister station in Tulsa, Channel 6?

Megan Gold: "Oh, my gosh, it was so much fun. They’re like family to me. I started there during my last semester in college, commuting from Norman up to Tulsa. I worked weekends, and we covered everything from snowstorms to tornadoes. I really got a taste of Oklahoma weather, but I know it ramps up even more down here."

Q: You’re clearly passionate about Oklahoma weather. How did you get into meteorology?

Megan Gold: "I grew up loving weather in Oklahoma. I watched local news, especially News 9. I would sit and watch coverage every day after school and stay up-to-date on the latest storm days. I just fell in love with it from there."

Q: You went to the University of Oklahoma, right? Tell us about your degree in meteorology.

Megan Gold: "Yes, I earned a degree in meteorology and broadcast journalism. I was really involved with OU Nightly,' the student-run newscast, and was a part of Pi Phi, I was really involved in that [...] It was a great experience that prepared me for my career."

Q: The meteorology program at OU is one of the top in the nation. What was that like?

Megan Gold: "It was tough. There were many days when you had to rely on your passion to get through the difficult classes. But it really helped prepare me for this job. I learned a lot, especially about the science behind weather."

Q: Now you're joining the morning team at News 9. Can you tell us about your new shift?

Megan Gold: "Yes! I'll be on Monday through Friday doing weather at 4:30 a.m. and traffic from 5 to 7 a.m. I’m so excited to be part of the team, covering storms and tracking Oklahoma weather. It’s going to be so much fun."

Q: You spent some time behind the scenes before your on-air debut. Can you tell us about your first day at News 9?

Megan Gold: "On my first day, we had nine confirmed tornadoes [...] It was a great introduction to what I can expect in Oklahoma weather. Even though I was still getting settled in, I helped behind the scenes, running radar and drawing storm tracks. It was definitely baptism by fire, but it was also a perfect way to learn."

Q: What about Oklahoma weather excites you the most?

Megan Gold: "The unpredictable nature of it is amazing. I’m excited to transition from Tulsa to Oklahoma City because even though we’re in the same state, the weather is so different from region to region. It’s going to be interesting to see how the weather evolves."

Q: On a personal note, you mentioned your dog. Tell us about your pet.

Megan Gold: "I don’t have children, but I do have a dog that I call my child. She’s a 16-year-old dog named Jenna. She drives me crazy at times, but she’s my best girlfriend. I love spending time with her."

Q: You also have a surprising skill. What’s something people may not know about you?

Megan Gold: "I can play the flute. I actually competed in the Miss Oklahoma organization for a decade. I was really shy growing up, and I started competing in the pageant to work on my public speaking. For my talent, I played the flute, and when I was crowned Miss Oklahoma 2022, I performed that same talent. It’s one of my little secret skills."

Q: You balanced pageants and being a full-time meteorologist. What was that like?

Megan Gold: "It was tough. During the week, I’d travel across Oklahoma to talk to kids about making good choices and dreaming big, and on weekends, I’d do weather in Tulsa. It was challenging but rewarding, and it taught me how to juggle two different worlds."

Q: What inspired you to compete for Miss Oklahoma?

Megan Gold: "When I was little, I fell in love with the Miss America pageant and watched it every year. I was so shy growing up that I never thought it was something I could do. However, I recognized that I needed to develop public speaking skills to pursue a career on TV. I set a goal to start competing in scholarship pageants through the Miss Oklahoma organization. I competed for ten years—four to five years in the teen program and the remaining years in the Miss program. I was so blessed to be crowned Miss Oklahoma 2022 while finishing my meteorology degree. That was such a wild semester, balancing working in Tulsa, doing weekend weather, and graduating, then about a week later, winning Miss Oklahoma."

Q: After winning Miss Oklahoma, you went on to compete in the Miss America pageant. What was that experience like?

Megan Gold: "Competing at Miss America was surreal, especially since it was a dream I had since I was a little girl. I didn’t come home as Miss America, but the experience was incredible. I made best friends in every state and felt immense love from everyone back home in Oklahoma. My social impact initiative for the pageant was ending senior hunger, a cause that was inspired by my grandpa, who was a recipient of mobile meals. I worked closely with organizations like Meals on Wheels and Mobil Meals to raise awareness about senior hunger."

Q: What drives your passion for being a role model for young girls?

Megan Gold: "Every time I step in front of the green screen, I think about the little girls and boys at home who might be watching and thinking, “I want to do that!” I always encourage middle school and high school kids, especially those worried about tough classes, to develop a love for math and science. With hard work and dedication, you can achieve your goals. It’s an honor to inspire kids every day, showing them that they can achieve their dreams."

Q: You’ve had a chance to work alongside Oklahoma’s beloved weather anchor, David Payne. What has that been like for you?

Megan Gold: "Working with David has been amazing! He brings such energy and passion to his work, especially during severe weather events. I always wondered how he could keep going for so long during coverage, and I found out that he snacks on grapes—specifically cotton candy grapes! I love how he makes weather coverage fun and engaging for viewers, and it’s an honor to be part of his team. It’s a unique experience, and I’m so excited to learn from him every day.

Q: Transitioning to an early morning shift must be a big adjustment. What does your day-to-day routine look like now?

Megan Gold: "When I moved to the morning shift, I had to adjust my sleep schedule. I’ve gotten really good at prioritizing my sleep, and I’ll go to bed as early as I need to. I wake up at 1:30 a.m. and try to build in some buffer time to start my day, which includes taking my 16-year-old dachshund, Jenna, outside. Lots of caffeine helps me stay energized throughout the day."

Q: We hear you have a pretty impressive caffeine routine. How do you stay fueled through such early mornings?

Megan Gold: "Yes, my caffeine routine is definitely something! I love Coke Zero—especially the caffeine-free version that I can drink before bed without disrupting my sleep. In the morning, I have to have a Coke Zero, water, and then either coffee or an energy drink to get me going. It’s a mix of drinks to keep me hydrated and energized, especially for those long mornings."

Q: When you’re not working in meteorology, what do you enjoy doing in your personal life?

Megan Gold: "My family is in Oklahoma City, so I also love spending time with them. I’ve developed a love for cooking, especially healthy meals that fuel me for those long weather days. I picked up a lot of cooking tips during my time competing in the Miss Oklahoma pageant. I enjoy making meals that are both nourishing and delicious."

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