Rich Marriott Wikipedia | Biography
Rich Marriott is a seasoned American meteorologist who has been a familiar face at KING 5 News in Seattle for over thirty years. Throughout his extensive broadcasting journey, he has built a solid reputation among viewers in the Pacific Northwest, thanks to his deep understanding of weather patterns, particularly in mountain regions, as well as his expertise in snow science and avalanche forecasting.
Before making the leap to television, Marriott dedicated 15 years to the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC). For 12 of those years, he worked as a U.S. Forest Service meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Seattle, where he crafted detailed mountain weather and avalanche forecasts for various government agencies, outdoor enthusiasts, and the public. He also took the initiative to teach avalanche safety courses and played a key role in setting up some of the first remotely monitored mountain weather stations in the Pacific Northwest.
In 1980, Marriott was instrumental during the eruption of Mount St. Helens, bravely entering the restricted “red zone” with NWAC co-founder Mark Moore to provide crucial avalanche hazard information for scientists studying the volcano. His career also included working alongside the late Harry Truman, the lodge owner who famously chose to stay at Spirit Lake right before the eruption.
Additionally, Marriott collaborated with the University of Washington as the station manager for the Blue Glacier Research Project on Mount Olympus. Stationed at a research facility about 6,800 feet above sea level, he engaged in studies related to glaciology, climatology, and meteorology, while also lending a hand with search-and-rescue operations and educational initiatives in Olympic National Park.
Marriott’s involvement goes far beyond just forecasting; he’s truly immersed himself in the snow science community. He’s lent his expertise as a consultant for weather and avalanche planning and has taken on the role of General Secretary for the Steering Committee of the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW), which is one of the premier conferences focused on snow, avalanches, and mountain weather research.
His journey into television began when the well-respected Seattle weathercaster Harry Wappler encouraged him to explore broadcast meteorology. Marriott started at KING 5 as a weekend evening meteorologist while still contributing to NWAC. After juggling both roles for three years, he made the leap to a full-time position at KING 5, where he eventually became the beloved morning meteorologist. Over the course of his career, he’s been recognized with several accolades, including an Emmy Award for his exceptional reporting on climate change.
Rich Marriott Education
Rich Marriott holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a Master’s degree in Meteorology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He didn’t stop there; he also pursued further studies at the University of Washington, diving into Atmospheric Sciences to deepen his knowledge in weather forecasting and atmospheric research. You May Also Like: Jeff Renner
Rich Marriott Age
While Rich Marriott hasn’t shared his exact birth date, it’s estimated that he’s in his late 60s as of 2026, thanks to his extensive broadcasting career. Still, he keeps his exact age and birthday under wraps.
Rich Marriott Family
Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Rich eventually moved to Washington to advance his education and broadcasting journey. He has shared bits about his upbringing but has kept details about his parents and siblings pretty private.
Rich Marriott First Wife and Divorce
Rich Marriott was previously married, but he has opted not to disclose who his first wife was. Their marriage ended in divorce, and he hasn’t publicly talked about what led to their separation.
Rich Marriott Wife
Currently, Rich is happily married to his second wife. However, he values his privacy and hasn’t shared her name or any personal details, choosing to keep his family life separate from his television persona.
Rich Marriott Children
Rich Marriott is a proud father of three—two adult children and a younger son. He’s also a grandfather to two grandchildren, whom he occasionally mentions when reflecting on his family life.
Rich Marriott KING 5
Rich Marriott is a seasoned American meteorologist who has been a familiar face at KING 5 News in Seattle for over thirty years. Throughout his extensive broadcasting journey, he has built a solid reputation among viewers in the Pacific Northwest, thanks to his deep understanding of weather patterns, particularly in mountain regions, as well as his expertise in snow science and avalanche forecasting.
Before making the leap to television, Marriott dedicated 15 years to the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC). For 12 of those years, he worked as a U.S. Forest Service meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Seattle, where he crafted detailed mountain weather and avalanche forecasts for various government agencies, outdoor enthusiasts, and the public. He also took the initiative to teach avalanche safety courses and played a key role in setting up some of the first remotely monitored mountain weather stations in the Pacific Northwest.
In 1980, Marriott was instrumental during the eruption of Mount St. Helens, bravely entering the restricted “red zone” with NWAC co-founder Mark Moore to provide crucial avalanche hazard information for scientists studying the volcano. His career also included working alongside the late Harry Truman, the lodge owner who famously chose to stay at Spirit Lake right before the eruption.
Additionally, Marriott collaborated with the University of Washington as the station manager for the Blue Glacier Research Project on Mount Olympus. Stationed at a research facility about 6,800 feet above sea level, he engaged in studies related to glaciology, climatology, and meteorology, while also lending a hand with search-and-rescue operations and educational initiatives in Olympic National Park.
Marriott’s involvement goes far beyond just forecasting; he’s truly immersed himself in the snow science community. He’s lent his expertise as a consultant for weather and avalanche planning and has taken on the role of General Secretary for the Steering Committee of the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW), which is one of the premier conferences focused on snow, avalanches, and mountain weather research.
His journey into television began when the well-respected Seattle weathercaster Harry Wappler encouraged him to explore broadcast meteorology. Marriott started at KING 5 as a weekend evening meteorologist while still contributing to NWAC. After juggling both roles for three years, he made the leap to a full-time position at KING 5, where he eventually became the beloved morning meteorologist. Over the course of his career, he’s been recognized with several accolades, including an Emmy Award for his exceptional reporting on climate change.
Rich Marriott Height
Rich Marriott stands at about 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall.
