Meteorologist Mike Osterhage handles the weather forecasting duties for the Emmy-award winning "Good Morning San Antonio" and as co-host of “SA Live” in the afternoon.
He's been getting up well before the sun rises since 2001. “I get a kick out of the shock and amazement on peoples’ faces when I tell them my alarm goes off at 2:00am! Despite the early hour, working with a good bunch of people is what makes it easy to do GMSA. Most of us have been together for years, and viewers know us and can count on us... that’s why it continues to be a great way for folks to start their day.”
But that’s just the first half of Mike's day. Mid-morning, he heads downtown to co-host “SA Live.”
“It’s a great combination. First… forecasting the weather, which I’ve done for more than 35 years. It's like trying to solve a puzzle. Using meteorological knowledge and experience to try to figure out what’s going to happen that morning, after school, and the next few days. It’s challenging and different every day. Then I switch gears to SA Live. Yes, it is a much easier going show, and we love to have fun. Again, I’m lucky to have a great bunch of friends that I work with. The majority of our show is live interviews with folks who have local businesses. When they say they got customers, or calls, or extra business after being on our show, that makes us feel good."
Another benefit of working way before the sun thinks about rising is having time to be with his family.
"When our boys were growing up, having afternoons off I was able to fo to school functions, activities, and their games. I think I coached as many seasons of little league baseball as I played as a kid. I was also on the board of directors of Alamo Heights little league for a few years."
Mike was a Cub Scout leader, and received the distinguished Eagle Scout award. He was a former board member of the Animal Defense League and the National Kidney Foundation of South and Central Texas. He has also been an emcee at numerous organizations’ fundraisers and dinners, including Roy Mass Youth Alternatives, National Kidney Foundation, The Zoo Ball, The Miss Rodeo Texas Pageant, Symphony Ball, and the Louise Batz Foundation.
“I also get to be right in the heart of so many fantastic events and happenings around town. Being right on the street covering the Battle of Flowers Parade, MC of Fiesta Fiesta, to hosting the Cattle Drive... or when someone at the grocery store says, ‘hey, watch you every morning’! All great perks of the job."
During his career, Mike has interviewed scores of people, met politicians and celebrities, and had the opportunity to do some amazing things.
“I’ve ridden an elephant in downtown Memphis, a Longhorn steer through Market square, and climbed down a ladder into a rattlesnake pit… what on Earth was I thinking!!! At the top of the list it has to be riding in an F-16 with the Thunderbirds and pulling 9 Gs! As for politicians, future Presidents George H. W. and George W. Bush, and on the celebrity side Rita Moreno, Gloria Gaynor, Lou Ferrigno, Billy Gibbons just to name few. Being a big fan of KISS in High School, interviewing Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons takes the cake!"
Mike has the American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval. He received his meteorology degree from Mississippi State University and has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. Mike also attended Western Michigan University.
Mike grew up in suburban Detroit and made it to Texas in 1995, with stops along the way at WHBQ in Memphis, WLUK in Green Bay and WEYI in Flint, Michigan.
