A Texas meteorologist is trading the Coastal Bend for the Hill Country. After more than four years forecasting weather at KIII in Corpus Christi, Kristin Walla is joining the weather team at Austin sister station KVUE.
Walla announced that her final day on air at 3NEWS will be Sunday, May 10. In a lengthy farewell message, she reflected on the station that gave her her first job in broadcast meteorology and the life she built in Corpus Christi.
“As I think about my time at KIII, the single word that comes to mind is ‘grateful,'” Walla wrote.
She said she was thankful not only for the opportunity to launch her career, but also for the coworkers who became “like a second family.” Walla recalled colleagues helping her with everything from loading freight containers to giving her rides when her car was in the shop.
Walla also credited former chief meteorologist Alan Holt as a mentor who helped shape her career, saying he encouraged her growth while keeping things light with humor.
She thanked viewers for trusting her during severe weather coverage, acknowledging that forecasts do not always go as planned because “Texas weather did as it pleased.”
But one of the biggest moments of her time in Corpus Christi happened off camera. Walla shared that she met her fiancé, Brandon, shortly after touring the station in November 2021 while considering another job offer. She said the warm welcome she received from the newsroom ultimately convinced her to join KIII.
“He was the first to step forward and said something to the tune of, ‘Hi, I’m Brandon. I swear we’re not crazy, we’re just excited to meet you!'” Walla wrote. “Four years later, I can’t imagine my life without him and am blessed to call him my fiancé.”
Meteorologist Kristin Walla is leaving KIII in Corpus Christi to join Austin sister station KVUE. (KIII)
Walla joined KIII in December 2021 as a weekend evening and morning meteorologist after graduating from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in meteorology.
KIII Chief Meteorologist Carly Smith called Walla “a reliable source” for viewers’ weekend forecasts and described the move to Austin as “a well-deserved promotion.”
“Austin is lucky to have her,” Smith said. “We will miss her greatly here at 3NEWS.”
News Director Jonathan Munson said Walla has made a major impact since arriving at the station straight out of college.
“It’s always bittersweet saying goodbye to a member of our team, especially one as talented as Kristin,” Munson said. “We’ll all miss Kristin, but we’re excited to see what’s next for her.”
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This article originally published at Texas meteorologist says goodbye after landing new job in Austin.