Kent Ehrhardt Biography: KMOV Meteorologist’s Career, Family, and Life in 2025

If you live in St. Louis, chances are you’ve seen Kent Ehrhardt delivering your morning or midday weather forecast for years. Known for his calm delivery and deep expertise, Kent has built a career in broadcast meteorology that stretches over four decades. As of 2025, he remains a familiar face on KMOV-TV, contributing to the station’s afternoon lifestyle program My St. Louis Live! and frequently appearing in First Alert 4 weather segments. He also continues to engage with viewers through community appearances, charity initiatives, and public education events. Notably, in June 2025, he was featured in a golf segment on My St. Louis Live!, and in July, he participated in a senior transportation awareness initiative aired by KMOV. Despite discussing retirement plans in 2023, Kent remains actively involved on air, particularly during seasonal weather coverage and local feature stories. His 25th anniversary at KMOV in 2023 was marked with a tribute video filled with candid memories, career milestones, and heartfelt messages from coworkers who praised his meteorological knowledge, consistency, and humor.

Early Life and Education

Kent Ehrhardt was born on October 21, 1956, in St. Louis, Missouri, to William and Shirley Ehrhardt. Raised in the metro area, Kent’s fascination with weather began early—so early, in fact, that by third grade, he already knew he wanted to be a meteorologist. By the time he reached high school, he had earned the rare opportunity to assist with local thunderstorm research, getting real-world experience that most aspiring meteorologists wouldn’t encounter until college.

He graduated from Pattonville Senior High School and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications from Southeast Missouri State University. To deepen his scientific foundation, Kent completed the Broadcast Meteorology Program at Mississippi State University and pursued additional coursework at Portland State, Lyndon State College, and Palm Beach Community College. His dedication to the craft also earned him professional Seals of Approval from both the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the National Weather Association (NWA).

Career in Television

Kent’s broadcasting career began in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at KFVS-TV, where he got his first taste of professional weather reporting. He then moved to KWWL-TV in Waterloo, Iowa, where he co-hosted the popular program PM Magazine.

In 1985, he relocated to West Palm Beach, Florida, to join NBC affiliate WPTV as Chief Meteorologist. Over his 13-year tenure there, Kent covered some of the most significant storms in modern history, including Hurricanes Andrew, Hugo, Gilbert, Erin, and Gordon. His outstanding coverage earned him accolades such as the Florida Governor’s Hurricane Conference Media Award and the National Hurricane Conference Media Award.

Returning to his roots in 1998, Kent joined KMOV-TV in St. Louis as Chief Meteorologist. He became a familiar face for viewers across the city, delivering forecasts on News 4 This Morning and later co-hosting Great Day St. Louis. In 2023, Kent transitioned to KMOV’s new afternoon lifestyle program, My St. Louis Live!, embracing a new chapter in front of a loyal audience.

To mark his 25th anniversary at KMOV, the station aired a tribute video highlighting Kent’s long tenure and impact on both colleagues and viewers. During the segment, Kent described his journey at KMOV as a “long road” that included both rewarding and challenging moments. He expressed humility and gratitude for having spent 25 years in his hometown market—an uncommon milestone in local television. The video featured behind-the-scenes anecdotes, newsroom banter, and lighthearted jabs from coworkers, such as one thanking Kent for “taking the heat” for a busted forecast. Kent responded with laughter, reinforcing his reputation as a grounded, approachable figure in local news.

Awards and Recognition

Kent’s career has been marked by consistent recognition. He has twice been named Best Weathercaster by the Missouri Broadcasters Association (1999, 2002) and was honored as Member of the Year by the National Weather Association in 1995. He also served on the NWA’s board of directors.

He is the official meteorologist for the American Lung Association of Eastern Missouri, where he plays a role in air quality education and forecasting. His segment, 4 Warn Aircast, provides daily air-quality outlooks during the summer season.

Personal Life: Marriage, Divorce, Children and Current Partner

Kent was previously married to Janice L. Ehrhardt for over 25 years. The couple had three children together: Alec, April, and Austin. Kent also has a fourth child, Kendall, from a later relationship. Alec, Kent’s eldest son, passed away on April 22, 2025, at the age of 34. His memorial was held at St. Louis Family Church and attended by family, friends, and community members who remembered Alec for his strong family ties.

Kent has been in a relationship with Katie Hayes since 2015. They first met at a community education event hosted by SSD, where Katie was volunteering. In a November 2020 Facebook post marking their five-year “friendaversary,” Katie reminisced about the day they met, expressing how she never expected to meet her best friend and life partner during what was meant to be a routine school event. Over the years, their relationship has grown into a strong, blended partnership. Katie, who has three sons from a previous relationship, often describes Kent as her “rock.”

In July 2021, Kent’s daughter April got married. Katie shared highlights of the celebration online, recalling the emotional moment when Kent danced with his daughter during the reception. On October 13, 2023, April and her husband Matt welcomed a baby girl named McKenzie, marking Kent’s first time as a grandfather. A few weeks later, on November 18, 2023, Kent and Katie celebrated their eight-year anniversary with a special dinner and a theater outing. Then, on December 25, 2023, the couple announced their engagement, posting photos of their holiday celebration surrounded by their blended family.

Beyond family life, Kent also nurtures a creative passion for music. He is a member of the Blue Moon Blues Band, where he plays guitar and harmonica. He frequently performs at local venues, including Hammerstone’s in Historic Soulard and Hwy 61 Roadhouse. Photos and event promotions have featured Kent as an active performer, showcasing a creative side that complements his broadcast career.

Health and Retirement Plans

In 2016, Kent was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma in his right eyelid. He shared that the tumor was more extensive than initially expected and required a complex surgery involving both inner and outer eyelid grafts . Despite the challenge, Kent remained upbeat, assuring viewers of his progress and keeping them updated via Facebook posts throughout his recovery.

In a post dated March 7, 2016, he confirmed that things were progressing well and that he planned to return to work by the second week of April. He also humorously noted his experience adjusting to life with one eye during the healing process. In May 2024, Kent addressed renewed public concern after an old post resurfaced, stating he had fully recovered and remained healthy.

In October 2023, Kent publicly mentioned plans to retire within 12 to 15 months during an interview with the St. Louis Business Journal (source). As of mid-2025, that projected window has nearly passed, but Kent continues to remain active in KMOV’s on-air coverage and local community programming.

Wiki/Bio Facts

Detail	Information
Full Name	Kent Ehrhardt
Born	October 21, 1956
Age	68 years old
Birthplace	St. Louis, Missouri
Education	Southeast Missouri State University; Mississippi State University; coursework at Portland State, Lyndon State, Palm Beach CC
Certifications	AMS and NWA Seals of Approval
Career Start	Early 1980s
KMOV Tenure	1998–present
Height	Approx. 5’7″
Family	4 children, 1 granddaughter
Partner	Katie Hayes (since ~2015)
Hobbies	Guitar, singing, motocross, public events