Belinda Jensen is an American meteorologist, television personality, author, and longtime weather broadcaster best known for her work at KARE 11 in Minnesota. For more than three decades, she became a familiar face to viewers in the Twin Cities, delivering weather forecasts and helping audiences understand everything from severe storms and snowstorms to everyday weather patterns.
Jensen’s career has also extended beyond television. She has hosted and contributed to several KARE 11 programs, visited schools to teach children about weather science, and written children’s books under the Bel the Weather Girl series.
After more than 30 years at KARE 11, Jensen announced her retirement in February 2026 and delivered her final forecast on May 2, 2026. Her retirement marked the end of one of the longest television-weather careers in the Twin Cities market.
Who Is Belinda Jensen?
Belinda Jensen is a veteran American meteorologist who spent most of her television career at KARE 11, the NBC affiliate serving the Minneapolis–St. Paul area.
She joined KARE 11 full time in 1993 after gaining professional experience in Utah. Over the years, she progressed from weekend forecasting to becoming the station’s chief meteorologist in 2005.
Jensen became known not only for weather forecasting but also for making meteorology understandable to everyday viewers. Her career included television forecasting, reporting, hosting, educational appearances, and children’s publishing.
Her interest in science began during her school years. A high school physics teacher encouraged her to explore science, eventually leading her toward meteorology. As a teenager, she even interviewed KARE meteorologist Paul Douglas for a school project, a connection that later became important in her career.
Belinda Jensen Biography at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Belinda Jensen |
| Profession | Meteorologist, television personality, author |
| Known For | KARE 11 weather broadcasting |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Meteorology studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison; graduate studies at the University of Utah |
| Career Start | Weather broadcasting and meteorology roles in Utah |
| KARE 11 Career | 1993–2026 |
| Chief Meteorologist | KARE 11 |
| Husband | David |
| Children | Two |
| Books | Bel the Weather Girl series |
| Current Status | Retired from KARE 11 in 2026 |
Belinda Jensen’s Early Life and Childhood
Belinda Jensen developed an interest in science and the outdoors while growing up in Wisconsin. In a 2018 interview, she described herself as a child who spent a great deal of time outside with her siblings.
Her career plans changed several times when she was young. At different stages, she considered becoming a veterinarian, florist, and social studies teacher. Her direction changed when a high school physics teacher encouraged her to consider a career in science.
Weather eventually became the subject that captured her attention. As a teenager, Jensen watched KARE 11 and became interested in meteorologist Paul Douglas. She contacted him for an interview for a school assignment, beginning a relationship that later helped shape her professional career.
That early curiosity eventually developed into a career in meteorology and television broadcasting.
Belinda Jensen’s Education
Jensen pursued higher education with an emphasis on science and meteorology. She attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned a degree in meteorology. She later attended the University of Utah for graduate studies in meteorology.
Her educational background helped prepare her for both the scientific and communication sides of weather forecasting.
While studying, Jensen also gained practical experience. She secured an internship at KARE 11 in 1988 after contacting Paul Douglas. The internship gave her an early look at television meteorology.
Although she initially decided that television broadcasting might not be the career she wanted, circumstances eventually brought her back to television.
Belinda Jensen’s Meteorology Career
Belinda Jensen’s professional journey included both scientific and broadcasting experience.
During her graduate studies in Utah, she worked for the National Weather Service. She also contacted an ABC affiliate in Salt Lake City and eventually began working there, initially helping with weather maps and other forecasting duties. She later moved into an on-air meteorology position.
Her experience in Salt Lake City proved valuable. Working in a market with significant variations in weather gave her practical broadcasting experience and helped develop her ability to communicate complex meteorological information to viewers.
Her connection with Paul Douglas eventually helped bring her back to Minnesota. When a weekend meteorologist position opened at KARE 11, Jensen was encouraged to audition. She eventually returned to the station and began what became a more than three-decade career.
Belinda Jensen at KARE 11
Belinda Jensen joined KARE 11 full time in 1993. Over the following decades, she became one of the station’s best-known meteorologists.
She initially worked as a weekend forecaster before eventually becoming chief meteorologist in 2005.
Her work at KARE 11 went beyond presenting forecasts. She also participated in other station programs and developed a broader public presence.
Among her television responsibilities were:
- Weather forecasting
- Hosting and co-hosting programs
- Gardening-related television work
- Outdoor reporting
- Community appearances
- Educational weather presentations
She was associated with KARE 11’s Saturday morning programming and co-hosted Grow With KARE. She also appeared on Minnesota Bound.
By the time she announced her retirement, Jensen had spent more than three decades with the station.
Belinda Jensen as a Television Personality
One reason Belinda Jensen became recognizable beyond traditional weather forecasting was her willingness to take on different television roles.
Her work included weather reporting as well as hosting and feature segments. This allowed her to connect with viewers in settings beyond daily forecasts.
She also became involved in community education. Jensen frequently visited schools and spoke with children about weather and science. Her educational work eventually inspired her to create a series of children’s books.
Her approach was centered on making science easier for young audiences to understand. Rather than presenting weather only as a collection of numbers and forecasts, she used stories and everyday examples to explain scientific concepts.
Belinda Jensen’s Age and Birthday
Belinda Jensen was 58 when she announced her retirement from KARE 11 in February 2026, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Some older profiles contain different ages because they were published years earlier. For that reason, readers should consider the publication date when comparing biographical information about her age.
Her career, however, provides a clearer timeline: she joined KARE 11 full time in the early 1990s and remained with the station until her retirement in 2026.
Belinda Jensen’s Husband and Marriage
Belinda Jensen is married to David. Public profiles have described Jensen as living with her husband and their children during her years in the Twin Cities.
Jensen has generally kept many aspects of her family life away from the center of her public career. Her professional identity has primarily focused on meteorology, television, education, and community involvement.
In 2026, her retirement announcement noted that she and her husband were preparing to move as they entered a new stage of life.
Belinda Jensen’s Children and Family
Belinda Jensen and her husband have two children.
During earlier years of her career, Jensen occasionally discussed the challenges of balancing television work and family life. She also drew inspiration from her experiences as a mother when creating her children’s weather books.
One important motivation behind the Bel the Weather Girl books came from her desire to help children understand weather and reduce unnecessary fear surrounding severe storms.
By 2025, Jensen was approaching the empty-nest stage of family life, with her children reaching important educational milestones.
Belinda Jensen’s Children’s Books
In addition to television, Belinda Jensen became an author.
She created the Bel the Weather Girl series, a collection of children’s books designed to explain weather science in an accessible way. The stories cover subjects including clouds, thunderstorms, hail, blizzards, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
The idea developed partly from Jensen’s many visits to schools. She noticed that children were fascinated by weather but could also become frightened by severe-weather images shown on television and online.
Her books were designed to combine science education with reassurance. The stories use the character Bel, along with her cousin Dylan and dog Stormy, to explore weather phenomena.
This work gave Jensen another way to encourage children to become interested in science.
Belinda Jensen’s Professional Achievements
Throughout her career, Jensen accumulated a number of professional accomplishments.
She became KARE 11’s chief meteorologist in 2005 and remained in that position for many years. She also received five regional Emmy Awards, according to a 2018 profile in the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Other notable aspects of her career include:
- More than 30 years with KARE 11
- Chief meteorologist role
- Television hosting experience
- Outdoor reporting
- Children’s book authorship
- School and community presentations
- Promotion of science and STEM education
Her career also demonstrated the different paths available within meteorology, from forecasting and broadcasting to education and publishing.
Belinda Jensen’s Social Media and Public Presence
Belinda Jensen built a strong public presence through television and community appearances over the course of her career.
Her public profile was especially connected to KARE 11 and Minnesota weather. She also became known for appearances at schools, libraries, community organizations, and other public events.
Her educational focus helped extend her influence beyond television audiences. She frequently encouraged children to explore science and remain curious about the world around them.
What Is Belinda Jensen Doing Now?
Belinda Jensen retired from KARE 11 in May 2026 after more than three decades at the station. She announced her retirement in February 2026, saying she was ready to begin a new chapter.
Before her retirement, Jensen discussed plans that included speaking, encouraging children to pursue science and STEM subjects, potentially writing more books, and traveling.
Her retirement therefore does not necessarily represent an end to her work in public education. Instead, it marks a transition away from daily television forecasting.
Her more than three decades in broadcasting left her with a substantial connection to Minnesota audiences and a career that combined meteorology, communication, education, and community service.
Belinda Jensen’s Net Worth
Belinda Jensen’s exact net worth is not reliably established through authoritative public financial records.
Various websites may publish estimates of her wealth or salary, but these figures can differ substantially and are often not supported by detailed financial documentation. Therefore, it is better to describe any online net-worth figure as an estimate rather than a confirmed fact.
Her long career in television meteorology, leadership as a chief meteorologist, broadcasting work, public appearances, and book publishing represent potential sources of professional income.
However, without verified financial disclosures, a specific net-worth number should not be presented as fact.
Frequently Asked Questions About Belinda Jensen
Who is Belinda Jensen?
Belinda Jensen is an American meteorologist, television personality, and author who spent more than three decades working at KARE 11 in Minnesota. She became the station’s chief meteorologist in 2005.
How old is Belinda Jensen?
Belinda Jensen was 58 when her retirement from KARE 11 was announced in February 2026.
Where is Belinda Jensen from?
Jensen grew up in Wisconsin and developed an early interest in science and the outdoors. Her career eventually brought her to Minnesota, where she spent most of her broadcasting career.
What does Belinda Jensen do?
Jensen is a meteorologist, television personality, and author. She retired from KARE 11 in May 2026 after more than 30 years with the station.
Where did Belinda Jensen go to college?
Jensen studied meteorology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and later attended the University of Utah for graduate studies.
Is Belinda Jensen married?
Yes. Belinda Jensen is married to David.
Does Belinda Jensen have children?
Yes. Belinda Jensen and her husband have two children.
What is Belinda Jensen’s net worth?
Her exact net worth has not been reliably established through authoritative public financial records. Online estimates should therefore be treated cautiously.
Where did Belinda Jensen work?
She spent the majority of her television career at KARE 11 in Minnesota. Before returning to KARE, she worked in Salt Lake City and also had experience with the National Weather Service.
Is Belinda Jensen still a meteorologist at KARE 11?
No. Jensen retired from KARE 11 in May 2026 after more than three decades with the station.
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Final Thoughts
Belinda Jensen built a remarkable career in American television meteorology. From developing an interest in weather as a student to becoming chief meteorologist at KARE 11, her professional journey lasted more than three decades.
Her career was not limited to television forecasting. She hosted programs, reported on outdoor subjects, visited schools, encouraged young people to explore science, and became a children’s book author through the Bel the Weather Girl series.
After retiring from KARE 11 in May 2026, Jensen entered a new chapter with interests that include speaking, STEM education, writing, and travel.
For viewers who followed her career, Belinda Jensen’s story represents not only a long career in weather broadcasting but also an example of how scientific knowledge can be used to educate and connect with the public.
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