How did television meteorologists become household names, and why can’t I name a single one of these guys?

Everyone in my life seems to know the names of the television meteorologists. They say things like, “Brad Somebody is hosting this charity event next weekend” or “Bruce Gobbledygook says it’s going to rain tomorrow.”

Even my student’s know these names.

I can’t help but wonder:

These people can’t actually be watching the local news. Right?

They can’t be sitting through reports on car accidents and house fires and gas station robberies in order to hear a weather forecast that they can get on their phone or computer at any moment. Can they?

And if not, how does everyone seem to know Brad Somebody and Bruce Gobbledygook’s names?