Peter Cannella had no expectations when he entered a contest to become a weathercaster at a top Los Angeles television station.

But what started on a whim has led the Penn State alum to the final rounds of The Audition, a reality program documenting KTLA-TV's search for a new weathercaster.

"It's always been my goal to work in Los Angeles, and I've wanted to be a weathercaster since ninth grade," said Cannella (graduate-meteorology). "I saw an ad online, and it said no experience was necessary, so I thought, 'Why not?' and sent in a tape."

Cannella was one of 16 candidates chosen to compete for the position on The Audition, a number that has since reduced to eight.

A panel of judges eliminates candidates each week based on their forecasts.

"I'm learning a lot because I'm being critiqued by the top people in the market," Cannella said. "I know I'm getting the truth and the best critique I could get."

Candidate cuts will occur each week until Nov. 30, when the new weathercaster is announced. Because KTLA is a California station, TV viewers can't watch The Audition on the East Coast. However, Cannella's audition is accessible on ktla.trb.com.

"We're doing The Audition for the second year because it's a way of letting the audience in on a process we go through all the time," said co-producer John Hensley. "The winner will have a one-month contract with the option to extend, which can obviously lead to a long-term position."

Cannella, 25, who resides in Tecumseh, Mich., broadcast a three-minute live forecast earlier this month.

"Apparently, I cleaned house," he said with a laugh.

But Cannella also admits that competing on The Audition can be nerve-wracking at times.

"Normally I have a calm demeanor on air, but it certainly is stressful, knowing that everything I've ever dreamed of is resting on those three minutes," Cannella said.

But even if he does not make the final cut, Cannella is confident that his experience with KTLA will prove beneficial.

"I talked to David Bowie's wife's makeup artist today, and he told me this is going to open up all kinds of doors for me," Cannella said. "It may even be endeavors down different avenues, like in the entertainment industry or doing a talk show."

Cannella credits Penn State with providing him with the best meteorology education possible.

"The fact that we had a studio definitely got me off on the right track. I may even know a little too much about weather," he said. "When I was critiqued ... the judges said my forecast was almost too in-depth, and they wanted me to focus more on my personality. But I was always taught to focus on the weather and not on being hilarious."

Hensley said forecaster candidates are judged very subjectively.

"It all just depends on what the judges are looking for -- specific traits, personality and expertise that will fit in well with our newscast," he said.

After spending time in Los Angeles, Cannella reported mixed feelings on city life.

"I always thought I would love this town. Maybe I still will, but right now I'm relying on public transportation, and being confined to a six-block radius kind of wears on you," he said.

If he is chosen as KTLA's new weathercaster, Cannella said he would not hesitate to move to the city.

"You really can't pass up an opportunity to work in L.A., especially on TV and at my age," he said. "I'm just out here having a good time and enjoying every minute of it. It's been a great ride."