2026 National Weatherperson of the Year

Tim Smith

Tim Smith

Chief Meteorologist & Co-Founder

KRGV-TV & National Tropical Weather Conference

Veteran KRGV-TV Chief Meteorologist Tim Smith selected for his forecasting expertise, legacy of community service, and steadfast promotion of disaster safety and resilience.

Tim Smith is a veteran broadcast meteorologist and co-founder of the highly regarded National Tropical Weather Conference. Tim is known for his decades of service delivering trusted weather information and promoting community preparedness. With a career built on clear communication during severe weather events, he has become a respected voice in resilience, helping the public understand risk and take proactive safety measures. Smith’s work emphasizes education, preparedness, and the importance of accurate forecasting to protect lives and property during hurricanes, floods, and other extreme weather events.

Past Recipients

William (Bill) Read

2025

William (Bill) Read

Meteorologist, Former Director, National Hurricane Center

William (Bill) Read

2025

William (Bill) Read

Meteorologist, Former Director, National Hurricane Center

Mike Buresh

2024

Mike Buresh

Chief Meteorologist, Action News JAX - WJAX, WFOX

Mike Buresh

2024

Mike Buresh

Chief Meteorologist, Action News JAX - WJAX, WFOX

Matthew Cappucci

2023

Matthew Cappucci

Meteorologist, MyRadar, Capital Weather Gang, and FOX5 DC

Matthew Cappucci

2023

Matthew Cappucci

Meteorologist, MyRadar, Capital Weather Gang, and FOX5 DC

Ken Graham

2022

Ken Graham

Director, National Weather Service

Ken Graham

2022

Ken Graham

Director, National Weather Service

Ginger Zee

2021

Ginger Zee

Chief Meteorologist, ABC News

Ginger Zee

2021

Ginger Zee

Chief Meteorologist, ABC News

Joe Snedeker

2020

Joe Snedeker

Morning Meteorologist, WNEP Newswatch 16, Scranton, PA

Joe Snedeker

2020

Joe Snedeker

Morning Meteorologist, WNEP Newswatch 16, Scranton, PA

James Spann

2019

James Spann

Chief Meteorologist, ABC 33/40, Birmingham, AL

James Spann

2019

James Spann

Chief Meteorologist, ABC 33/40, Birmingham, AL

Ada Monzón

2018

Ada Monzón

Chief Meteorologist, AMS Fellow - CBM, WIPR-TV, Puerto Rico

Ada Monzón

2018

Ada Monzón

Chief Meteorologist, AMS Fellow - CBM, WIPR-TV, Puerto Rico

Dr. Richard Knabb

2017

Dr. Richard Knabb

Hurricane Expert & Tropical Program Manager, The Weather Channel

Dr. Richard Knabb

2017

Dr. Richard Knabb

Hurricane Expert & Tropical Program Manager, The Weather Channel

Alex Garcia

2016

Alex Garcia

Chief Meteorologist, KABB-TV, San Antonio, TX

Alex Garcia

2016

Alex Garcia

Chief Meteorologist, KABB-TV, San Antonio, TX

Max Mayfield

2015

Max Mayfield

Former Director, National Hurricane Center

Max Mayfield

2015

Max Mayfield

Former Director, National Hurricane Center

Jim Cantore

2014

Jim Cantore

On-Camera Meteorologist and Co-Host, "AMHQ", The Weather Channel

Jim Cantore

2014

Jim Cantore

On-Camera Meteorologist and Co-Host, "AMHQ", The Weather Channel