For almost three decades, John Morales has been a steadfast and reassuring presence on South Florida television, making him the region’s longest-tenured broadcast meteorologist. His deep understanding of tropical weather systems and unwavering demeanor have been crucial for viewers navigating numerous hurricanes, from Andrew and Irene to Katrina, Wilma, and most recently, Hurricane Irma. His vital work during the intense 2017 hurricane season earned him the prestigious John Coleman Broadcast Award at the National Tropical Weather Conference, highlighting his commitment to public safety.
Born in Schenectady, New York, to a father of Irish-American heritage and a Puerto Rican mother, Morales’ upbringing spanned from New York to Puerto Rico. He pursued his passion for atmospheric sciences at the esteemed Cornell University in Upstate New York. Even during his college years, Morales demonstrated his weather forecasting prowess by winning a student forecasting competition. His campus life was also enriched by his involvement with Cornell Crew rowing team and his roles as a disc jockey and sportscaster at the student-run radio station WVBR, showcasing his diverse talents.
Upon graduating from Cornell in 1984, Morales embarked on a career in public service with the U.S. National Weather Service. His expertise quickly advanced him to Lead Forecaster in Puerto Rico. Later, he took on the significant role of Chief of the South American Desk at the National Center for Environmental Predictions in Washington D.C., further solidifying his national and international experience in meteorology.
Morales transitioned to television broadcasting in 1991, taking on the position of Chief Meteorologist at Univision Network and its Miami affiliate WLTV channel 23, where he remained until 2002. He then served as Chief Meteorologist for WSCV Telemundo 51 from 2003 to 2008. During this period, he achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first Latino meteorologist to serve as a substitute on NBC’s Weekend Today show, a role he reprised multiple times, broadening his national recognition. In 2009, John Morales returned to NBC as Chief Meteorologist for Miami’s WTVJ / NBC6, a position he continues to hold, solidifying his legacy in the South Florida media landscape.
John Morales’ contributions to meteorology extend beyond broadcasting. He is a distinguished Fellow of the American Meteorological Society (AMS), an honor reserved for a select few. Perhaps his most significant scientific accolade is the 2007 AMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Advance of Applied Meteorology, recognizing his profound impact on the field. His credentials include the AMS and National Weather Association Seals of Approval for both Radio and TV weathercasting, as well as Broadcaster of the Year Awards from both organizations. Further underscoring his expertise, he is an AMS Certified Consulting Meteorologist and a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist. His excellence in television has been recognized with three regional Emmy Awards, earned at each station where he has served. Most recently, he received the Silver Circle Award, celebrating his lasting contributions to the television industry.
Morales has also been actively involved in national discussions on climate change. In 1997, he participated in Vice President Al Gore’s White House conference on global warming and climate change. He was again invited to the White House by President Barack Obama in 2014 for the release of the Third National Climate Assessment. His expertise has been sought after by the National Academies of Sciences (NAS), where he served on committees and co-authored studies in 2012 and 2017 focusing on America’s Weather Enterprise. Adding to his published work, he authored Huracanes in 2000, a Spanish-language reference book on hurricanes, further demonstrating his commitment to public education and outreach.
Beyond his professional achievements, Morales is deeply committed to community service. He serves on the board of directors for numerous South Florida non-profit organizations and dedicates time to mentoring aspiring young scientists. As a pilot for Angel Flight Southeast, he has volunteered his skills to provide free air transportation for children and adults needing access to distant medical care. John Morales resides in Coconut Grove with his wife, Carmen, continuing his impactful career and community engagement in South Florida.
