John Morales stands as a pillar of meteorological broadcasting in South Florida, an unwavering presence on television screens for nearly thirty years. His deep understanding of tropical weather systems and his dependable demeanor have made him a trusted guide for South Florida viewers through numerous hurricanes, including Andrew, Irene, Katrina, Wilma, and most recently, Hurricane Irma. His crucial work during the intense 2017 hurricane season earned him the prestigious John Coleman Broadcast Award at the National Tropical Weather Conference, recognizing his life-saving contributions to public safety.
Born in Schenectady, New York, to an Irish-American father and a Puerto Rican mother, John Morales’ upbringing was split between Puerto Rico and Upstate New York. He pursued his passion for weather by enrolling in the atmospheric sciences program at Cornell University, a renowned institution. During his time at Cornell, Morales distinguished himself by winning the university’s student weather forecasting contest. He also balanced his academic pursuits with extracurricular activities, rowing for the Cornell Crew team and gaining early broadcasting experience as a disc jockey and sportscaster for WVBR, the student-run radio station.
Upon graduating from Cornell in 1984, John Morales embarked on a career in public service with the U.S. National Weather Service. His expertise and dedication led to his promotion to Lead Forecaster in Puerto Rico. He then advanced to a national role, becoming Chief of the South American Desk at the National Center for Environmental Predictions in Washington D.C., further solidifying his national meteorological credentials.
Morales transitioned to television broadcasting in 1991, taking on the role of Chief Meteorologist at Univision Network and its Miami affiliate WLTV channel 23. He remained a fixture there until 2002, building a strong connection with the Spanish-speaking community. From 2003 to 2008, John Morales continued his career as Chief Meteorologist for WSCV Telemundo 51. 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 filled on multiple occasions, broadening his national exposure. In 2009, John Morales joined NBC’s Miami station WTVJ / NBC6 as Chief Meteorologist, a position he holds to this day, anchoring their weather coverage for the South Florida region.
John Morales’ contributions to meteorology extend beyond broadcasting. He is one of a select few weather presenters honored as a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society (AMS). Perhaps his most significant scientific accolade is the 2007 AMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Advance of Applied Meteorology. His professional credentials include the AMS and National Weather Association Seals of Approval for both Radio and TV weathercasting, and he has been recognized as Broadcaster of the Year by both organizations. Furthermore, John Morales is accredited by the AMS as both a Certified Consulting Meteorologist and a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist. His excellence in television broadcasting has been recognized with three regional Emmy Awards, one from each station where he has served as meteorologist. Adding to his accolades, Mr. Morales recently received the Silver Circle Award, celebrating his lasting impact and high-quality contributions to the television industry.
Beyond his broadcast and scientific achievements, John Morales has 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 returned to the White House in 2014 at the invitation of President Barack Obama for the release of the Third National Climate Assessment, highlighting his role as a trusted voice on environmental issues. His expertise is further recognized by his two appointments to National Academies of Sciences (NAS) committees, where he co-authored studies in 2012 and 2017 focusing on America’s Weather Enterprise. John Morales has also contributed to public education through writing Huracanes, a Spanish-language reference book on hurricanes published in 2000.
Morales’ commitment extends to volunteer work in South Florida. He serves on the board of directors for several non-profit organizations, mentors aspiring young scientists, and previously volunteered as a pilot for Angel Flight Southeast, providing free air transportation for individuals needing access to distant medical care. John Morales and his wife, Carmen, reside in Coconut Grove, Florida.
