PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Local 10 News is proud to announce that it has named meteorologist Michael Lowry as the station’s new Hurricane Specialist and Storm Surge Expert.
He joins the team led by Chief Certified Meteorologist Betty Davis and the largest team of meteorologists at any South Florida station.
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Lowry, who had a childhood fascination with weather and hurricanes while growing up in New Orleans, is one of the most experienced and skilled hurricane forecasters in the nation. He earned Bachelor and Master Degrees in Meteorology at Florida State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude and was selected to be a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
He has 20 years of experience in tropical weather research and emergency management. He worked as a meteorologist with the Florida Division of Emergency Management and for the Department of Defense, managing atmospheric transport and dispersion projects, as well as a task force preparing for natural disasters and terrorist threats.
Lowry then went to work at the National Hurricane Center where he was Lead Scientist, focusing on the biggest danger in hurricanes, storm surge. His research led to new storm surge warning tools being used today. Lowry left the hurricane center to become the Hurricane Specialist and Storm Surge Expert for The Weather Channel, where he guided a national audience through countless land-falling hurricanes. He comes to WPLG from FEMA, where he guided the agency’s plans for responding to disasters of all kinds, but most importantly hurricanes.
“No other station in South Florida has a full-time hurricane specialist and storm surge expert on staff, it is part of our Weather Authority brand, and our viewers know they can tune in to us for credible, accurate hurricane information,” said WPLG CEO and President Bert Medina. “For decades, WPLG has committed considerable resources to forecasting and tracking hurricanes, dating back to the days when former director of the National Hurricane Center Bob Sheets provided on-air hurricane forecasts for the station. Then we were blessed to hire Max Mayfield, another former director of the NHC who guided South Florida through many storms until his retirement.
We are very happy to have Michael take the baton to continue the station’s legacy of credible, reliable hurricane coverage.”
“Michael’s expertise extends far beyond hurricanes and his knowledge will be a great asset to the newsroom in and out of hurricane season. As an atmospheric scientist and oceanographer, he will help our viewers better understand the complexities of changing sea levels and the unique risks and vulnerabilities we face in South Florida,” added Bill Pohovey, WPLG Vice President and News Director. “Michael’s experience in disaster response is another level of expertise that will help our station and our community prepare for and recover from future hurricanes.”
Max Mayfield, former Director of the National Hurricane Center and retired WPLG Hurricane Specialist, worked with Lowry at the National Hurricane Center.
“I have followed his career as he moved on to work in the Storm Surge Unit at the National Hurricane Center, as a hurricane expert at The Weather Channel, and most recently, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Michael brings tremendous expertise to Local 10. His knowledge of tropical cyclones and of storm surge is exceptional. In addition, his proven communication skills during hurricane threats and emergency management expertise will be invaluable to our South Florida community,” Mayfield said.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Local 10 family and to be able to bring my passion and expertise in hurricanes and tropical meteorology back to the South Florida community. Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the country, and with rising seas and more people and infrastructure at the coast than ever before, the hurricane risk to South Florida has never been greater” Lowry said. “The legacy of WPLG’s commitment to hurricane expertise is profound – most recently with former NHC Director Max Mayfield and long-time hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross, both former colleagues, friends and mentors. I look forward to continuing this tradition of bringing state-of-the-art science and forecasts to the viewers with Betty and the incomparable team at WPLG beginning with the 2022 hurricane season.”
Lowry is married to another scientist, weather.com meteorologist Kait Parker. They have a daughter who is their greatest joy.
In his free time, Lowry enjoys volunteering with their church and in the community, learning more about hurricanes and reading. He also can’t resist anything outdoors on a sunny day, whether running, hiking, swimming or working on the lawn.
CLICK HERE to read a message from Lowry on his appointment to his new position.