The National Weatherperson of the Year award coincides with the celebration of National Weatherperson’s Day on February 5, the birthday of the pioneering weather observer John Jeffries. Jeffries’ work in the 1780’s paved the way for many aspects of meteorology today.

Voting is now open. The winner will be announced on

Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 11:00AM EST

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) is pleased to announce the five finalists for the 2026 National Weatherperson of the Year Award. Click on the image of finalist to vote.

Finalist 5

Weatherperson, Weather Station Echo

Finalist 5

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Finalist 4

Weatherperson, Weather Station Delta

Finalist 4

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Finalist 3

Weatherperson, Weather Station Charlie

Finalist 3

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Kevin Hart

Comedian, World's Funniest Weather

Kevin Hart

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Al Bundy

Shoe Salesman, Kaybee Shoes

Al Bundy

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Participants may only vote once per day. Please refer to contest rules below.

Previous Award Winners

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

Eligibility and Nomination Details

Qualified nominees must be practicing, former, or retired meteorologists or weatherpersons.

Nominees' qualifying service may include public, private, or nonprofit organizations, including academic institutions, broadcast networks, digital companies, government agencies, or other entities.

Nominations should detail how the weatherperson helps save lives and protect property through disaster safety and resilience messaging, including targeted programs, public service, or outreach initiatives. Nominators should highlight actions that advance the cause of safety and building performance in the face of weather disasters like floods, hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, and wildfires, or other natural hazards like earthquakes and tsunamis.

The NWP award judges will announce and open voting for finalists at 08:00 AM EST on December 1, 2025. Votes for finalists must be received here no later than Midnight EST on February 4, 2026 and the winner will be announced at 11:00 AM EST on February 5, 2026.