The 2026 National Weatherperson of the Year Award finalists have ties to Texas TV.
Houston TV viewers will recognize former KHOU 11 meteorologist Brooks Garner (now FOX 35 Orlando WOFL Senior Meteorologist) and KRGV 5 Rio Grande Valley's chief meteorologist Tim Smith.
The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) presents the award, which 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.
The other finalists for the 2026 National Weatherperson of the Year Award include:
Tanya Brown-Giammanco, PhD
Disaster and Failure Studies Director
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
National Weather Service IMet Team – Wildfire Support
IMet Team - Wildfire Support
National Weather Service
Timothy P. Marshall, PE
Forensic Engineer & Meteorologist
Haag Engineering
Voting is open until 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, January 30, 2026. The award winner will be announced on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
