Tammie Souza, Chief Meteorologist

Email Tammie at TammieS@10connects.com

What better way to end the day than with thousands of friends?

That's the way I look at my job. I enjoy being part of your day. I am very passionate about the subject of weather and I will always do my best to give you the most accurate forecast possible. After all the forecast I give you is the same one I give my family. No pressure there, right?

I am Certified Meteorologist and one of only a handful of women in the nation that holds both the prestigious AMS/CBM Certified Broadcast Meteorology Seal of approval from the American Meteorological Society and the NWA seal of approval from the National Weather Association.

It is an honor to sit on the Board of Broadcast Meteorology for the AMS and the NWA and act as an evaluator for new applicants.

My college background includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Environmental Science from San Diego State University, undergraduate studies through Mississippi State University, graduate studies at U.C.S.D. and a Broadcast Meteorology Certification from Mississippi State University. I am working toward my Masters Degree.

Prior to joining 10 Connects, I worked in Chicago for nearly nine years.

First at NBC in Chicago as the weekend meteorologist and then I moved to FOX in Chicago as the morning and noon meteorologist.

Before that I was at the CBS station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where I was promoted to chief meteorologist and was chosen "Best On-Air Personality". My start came in Chico, California at the CBS station as the morning and noon meteorologist.

I have been honored with 4 Emmy Awards including Best Weathercast, Best Weather and Science Report and for special Live Reporting. I also received a 1st place award from the Associated Press for a report on Shipwreck Diving in Lake Michigan. For that I dove 33 feet beneath the surface of Lake Michigan on a 125 year old on Shipwreck.

The National Association of Black Journalists has also recognized me with a national nomination for a story about Fugitive Slave Ships on Lake Michigan.

A fascination with weather and science has led to a string of special reports including; Storm Chasing, Global Warming, Storm Phobia, Nuclear Power, World War II Planes, Shipwrecks, Stadium Safety and even Haunted Houses. Some of the more notable weather stories I've covered include the Blizzard of 1999, the deadly 2004 Utica Tornado, the anniversary of the 1967 Chicago Tornado Outbreak and the devastating 2003 and 2007 Wildfires in San Diego where my family lost several homes. I also completed a 10 part series of reports about Lake Michigan.

Teaching youth that weather and science can be both interesting and fun is important to me. I've enjoyed sharing my interactive weather presentation at over 600 schools.

I've also written special weather factoid columns for several newspapers throughout my career.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I was raised in San Diego, California. Speaking of family.....my mom and dad met and fell in love in Florida while attending the University of Miami.

So, where did this interest in weather originate? As a child my grandfather would take me flying in his small plane over the farmlands of northern California. The excitement of soaring through the sky led to questions about why clouds form, what causes storms, and where wind comes from. Ultimately that curiosity has been transformed in to a career as a meteorologist and a love of flying.

That passion seems to run in my family. My sister Patty is the Chief Meteorologist for ABC in Sacramento. She was also a meteorologist in Orlando at one time. (We are the only siblings nationwide that deliver weather on television). My brother Matt is a pilot for Fed-Ex. My dad even worked as a design engineer on the Saturn Boosters for the Apollo Space Program.

Working as a meteorologist is my dream career, but I have also lived a very full life outside of the weather and news business. Believe it or not I've been a professional cake decorator, ran a Christmas tree lot, co-owned a landscape supply & equipment rental business (Yes, I can drive a tractor), ran a dry cleaners, was an exchange student to Japan and chosen as a good will ambassador to both Mexico and Portugal (The name Souza is Portuguese and Spanish). I value those experiences and look forward to new challenges in the future.

One last fun fact about me, years ago I was a contestant on The Price Is Right. I won camping gear and a car. Talk about crazy luck. Finally, there is my husband Greg who makes me laugh with his inventive weather terms, some of which I will share with you on air.

Spare time and hobbies are mainly spent outdoors. My hobbies include snow skiing, water skiing, scuba diving, gardening, gourmet cooking, flying, hiking, boating, fishing, and never ending remodeling projects. Environmental issues are also very near and dear to my heart.

Your comments, questions, pictures, and weather reports are much appreciated.

I consider all of you partners in creating the most accurate overview of what's happening in our area. Please feel free to contact me anytime at tammies@10connects.com.

After all, my goal is to end your day with all the information you need to prepare for the day and week ahead.

Stories from Tammie Souza