Meteorologist Joshua McKinney

Meteorologist
Email: Joshua.McKinney@news14.com

Like most Meteorologists, a childhood run-in with Mother Nature led to a life-long desire to understand the atmosphere and save lives. I was six years old when a powerful thunderstorm raced through my neighborhood. Two homes were destroyed by strong winds and damage was scattered around a two mile area. After witnessing the force a storm can produce and the lives it changes, my calling in life was crystal clear.

Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, I've experienced all kinds of weather events which have shaped my overall passion. I remember anticipating the Superstorm of '93 and staying up all night to see the snow pile up inch-by-inch. I finally went to bed when totals exceeded a foot! At 14 years of age I furthered my interest in weather while serving as an intern for the local NWS office. I was also fortunate to earn an internship with WKYT-TV and learn the ropes of television weather.

After high school, I attended Spalding University in Louisville, KY. There I played varsity soccer and was active as the announcer for men's and women's basketball as well as women's volleyball. In 2000, I received a double major in Communication Studies and English. From Kentucky, I headed south to Mississippi. I studied and received a Master's degree in Geosciences with an Emphasis in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University in 2002. While in Mississippi, I became deeply immersed in the study of thunderstorm dynamics. This understanding of storm structure came in handy when I was a member of the 2001 Great Plains Storm Chase Team which spotted 5 tornadoes.

I began my career in television while a student at MSU. I served as the weekend weather anchor for WTOK-TV in Meridian, Mississippi. After graduation I worked as weekend meteorologist, weekday reporter for WTVM-TV in Columbus, Georgia. In Columbus, I covered many tropical systems live and on location. I was in Apalachicola for Francis and a part of coverage for Ivan and Jeanne throughout the South.

I'm excited to be a part of News 14 Carolina. I will never forget the joy I felt earning my AMS Television Seal while a member of the Weather on the Ones team. As weekend morning meteorologist I look forward to the forecast challenges of the Triangle and keeping residents up-to-date. Email me anytime.