Braden Smith, Neighbor

I have loved watching the skies for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was fascinated with storms and severe weather.

Since the age of 12, I have been studying and forecasting weather. Growing up in the mid-Atlantic region, I have always had an appreciation for wild weather. Strong thunderstorms, to close-call hurricanes, unpredictable tornadoes, and wacky winter weather.

My senior year of high school I was finally able to turn that passion into a broadcasting career. I took a weather producer job with a local station in Maryland and before I knew it, they had me on the air. I think it was safe to say that I was probably the youngest weatherman on tv at the time. My friends didn't know what to think and my teachers always wanted to know what the weather would be tomorrow. I continued studying meteorology and attended college. From there I bounced down to Fredericksburg to work for Adelphia's News Channel 3. I was able to add a weather department from the bottom up and provide forecasts to the under served Fredericksburg region. From there I moved over to Thunder 104.5 and 95.9 WGRQ radio. Broadcasting had been another life long passion and I was proud to stay on the airwaves. Plus, I was able to move from wearing a suit everyday to more comfortable threads!

I have been a National Weather Service SKYWARN storm spotter for over 14 years; with certifications in all levels including the storm survey team. I have and continue to study with the Broadcast Meteorology program at Mississippi State University.

Thanks for stopping by!