AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY HONORS FORMER NOAA/NWS FORECASTER

The American Meteorological Society (AMS) has selected WSCV-51 Telemundo Miami chief meteorologist John Toohey-Morales as the recipient of this year’s Award for Outstanding Service by a Broadcast Meteorologist. A former employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS), Toohey-Morales will be honored at an awards banquet tonight at the 84th Annual AMS Meeting at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, Wash. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“Prior to launching his extensive broadcasting career in 1991, John spent seven years serving the National Weather Service in Puerto Rico, Louisiana, Florida and Washington, DC.,” said Bill Proenza, director, National Weather Service, Southern Region. “During the last 12 years, he has dedicated himself to delivering timely, educational and life-saving weather information and forecasts to the majority of the nation’s fast growing Hispanic population. His unique and distinguished accomplishments make him an excellent choice for this prestigious award.”

After completing his studies in atmospheric science at Cornell University (1984), he was designated a Certified Consulting Meteorologist. Broadcasting nationwide from WLTV in Miami, Toohey-Morales appeared daily on Univisión’s "Primer Impacto" news magazine show – reaching more than 100 million Latinos in the United States and Latin America. In April 2003, John joined NBC Telemundo as chief meteorologist, and made television history in July 2003 when he became the first Latino meteorologist to air live in English on the "Today Show" in New York.

Toohey-Morales is also the founder of ClimaData Corporation which provides Spanish-language forecasts to more than 60 radio stations in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands.

He consistently provided Spanish Language warnings about Hurricane Andrew to South Florida residents in 1992. The recipient of numerous media awards in the Miami market, he also received an Emmy Award for "48 Horas Antes de la Tormenta," a Spanish Language information program detailing the steps needed to save life and property during a hurricane emergency.

In addition to the AMS Seal of Approval for broadcasting, Toohey-Morales holds the National Weather Association (NWA) Seal of Approval. He is also the recipient of the 2003 NWA Broadcaster of the Year Award.

NOAA’s National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world.

The Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

The AMS, founded in 1919, is a scientific and professional organization that promotes the development and dissemination of information on atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrologic sciences. The Society publishes nine well-respected scientific journals, sponsors scientific conferences, and supports public education programs across the country. Additional information on the AMS, the Annual Meeting, and other award winners is available on the Web at http://www.ametsoc.org.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA National Weather Service Southern Region: http://www.srh.weather.gov