Bryan S. Norcross(born November 24, 1950)[1]is a television meteorologist and hurricane specialist. He currently works forFox Weather,the free, ad-supported streaming weather service and television network. Norcross previously served as a hurricane specialist for The Weather Channel based in Atlanta.[2]
Bryan Norcross | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 24, 1950 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Florida State University |
| Occupation | Meteorologist |
He is also a former chief meteorologist forWTVJ-TV(theNBCowned-and-operated television station inMiami, Florida), where he became well-known for his part in that station's coverage ofHurricane Andrewin 1992.[3]Subsequently, Norcross was Director of Meteorology forWFOR-TV,the CBS-owned and -operated television station in Miami, and hurricane analyst forCBS NewsinNew York City.[4]
From 1996 to 2007, Norcross was a regular fixture on CBS's national newscasts providing commentary during hurricane season.[4]In June 2008, Norcross left WFOR and instead focused more time on America's Emergency Network, a private company he formed with business partnerMax Mayfield,former director of theNational Hurricane Center.[5]A resident ofMiami Beach,Norcross has lived inFloridafor most of his life.
Job experience
editNorcross' first broadcasting job was as a disc jockey onWTAI,an AM station inMelbourne, Floridaworking there part-time in 1968 and 1969. During college in Tallahassee, Florida he worked on the air at WTAL-AM andWFSU-FM.[6]
Norcross started in television as an engineer atWFSU-TVinTallahassee, Floridawhile in college, moving toWXIA-TV(then WQXI-TV) in Atlanta as a maintenance engineer/technical director after graduation in 1972. At that station he was promoted to acting Production Manager in 1974 before being transferred to Denver television station KBTV (nowKUSA) in 1975 as the evening director of the station's newscasts. In 1976 Norcross was assigned to produce (and for over a year direct as well) the 10:00 pm news which became the market's highest rated news program. In 1977, Norcross was promoted and transferred toWLKY-TVin Louisville as News Director. While on a house-hunting trip to Louisville in January 1978, a massive snow storm hit the city. He was the only news person able to get to the television station and went on the air with the help of two overnight engineers, providing the city the only TV coverage of the storm.[7]In 1979 he returned to Florida State University for a masters program.
Upon receiving a Master's Degree in 1980, Norcross became the first weekend weathercaster onCNNwhen it signed on in June of that year. Later that year he moved toKGO-TVin San Francisco to do the weekend weather and science reports during the week. In 1981, he returned to Atlanta as Executive Producer for Documentaries and Magazines atWTBS,handling many of Ted Turner's pet projects. At the same time he was the weekend meteorologist onWXIA-TV.In 1983, Norcross moved to Miami as weekend meteorologist forWPLGthe ABC affiliate. In 1984, he moved to the 5:30 news where he created a concept called Neighborhood Weather where the weather was done as part of a live feature every day. In 1990, he moved toWTVJ,the NBC-owned station, as Chief Meteorologist where he became known for his coverage ofHurricane Andrew.As Andrew passed just south ofMiamiin the early morning hours of Monday, August 24, 1992, Norcross's 23-hour marathon broadcast became many viewers' (and radio listeners') only link to the outside world. His television station was the station able to broadcast through the entire hurricane event. During the worst part of the storm, some people called into the station to ask for life-saving advice. Throughout the entire ordeal, Norcross remained calm, steady, and knowledgeable.[8]He joinedWFORas Director of Meteorology in 1996. In 2006, he gave up day-to-day weathercasting responsibilities to concentrate on hurricanes and emergency communications issues.
Bryan worked as a Hurricane Specialist at The Weather Channel from 2010 to 2018.[3]From 2011 to 2013, he also served as Sr. Executive Director of Weather Content and Presentation at The Weather Channel, where he led the winter storm naming initiative in 2012.[9]From February 2018 until March 2022, Norcross' primary role was as Hurricane Specialist back at WPLG-TV, the ABC affiliate in Miami, where he began his Miami broadcasting tenure in 1983.[2]
On March 14, 2022, Fox Weather hired Norcross as a hurricane specialist and contributor effective immediately.[10]
Accolades
editBryan was named Expert Advisor to the Academic Task Force on Hurricane Catastrophe Insurance by Florida State Treasurer and Insurance CommissionerBill Nelson,and a member of the Governor's Committee to evaluate state response and recommend changes to the state emergency system by GovernorLawton Chiles.
In appreciation for his work before, during and after Hurricane Andrew, Bryan received the 1993David BrinkleyAward for Excellence in Communication. He was also publicly recognized with designations of Bryan Norcross Days in Miami, Miami Beach, and Ft. Lauderdale, among other cities. In addition, he's the recipient of anEmmy Awardfrom the Suncoast Chapter of theNational Academy of Television Arts and Sciences,and led the team that wonDuPontandPeabody awards,recognizing WTVJ’s coverage of Hurricane Andrew.[11]
Bryan was named Honorary Chairman of the Board of the South Florida Hurricane Warning museum project in Deerfield Beach. In addition he has recently served on the board of directors of theWolfsonian Museumon Miami Beach, operated by Florida International University.
Books
editNorcross is the author ofHurricane Almanac 2006 - The Essential Guide to Storms Past, Present, and Futureand the follow-up edition published in 2007 namedHurricane Almanacwith 80 pages of updates and additional material. The book covers hurricane history, science, and includes a large section on hurricane preparedness called "Living Successfully in the Hurricane Zone". In addition, a section called "How I'd Do It Better" is made up of Bryan's comments on and ideas for improving many aspects of the government's system for dealing with the hurricane threat.
In July 2006, a companion website was built,HurricaneAlmanac.com,with Bryan's updates to the book, bonus material, a shopping section for hurricane supplies, and the ability for users to suggest their own updates.
In May 2017, Norcross self-published his memoir on Hurricane Andrew, titled "My Hurricane Andrew Story."
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Person Details for Bryan S Norcross," United States Public Records, 1970-2009) ".FamilySearch.org.RetrievedJuly 7,2017.
- ^abMiami Herald[1]Retrieved on 2018-05-09.
- ^abThe Weather Company[2]Retrieved on 2018-05-09.
- ^abWeather Group[3]Retrieved on 2018-05-09.
- ^South Florida Sun-Sentinel[4]Retrieved on 2008-09-02.
- ^"Bryan Norcross - 50 years of Broadcasting - 1968"(PDF).bryannorcross.com. 2018-06-01.Retrieved2022-08-22.
- ^The Courier-Journal[5]Retrieved on 2018-05-09.
- ^CBS4.Brian Norcross.ArchivedOctober 20, 2006, at theWayback MachineRetrieved on 2006-11-01.
- ^Chicago Tribune[6]Retrieved on 2018-05-09.
- ^"Media Relations | Fox News".Retrieved2022-03-14.
- ^Peabody Awards[7]Retrieved on 2008-09-02.
External links
edit- OneStorm.orgFamily hurricane preparedness initiative, advised byMax Mayfieldand Bryan Norcross
- Bryan Norcross's channelonYouTube