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Janice Huff

Janice Huff (born September 1, 1960) is an American television renowned for her role as chief at , the in , where she delivers weekday weather forecasts for the . Born in and raised by her grandparents in , Huff graduated from Eau Claire High School with honors in 1978 before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in from in 1982. Huff launched her broadcasting career immediately after college as a weekend at WTVC-TV in , from 1982 to 1983, followed by positions as a and science reporter at WRBL-TV in (1983–1987), and as an on-air at KSDK-TV in , (1987–1991). In 1991, she joined in as the primary on-air , a role she held until moving to in 1995, where she has since become a fixture on programs like News 4 New York at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. In January 2025, she marked 30 years with the station. Over her more than four decades in broadcast , Huff has earned the Meteorological Society's Seal of Approval (1985) and was inducted as an in 2020, recognizing her significant contributions to the field. Beyond forecasting, Huff has been a trailblazer as one of the prominent African American women in television meteorology, introducing educational initiatives like the Weather School program in 1992 to engage young viewers in science. Her accolades include a St. Louis Emmy Award in 1988, the KSDK Crystal Apple Award, the YMCA Champion for Youth Award in 2000, the City of Hope Spirit of Life Award, and recognition as a Clean Air Hero by the American Lung Association for her advocacy on air quality and public health. She is also a member of the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame and holds affiliations with the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Married and residing in New Jersey, Huff continues to influence weather reporting and community education in the New York metropolitan area.

Early Life and Education

Early Life

Janice Huff was born on September 1, 1960, in . She moved at an early age to live with her grandparents in , where she spent her childhood. Huff's interest in began in childhood, around the age of five, when she became captivated by science and the dynamic transformations in the sky. She recalled loving to watch clouds change shape and morph into thunderstorms, noting that while she was afraid of , she was deeply fascinated by storms. This spark was further ignited at age eight, when her mother purchased a set of World Book Encyclopedias; browsing the volume on "M," Huff discovered the entry on and decided then that she wanted to pursue it as a career.

Education

Janice Huff graduated with honors from Eau Claire High School in , in 1978. During her time there, she was a member of the , served as secretary of the , and was a varsity cheerleader. She was also selected as Miss Shamrock in 1978, recognizing her leadership and involvement in school activities. Huff enrolled at in , where she pursued studies in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science. She was accepted to and the but chose after a campus visit during which she fell in love with the institution. She earned a degree in in 1982. While at the university, Huff joined the sorority, participating in its community and sisterhood activities. Her meteorology coursework provided foundational knowledge in , preparing her for a career in broadcast .

Professional Career

Early Broadcasting Roles

Janice Huff launched her professional broadcasting career in 1982 as a weekend meteorologist at WTVC, the ABC affiliate in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she delivered weather forecasts for local audiences. In 1983, she advanced to WRBL in Columbus, Georgia, taking on the dual role of meteorologist and science reporter, a position she held through 1987 and which allowed her to blend weather analysis with broader scientific storytelling. Huff then joined in , , in 1987 as an on-air , continuing in that capacity until 1991 while providing coverage of regional weather events across the Midwest. She joined KRON, the affiliate in , , in 1990 as a for the 6 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. newscasts. In April 1991, she became the primary on-air , where she handled forecasts for multiple newscasts and adapted to the region's distinctive weather patterns, including coastal fog and variable microclimates. Throughout these early positions from 1982 to 1994, Huff honed essential skills in on-air delivery, precise forecasting, and science reporting, building a foundation for her subsequent career advancements.

Rise to Chief Meteorologist

Janice Huff joined WNBC in New York City in January 1995, transitioning from her role as primary on-air meteorologist at KRON-TV in San Francisco to serve initially as the weekend meteorologist for "Today in New York" and the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. This move marked her entry into one of the nation's largest media markets, elevating her from regional broadcasting to a prominent position in the competitive New York media landscape. By 1997, she had been appointed chief meteorologist at WNBC, a role she has maintained continuously, overseeing the station's weather operations and delivering weekday forecasts for the 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. editions of "News 4 New York." In this capacity, Huff provides detailed, viewer-focused weather updates tailored to the Tri-State area's diverse conditions, emphasizing clarity and reliability in her presentations. Expanding her reach beyond local airwaves, Huff hosted weather segments on NBC's national program "Weekend Today" from 1996 to 2012, contributing to 16 years of broadcasts that exposed her expertise to a nationwide audience. Her segments on the show combined educational insights with timely forecasts, helping viewers across the U.S. understand broader weather patterns while highlighting her ability to communicate complex meteorological data engagingly. This national platform solidified her reputation as a trusted forecaster, bridging local precision with wider public service. Throughout her tenure as chief meteorologist, Huff has played a pivotal role in covering major weather events impacting , including the severe of 1996, which brought record snowfall to the region, and Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, a historic hurricane that caused widespread flooding and power outages. Her on-air analysis during these crises provided critical updates on storm tracks, safety measures, and recovery efforts, aiding community preparedness and response. Additionally, as leader of WNBC's Storm Team 4—the Tri-State area's most accurate forecasting unit, certified by WeatheRate—Huff has incorporated innovations such as advanced interactive systems and real-time data integration to enhance prediction accuracy and visual storytelling in broadcasts. By November 2025, Huff's service at exceeds 30 years, underscoring her enduring impact on Tri-State weather reporting through consistent leadership and adaptation to evolving demands. Her progression from weekend shifts to chief exemplifies a sustained commitment to meteorological excellence in a major market, influencing both local viewers and the broader field of broadcast .

Awards and Honors

Meteorological Certifications

Janice Huff received the American Meteorological Society's (AMS) Seal of Approval for Television Weathercasting in 1985, a certification that validates the holder's expertise in delivering accurate weather information to the public. To qualify for the Seal, candidates must possess a degree in or equivalent coursework from an accredited institution, along with demonstrated professional experience in broadcast , including successful evaluation of on-air performance by the AMS Board on Broadcast . Huff's in fulfilled the educational requirement for this credential. In recognition of her longstanding contributions to broadcast meteorology, including advancing public understanding of weather science through television, Huff was elected a Fellow of the AMS in 2020. This prestigious status is awarded to members who have made outstanding contributions to the atmospheric or related oceanic and hydrologic sciences, with Huff's election highlighting her impact on science communication in media. As an Sealholder, Huff maintains her certification through required continuing , accumulating at least 28 points every five years via activities such as workshops, publications, or educational outreach in . No additional meteorology-specific endorsements beyond the Seal and Fellowship have been documented in her professional record.

Broadcasting Accolades

Janice Huff received the St. Louis Chapter Emmy Award for Best Weathercaster in 1988 during her tenure as a at in . She also received the Crystal Apple Award for community outreach during her time in . Throughout her career in , Huff has earned additional broadcasting honors, including Montclair State University's Allen B. DuMont Broadcaster of the Year Award (2015). She also received the Black Media Legends Award in 2011, recognizing her contributions to media. Other accolades include the Champion for Youth Award (2000), the Spirit of Life Award for community service to NYC youth, and recognition as a Clean Air Hero by the for her advocacy on air quality and . In 2016, Huff was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame after more than two decades at NBC 4 New York, joining a class of distinguished broadcasters. During her induction speech, she described the honor as "the biggest moment of my life" and expressed gratitude to veteran anchor Sue Simmons for her mentorship and inspiration.

Personal Life

Family

Janice Huff is married to Warren Dowdy, a stock analyst. The couple wed in 1996, selecting their wedding date to honor Dowdy's parents, who were also married on that day. Huff and Dowdy have resided in Denville Township, New Jersey, since the late 1990s.

Community Involvement

Janice Huff has been actively involved in community outreach efforts focused on weather education and promotion. In 1992, she introduced the nationally syndicated Weather School program, aimed at educating children about and fostering interest in fields. As part of New York's Weather Kids initiative, she participated in school visits, such as the 2019 event at Linden Elementary School in , where she demonstrated cloud formations and taught students about storm tracking and prediction. Her commitment to mentoring extends to young journalists and aspiring meteorologists, particularly through engagements at her alma mater, . Huff frequently returns to Tallahassee to guide students, including critiquing forecast tapes and sharing insights on broadcast during the annual alumni workshop, as she did in 2019. She has served as a speaker at various professional and community events, such as the 2018 Morris County Chamber of Commerce luncheon, where she discussed her career and emphasized giving back. Through affiliations with organizations like the and Sorority, Huff supports diversity initiatives in media and professional development for underrepresented groups. Huff's philanthropy highlights her dedication to vulnerable children, notably as host of "Wednesday's Child," a weekly feature on NBC 4 New York that spotlights foster children available for to connect them with potential families. This program, which she hosted for over 17 years until 2024, advocated for in the and earned recognition for its impact on awareness. She has received accolades for such outreach, including the 2000 YMCA Champion For Youth Award and the City of Hope’s Spirit of Life award for inspiring youth. In recognition of her contributions as an African American professional from South Carolina, Huff was honored in the June 2002 edition of the South Carolina African American History Calendar, celebrating her achievements in meteorology and community service. Additionally, she has hosted events for the YWCA of New York City's Academy of Women Leaders, such as the 46th Annual Salute Luncheon in 2019, supporting programs for youth development and girl empowerment, contributing to broader efforts to advance women and eliminate racism in communities. As of 2025, Huff remains active in mentoring and philanthropy through her affiliations.

References

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