About us/Brittany Lockley
Education
Florida Atlantic University — Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Journalism
Mississippi State University — Master of Science in Broadcast Meteorology (2019)
Q&A with Brittany Lockley
About Brittany:
Brittany is no stranger to sunshine, as she was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. She is a proud graduate of Florida Atlantic University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Multimedia Journalism. Brittany loves to write, and her journalism coursework helped hone her skills in broadcast, print, and digital news reporting.
In May 2019, Brittany graduated from Mississippi State University with a Master of Science in Broadcast Meteorology. During her time in Starkville, she gained teaching experience as an instructor for the Introduction to News Writing and Reporting course. Brittany joined WeatherNation after working as the weekend evening meteorologist at FOX 35 in Orlando.
What inspired you to become a meteorologist?
Growing up in Florida, afternoon thunderstorms and hurricanes were second nature to Brittany. She experienced countless hurricanes and tropical storms that sparked her interest in meteorology at a young age. However, it was the extreme hurricane season of 2004, and specifically Hurricane Katrina in 2005, that truly shaped her understanding of the severity of these storms. Hurricane Katrina remains the driving force behind her goal to inform, educate, and empower people about all aspects of weather.
What was your most memorable weather experience?
Hurricane Charley stands out as Brittany’s most memorable weather experience. The 2004 hurricane season was remarkably active for Central Florida, causing her to miss several weeks of school. That season featured three hurricanes, Charley, Frances, and Jeanne, which all made landfall in the region. Charley was especially impactful because its path went directly across Central Florida. Although it was a compact storm, it caused significant damage and was the first hurricane Brittany remembers actively tracking and preparing for.
Outside of weather, what are your hobbies and interests?
In her downtime, Brittany enjoys dancing, exercising, binge-watching Netflix shows, and spending time with loved ones. She is a huge fan of the beach and is also passionate about giving back to the community. In the summer of 2018, Brittany worked with United Way, mentoring underprivileged students in STEM programs.
Besides your parents, who has influenced you the most in your life?
Brittany’s family has had a tremendous influence on her life. In addition to her parents, her sister and brother have played significant roles in shaping who she is today. Professionally, she is inspired by trailblazing women in meteorology who paved the way before her, including Janice Huff, Ginger Zee, Betty Davis, and many others.
What is a little known fact about you?
I can tap dance. I’ve been dancing since the age of 2.
What are your hopes and dreams for the profession of weather?
I hope technology keeps evolving to a point where severe weather can be detected faster and more efficiently. I dream of one day when there are no fatalities due to severe weather because the communication is there, and information is readily available.