Wayne has been the Chief Meteorologist for WEHT since 1993 and is now in his 33rd year as a television meteorologist. His First Warning Doppler Forecast can be seen each weekday on WEHT-Local at 4, 5, 6, & 10 pm and on Local-7 at 6:30 & 9 pm. Wayne’s forecast can also be found each day in the Evansville Courier & Press, Henderson Gleaner, Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer and can be heard weekday afternoons & evenings on the Eyewitness News First Warning Doppler Radio Network (WBKR/WKDQ/KISS106.1/103GBF/WRAY).
Wayne was the first in the Tri-State, and the 34th meteorologist in the country to earn the title of Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) from the American Meteorological Society (AMS) in 2006. To earn the CBM, a broadcaster must hold a degree in meteorology or equivalent from a college or university, have their weathercasts evaluated by the AMS, and pass a rigorous academic exam. Wayne also served on the AMS Board of Broadcast Meteorology in 2005 & 2006 and was responsible for evaluating candidates for the AMS Seal of Approval & CBM certifications. He has held the AMS Television Seal of Approval since 1987 and is also a member of the National Weather Association.
Among Wayne’s honors:
- Best Local Television Personality, Evansville Courier & Press Readers Choice Platinum Award for 2014 & 2009 & Gold Awards for 2016, 2013, 2012, 2007, & 2006.
- Mark Trail Award, presented by the National Weather Service in 2006 in recognition of his efforts to promote the use of NOAA Weather Radio.
- Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels & Hopkins County Sheriff Certificate of Appreciation for his service in warning residents of the November 15th, 2005 F4 tornado.
- Emmy nomination for live warning coverage of the November 6th, 2005 F3 tornado.
- Certificate of Special U.S. Congressional Recognition, Citation from the Kentucky House of Representatives, Webster County Proclamation, and Honorary Citizen of the City of Providence for his service in warning residents of the April, 2002 F3 tornado.
- Emmy from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 1998 for the production of “First Warning to Severe Weather”, a thirty minute prime time severe weather preparedness special.
Wayne’s interest in weather began back in the 1970s when he was growing up in Glenolden, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. He also became very active in high school theater, but chose weather forecasting for his career and graduated from Cornell University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Atmospheric Science. While studying meteorology at Cornell, Wayne decided to give television a try, and started his broadcasting career at WICB in Ithaca, New York. After graduation, he accepted a position as weekend meteorologist/science reporter for WGRZ in Buffalo. Wayne’s next move was to the Ohio valley in 1987 to work for WLKY in Louisville where he helped launch their morning newscast. Finally in 1993, Wayne moved down the Ohio River to become Chief Meteorologist at NEWS 25 while also doing some on-air free-lance work for CNN in 1994.
Wayne visits numerous schools & civic organizations throughout the Tri-State each year discussing severe weather safety & storm tracking. He is active in the Eyewitness News telethons for the Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center and Santa Clothes Club in addition to his emcee duties for the Cardinal Chapter of the American Red Cross & the Riverbend Academy. Wayne is also the local spokesperson for the Eyewitness News/Papa John’s Fan Club which raises money each summer to help the American Red Cross provide fans for local residents in need. Wayne is a member of Indiana Landmarks and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He enjoys music & sports (especially golf, football, volleyball, & hockey) and is always looking for an excuse to drive the backroads of the Tri-State & beyond.
You can contact Wayne at whart@tristatehomepage.com
