The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

Hello there!

Meteorology has been a part of me since I was only 7 years old when Category 5 Hurricane Andrew devastated my hometown of Miami, FL in August 1992. That experience with Mother Nature gave me the drive and inspiration to where I am today. I am very enthusiastic and passionate about the weather. Plus I enjoy communicating both the beauty and danger of this science. I am a member of The American Meteorological Society and The National Weather Association.

I graduated from the University of Miami in 2008 as the first student to receive a Bachelor of Science in Communication in both Meteorology and Broadcast Journalism. I was very active both inside & outside the classroom during my 5 years there by being involved in various clubs and organizations across campus including being a cheerleader, dancer, & flag girl during football season. I was a SKYWARN storm spotter for the National Weather Service office in Miami. I interned at the weather departments of CNN in Atlanta, WTVJ NBC 6, WSVN Channel 7 FOX, and WFOR CBS 4 in Miami. I even was highly involved as a writer, reporter, and weather forecaster for UMTV’s award winning show “Newsvision.”

In 2009, I left The Sunshine State & hurricanes behind and headed out to The Show-Me-State to begin my career. I lived first in Joplin working for a short time at KOAM-TV/KFJX FOX 14 as their weekend meteorologist. There I got the chance to experience all 4 seasons and its different types of weather for the first time ever, from the snowy & cold winters to severe weather & tornadoes in spring to the hot & dry summers to the cool & changing colors in the fall and the sunny skies in between, I have seen it all. I’m very excited about my new move to the Heartland and I can't wait to see what the weather has in store for me next.

When I’m not following the weather I like to stay active by dancing, exercising, cooking & baking, movies, reading, shopping, hanging out with my family & friends, watching my hometown teams (Go Canes, Heat, Marlins, & Dolphins), or just relaxing.

If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to write to me at valonso@ktvo.com