Elyse Smith ABC13 Houston Meteorologist: Bio, Age, Husband

Elyse Smith is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist currently serving as a meteorologist and weather reporter for ABC13 Houston (KTRK-TV), an ABC-owned and operated station in Houston, Texas.

She joined the ABC13 Weather Team in May 2023, bringing her passion for weather forecasting and storytelling to the Bayou City.

At ABC13, Elyse delivers weather updates on weekend evenings alongside anchor Tom Abrahams and also works as a field reporter during weekdays, covering weather and climate-related stories across southeast Texas.

Early Life and Education:

Born and raised in Naperville, Illinois, Elyse developed an early interest in meteorology growing up in the tornado-prone Midwest.

Elyse pursued her passion at Valparaiso University in northwest Indiana, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology with minors in mathematics and theater.

She graduated in 2017 and is notably a mentee of ABC News Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee, a fellow Valparaiso alumna who has praised her achievements.

Career:

Before joining ABC13, Elyse worked for three and a half years at WGRZ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Buffalo, New York, where she covered significant weather events like the November 2022 “Snowvember 2.0” Lake Effect Snowstorm and the lead-up to the 2022 Buffalo Christmas Blizzard.

Her career began in 2017 at KRCG-TV in Jefferson City, Missouri, where she earned a National Murrow Award for her coverage of the EF-3 Jefferson City Tornado in May 2019.

She also interned with notable meteorologists, including Tom Skilling at WGN-TV in Chicago and James Spann at ABC 33/40 WBMA in Birmingham, Alabama.

In 2022, she received the Best Weathercast award from the New York State Broadcasters Association.

Professional Affiliations and Recognition:

• Elyse Smith is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) by the American Meteorological Society (AMS).

• She is described as an award-winning forecaster.

• Smith is an advocate for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education.

Beyond her meteorological expertise, Elyse is a world champion Irish dancer and holds the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) seal from the American Meteorological Society, a testament to her professional excellence.

She describes herself as a “science nerd” with a sunny and optimistic personality. In Houston, she has embraced opportunities to cover Gulf Coast weather phenomena, including Hurricane Beryl in 2024, and even contributed to national coverage of Hurricane Milton on ABC News Live in October 2024.

Other Interests and Skills:

When not forecasting, Elyse enjoys yoga, reading, experimenting with new recipes, and planning cruises from Galveston.

A football enthusiast, her NFL loyalties remain outside Texas, though she’s eager to explore Houston’s vibrant culture.

With her arrival, the ABC13 Weather Team expanded to six degreed meteorologists, achieving an even gender split of three men and three women, a milestone celebrated by Chief Meteorologist Travis Herzog.

Elyse continues to advocate for STEM and STEAM education, leveraging her platform to inspire the next generation of scientists.

Early Career and Education

Elyse’s passion for meteorology took root in her hometown of Naperville, Illinois, where the Midwest’s volatile weather—tornadoes, blizzards, and severe storms—sparked her curiosity.

She pursued this interest at Valparaiso University in northwest Indiana, earning a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology with minors in mathematics and theater, graduating in 2017.

During her college years, she gained valuable experience through internships with prominent meteorologists, including Tom Skilling at WGN-TV in Chicago and James Spann at ABC 33/40 WBMA in Birmingham, Alabama.

These early opportunities, combined with mentorship from ABC News Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee (a Valparaiso alumna), set the stage for her professional trajectory.

KRCG-TV (Jefferson City, Missouri) – 2017–2019

Elyse began her on-air career in 2017 at KRCG-TV, a CBS affiliate in Jefferson City, Missouri, shortly after graduating.

As a meteorologist in Missouri’s capital region, she quickly faced significant weather challenges, most notably the EF-3 Jefferson City Tornado in May 2019.

Her coverage of this destructive event earned her a prestigious National Murrow Award, recognizing her excellence in broadcast journalism and her ability to deliver critical information during a crisis.

This first role established her as a capable and composed forecaster, laying a strong foundation for her future positions.

WGRZ-TV (Buffalo, New York) – 2019–2023

In 2019, Elyse moved to WGRZ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Buffalo, New York, where she spent three and a half years covering the region’s notoriously harsh weather.

Buffalo’s proximity to Lake Erie made it a hotspot for lake-effect snow, and Elyse became adept at forecasting and reporting on these intense conditions. Notable events during her tenure include the November 2022 “Snowvember 2.0”

Lake Effect Snowstorm, which dumped feet of snow on western New York, and the lead-up to the devastating 2022 Buffalo Christmas Blizzard, which brought historic snowfall and frigid temperatures.

Her work at WGRZ earned her the Best Weathercast award from the New York State Broadcasters Association in 2022, reflecting her skill and viewer trust. This period solidified her reputation as a meteorologist who thrives under pressure.

ABC13 Houston (KTRK-TV, Houston, Texas) – 2023–Present

Elyse joined the ABC13 Weather Team at KTRK-TV in Houston, Texas, in May 2023, marking her transition to a major market in the Gulf Coast region.

As a weekend evening meteorologist alongside anchor Tom Abrahams, she delivers forecasts for southeast Texas, while also serving as a weekday field reporter covering weather and climate stories.

Her arrival expanded the ABC13 weather team to six degreed meteorologists, achieving a balanced gender split.

Elyse has embraced the challenges of Gulf Coast weather, including tropical systems, with standout coverage of Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, which impacted Houston as a Category 1 storm.

She also contributed to national reporting on Hurricane Milton in October 2024 via ABC News Live, showcasing her growing prominence. Her role at ABC13 blends studio forecasting with on-the-ground reporting, highlighting her versatility and storytelling ability.

Additional Professional Highlights

• Certifications and Awards: Elyse holds the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) seal from the American Meteorological Society, a mark of professional excellence. Alongside her Murrow Award (2019) and New York State Broadcasters Association award (2022), these accolades underscore her credibility and impact.

• Internships: Before her full-time roles, Elyse interned at WGN-TV (Chicago) with Tom Skilling and ABC 33/40 WBMA (Birmingham) with James Spann, gaining exposure to diverse weather patterns and top-tier forecasting techniques.

• STEM Advocacy: Elyse uses her platform to promote STEM and STEAM education, inspiring young people—especially women—to pursue science careers, often drawing from her own path as a “science nerd” with a theatrical flair.

Awards and Recognitions: