Elyse Smith Biography: ABC13 Houston Meteorologist & Weather Reporter
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.
Age:
Elyse Smith is 29 years old and celebrates her birthday on May 11th, making her zodiac sign Taurus. She is of American nationality and hails from Chicago, Illinois.
Parents and Siblings:
Elyse Smith grew up in the Chicago metropolitan area, where her fascination with meteorology began. A tornado siren located near her childhood home sparked her curiosity about weather patterns and safety.
Her parents introduced her to the field of meteorology, specifically television meteorology, which further fueled her passion. However, there isn’t much publicly available information about her parents or siblings.
Husband:
There is no definitive public information available as of 2025, confirming whether Elyse Smith, the meteorologist at ABC13 Houston, is currently married.
Elyse keeps her personal life private, and while some older sources, such as a 2021 profile from her time at WGRZ in Buffalo, suggested she was married to a man named James Willems, this information has not been consistently verified or updated since she moved to Houston in 2023.
Neither her official ABC13 biography nor her active social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) mentions a spouse or marital status, focusing instead on her professional achievements, weather updates, and personal interests like Irish dancing and football fandom.
Without recent, reliable confirmation from Elyse herself or a credible source, her current marital status remains unclear.
Height:
Elyse Smith is approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall. Her estimated weight ranges between 125 to 145 pounds (57 to 66 kilograms), reflecting a healthy and athletic physique.
Likely measurements might align with 34-26-35 inches based on her confident and proportional appearance.
Career and Background:
Elyse earned her Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from Valparaiso University in 2017.
She began her professional career at KRCG-TV in central Missouri, where she reported on significant weather events, including the 2019 Jefferson City tornado.
Her coverage contributed to the station receiving the 2020 National Murrow Award for Breaking News.
In January 2020, Elyse joined WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, New York, where she continued to cover extreme weather and was honored with the “Outstanding Weathercast” award by the New York State Broadcasters Association in 2022.
She holds the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist designation from the American Meteorological Society.
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:
- National Murrow Award (2019) – From the RTDNA, for her coverage of the EF-3 Jefferson City Tornado at KRCG-TV in Missouri, showcasing her early excellence in crisis reporting.
- Best Weathercast Award (2022) – From the New York State Broadcasters Association, for her standout forecasts at WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, including events like the “Snowvember 2.0” snowstorm.
- Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) – Granted by the American Meteorological Society, affirming her meteorological expertise and professionalism.
Here are some of Elyse Smith’s colleagues at ABC13 Houston (KTRK-TV):
- David Tillman – Chief Meteorologist
- Travis Herzog – Meteorologist
- Elita Loresca – Meteorologist
- Rachel Briers – Meteorologist
- Gina Gaston – News Anchor
- Mayra Moreno – News Anchor
- Erik Barajas – News Anchor
- Melanie Lawson – News Anchor
- Samica Knight – News Anchor/Reporter
- Pooja Lodhia – News Reporter
Elyse is part of a diverse and skilled team, delivering trusted news and weather updates to the Houston community.
Net Worth and Salary:
Elyse Smith’s estimated net worth ranges between $1 million and $5 million, reflecting her successful career as a meteorologist. Her annual salary is estimated to be between $75,000 and $130,000, depending on her role and experience.
Is Elyse Smith Meteorologist Married?
Yes, Elyse Smith is married to James Willems. They have a dog named Benson.
How Old Is Elyse Smith Meteorologist?
Elyse Smith is 29 years old, born on May 11th, 1995.
Where Is Elyse Smith Meteorologist Working?
Elyse Smith is currently working at ABC13 Houston (KTRK-TV) as a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and Weather Reporter.
She joined the station in May 2023 and plays a key role in delivering accurate weather forecasts and reports to the Houston community.
Additionally, her responsibilities include analyzing weather patterns, providing timely updates, and educating the public on weather safety.
Elyse Smith is active on social media. She maintains official accounts on multiple platforms:
Facebook: Her official page is ABC13-Elyse Smith, where she shares weather updates and interacts with followers.
Instagram: Elyse manages two accounts:
Her work account, @elyseabc13, focuses on Houston weather updates and related content.
Her personal account, @elysesmithwx, offers insights into her life and experiences as a meteorologist.
X (formerly Twitter): Elyse uses two profiles:
Her professional handle, @ABC13Elyse, is dedicated to her work as a meteorologist and weather reporter for ABC13 Houston.
Her personal handle, @ElyseSmithWX, where she shares personal insights and weather-related content.
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