Ryan Stinnett

A self-described weather fanatic who loves all kinds of weather. Honestly, I didn’t choose weather; it chose me. Growing up just outside Birmingham, severe weather was never far away. In fact, an F5 tornado roared just two miles west of my family’s home in 1998, and an EF4 came through two miles east in 2011. Most people have a “defining moment” that sparks their love for weather—me? I’ve been hooked since I was a kid. In elementary school, I was the kid who always knew the day’s forecast and happily shared it with friends (whether they asked or not).

Some unforgettable weather events left lasting impressions on me—like the Blizzard of ’93 and Hurricane Opal in ’95. But the one that truly sealed the deal was the F5 tornado on April 8, 1998, which tore through my high school and community. That day, a teacher joked, “I bet you were expecting a little more severe weather,” and I just replied, “The day isn’t over yet.” Sure enough, that night the tornado ripped through west Jefferson County. A couple of years later, an F2 tornado destroyed my family’s barn and damaged nearby homes. Growing up around storms like this definitely shaped my passion.

I earned my Meteorology degree from the University of South Alabama, right on the coast, where I rode out some big hurricanes, including Ivan in 2004 and several during the wild 2005 season—Arlene, Cindy, Dennis, Katrina, Rita—you name it. I also chased storms in the Great Plains during college because, well, why not add a little adventure?

After college, I worked in the private sector for a while before heading to Mississippi State University for my Master’s in Broadcast Meteorology. At State, I was part of a three-time National Champion Forecasting team and even won the individual forecasting tournament—beating out folks from MIT, Penn State, and the University of Georgia. That was a proud moment! I also chased storms with classmates during major outbreaks, including the devastating April 27, 2011 tornado event.

My family still calls west Jefferson County home, but my work has taken me to Middle Georgia, where I now live. When I’m not forecasting, you’ll find me cheering for the South Alabama Jaguars and the Alabama Crimson Tide on fall Saturdays. While tornadoes and hurricanes are incredible to witness, what I really love is watching a thunderstorm from a distance—seeing its full structure and majesty. One of my favorite pastimes is finding a ridge top on summer nights to watch distant lightning light up the sky.

Joining Alabamawx was a no-brainer for me. Growing up, I learned from some of the best meteorologists in the business, and getting to work alongside them is a dream come true.

These days, I’m proud to serve as Chief Meteorologist at WGXA-TV in Macon, Georgia. Before moving here in spring 2023, I worked alongside the legendary Alan Sealls at WPMI-NBC 15 in Mobile, and before that, I spent eight years at the Alabama News Network in Montgomery.

In 2018, I earned the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal from the American Meteorological Society. It’s a mark of distinction in the industry—earned through rigorous exams and having my on-air work reviewed to make sure I deliver accurate, clear, and engaging weather reports.