ORLANDO, Fla. – If you were glued to News 6 during our extended hurricane coverage over the past few weeks, you probably noticed a new face during our broadcast and on News 6+.
We’ve welcomed a new meteorologist, who joined the Pinpoint Weather Team right as Hurricane Helene barreled toward the Sunshine State.
“When people say, ‘are you able to adapt under pressure?’ I say, heck yeah! I’ve been there and done that, this is not new territory for me,” David Nazario said.
David is a U.S. Navy Reservist, who received orders to serve at a Fleet Weather Center in Virginia for two weeks all as Hurricane Helene hit Florida.
“I was pulling double duty. Ten hours at the Fleet Weather Center, immediately suited down and suited up as News 6 meteorologist cranking out weather coverage,” David said.
You may remember seeing David on News 6+ and ClickOrlando.com, streaming from his hotel room and bringing you around-the-clock weather updates with News 6 meteorologist Jonathan Kegges.
You may not know David has a military background.
“I enlisted in the Air Force fresh out of high school. Did 10 years active duty. Deployed a couple of times to the Middle East, then separated in 2022 to pursue a career in broadcast meteorology,” David said.
Before joining the News 6 Pinpoint Weather team, David was getting results as a staff sergeant with the Air Force Weather Squadron (basically, a military met).
“The only difference is, instead of looking out for the viewers out there at home, we’re looking out for the troops at the bases. Additional personnel out on the flight line working on our aircraft, resource protection was a big deal for us making sure our assets are protected,” David said.
But David was into all things weather way before he put on the uniform.
“It started with the OG ‘Twister.’ Saw that when I was 4 or 5 years old and I was like, ‘that looks like a lot of fun,’” David said.
What does David do outside of work?
“I also love to work on cars. I’m a big gym guy, I’m also an amateur boxer so you’ll find me beating up the punching bag at the gym,” David said.
He’s also a writer, though he says his busy schedule keeps him from putting pen to paper as much as he used to.
“The longest novel I’ve ever written was close to 600 pages, by hand ... I used to get in trouble in high school because during class I was buried in a notebook not paying attention and my teacher would catch me,” David said.
Now, David is back home in Central Florida where he was born and raised — with his wife and 1-year-old son, Delian.
“When I’m putting the forecast together, it’s not only for the folks who are watching, but I know I have a little one at home, so I have to be extra careful and accurate. The papa bear comes out,” David said. “If you are a viewer who loves News 6, just know that I’m going to work extra hard and let the passion that I’ve always had for myself and my weather studies and experiences just be completely exuded upon the rest of the community, especially when it comes to earning their trust to keep them safe when weather’s at its worst.”
You can catch David Nazario pinpointing the latest forecast on ClickOrlando.com, News 6+ and our YouTube Channel. Be sure to give him a warm welcome by commenting below.