Born in Georgia and raised in North Carolina I am quickly learning a new appreciation for winter.  I attended Appalachian State University in the mountains of North Carolina where it was cold and windy by our standards, but it was rare that we saw the true arctic blasts of air so common here in the Plains.  I am more use to dealing with tropical systems as opposed to frequent strong snow storms and tornadoes.  However, I have experienced a fair share of severe weather outbreaks and heavy snows.

Like many meteorologists there is usually a single event that sparked their interest in weather.  Hurricane Hugo did it for me.  It was still a Category 1 storm when it hit Charlotte, and I'll never forget the week school was closed and I spent my time building the biggest tree fort in the neighborhood.    It was later in life when I realized my calling and once again ended up in the mountains studying meteorology at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. 

Mid-westerners have a great reputation as friendly folk and it couldn't be truer.  I am proud to call Sioux City my new home and look forward to becoming a part of the community.

dstill@kcautv.com