Emily Sutton made history when she joined the 4Warn Storm Team in December 2009, becoming News 4’s first female meteorologist in Oklahoma. Over the years, we’ve watched her career soar, and she recently earned a Heartland Emmy Award for Weather Anchor. What truly sets Emily Sutton apart in Oklahoma’s weather reporting landscape is that she is the only meteorologist in the state to hold both the AMS and NWA seals.
When we think of Emily Sutton at KFOR, we’re not just talking about an ordinary weather forecaster. Beyond her impressive career at Emily Sutton OKC, she is also an accomplished athlete who completed an IRONMAN triathlon in November 2014—swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, and running 26.2 miles. Her commitment to giving back is also evident through her work with TEAM OKLAHOMA, where she helped raise an impressive $200,000 for the Go Mitch Go Foundation to support leukemia and lymphoma research.
In this article, we’ll take you through the remarkable journey of Emily Sutton, from her early beginnings to becoming one of the most respected meteorologists in Oklahoma. We’ll explore her groundbreaking career, storm-chasing adventures, and the personal challenges she’s overcome along the way.
From Weather Enthusiast to Meteorologist
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Long before emily sutton meteorologist made headlines in Oklahoma, a young girl stood outside her Chicago home watching summer storms roll in with her father. This childhood fascination planted the seeds for what would later bloom into a remarkable career.
Early fascination with storms
Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, Emily’s earliest weather memories involve her father taking her outside before summer thunderstorms to show her which direction they were moving. “When I was in the fifth grade, my dad would take me outside right before a summer storm and show me the direction it was moving. I was fascinated,” she recalls.
The pivotal moment came when young Emily watched the movie ‘Twister’ in grade school. The film swept her away with the romance of storm chasing. Specifically, the character Jo Harding, portrayed by Helen Hunt, served as an unexpected role model. “I was fascinated with weather, but never considered it as a career because I didn’t really have any female meteorologists as role models, but Jo Harding in the film planted that seed that I could be a storm chaser,” Emily explains.
Joining the University of Missouri Storm Chase Team
Initially, Emily headed to the University of Missouri to pursue journalism. Her path took an unexpected turn when she selected “Introduction to Meteorology” as a science elective. This casual choice would fundamentally alter her career trajectory.
Upon discovering the university’s Storm Chase Team, Emily was immediately intrigued. Since membership required students to be Meteorology majors or minors, she officially added meteorology as her minor.
Her first storm chase in April 2004 proved transformative. During this maiden voyage, she witnessed her first tornado—a weak one spinning across an Oklahoma farm field. The following month, she observed five tornadoes tear through Kansas. “The next day,” she notes, “I added meteorology to my field of study”.
Degrees in Atmospheric Science and Journalism
Throughout her academic career, Emily excelled, ultimately graduating with honors from the University of Missouri. She earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in Atmospheric Science and Media Convergence Journalism, effectively combining her twin passions.
Emily’s professional journey began in 2007 at KMIZ-TV in Columbia, Missouri, where she gained valuable experience covering various weather extremes. Subsequently, she joined WCYB-TV in Tennessee as both a meteorologist and general assignment reporter, developing skills that would later prove invaluable for emily sutton weather coverage in Oklahoma.
Emily Sutton’s Rise at KFOR
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After honing her skills at KMIZ-TV and WCYB-TV, Emily Sutton was ready for a bigger challenge. Her remarkable journey at KFOR began when she spotted a job listing that would forever change the course of her career.
Joining KFOR in 2009
December 2009 marked a pivotal moment for the Oklahoma City television market as Emily Sutton arrived at KFOR. The station specifically sought her out for her unique combination of atmospheric science knowledge and journalism background. “I fell in love with Oklahoma during my college storm chasing days,” she recalls. Emily immediately connected with viewers through her authentic enthusiasm for weather reporting and approachable on-air presence.
Covering the 2009 Christmas Eve Blizzard
Remarkably, just days after joining the 4Warn Storm Team, Emily faced her first major weather event – the historic 2009 Christmas Eve Blizzard. This record-breaking storm dumped over 14 inches of snow across central Oklahoma, creating whiteout conditions and leaving thousands without power. Throughout this extreme weather event, Emily demonstrated exceptional poise and meteorological expertise, quickly proving her value to both the station and viewers.
Becoming the first female meteorologist at KFOR
Despite Oklahoma’s reputation as “tornado alley,” the state’s weather reporting had traditionally been dominated by men. Nevertheless, Emily shattered this glass ceiling, establishing herself as KFOR’s pioneering female meteorologist. Throughout her tenure, she has inspired countless young women to pursue careers in meteorology and science. “I never set out to be the first woman in this role,” she notes, “yet I’m proud to show girls they can succeed in any field they choose.”
Earning dual seals from AMS and NWA
Furthermore, Emily’s commitment to meteorological excellence led her to pursue certification from both the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the National Weather Association (NWA). This rare dual certification requires rigorous testing, continuous education, and thorough evaluation of forecasting skills. Consequently, she stands as the only Oklahoma meteorologist holding both prestigious seals – a testament to her exceptional knowledge and dedication to her craft.
Storm Chasing and National Recognition
May 2013 would forever change Oklahoma emily sutton’s career, as she faced some of the most destructive tornadoes in American history. While many meteorologists report from the safety of their studios, emily sutton kfor distinguished herself by chasing storms directly, putting herself in harm’s way to provide life-saving information.
Live coverage of the May 2013 tornado outbreak
On May 20, 2013, emily sutton weather tracked the devastating Moore tornado, telling viewers, “I’ve never seen anything like this”. Just eleven days later, on May 31, she experienced a terrifying close call with the El Reno tornado – the widest tornado in recorded history. As KFOR-TV reported, “they were chasing the storm, when suddenly the tornado made a sharp turn and they found themselves right in the middle of it”. The encounter was so dangerous that debris broke out the back windshield of their storm chase vehicle.
Features in The New York Times and Popular Mechanics
Following these harrowing experiences, national media took notice of oklahoma emily sutton. In August 2013, Sam Anderson profiled her storm chasing experiences for The New York Times Magazine and their blog “The 6th Floor”. In this feature, she revealed that “from the beginning of her career, viewers have been obsessed with her hair and makeup and outfits”. Additionally, emily sutton meteorologist appeared in a storm chasing article for Popular Mechanics Magazine in May 2015[121].
Winning a National Emmy for Moore tornado coverage
Ultimately, emily sutton’s bravery and professionalism earned recognition beyond personal accolades. The KFOR team’s coverage of the May 20, 2013 Moore tornado won a prestigious National Emmy Award[121]. This recognition highlighted how her work helped save countless lives during one of Oklahoma’s darkest weather disasters.
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Life Beyond the Forecast
Image Source: KFOR
Behind the radar screens and storm chasing adventures, emily sutton faced a battle far more personal than any weather system. Unlike tornadoes that can be tracked and predicted, her journey with endometriosis proved to be an invisible storm that affected many aspects of her life.
Battling endometriosis and infertility
Endometriosis silently affects more than 1 in 10 women during their childbearing years. For emily sutton kfor, the signs began in high school with unusually heavy periods. Although birth control helped manage symptoms temporarily, when she stopped taking it to start a family with husband Michael, debilitating side pain emerged—sometimes requiring emergency room visits.
The path to diagnosis wasn’t straightforward. Indeed, endometriosis typically takes an average of 10 years to diagnose. After two failed treatments, emily sutton meteorologist demanded surgery, which confirmed she had stage three endometriosis. Yet her pain returned merely two months later, highlighting why this disease is often called “the invisible epidemic”.
In November 2020, oklahoma emily sutton underwent excision surgery with Dr. Katherine Smith, the first MIGS-fellowship trained OBGYN in Oklahoma. The nearly four-hour procedure revealed almost 50 areas of disease throughout her body. Remarkably, this surgery finally addressed the source of pain she had endured for years.
Completing her family journey
Following years of disappointment, emily sutton weather and her husband successfully conceived through their second embryo transfer (IVF). Her “Christmas miracle” arrived on November 27, 2022, when she welcomed daughter Ginny Scott Zurmehly. After nearly three months of maternity leave, emily sutton okc returned to morning broadcasts, adapting to early wake-up calls while navigating new motherhood.
Through her transparency about her health struggles, Emily has become an advocate for women facing similar challenges. “To anyone living with endometriosis or experiencing infertility, you are not alone,” she advises. “Do your research. Get multiple opinions. You know your body”.
Conclusion
Emily Sutton’s remarkable journey from a young girl watching storms with her father to becoming Oklahoma’s beloved meteorologist truly represents the power of following one’s passion. Her groundbreaking role as KFOR’s first female meteorologist has undoubtedly changed the landscape of weather reporting in the state. Throughout her career, she has proven that gender barriers can be broken through expertise, dedication, and courage.
What sets Emily apart from others in her field goes beyond her professional accolades. Her dual certification from both the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association demonstrates her exceptional commitment to meteorological excellence. Additionally, her willingness to chase dangerous storms firsthand showcases a level of bravery few possess.
Behind the cameras and storm tracking equipment, Emily has faced personal battles much harder to predict than any weather system. Her openness about struggling with endometriosis and infertility has offered hope to countless women experiencing similar challenges. Now, as she balances motherhood with early morning forecasts, she continues to inspire by showing how persistence pays off both professionally and personally.
We’ve watched Emily evolve from storm chaser to Emmy winner, from health advocate to new mother. Her story reminds us that success rarely follows a straight line—much like the unpredictable tornadoes she tracks across Oklahoma. Though challenges appeared along her path, she weathered each storm with grace and determination.
Emily Sutton stands today not just as Oklahoma’s favorite forecaster but as living proof that when passion meets perseverance, extraordinary things happen. Her impact extends far beyond accurate weather predictions, especially for young girls who now see meteorology as an attainable dream rather than a field dominated by men. Thanks to trailblazers like Emily, the forecast for women in meteorology looks brighter than ever.
FAQs
Q1. What is Emily Sutton’s educational background? Emily Sutton graduated with honors from the University of Missouri, earning dual Bachelor’s degrees in Atmospheric Science and Media Convergence Journalism. This unique combination of meteorology and journalism expertise has been instrumental in her successful career as a weather forecaster.
Q2. How did Emily Sutton’s career in meteorology begin? Emily Sutton’s career in meteorology began in 2007 at KMIZ-TV in Columbia, Missouri. She then moved to WCYB-TV in Tennessee as a meteorologist and general assignment reporter before joining KFOR in Oklahoma City in December 2009, where she became the station’s first female meteorologist.
Q3. What notable achievements has Emily Sutton accomplished in her career? Emily Sutton has achieved several notable accomplishments, including becoming the first female meteorologist at KFOR, earning dual certification from both the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the National Weather Association (NWA), and winning a National Emmy Award for her coverage of the May 2013 Moore tornado.
Q4. How has Emily Sutton’s personal life influenced her professional work? Emily Sutton has been open about her struggles with endometriosis and infertility, using her platform to raise awareness and support others facing similar challenges. Her perseverance through these personal battles has added depth to her professional persona and inspired many of her viewers.
Q5. What makes Emily Sutton stand out among other meteorologists in Oklahoma? Emily Sutton stands out for her combination of expertise, bravery in storm chasing, and relatability. She is the only meteorologist in Oklahoma to hold both AMS and NWA seals, has provided crucial live coverage during major weather events, and has gained national recognition for her work, including features in The New York Times and Popular Mechanics.
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