Ali Turiano

My love for weather started at the age of eleven when my family moved us from New York to Tampa Bay, Florida. Like clockwork, powerful thunderstorms rolled through each afternoon lighting up the sky. Towering clouds and lightning sprawled across the sky like a spiderweb; I was fascinated by it all. Then the blockbuster movie "Twister" came out and solidified my career path in an instant. I wanted to chase tornadoes! My mother of course would not allow that, so I continued my studies in many advanced math and science courses while in high school, to prepare myself for college.

During my senior year, I was fortunate enough to have an internship at WFTS in Tampa. It was there that I combined two passions; weather and being on camera. I knew being a broadcast meteorologist was the right choice. I attended Penn State University, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in meteorology, with a forecasting and communications option. While at Penn State, I participated in the CampusWeather Service and a College of Communications show, called "The Centre County Report." I also had the opportunity to have an apprenticeship at the National Weather Service.

Upon graduation, luckily I got my first job at WENY, in Elmira, New York as the morning meteorologist. During my time in the Finger Lakes, I also had the opportunity to fill in at our sister station WICU in Erie, Pennsylvania. After almost two years of snow, ice, and extreme cold, I was ready for those wild thunderstorms that started my meteorologist dream. After Elmira, News 13 in Orlando called and I jumped at the opportunity of being closer to family and the beach!

While in Orlando, I forecasted everything from sunny skies to floods and hurricanes. Tropical Storm Fay is one storm I will never forget. For a week, Fay beat up on the Sunshine State and dropped over three feet of rain in some areas. Severe weather happens all year round in Central Florida, and the six years I spent in Orlando helped my forecasting skills tremendously!

After six years in Florida, I was eager for a new challenge, and I knew Dallas would be that opportunity. I am thrilled and ready to be a part of the Dallas community. I have had family in Dallas for many years and I've always felt that this great city was like a second home.

In my spare time, fitness and health play a major role in my life. I have recently become a yogi and I love any kind of fitness class that gets the blood pumping. Being of Italian descent, I love to cook and learn about different foods in other cultures. I am also a big sports fan cheering on my Alma Mater the Nittany Lions and America's Team the Dallas Cowboys.

I am truly grateful for this amazing opportunity at Fox4 doing what I love in a place like Dallas. I love hearing from viewers! If you have a weather question or comments please feel free to follow me on Twitter @AliTuriano or on my Facebook page.