Tammie Souza becomes chief meteorologist at WTSP-Ch. 10

By about 3 p.m. Wednesday, it was official. All the papers had been signed and okays given, allowing WTSP-Ch. 10 to acknowledge they were hiring Chicago meteorologist Tammie Souza as their chief meteorologist — taking over a job held nearly 30 years by local legend Dick Fletcher until his death following a stroke in February.

 

What Souza and her new bosses at WTSP didn’t know, was that she would also be making local history, becoming the first female chief meteorologist in Tampa Bay area TV history.

 

Already, Souza, who said she starts at WTSP on Oct. 27, is part of a select group. According to a recent poll of more than 1,200 TV stations by the Radio-Television News Directors Association and Hofstra University, just 21.6 percent of weather forecasters at local stations nationwide are female.

 

Laura York, a former meteorologist at WTSP and WFLA-Ch. 8 who now owns her own PR firm, had a succinct interpretation of the station's strategy. “I think WTSP had to pull a McCain,” she said, referring to the way GOP candidate John McCain changed the presidential race by tapping Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

 

“Dick Fletcher was an icon, so they needed to hire someone who could shake it up,” added York, who worked at WFLA and WTSP from 1987 to 2000. “I like to see more women the in workplace, especially in the field of meteorology.”

 

Officials at WTSP denied they were overtly targeting female viewers in the hire, though they did show Souza to focus groups in an effort to gauge her impact on viewers. Serving on the board of the American Meteorological Society, Souza will also help the station complete its revamp of the weather department -- which let go morning and noon forecaster Anna Allen last month. Rosenwasser declined to comment, but forecaster Randy Rauch also expects to leave the station when his contract expires Sept. 29.

News of Souza's move initially broke Tuesday in the Chicago Sun-Times, but officials at WTSP couldn't confirm until the deal was finalized. Now, Souza’s biggest hurdle may be introducing herself to Tampa Bay area viewers who had grown used to Fletcher over the years — though the eight-month gap between his death and her arrival may help ease the transition.

 

“Nobody’s going to fill Dick’s shoes . . . he’s a legend and rightly so,” said Souza, who hopes to pay some tribute to her predecessor on air when she joins the newscast. “I’m here to pick up the torch and carry it forward. Hopefully, people will like your style and want to follow you.”

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Comments

Did anyone see a bright light move throught the Tampa florida area between 10:00 and 10:20 pm 1/16/09?

[Ana]

Tammie - We miss you in Chicago - you just missed a pretty nasty storm. You did a great job and brought sunshine to our morning world. Best of luck in Tampa.

[Randy]

Congratulations Tampa, you beat us again. Tammie is a class act & as good as they come.

I'm all for fashion but the skirt she wore the other day was a bit short. What was she trying to prove?

Tammie Souza we may be related my maiden name was Souza. All my family is on Cape Cod Mass. Does any one ring a bell? Lets hear from you. Your doing a good job.

[shtfse]

Dumping a person and death are two differnt things Wild Bill.

[Wild Bill]

With all the changes . . . looks like Channel 10 is going down the tubes . . . whenever any 'company' begins dumping its proven, successful staff for newcomers . . .

[tony]

tammie i can no longer get to my wife i would always change wgn to fox just to see you i gave a it about the weather my morings will never be the same. can i get you on cable'

[August]

As a younger man I find her very attractive and very capable. I watched her at TV 58 in Milwaukee. If I wasn't 10 years younger than her I would have asked her to dinner. Not just because she is pretty, but because she is smart, and funny. She has the unique ability to make people like her and Tampa will find that out soon. Goog luck to Tammie.

[Good Riddance]

Tammie hardly ever got Chicago's
weather right. When she said
rain it was sunny. When she said it
would be mostly sunny it rained/snowed.
She would get the weather wrong in the
studio with all that tech. If she
would have gone outside she could have
predicted the weather more accurately.
Bottom line: pretty face/ lousy
"meteorologist". Sorry Tampa but good
riddance she's your problem now.

[Luis]

Enjoyed watching you every morning with my wife. We're going to miss you much.. Best in all Tampa has to offer.

[Missing Tammie]

Not only did you beat us in the playoffs you took the best (hottest ;)) news personality in Chicago!

http://public.fotki.com/pbmikey/tammie-souza-1/

Why would you want to work for management that let go a 12 yr vetern without giving her a chance to say goodbye to her viewers..sounds like the management needs to be replaced...former news channel 8 viewer

Nothing wrong with having eye-appeal & intelligence.

Go get them Tammie!

[Holly]

Forget about trying to report the weather correctly...we simply need "sex appeal." Wonder what Gloira Steinman would have to say about this nonsense?

[jeff]

To be perfectly honest WTSP could hire Walter Cronkite to do the news and it still wouldn't be worth watching. Since the dismissals of Anna Allen, Meredyth Censullo, Angie Atalla, Alexandra Hackett and I'm sure as of Sept 29th Randy Rauch this station is a joke. The management staff there is what should be replaced starting with Rosenwasser. The new girl should beware because I'm sure her day will come when she will be broomed also by the incompetent management at WTSP. Last place is the right spot for WTSP, lets hope that we the non-viewers keep them there where they belong.

[Judie Garcia]

Chicago is losing a treasure. I've seen Tammie do great breaking weather news -- liveshots to rival the most seasoned reporters -- and great forecasting.
Yes, she's a qualified meteorologist -- but, also a great person!

[Julie]

We'll miss you in Chicago!!!!!!! You always made us smile. :)

[Erin]

Tammie is a great choice for the station. She understands weather patterns better than most television meteorologists, especially severe weather! She is more of a math and science geek than people realize. Tampa, you are lucky to steal her from Chicago! Best wishes to you and your family Tammie.

[Angela]

“I think WTSP had to pull a McCain,” my thoughts exactley when I heard this!!

[Really, Now?]

You have to start somewhere. Dick Fletcher (RIP) came from a station in Nebraska when he started out and I think he did a pretty good job, don't you?? You make it sound like this lady doesn't know a tropical storm from a blizzard and the fact that she sits on the board of the AMS tells me you're wrong.

[Jim]

She is a poor choice. She only does the morning weather in Chicago at a fourth place station. She has no tropical forecasting experience.

My prediction: She'll be here two years then move on.

[Joe]

Hi,
If Irene Maher ( spelling?) from WFLA is reading this...how are you doing? This from an associate in Norfolk, Virginia wondering about your well being.
Joe F

[RIP Dick]

I look forward to her debut. She is a nice looking lady and probably a capable meteorologist, but I will stick with Dellegato. He has proven to me over the years to easily be the best local forecaster. In fact, he is probably one of the top meteorologists in the country. Good luck Tammie!

[Chris]

Good luck to Ms. Souza. Bold move by WTSP.

Still, I think they're in need of some management change after the whole US Open bungle.