Garrett Lewis, KFSM-TV's Chief Meteorologist, can be seen weeknights at 5, 6, & 10 p.m. Garrett's passion for forecasting and weather comes from growing up in the small Arkansas town of Alma. Garrett has witnessed some of the most amazing weather events unfold in our area including the 1996 Van Buren tornado, the crippling ice storms of 2000 & 2009, the flooding of 2004, 2006 Benton County tornado, & the 2011 Altus-Denning EF4 Twister.
"At the end of the day, people just want to know whether or not it's going to rain & how much the weather will impact their life. Snow, tornadoes, rain, sunshine... weather is the only thing that affects everybody... everyday. I love my job. There's nothing in the world better than forecasting weather for Arkansas & Oklahoma."
Some of his most memorable weather moments stem from storm chasing in the Great Plains, including the May 3, 1999 outbreak which spawned several tornadoes in Central Oklahoma. Garrett also reported live in 100mph winds as Hurricane Lili made landfall near New Iberia, Louisiana. In fact, Garrett's passion for weather led to an unusual hobby: collecting hailstones and freezing them in the refrigerator.
Garrett joined 5NEWS in December 1999 and went on-air in July of 2001. Garrett now works as the Chief Meteorologist and can be seen at 5, 6, and 10 p.m. on 5NEWS. Garrett first attended Westark College (Now, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith). His weather credentials come from Mississippi State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geosciences with an emphasis in Broadcast Meteorology.
In addition, Garrett has been awarded both the 'National Weather Association's Seal of Approval' Seal #1581 and the American Meteorological Society's Seal of Approval. Seal #0410878. Garrett has been recognized by the Arkansas Associated Press for his weathercasts including the award of 'Best Weathercast' multiple times.
Off camera, Garrett sits on the board of the Benton County Children's Advocacy Center and the State of Arkansas' board for Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas. Both advocate for child protection and for the prevention and treatment of sexually or physically abused children. Garrett's hobbies include weight training, bicycling, running, mountain climbing, playing acoustic guitar, and working closely with the local church.
You may hear Garrett on the HAM radio during severe weather. His call sign is KD5OMI. During severe weather the MAX5 Storm Team coordinates with local Skywarn Storm Spotters as well as the National Weather Service in both Little Rock and Tulsa to share emergency information.
Garrett and his wife, Ashley, have been married for 9 years and welcomed their first son, Graham, in the spring of 2011.
