Valerie Smock

Valerie Smock is a meteorologist for Severe Weather Team 11 and PCNC. Valerie joined the team in December 2013.

You could say a career in weather comes as no surprise. Growing up in the Snowbelt capital of Ohio, the Chardon native has grown accustomed to the cold and blustery winters as well as lake-effect snow. Getting the chance to live in Montana also gave her the opportunity to enjoy Chinook winds, which allowed her to golf and ski in the same day.

A graduate of Kent State University, Valerie majored in Broadcast Journalism and then continued her education at Mississippi State University, where she obtained her Operational Meteorology certificate in 2011. She also has an Associate’s Degree in Public Affairs from the Community College of the Air Force.

Before joining Channel 11, she worked at stations from Great Falls, Mont., to Youngstown, Ohio, and Toledo, Ohio. Her most recent position was working as a Video Broadcaster at AccuWeather in State College, Pa.

When not at work, you can find Valerie in camouflage. She is a Public Affairs Specialist in the Air Force Reserve. Before her time in the Air Force, she was in the Ohio Army National Guard as Military Police. Being in the service has taken Valerie to Haiti to help with hurricane efforts as well as Kuwait and Germany in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Valerie is highly active with the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. It is a 60-mile walk to help fight and find a cure for breast cancer, something she has participated in since 2009. She has also helped rebuild homes for those in need through the Appalachia Service Project.

During her free time, if there is any, Valerie enjoys exercising, traveling and writing poetry. She is a published poet and a member of the International Society of Poets.

“Making sure people know what to expect with the weather is crucial, whether it be heading to school or knowing when severe weather may hit.”