David Hartman

David Hartman has been Chief Meteorologist at WAPT since 1986. A 1983 graduate from the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in meteorology, Hartman began his career in broadcasting with WOLO-TV in Columbia, SC, continued to WSPA-TV in Spartanburg, SC and then came to WAPT in 1986.

Since joining WAPT, David has been honored numerous times as Mississippi's best television meteorologist by the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters. Along with the WAPT news team he was honored with a regional Emmy for coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and an Edward R. Murrow award for coverage of the Yazoo City tornado in 2010. In 1995, he was nominated for a prestigious Emmy award for his 30-minute special "A Matter of Seconds," a program aimed at improving public awareness of tornado safety.

One of the most important aspects of Hartman's commitment to community weather education is his eagerness to talk to classes at schools throughout the viewing area. He addresses dozens of classrooms each year. He also assists Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops in the pursuit of weather patches and badges. In addition, he regularly addresses civic organizations in Mississippi about weather preparedness. For many years, he has served as the official meteorologist for the Mississippi AA baseball franchise and often serves as the official meteorologist for many festivals, golf tournaments and community events.

Market and focus group research regularly confirms that David Hartman is consistently chosen as first choice of TV Meteorologist by viewers, particularly during severe weather. Education, experience and state of the art equipment has given Hartman the edge in forecasting Mississippi's sometimes unpredictable weather. In 2000, Hartman played an integral part in bringing the first Doppler radar to a television station in Mississippi, Live Storm Shield 16. It is the strongest and most accurate broadcast radar in Mississippi giving WAPT the ability to give viewers the extra minutes of preparation needed to save their lives.

David and his wife Diane have three children. Allison, the oldest, is an attorney in Jackson. Andrew, their second child is a Logistic Specialist in the United State Navy. Audrey, the youngest, is a Occupational Therapist. All three children are named for hurricanes. David enjoys cycling, running, reading, family time and gardening. The Hartmans live in northwest Rankin County near the Reservoir.