My love for weather dates back to my childhood in New Mexico, Texas, and Ohio. I moved a lot growing up, attending 15 different schools before graduating high school. Amid all the changes, weather became a constant source of fascination and comfort. I’d watch storms roll in across the desert or get excited about a big snowstorm in Ohio. I remember watching local news and thinking the meteorologist had the coolest job in the world. Little did I know, that dream would one day come true.

I studied Broadcast Journalism and Meteorology at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, combining my love of storytelling with the science of weather. In college, I began forecasting the weather at BG24 News, our campus tv station, and shortly after graduation, I became the lead weather forecaster and reporter at WLIO-TV in Lima, Ohio. It was a fast-paced, rewarding job where I got to inform, educate, and sometimes even reassure the public during severe weather events. It was also where I changed my on-air name from “Jayme” to “Jay” to avoid confusion with another anchor named Jamie—just a little trivia for longtime friends and followers. 

While working in Lima, I also was able to fill in on the weekends at WHIO-TV in Dayton and was honored to work alongside some of the lengendary news anchors I grew up watching, like Cheryl McHenry and Jim Baldridge. I couldn't believe it when I found myself sitting next to Cheryl McHenry on my first night and she gave me an on -air welcome. After I moved back to New Mexico and started working in transportation, I filled in on ocassion in 2006 at KRQE-TV in Albuquerque and again was in awe that I was working at the same station as legendary anchors like Dick Kipfing and Dianne Anderson.  

Over the years, my career shifted into public service and transportation planning, but my love for weather never went away. After moving to Santa Fe and settling into life here, I noticed a gap—there wasn’t a truly local, community-driven place to talk about our unique and often erradic weather. So, I decided to create one. The local Albuquerque stations too often leave us out - and our weather is very different. 

The Santa Fe Weather Facebook Group is a space where I can share forecasts that are easy to understand, rooted in science, and specific to the Santa Fe area. Whether you’re trying to plan a hike, prep for a storm, or just want to geek out about clouds and radar with me—this group is for you.

Thanks to everyone who’s joined so far. Your engagement, questions, and shared photos make this more than just a forecast page—it’s a weather-loving community. If you haven’t joined yet, I’d love to have you.

Here’s to clear skies (and maybe the occasional snowstorm we can all track together).

Jay Faught