Coral Springs Native Bryan Boggiano Blazes Trail as Meteorologist, Advocate, and Inspiration

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WDHN Forecaster Bryan Boggiano

Coral Springs native Bryan Boggiano, 29, is way ahead of his years in the many things he’s accomplished, thus far.

For starters, upon graduating from J.P. Taravella High School in 2014, he was honored as the class salutatorian. From the halls of his high school, he made the trek to Gainesville, where he majored in journalism at the University of Florida and graduated in 2018. His next stop was Florida International University, where he obtained a Master of Science degree with a major in Geoscience, focusing on the Atmospheric Science track.

His chosen career path has paid many dividends, given his lifelong fascination with the weather; as a result, he is now the morning meteorologist at TV station WDHN in Dothan, Alabama. He’s been a meteorologist since 2023. It’s a position he’s most proud of. “I would say being the person our viewers trust every morning to give them the weather, being the first face they see, the first voice they hear, that is an incredible honor and a responsibility I hold very dearly,” he said.

Boggiano became fascinated with meteorology back in 2004, the year four major hurricanes struck Florida. He enjoys being a weather forecaster and finds it fun, but also realizes he is a serious scientist, covering hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and heatwaves. Additionally, he experienced a rare 6-inch snowstorm this past January, a rather unique occurrence for a city only a few miles from the Florida border.

The old phrase reads, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” and there are many fascinating parts to this young man. For starters, he has been diagnosed with autism since he was two years old. In addition, he identifies with the LGBTQ community, referring to himself as either “bi or queer.”

He often sprinkles bits of LGBTQ culture into his weather broadcasts, which has brought him recognition in the LGBTQ community. He was even recognized by GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, and featured in a podcast for that organization as a rising star for visibility. He said the fact that such a large and influential group recognized him for his work has been a huge honor.

During his June (Pride Month) forecasts, he referenced at least one LGBTQ icon, and back in October, he dressed – on air – in an Elton John costume for Halloween. “I just wanted to pay homage to one of the most gay icons of all time.”

Boggiano embraces all aspects of who he is, including his sexuality and autism. The response he has gotten from the public has been favorable. “I do have a lot of people in the industry saying I’m not afraid to be myself,” he said. “People have reached out to me from all over the place on how I have inspired them and given them hope. That just makes me feel the work I do is rewarding.”

He admits that growing up with autism as well as being a member of the LGBTQ community did, of course, have its challenges. However, he blossomed during his high school career, graduating at the top of his class and serving as the co-captain of Taravella’s cross-country team. “Up to that point, that was the biggest accomplishment I had in my life.”

And for those reading this article who might recognize the name, Bryan Boggiano, he was a regular contributor to Coral Springs Talk from 2021 to 2023.

Bryan Boggiano on WDHN {WDHN}

Nicolette Zangara worked with Boggiano at UF’s weather station for more than two years. She met him in 2017 during Hurricane Irma, which swept through most of the state. “I’ve been lucky to have him as a mentor and a friend,” she said. “He’s just a ray of sunshine. I call him that. He’s always very kind, and it’s a blessing we’ve been friends.”

She describes his weather forecasting skills as second to none. “I wouldn’t be the forecaster I was without Bryan. He has a passion and a love for that.”

As for Boggiano’s plans and desires for the future, he said he would like to end up in a Florida market. “It would be a lot of fun forecasting weather in the state that raised me,” he said. “That’s where I got my passion for the weather. I prefer to live and work in an area that doesn’t get snow. In January, I saw six inches of snow. I don’t want to see it again.”

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Martin Lenkowsky

Martin Lenkowsky moved to Coral Springs from NYC in 1982. He has a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College. He has been both writer and editor for a number of South Florida publications since 1983. He considers features writing his specialty.