A National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Emmy Award-winning chief meteorologist, David Payne is widely recognized for his groundbreaking severe weather coverage. Payne began his distinguished broadcasting career as a meteorologist at KTUL-TV in Tulsa, Oklahoma, before joining KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City in 1993 as the morning meteorologist. During his 19-year tenure at KFOR-TV, he actively performed storm chasing duties, providing critical severe weather forecasts for morning and noon newscasts. A defining moment arrived on May 3, 1999, when Payne reported live during a devastating tornado outbreak in Oklahoma, tracking a massive F5 tornado.

His unparalleled real-time reporting for KFOR-TV during this catastrophic event earned direct recognition from then-Governor Frank Keating for his crucial role in helping protect Oklahomans. Payne continued to lead severe weather reporting, notably covering the significant May 8, 2003, Moore tornado and capturing rare anticyclonic tornado footage in April 2006. In January 2013, he transitioned to KWTV-DT, initially serving as the 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. meteorologist.

His severe weather reporting has also earned recognition from the Associated Press and the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. The Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters specifically awarded him ‘The Weathercast of the Year’ in both 2011 and 2013, acknowledging his consistent excellence. Further testament to his professional standing, Payne holds prestigious seals from both the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society. As Chief Meteorologist at KWTV-DT, Payne remains at the forefront of weather communication and community engagement.

He actively contributes to public education through ‘David Payne’s Wild Weather Camp,’ an interactive program designed to teach children about crucial weather safety, demonstrating his commitment to leveraging his expertise for broader societal benefit.