PARENT TO KNOW: Brad Panovich

He’s everyone’s favorite weatherman (says the voters in Charlotte magazine Best of the Best Awards) but at home with his wife, Tammy, Brad Panovich is simply, Dad. The WCNC meteorologist has amassed a sizable following for his admitted geeky weather and science content that gives viewers a better understanding of the why and how behind our forecasts.

Here, the Ohio State grad talks Charlotte snow, strict cell phone limits for kids, and his relatable feelings over all the “bruh” references.

Tell us about your family. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

I have 2 children –  a 12-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son that are 17 months apart.

What do your kids think about your work?

I still don’t think they fully understand what I do, other than I’m often gone when the weather is bad. When I don’t make it home for dinner, they usually ask me if there was a tornado or something.

The story you consulted with us on regarding the end of Charlotte’s snow days was one of our most read and shared stories of 2023. Have children stoned you in the street in reaction, and do your predictions from that story (sadly) still stand?

I knew we’d have a snowless winter but not that very same winter, or followed by another snowless winter. Still crazy to think in 146 years of weather record, Charlotte would have back-to-back snowless winters for the first time on record the past two winters. We will see snow again, just not as frequent as in the past.

Hardest part about being a parent?

Finding time for everything, time has become much more valuable than money to me. Especially as the kids get older, and you feel like it is slipping away. The saying, “you can always make more money but you can never make more time”,  is so true. Don’t waste it!

Favorite part about being a parent?

Seeing your kids grow emotionally and become good people.

Biggest parenting fail to date?

I may have dressed my daughter backwards a few times when she was younger.

Best parenting advice you ever received?

Don’t let your kids have a phone until they are in 8th grade or even high school. Trust me, most tech CEOs do this, and it’s 100% the thing to do, and they created these things! No matter how much your kids complain, they will thank you later in life!

Marriage advice for new parents?

Date nights for sure, and try to take a couples vacation without the kids if you can at some point.

Parenting support you could not live without?

Friends and great neighbors: We don’t have family locally, so friends and neighbors have been fantastic supporters of us.

Phase you feared your child would never grow out of?

I think it’s right now, not sure how long i can deal with “Bruh” and “Yo!” for much longer.

Favorite way to spend an unscheduled day with your kids in Charlotte?

Greenway, Sparetime and the pool.

Favorite Charlotte restaurant?

So many good ones. Date Night: Del Friscos; Family Night: Red Rocks or Blackfinn and Cabos.

Favorite place to shop in Charlotte?

Southpark Mall, Costco and Lowes. I spend way too much time at Lowes.

What local amenity/retailer/service could you not live without?

Quail Dry Cleaning pick up and delivery service is such an amazing time saver with my schedule and loads of shirts I always need to be cleaned. Also, Google Fiber, in my job, 1.5 GB internet is a lifesaver!