Meteorologist Michelle Kennedy, a native of Syracuse, N.Y., joined the WXII 12 team in the summer of 2001. Michelle is not new to the Carolinas, before moving to the Triad she spent several years forecasting in other parts of North and South Carolina.

Michelle has a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland at College Park. She also completed the broadcast meteorology program at Mississippi State University.

Michelle began her career as a reporter for KTVO in Kirksville, Mo. But an interest in tornadoes and hail storms guided her toward the path of weather forecasting.

After recognizing her passion, Michelle went on to join WCIV in Charleston, S.C., where she forecasted during hurricanes Bertha and Fran.

Then, after a couple of years of forecasting severe weather at KTBC in Texas, Michelle returned to the Carolinas. Before coming to the Piedmont, she was a forecaster at WCCB in Charlotte.

Michelle says that living in the Triad keeps her close to her family in Monroe, N.C. She married Anthony Baker in 2004. Tony is an attorney with the City of Winston-Salem and they have four dogs, Bogey, Buster, Tilly and Cowboy. Tony and Michelle enjoy First Friday Gallery Hops and live music. Michelle is an avid mountain biker, enjoys hiking, sailing, water skiing, traveling, and poetry.

Michelle has even managed to stay true to her sports' roots. She said she continues to root for the Syracuse Orangemen and the Maryland Terrapins.

In addition to participating in the Polar Plunge benefiting the Special Olympics North Carolina, Michelle is involved with several non-profit groups in the Triad. She is a YMCA Literacy Initiative Tutor, a board member with Volunteer Connections of Greater Winston-Salem, and Amos Cottage Brenner Children's Hospital.

Michelle is working with a committee of volunteers with Winston-Salem Sister Cities to open a retail store that will sell art from Ugheni, Nassau, Shanghai and Kumasi. Money raised will be returned to the sister cities to encourage growth in economic development and education.