
Sue Palka
If I act like I'm on cloud 9, it's not just because there's weather there. I consider it a privilege to live, work and forecast in the nation's capital.
As a kid growing up in Erie, Pa., my parents often brought us to visit my aunt, uncle and cousins in the D.C. area. We loved taking in the history of the region, and when they told us that schools often closed for as little as 2" of snow, we got quite a kick out of it coming from a snow belt city that averaged over 100" a season.
Not in my wildest dreams would I have expected that someday I would get to forecast the same school-closing 2" for you at 5, 6, 9, 10 & 11 pm!
I began my career at FOX 5 in 1985 after a short stop at WTVR in Richmond. Within a few months of my arrival, my husband Joe and I welcomed our first daughter, Elizabeth. Little sister Nora followed in 1989 and the joy continues as my granddaughter Anastasia arrived in 2017 to steal my heart!
I've covered hurricanes on the ground and from the air inside the famed Hurricane Hunter's aircraft. I've chased tornadoes and witnessed the total eclipse of the sun in Curacao. Now I can add earthquakes, Derechos and the polar vortex to the list!
There have been countless live shots including riding in a hot air balloon, paddle-boating in the Tidal Basin, the Presidential Lighting of the National Christmas Tree, and for a few years when my girls were younger, Halloween at my house.
The best part is always getting to meet our viewers face to face. Along the way, I've collected six Emmy Awards for weather forecasting.
Now that I've spent more than three decades at FOX 5, people tell me that they grew up watching me. That's the greatest reward of all and I'm beyond grateful.
When I'm not at FOX 5, I love taking in the area's vibrant theatre scene, going to Nats games, traveling, biking, hiking and enjoying a meal at one of the many amazing restaurants in this region.
Even though I retired from forecasting in March 2022, I am now an on-air contributor for FOX 5!
The latest from Sue Palka
Showers, downpours Wednesday with warm temperatures in the 60s
Lots of clouds around this morning but rain is moving in later today so grab the rain gear before heading out.
Cool, cloudy Tuesday with highs in the 60s
We may see some filtered sun through high clouds this morning, but in general clouds will be more plentiful than sun on our Tuesday.
Warm Friday with temps in the 70s; storms expected Saturday
The rain is out of here! Friday morning starts with some patchy dense fog, but that will mix out and give way to mostly sunny skies.
Rainy, cool St. Patrick's Day for the DMV; mid-70s to end the week
Rather appropriate that it feels like a morning in Ireland on this St. Patrick’s Day!
Warm Wednesday with highs in the 70s; rain likely Thursday
If you didn't get to soak up enough early spring warmth yesterday, you get a do-over today!
Chilly, dry Thursday with highs in the 50s
A dry day is on tap but it may take a while for the clouds to depart on our Thursday. FOX 5's Sue Palka says sunshine looks possible by afternoon as temperatures rise into the upper 40s to low-50s.
Cold, rainy Wednesday with temperatures in the 40s
We're waking up to a chilly rain - and in some places north and west - that rain may mix with snow.
Cold and breezy Tuesday after record warmth; chilly rain overnight into Wednesday
We're back to reality Tuesday! After hitting a record-setting 80 degrees yesterday, a very gusty push of much colder air has arrived.
Scattered showers Tuesday with mild temperatures in the 60s
We hang onto the mild temperatures for a couple more days, but scattered showers are in the forecast Tuesday.
Warm, windy Thursday with highs near 70 degrees; PM gusty showers
A warm, windy Thursday with high temperatures near 70 degrees in parts of the area and gusty showers later this evening.