Haley Clawson Biography: Award-Winning Meteorologist & STEM Advocate

Haley Clawson is a seasoned meteorologist best known for her role as Chief Meteorologist at KESQ-TV, the ABC affiliate in Palm Springs, California.

She joined the station in January 2016 and quickly became a trusted voice for weather updates across the Coachella Valley.

Early Life and Education:

• Originally from South Florida, Haley Clawson grew up in Davie, Florida, a hurricane-prone environment that significantly influenced her career path.

• She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geoscience with a concentration in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University in 2014. Her decision to attend MSU was influenced by her sister and brother-in-law, who were also alumni.

Career:

• Clawson gained early experience through internships at Florida stations, including WFOR in Miami and WFTX in Fort Myers.

• Her first professional position was as a weekend meteorologist and multimedia journalist at KRBC in Abilene, Texas, starting in June 2014.

• She then became the morning meteorologist at KTAB in Abilene, Texas, from February to December 2015.

• In December 2015, Clawson moved to the Coachella Valley in Southern California, accepting a position as Chief Meteorologist at KESQ, KPSP, and KDFX in Palm Springs, California, a role she held from January 2016 until her departure in October 2024.

• During her time at KESQ, she covered various weather events, including floods, drought, desert snow, extreme heat, damaging winds, and wildfires. A notable moment in her career was covering the Blue Cut Fire in August 2016.

• In October 2024, Haley Clawson announced her departure from KESQ, stating she was ready for a new chapter with a more balanced schedule, but indicated she would remain in the desert area.

Achievements

Haley Clawson has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to meteorology, including receiving Emmy and Golden Mike awards.

Her dedication to accurate weather forecasting and engaging communication has made her a trusted figure in the community.

Other Interests and Activities:

• Haley is an avid outdoors enthusiast, enjoying hiking, fishing, and scuba diving.

• Since moving to California, she has been involved with a local triathlon club and participates in annual races, having completed at least two IRONMAN events.

• She is passionate about science and community outreach, co-founding the non-profit organization “STEM-ing Careers” in 2017 with other local women to support girls in the Coachella Valley pursuing education in science, technology, engineering, or math.

Haley Clawson is a two-time Emmy Award winner.

Age

Haley Clawson was born on November 28, making her a Scorpio. She is of American nationality and her ethnicity is Caucasian.

While she hasn’t disclosed her exact age, she is estimated to be in her 30s based on her appearance.

Husband

Haley Clawson is engaged to Nick Clifford, a nursing graduate who passed the NCLEX in November 2022.

Nick proposed to Haley in November 2023, and they often share their adventures and milestones on social media.

They enjoy spending time outdoors together, engaging in activities like fishing, scuba diving, and hiking.

Height

Haley Clawson stands at an estimated 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs between 125 and 135 pounds.

Her approximate measurements are 34-25-35 inches. She has blonde hair and hazel eyes, completing her polished on-air look.

Career and Background

Haley Clawson joined KESQ-TV as a meteorologist and quickly advanced to the role of Chief Meteorologist due to her expertise and engaging personality.

With a background in both weather reporting and digital media, she skillfully combined traditional weather broadcasting with modern digital outreach, enhancing the station’s online presence.

Her years at KESQ were marked by accurate forecasting, community engagement, and dedication to providing valuable weather updates.

Early Career

Haley Clawson began her career in broadcast meteorology as a weather intern at WFTX FOX 4 and WFOR CBS 4 while she was still a student at Mississippi State University.

She graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geosciences, emphasizing Broadcast Meteorology.

KTAB in Abilene, Texas

After graduating, Haley moved to Abilene, Texas, where she worked as the morning meteorologist at KTAB. During her time there, she covered major weather events and gained valuable experience in the field.

KESQ in Palm Springs

In January 2016, Haley joined KESQ News Channel 3 in Palm Springs as the Chief Meteorologist. Her forecasts appear on KESQ at 4, 5, 6, 6:30, 10, and 11 p.m. on weekday evenings.

She has been recognized for her accurate weather predictions and engaging communication style, winning two Emmys and three Golden Mike awards.

Departure from KESQ

In October 2024, Haley announced that she was stepping down from her position as Chief Meteorologist at KESQ.

She stated that after much reflection, she decided to step away from her role to embrace a new chapter that allows for a shift in pace and a schedule that brings more balance.

Haley expressed gratitude for her time at KESQ and the opportunity to serve the community.

Achievements and Awards

Haley’s dedication to her work has earned her numerous accolades, including:

• Emmy Awards: Recognized for her outstanding weather reporting.

• Golden Mike Awards: Honored for her contributions to broadcast journalism.

• Outstanding Explanatory Reporting Award: From the Society of Environmental Journalists for her work on the Salton Sea and the Colorado River.

Haley Clawson worked with several talented colleagues at KESQ-TV during her tenure as Chief Meteorologist. Some of her former colleagues include:

• Angela Chen: Morning/Noon Anchor

• Karen Devine: Evening Anchor and Investigative Reporter

• Jennifer Franco: Reporter

• Patrick Evans: Morning and Noon Meteorologist

• Spencer Blum: Meteorologist

• Blake Arthur: Sports Director

• Allie Anthony: Reporter

• Shay Lawson: Reporter

• Luis Avila: Reporter

• Gavin Nguyen: Reporter

• Kenji Ito: Reporter

These colleagues contributed to the diverse and dynamic news coverage at KESQ, making it a well-rounded team.

Net Worth and Salary

Haley Clawson’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million. This wealth is attributed to her successful career as a meteorologist and multimedia journalist.

As for her salary, while working at KESQ-TV, she earned an annual salary ranging from $75,000 to $310,500.

Is Haley Clawson Married

Haley Clawson is engaged to Nick Clifford, a nursing graduate who passed the NCLEX in November 2022. Nick proposed to Haley in November 2023, and they often share their adventures and milestones on social media.

How Old Is Haley Clawson

Haley Clawson hasn’t publicly disclosed her exact age. However, she celebrates her birthday on November 28th, and based on her appearance, she is estimated to be in her 30s.

Where Is Haley Clawson Working

Until recently, Haley Clawson worked as the Chief Meteorologist at KESQ-TV, a prominent local station in Palm Springs, California.

She stepped down from her position as Chief Meteorologist in October 2024. She mentioned that she is staying in the desert region but has not yet revealed her next career move.

Haley Clawson is active on social media. She often posts updates on her Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts.

On Instagram, she shares glimpses of her personal life and family moments, while on Facebook and Twitter, she engages with her followers and shares weather-related content.