NC State grad, former WRAL intern named director of NOAA's National Hurricane Center

MIAMI — An NC State University graduate and former WRAL weather intern is the new director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Michael Brennan previously served as the branch chief of NHC’s Hurricane Specialist Unit and for the past year has served as the acting NHC Deputy Director. While he was branch chief, he supervised one of the NOAA’s highest profile operation forecast units through 18 U.S. hurricanes that made landfall.

Brennan earned a bachelor’s degree in meteorology, and a masters and Ph.D. in atmospheric science from State. He took over his new role of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s NHC in Miami on Monday. While at State, he was an intern with WRAL.

The organization recognizes Brennan for having experience working across the NOAA and with other federal agencies to help execute the nation’s Hurricane Forecast and Warning program.

“The NHC director is one of the most visible and important jobs in the nation, and Mike possesses the right combination of experience, leadership and personal traits to prepare and guide us through major storms,” said Rick Spinrad, NOAA Administrator. “Alongside our trusted and dedicated team at NHC, Mike will continue to leverage vital partnerships to provide the best forecasts and build resilience to the impacts of hurricanes in U.S. communities.”

Brennan served as a senior hurricane specialist at NHC from 2008 to 2018.

Hurricane season begins on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.