This post announces and analyzes the promotion of Devon Lucie to Chief Meteorologist at WDSU, taking the reins from the legendary Margaret Orr after her retirement in 2024.
It summarizes Lucie’s background, highlights his severe-weather experience and credentials, and explains what his elevation means for New Orleans viewers and WDSU’s weather coverage going forward.
Devon Lucie steps into a storied role at WDSU
Devon Lucie joined WDSU’s First Warning Weather team in 2021 and has quickly become a familiar and trusted presence for Southeast Louisiana viewers.
His promotion to Chief Meteorologist places him in a lineage of outstanding local forecasters that includes Nash Roberts, Dan Milham, and Margaret Orr.
As a meteorologist with more than two decades of operational forecasting experience, Lucie brings both technical skill and on-air poise to the position.
The move reflects WDSU’s commitment to continuity and to delivering accurate, timely severe-weather information to a region that faces tropical storms, hurricanes, and other hazards.
Proven severe-weather expertise and notable coverage
Lucie’s resume features first-hand coverage of extreme weather events across the United States, demonstrating the field experience that matters most when forecasting crises.
He is recognized in the New Orleans market by independent evaluator WeatheRate as the most accurate forecaster—an important endorsement for viewers who rely on precise forecasts.
Credentials and professional standards
Credentials matter in broadcast meteorology because they represent independent validation of knowledge and communication skills.
Lucie holds a bachelor’s degree in science with a minor in mathematics from the University of Oklahoma, where he studied tornadoes and severe storms—core subject matter for any meteorologist working in risk-prone regions.
Beyond his degree, Lucie is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM), the American Meteorological Society’s highest on-air accreditation.
The CBM designation requires a rigorous exam and ongoing professional standards, which reinforce both technical competence and clear public communication during high-stakes weather events.
What this promotion means for viewers and the community
WDSU President and General Manager Mike Neelly highlighted Lucie’s accuracy and commitment to community safety—qualities that should reassure viewers.
In practice, this means viewers can expect continued focus on early warnings, plain-language guidance during storms, and actionable forecasts tailored to Louisiana’s unique coastal and urban vulnerabilities.
Lucie has said his mission is to provide the most reliable and useful weather information, and his deep family roots in New Orleans reinforce his personal investment in keeping neighbors safe and prepared.
Carrying on a legacy while looking forward
Margaret Orr’s 45-year career set a high bar for local meteorology in New Orleans.
Succeeding a figure like Orr brings both responsibility and opportunity: responsibility to uphold the standards viewers expect, and opportunity to innovate with new tools, data sources, and communication strategies.
As Chief Meteorologist, Lucie will oversee forecast operations, mentor weather staff, and serve as the face of WDSU’s severe-weather readiness.
His combination of field experience, academic training, and recognized forecasting accuracy positions him well for these duties.
Final thoughts
For viewers in Southeast Louisiana, this transition is more than a personnel change. It’s a continuity plan for safety and information during the region’s most dangerous weather.
With Devon Lucie at the helm—backed by certification and a deep connection to New Orleans—WDSU’s weather team is poised to continue its long tradition of trusted forecasting.
Here is the source article for this story: WDSU names Devon Lucie Chief Meteorologist