AdminBryan Bachman became a valued member of the First Warn 5 Weather Team in April 2014, earning the position of Chief Meteorologist in February 2015. His expertise is further recognized by holding the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist designation from the American Meteorological Society.
Before making his mark in Michigan, Bryan honed his meteorological skills as a meteorologist at WTEN-TV in Albany, NY, and provided freelance work for the News12 Networks in New York’s Tri-State area.
Bryan’s fascination with weather dates back to his earliest memories. Though thunderstorms initially sparked uneasiness in him as a child, his parents’ encouragement quickly transformed that unease into an insatiable curiosity to comprehend weather phenomena and its intricacies. Today, Bryan eagerly anticipates a good thunderstorm and relishes the scent of a fresh Summer rain.
Growing up in New Jersey, Bryan was exposed to significant weather events, such as the Blizzard of 1996, Tropical Storm Floyd, and the President’s Day Blizzard of 2003, fueling his passion for meteorology. He pursued this passion at Rutgers University, earning a B.S. Degree in Meteorology.
His hands-on experience with notable weather events continued into his professional career. In 2011, Bryan reported on the devastating flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene in upstate New York. A year later, while working at the News12 Networks in the Bronx, his hometown fell within the path of Hurricane Sandy, permanently altering the coastal landscape of New Jersey and New York.
Since joining Michigan in 2014, Bryan has wholeheartedly embraced the state and its unique weather patterns. Witnessing the Great Lakes in person and experiencing their proficient lake effect snow provided novel experiences for him. He relishes the challenge of forecasting in Michigan, even if it occasionally adds a few more gray hairs to his head.
In his leisure time, Bryan is an advocate for outdoor activities. A former cross-country runner and tennis player in high school, he continues to engage in these pursuits. You may encounter him strolling, jogging, or even roller-blading along local trails. Additionally, Bryan is an avid supporter of the Great Lakes Loons and can often be found at Dow Diamond cheering on the team.
When not immersed in nature, Bryan indulges in video games and books that captivate his imagination. Proudly identifying as a weather and science enthusiast, Bryan relishes opportunities to share his passion by visiting local schools, senior centers, and civic groups.
His dedication to his craft has earned him Emmy nominations in 2019 and 2020. Additionally, he has received accolades for the best weathercast in 2016, 2017, and 2019 from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, and in 2019 from the Associated Press. You can catch Bryan’s forecasts Monday through Friday on TV5 News at 5, 6, and 11 PM, and at 10 PM on TV5+. Listen for his weather reports on 98 KCQ-FM, ESPN 100.9 WLUN-FM, and on WSGW News Radio 790!