Meteorologist goes viral after doing forecast using American Sign Language
NORMAN, Oklahoma - A meteorologist in Oklahoma is making forecasting more accessible and inspiring the next generation of meteorologists along the way.
Mikayla Smith launched "Signing Science with Smith," a forecast featuring American Sign Language.
The freelance weekend meteorologist at KXII, a CBS and FOX affiliate in Sherman, Texas, said she has always had a soft spot in her heart for the hard-of-hearing and deaf community. And with social media often lacking closed captions or accurate captions, she felt the need to start talking about the weather in ASL and incorporate it into her meteorology.
"I was expecting, maybe, you know, a couple of likes and shares, and I was absolutely blown away," Smith said.
Smith said she is happy to see the impact and hopeful this new trend starts to spread, helping other communities that may not necessarily get the news and weather normally.
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders, one in eight people in the United States aged 12 years or older – roughly 30 million – has hearing loss in both ears, based on standard hearing examinations.
Smith gets her passion for sign language after an introduction to it at a young age when her mom went to college for special education.
She started learning ASL in seventh grade and said she was lucky enough to continue through her senior year.
While Smith said she will still continue her live forecast, she hopes "Signing Science with Smith" will become its own segment.
"I'm going to continue to post things on social media and my YouTube page and TikTok," Smith said.
Smith said she has already had dozens of meteorologists reach out to her, wanting to learn ASL and asking where to start. She hopes her social media presence will be a starting place for others to come and learn a few signs here or there.
"Maybe it'll spark a passion in them, too," Smith said.
And hopefully, it inspires to have a lot more communication across many languages, including sign language.
LINK: Get updates on this story and others from FOXweather.com
Man describes being shot by Fairburn officer
FOX 5 Atlanta talked to the man who was shot earlier today by a Fairburn police officer. The officer also shot his two dogs. The officer was responding to a report about a distraught woman. FOX 5 Atlanta's Marc Teichner reporting live from the scene.
How to watch NFL football: Week 3
Several teams are ascending while others are struggling and seeking their first win of the season in Week 3 to avoid falling further behind in the standings. See the full schedule of this weekend’s matchups.
East Coweta Indians celebrate with trophy
High Five Sports designated the Indians team as its team of the week and presented them with a trophy during a campus celebration in Sharpsburg.
Fulton County teen scores perfect 1600 on SAT at age 14
Ashrit Talluri had already scored a perfect 1600 on three practice SATs. Then the 14-year-old Fulton County student did it when it counted: He earned a perfect score on the official test.
East Coweta Indians earn Team of the Week title
The East Coweta High School Indians football team is 4-1 this season, having won back-to-back games against ranked opponents.
14-year-old earns perfect SAT score
Most students wait until high school to take the SAT. Ashrit took it at 14 — and came away with a perfect score. Ashrit now spends some of his free time writing SAT practice questions for other students and helping them try different test-taking strategies.
Parents sue Cobb County school board over public comment changes
Parents in Cobb County are taking their battle over public comment access to the federal appeals court after district officials altered sign-up procedures during a tense board meeting, court filings claim.
Falcons players name favorite cheeses
The Atlanta Falcons are headed to Green Bay in Wisconsin to take on the Packers but before they boarded their plane, they were asked about their favorite cheese. Here are their answers.
Judge blocks Trump’s White House ban on CNN, MS NOW, Politico
A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump’s move to bar three news organizations from the White House complex, ordering officials to immediately restore access to CNN, MS NOW and Politico.
2 injured, 1 critical after shooting in northwest Atlanta
A shooting near a northwest Atlanta restaurant early Thursday morning left two men hospitalized, including one in critical condition, according to Atlanta police.