BBC Scotland features a talented team of weather presenters who offer insightful weather coverage and timely forecasts tailored to Scotland’s unique climatic conditions to their audience.
The presenters work on multiple platforms, including online weather platforms, social media, and TV broadcasters on Scottish channels like Reporting Scotland and on Alba’s Gaelic news programme An La’.
Here’s a list of the main weather presenters currently associated with BBC Scotland, along with brief details on their roles.
1. Carol Kirkwood
- Previous jobs: BBC Breakfast, BBC News, The Weather Channel UK
- Education: BA in commerce from Napier College of Commerce and Technology, Edinburgh
- Ethnicity: Scottish
- Partner: Jim Hickey
Carol Kirkwood is one of the BBC’s most recognised weather presenters. She regularly features on BBC Scotland weather segments.
Kirkwood is known nationally for her charismatic delivery and extensive experience presenting weather forecasts across the UK.
After earning a BA in Commerce from Napier University in Edinburgh, she joined the BBC’s secretarial reserve, which gave her entry into the corporation. She then moved to working on BBC Radio Scotland, Radio 2, and Radio 4.
In 1996, Carol joined the UK branch of The Weather Channel, where she began her formal meteorology training.
When the channel closed, she continued her training with the Met Office under the guidance of the BBC, gaining real forecasting experience and understanding pressure maps, fronts, and the interactions between oceanic and atmospheric systems.
In April 1998, she transitioned to BBC Weather full-time, appearing on BBC News and BBC World News, and later became the main presenter on BBC Breakfast.
2. Elizabeth Rizzini
- Previous jobs: BBC Scotland weather broadcasts and other BBC platforms
- Education: Master’s degree in Journalism -University of Westminster, specialising in climate issues
- Ethnicity: British-Italian
Elizabeth Rizzini presents weather forecasts for BBC Scotland and the wider UK audience.
Known for her meteorological expertise, she delivers a clear, professional presentation on Scotland’s varied weather conditions.
Her broadcast career spans a wide range of platforms: she has presented weather for regional BBC outlets such as BBC London, national programmes, and even international broadcasts.
Further, she made her TV debut with BBC South East Today around November 2010. She has also appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC News Channel, and presented forecasts on the BBC.
3. Christopher Blanchett
- Previous jobs: Producer at BBC South Today, BBC Weather Centre, BBC News Channel
- Education: BA in Human Geography, Master’s in Television Journalism (Nottingham Trent University)
- Ethnicity: British
Christopher Blanchett serves as a senior weather presenter for BBC Scotland, regularly delivering detailed weather reports to audiences.
Before embarking on his current role, he worked as a producer for BBC South Today. Further, he also worked at the BBC Weather Centre and BBC News Channel as a presenter.
Additionally, he has a strong presence on social media, where he shares forecasts and climate insights.
5. Alex Deakin
- Previous jobs: BBC National Weather presenter
- Education: Geography and Environmental Sciences -University of Southampton
- Ethnicity: British
Alex Deakin occasionally contributes to Scottish weather coverage, though primarily associated with BBC Weather UK. Deakin brings energy and clarity to the weather bulletins.
6. Judith Ralston
- Previous jobs: Traffic reporter, BBC Scotland
- Education: Trained opera singer – Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama( Glasgow) and the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester)
- Ethnicity: Scottish White
- Partner: Fraser Ralston
Judith Ralston is one of the main weather presenters on Reporting Scotland. She is also a former singer.
Ralston is a trained singer from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and the Northern College of Music in Manchester.
She worked as a traffic reporter for BBC Scotland before becoming the lead weather presenter.
7. Laura Godwin
- Previous jobs: BBC Scotland Innovation Correspondent, News presenter on Reporting Scotland
- Education: Sociology degree – University of Edinburgh; educated at Madras College, St Andrews
- Ethnicity: South African-born Scottish
Laura Godwin recently joined BBC Scotland’s lead presenting team for Reporting Scotland, but also contributes to weather updates.
Prior to this, she worked as an innovation correspondent for BBC Scotland.
8. Kirsteen MacDonald
- Previous jobs: Radio broadcast journalist and newsreader for BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.
- Education: BA (Hons) in Gaelic Language and Culture from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (Isle of Skye).
Kirsteen MacDonald presents the weather on Reporting Scotland and on An Là (the Gaelic news programme).
She has a strong background in Gaelic language broadcasting. Prior to this, Kirsteen was a radio broadcast journalist and newsreader for BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.