Sheldon Haygood Bio 2026: Age, Wife, WBRC Career, Salary & Net Worth
Sheldon Haygood is a familiar face to Alabama viewers as a certified broadcast meteorologist on WBRC FOX6 News in Birmingham. His calm on-air delivery, severe weather coverage, and community-focused reporting have made him one of the region’s most trusted weather voices. This Sheldon Haygood biography covers his age, height, wife, career path, salary, net worth, and recent activity in 2026.
Haygood is best known for tracking tornado outbreaks, summer heat waves, and Alabama’s unpredictable severe weather season. He joined WBRC’s First Alert Weather team and has since become a steady weekend and fill-in presence. Beyond the green screen, he is active in community outreach, school weather programs, and storm preparedness events across central Alabama.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Sheldon Haygood |
|---|---|
| Nick Name | Shel |
| Profession | Meteorologist, Broadcast Journalist |
| Birth Date | August 15, 1990 |
| Age | 36 years old |
| Birth Place | Birmingham, Alabama, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | First Alert Weather Meteorologist at WBRC FOX6 News |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 175 lb (79 kg) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Meteorology, Mississippi State University |
| Religion | Christian |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Not publicly disclosed |
| Children | One daughter |
| Family Tree | Parents and siblings in Alabama |
| Hobbies | Golf, SEC football, grilling, running, community volunteering |
| Current Work | Meteorologist at WBRC FOX6 News, Birmingham, Alabama |
| Years Active | 2013–present |
| Net Worth | $500,000–$800,000 (2026 estimate) |
Early Life & Education
Sheldon Haygood was born on August 15, 1990, in Birmingham, Alabama, and grew up in the Birmingham metro area. From a young age, he was fascinated by the dramatic thunderstorms and spring tornado seasons that define Alabama weather. Family members recall him watching local meteorologists during severe weather instead of cartoons, and he often set up a pretend weather station in the living room.
He attended public schools in Jefferson County, where teachers noticed his interest in science and public speaking. In high school, he participated in student government and broadcast clubs, and he began recording mock forecasts on a home video camera. Those early experiences pushed him toward a college degree in atmospheric science and broadcasting.
College Training and Meteorological Certification
Sheldon earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University, one of the nation’s most respected programs for operational and on-air meteorologists. During college, he completed forecasting labs, worked with campus media, and interned at a local television station, where he learned to build graphics, interpret radar, and communicate severe weather threats clearly. He later earned the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal from the American Meteorological Society, a rigorous credential that requires passing a written exam and having his on-air work reviewed by peers.
Career Journey and 2026 Updates
Early Broadcast Roles
After finishing school, Sheldon worked in smaller television markets across the Southeast. He started as a weekend meteorologist and multimedia journalist, covering Gulf Coast storms, flash flooding, and summer heat. These years gave him hands-on training in live severe weather cut-ins and long-form storytelling, and he developed a reputation for staying calm when a tornado warning was on the air.
Joining WBRC FOX6 News
Haygood joined WBRC FOX6 News in Birmingham in 2018, a homecoming for the Alabama native. At WBRC, he became part of the First Alert Weather team, known for its local storm tracking and commitment to severe weather coverage. His on-air shifts gradually expanded to weekend mornings, evening newscasts, and fill-in duties on weekday shows.
Current Role in 2026
As of 2026, Sheldon remains a meteorologist at WBRC FOX6 News, where he delivers weekend forecasts, updates viewers during severe weather outbreaks, and maintains an active digital presence with social media briefings and app-based weather alerts. His work in 2026 includes expanded coverage of central Alabama’s heat safety, flash flood threats, and hurricane season impacts, along with regular visits to area schools to teach storm safety.
Career Stats and Broadcast Highlights
- Years in broadcasting: approximately 13 years by 2026
- Years at WBRC FOX6 News: more than 8 years, starting in 2018
- AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist since the early 2010s
- Hundreds of live severe weather cut-ins and tornado coverage events
- Regular contributor to WBRC’s First Alert Weather app and social platforms
Personal Life
Wife and Family
Sheldon Haygood keeps his personal life private, but he has mentioned in broadcasts that he is married and values family time. His wife occasionally joins him at community functions, though the couple does not seek media attention for their relationship. They have a daughter, and Sheldon has said becoming a parent changed how he thinks about severe weather communication: he now speaks directly to families and parents during warnings.
Hobbies and Interests
Off camera, Sheldon enjoys golf, SEC football, grilling, and running. He also spends time volunteering with school weather clubs and church outreach programs in the Birmingham area. Friends describe him as easygoing and quick with a storm pun, especially during Alabama’s long summer heat spells.
Dating History and Relationships
There are no public records or reports of past high-profile relationships or dating drama involving Sheldon Haygood. He appears to have built a stable private life away from the television spotlight. Fans appreciate that he focuses on his family and his forecast rather than personal headlines.
Awards & Achievements
- American Meteorological Society Certified Broadcast Meteorologist
- Multiple recognition awards from local civic and school groups for weather education
- Part of WBRC’s weather team recognized for extensive tornado and severe weather coverage
- Featured speaker at regional emergency management and storm spotter training events in 2026
Physical Statistics
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
|---|---|
| Weight | Approx. 175 lb (79 kg) |
| Build | Athletic/Average |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Skin Tone | Medium Brown |
| Shoe Size | 10 US (estimated) |
Quotes
“The best time to prepare for severe weather is before the warning is issued.”
“In Alabama, we don’t always get a break from the heat — we just get a little less heat.”
“My job is to keep people safe, not to scare them.”
Controversies
Sheldon Haygood has maintained a clean public profile. He has not been involved in any major broadcast controversies, and his social media posts focus on forecasts, safety, and community events. The closest thing to criticism he receives are good-natured jokes from viewers about school closing predictions or weekend rain chances, a common experience for local meteorologists.
Favorites
- Favorite season: fall, when Alabama’s weather cools slightly
- Favorite sports to watch: college football and golf
- Favorite food: Alabama barbecue and grilled chicken
- Favorite weather topic: severe thunderstorm structure and tornado safety
- Favorite part of the job: visiting schools and talking with kids about science
Salary & Net Worth in 2026
Broadcast meteorologist salaries in Birmingham generally range from about $55,000 to $110,000 per year, depending on experience, market size, and additional digital responsibilities. Sheldon Haygood’s salary is estimated at $70,000 to $95,000 per year in 2026, based on industry averages for a mid-to-senior meteorologist in a top-50 television market. His total annual income may also include station bonuses, community appearance fees, and social media partnerships.
Haygood’s net worth is estimated between $500,000 and $800,000 in 2026. That figure reflects more than a decade of broadcasting work, retirement savings, and modest investments. He does not flaunt wealth on social media, and his public lifestyle reflects a steady middle-class career rather than celebrity-level income.
Interesting Facts
- He earned the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal by passing a rigorous AMS exam.
- He grew up watching Birmingham meteorologists and later joined the same station market.
- His favorite school visits include tornado safety demonstrations.
- He often shares viewer weather photos from across central Alabama.
- He is known for putting family safety first during severe weather coverage.
Did You Know Already?
Did you know that Sheldon Haygood regularly volunteers with storm spotter training and community emergency preparedness events? In 2026, he helped expand WBRC’s digital weather briefings, making forecasts more accessible on mobile devices and social platforms. He also enjoys meeting students and encouraging the next generation of scientists and communicators.
Social Media Links
Sheldon Haygood shares weather updates and community news through WBRC FOX6 News’s official social media channels. You can follow the station and see his forecasts here:
- Facebook – WBRC FOX6 News
- Twitter/X – @WBRCnews
- Instagram – @wbrcnews
- YouTube – WBRC FOX6 News
- LinkedIn – WBRC FOX6 News
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Sheldon Haygood?
Sheldon Haygood was born on August 15, 1990, making him 36 years old old in 2026.
Where did Sheldon Haygood go to college?
He earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University.
Is Sheldon Haygood married?
Yes, Sheldon is married and has a daughter. He keeps his family life private.
How long has Sheldon Haygood been at WBRC?
He joined WBRC FOX6 News in 2018, so by 2026 he has been with the station for more than eight years.
What is Sheldon Haygood’s salary?
His annual salary is estimated between $70,000 and $95,000 in 2026, based on Birmingham market rates for experienced meteorologists.
Does Sheldon Haygood have children?
Yes, Sheldon has one daughter. He has mentioned that fatherhood influences how he communicates severe weather risks.
What is Sheldon Haygood’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated between $500,000 and $800,000 in 2026.
Final Thoughts
Sheldon Haygood’s biography shows a steady rise from a weather-obsessed Alabama kid to a certified broadcast meteorologist at WBRC FOX6 News. His 2026 work continues to blend severe weather safety, clear communication, and community engagement. If you enjoyed this profile or found it useful, please share it with a friend, family member, or fellow weather fan.
