Ella Dorsey, a 35-year-old meteorologist, has become a familiar face on Atlanta's morning television as the lead weather anchor for Atlanta News First's Wake Up Atlanta, a role she has held since 2020. Born on 2 May 1991 in Baltimore, Maryland, Dorsey has built a career spanning over a decade, marked by an Emmy Award and multiple reader's choice honors.
Early Life and Family
Dorsey moved to Atlanta, Georgia, with her family at age 13. Her father, Gary Dorsey, is a writer and motivational speaker, while her mother, Jan Winburn, has worked as a senior digital editor at CNN. Dorsey has credited her mother's journalism career as a significant inspiration for her own professional path.
She holds American nationality and identifies as White, with a Christian faith. Her height is 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm), and she weighs approximately 148 pounds (67 kg).
Education and Certification
Dorsey attended the University of Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Atmospheric Sciences. She later obtained the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) designation, a credential held by a relatively small percentage of on-air meteorologists, underscoring her expertise in the field.
Career Trajectory
After graduating in 2013, Dorsey gained early experience at several Southeast stations, including WTOC-TV in Savannah, WTVM-TV in Columbus, and WFXG-TV in Augusta. In January 2014, she secured her first full-time meteorologist role at WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she covered severe weather events such as tornadoes and winter storms for two years.
In January 2016, Dorsey joined what was then CBS46/WGCL in Atlanta as a weekend meteorologist. She progressed to weekend and evening broadcasts before moving to mornings in 2020 when the station launched Wake Up Atlanta. The station was later rebranded from CBS46/WGCL to Atlanta News First, a change that did not disrupt her role.
As of July 2026, Dorsey anchors the morning weather segment from 6 to 10 a.m. on weekdays. She has expressed interest in mesoscale meteorology and climate science beyond daily forecasting. Her colleagues include chief meteorologist Jennifer Valdez and traffic anchor Taylor Tucker, who joined in 2025.
Awards and Recognition
Dorsey's career highlights include an Emmy Award for Outstanding Weathercast, a Best Morning Newscast honor, and multiple Atlanta Magazine Reader's Choice Awards for Favorite Meteorologist. She was also named to the University of Georgia's 40 Under 40 list and serves as a board director for the university's Franklin College.
Personal Life and Marriage
Dorsey met her husband, Travis Rice, a comedy producer based in Atlanta, in June 2024. Their initial connection was unconventional: Dorsey had followed Rice on X and Instagram years earlier for his accurate hurricane information. They met in person about nine years later and began dating.
The couple celebrated a large wedding party in October 2025, followed by a smaller, family-only formal wedding in November 2025. Dorsey shared her joy on Instagram, saying, "Married my guy surrounded by our family & childhood friends this weekend. It was pure bliss. I can’t really put into words how special each moment was. Four days in paradise that @traviscrice and I will cherish forever." They planned a honeymoon in Paris for December 2025.
Addressing Rumors and FAQs
Contrary to some speculation, Dorsey has not left Channel 46. The station's rebrand to Atlanta News First caused confusion among long-time viewers. She remains an active morning meteorologist and continues to share updates on social media.
Regarding children, there is no public confirmation as of July 2026, as Dorsey has kept such details private. Her age is 35 as of 2026, and she was born on 2 May 1991, making her a Taurus.
Dorsey's journey from Baltimore to Atlanta, her academic achievements, and her resilience through station rebranding illustrate her dedication to meteorology and broadcasting, inspiring many young women in the field.
