LA Weather Gal Heats Up The Desert

In case you haven't seen or heard, Jackie Johnson is a massively popular weather reporter on KCBS and KCAL TV News in Los Angeles, who's now developed a loyal following right here in Palm Desert.

Jackie's weather reports, sunny demeanor, and cover girl looks have made her an icon in the Southland and her celebrity status continues to spread on YouTube and the Internet.

Recently, the parody music group "Parry Gripp" recorded a very clever and doting song dedicated to Johnson entitled "Jackie Johnson," which features copious video clips of some of Jackie's many legendary nightly news appearances. Johnson is well known for her mini skirts and form fitting outfits but also her Southern charm demeanor is a real "tune in" factor for viewers in need of an alternative to the more unsettling headline stories.

Johnson went to the University South Alabama, where she concentrated on meteorology and eventually graduated from Middle Tennessee State University, with a degree in broadcast journalism. Johnson is an avid surfer and often talks about her fondness for the Southern California beaches.

It would appear Jackie loves the desert sand as well, as she's been spotted visiting Palm Desert recently, dining at on El Paseo by fellow health enthusiast author Harvey Kubernik, a Los Angeles native who vacations here.

"I have seen Jackie Johnson dining at Native Foods and you know, when I said hello to her she was just as friendly and engaging as she is on television. She was interested to know why I became a vegan," Kubernik said. (Johnson is a vegan herself and has blogged on the KCBS website about healthy eating.)

Johnson has also been spotted buying fresh vegatables and produce at supermarket in Palm Desert by Siouxzan Perry, a Palm Springs based graphic designer who often shops at the store and watches Johnson's weather reports online.

"I lived in L.A. all my life before moving to the desert and Jackie is one way I stay connected to Los Angeles and all my friends there. Seeing Jackie makes me think of my swimming pool and my dinner parties I used to host when I lived there. Jackie Johnson is the ultimate L.A. connection to me!" Perry said, laughing.

Johnson's weather reports are hugely popular online now, with many of them captured on YouTube videos and weather girl fan sites. Los Angeles is known for having some sensationally 'glam' weather gals, such as Jackie Johnson's colleague Evelyne Taft at KCBS and KNBC's Elita Loresca.

Johnson is a dedicated professional who works double duty on KCBS and KCAL's nightly newscasts and does weather reports on KNX 1070 radio as well.

"Los Angeles is a glamour town and Jackie Johnson resonates that image but also has a down to earth quality that people love. She has just a twinge of a Southern accent and she's really down to earth, Plus having stellar looks never hurt anyone," Kubernik said. Certainly not a bad thing for an L.A. weather reporter who's star is on the rise.