Nazaneen Ghaffar: A Distinguished British Weather Presenter and Reporter
In the world of British broadcast journalism, few names stand out in the field of weather reporting as much as Nazaneen Ghaffar. Known for her articulate presentation, in-depth meteorological knowledge, and engaging on-screen presence, she has carved out an impressive career across several major UK media outlets. From her early work at ITV and the BBC, through her long tenure at Sky News, to her current position as a Weather Reporter at The New York Times, Ghaffar represents the ideal blend of professionalism, expertise, and relatability.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of Nazaneen Ghaffar, covering her age, education, career trajectory, personal life, and her contribution to meteorology and journalism.
Early Life and Background
Birth and Heritage
Nazaneen Ghaffar was born on 9 June 1985 in Kent, United Kingdom. She is currently 40 years old. Proudly identifying as British-Iranian, Ghaffar has often spoken about her mixed cultural heritage, with her Iranian parents settling in England where she was raised. This dual background has given her a unique perspective, reflected in her warm communication style and diverse outlook on world events.
Education
Ghaffar pursued her academic journey at Ravensbourne University London, where she studied Broadcasting and Journalism. Her time at Ravensbourne not only gave her the technical knowledge required to succeed in the media industry but also the practical skills to handle the fast-paced demands of television broadcasting. Her later training with the Met Office cemented her credibility as a meteorological expert.
Professional Career
Early Career with ITV
After graduating, Nazaneen Ghaffar began her career at ITV West in Bristol in 2006. Initially working behind the scenes, she soon stepped into an on-screen role after undergoing specialist training with the Met Office. She quickly proved herself as a capable and confident weather presenter, building the foundation of a long and successful career.
Transition to BBC News
In 2008, she moved to BBC South East Today, where she combined her broadcast journalism training with her growing expertise in weather reporting. Her work at the BBC included both live studio bulletins and outside broadcasts. She also contributed written forecasts and reports for online platforms, demonstrating her versatility across different media formats.
Channel 5 News
Between 2010 and 2012, Nazaneen Ghaffar was part of the weather presenting team at Channel 5 News. She covered both weekend and weekday bulletins, gaining more exposure and recognition as a trusted face for UK weather updates.
Sky News: A Defining Chapter
Her most prominent role came with Sky News, where she worked as a Weather Presenter from 2010 until 2021. This 11-year period was pivotal to her career. She delivered live UK weather bulletins, provided expert analysis on global weather events, and frequently produced pre-recorded content for television, mobile apps, and digital platforms.
In addition, she wrote stories on climate and weather for the Sky News website, showing her ability to adapt her expertise for written journalism. Ghaffar also undertook outside broadcasts and contributed to radio bulletins, including for LBC and Virgin Radio’s Chris Evans Breakfast Show. Her Sky News tenure firmly established her as one of Britain’s most recognisable weather presenters.
TalkTV and Times Radio
Following her departure from Sky News in 2021, Ghaffar joined TalkTV in April 2022. At TalkTV, she played a crucial role in setting up the weather department in collaboration with the Met Office. She managed graphics, scheduling, and editing while also serving as the main weather anchor, reporting on UK and world weather events across television, online platforms, and radio.
Simultaneously, she worked as a Weather Reporter for Times Radio from April 2022 until November 2024. Here, she reported live on both UK and global weather and climate events, once again blending her meteorological expertise with her skills as a broadcaster.
Meteored and Freelance Contributions
In 2024, Ghaffar expanded her portfolio by working with Meteored on a freelance basis. She wrote articles covering daily forecasts, extreme weather, and climate change impacts, while also recording and presenting weather forecast videos. Her work demonstrated her ability to communicate complex scientific issues in a way that was accessible to the general public.
Earlier in her career, she also contributed to The Times newspaper (2012–2018), writing weather stories and forecasts for the Sunday column.
The New York Times
In December 2024, Nazaneen Ghaffar joined The New York Times as a Weather Reporter, based in their London newsroom. Her role focuses on reporting global weather events as part of the Times’ weather data team. This appointment marked a significant milestone in her career, positioning her at the forefront of international journalism and giving her a platform to highlight climate-related issues on a global scale.
Skills and Expertise
Over the years, Nazaneen Ghaffar has developed a wide range of professional skills:
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Meteorology and Severe Weather Reporting: Expertise in interpreting and presenting weather data.
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Broadcast Journalism: Skilled in live presenting, outside broadcasts, and anchoring.
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Report Writing and News Journalism: Experienced in producing written forecasts, climate stories, and detailed reports.
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Video Production and Editing: Proficient in Avid, Avid iNEWS, and self-produced digital content.
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Public Communication: Strong ability to simplify complex meteorological concepts for a wide audience.
Personal Life, Husband and Children
Away from the cameras, Nazaneen Ghaffar lives in London. In 2016, she married Charlie Rose, a BBC reporter. The couple maintain a private family life, but in 2019 Ghaffar went on maternity leave, and later openly shared her experience of post-natal anxiety and depression following the birth of her child.
She has spoken candidly about the challenges of balancing mental health with new motherhood, describing the support she received from her husband, mother, and medical professionals as essential to her recovery. Her honesty in addressing maternal mental health has resonated with many, making her not only a respected broadcaster but also an advocate for awareness around the realities of parenthood.
While she keeps details about her child and family largely private, Ghaffar remains active on social media, where she shares weather updates, personal reflections, and glimpses of her day-to-day life.
Recognition and Influence
Nazaneen Ghaffar is not only admired for her broadcasting skills but also respected as a role model for aspiring journalists and presenters. Her British-Iranian heritage represents the diversity increasingly seen within UK media, while her career reflects resilience, adaptability, and continuous professional growth.
Her ability to balance traditional broadcasting with modern digital platforms has allowed her to remain relevant and influential in an ever-changing media environment. With the growing importance of climate reporting and extreme weather coverage, her role at The New York Times positions her as a crucial voice in global conversations around weather and climate.
Conclusion
Nazaneen Ghaffar has become one of the UK’s most recognisable and respected weather presenters. From her beginnings at ITV and the BBC, to a decade at Sky News, and her more recent work with TalkTV, Times Radio, Meteored, and now The New York Times, her career reflects both longevity and innovation.
At 40 years old, she has already achieved an impressive array of milestones, blending scientific knowledge with journalistic skill to inform and engage audiences. Married to fellow journalist Charlie Rose, she continues to inspire through her professionalism and charisma.
As a British-Iranian media personality, her journey illustrates not only the power of communication in weather reporting but also the importance of representation and expertise in modern journalism.
Her story serves as an inspiration for future broadcasters and highlights the essential role of weather reporting in an era of climate change and global uncertainty.
