"The technology we have is amazing—you can scan part of a storm, vertically and horizontally, and see just how strong it is."

New Mexicans have been turning to the Emmy Award winning Action 7 News Chief Meteorologist Joe Diaz for a full and accurate forecast for almost three decades.

Joe has been part of the Action 7 News team for more than 28 years. He originally worked at Action 7 News from 1979 to 1989, and then returned in 1997.

He has racked up numerous awards since then, including the New Mexico Broadcasters Association's "Best Weathercast" in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2015. He also won The Associated Press "Best Weathercast" award in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Joe also updates regular weather webcast to our KOAT moble app and KOAT.com.

One of Joe's most memorable -- and most frightening -- moments as a television meteorologist came in 1989 when, while working for a Houston station, he was sent to cover Hurricane Hugo.

"We were broadcasting from Charleston, South Carolina, as this category-4 hurricane came on shore," Diaz says. "As we took shelter inside the lobby of the Ramada Inn, a wall caved in and destroyed our $50,000 video camera. Fortunately, no one was hurt."

Joe is a member of the American Meteorological Society (AMS), and is the first in New Mexico (and 68th nationwide) to be named a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist. This prestigious designation is an upgrade of Joe's previous AMS Seal of Approval.

Joe also holds the seal of approval from the National Weather Association (NWA).

Joe married his wife, an Albuquerque native, in 1981. They have two adult sons and a very spoiled dog.

Biking, running and golfing with his sons are among his favorite ways to spend personal time, along with an occasional triathlon, are among his favorite ways to spend personal time. Some of the more grueling events he has entered include The La Luz Trail Run up Sandia Mountain and a Half-Ironman event.

Like his late father, Joe enjoys reading the works of Max Lucado and has a soft spot for Abuelita’s New Mexican Kitchen in Bernalillo and the South Valley.

E-mail Joe at: jrdiaz@hearst.com.