Mom Next Door Samantha Davies

Samantha Davies is a familiar face for early birds across Dallas-Fort Worth. A meteorologist and traffic reporter for NBC 5, Davies occupies the early slot, reporting weekdays from 4:30–7am. With a deep-rooted interest in weather and an aptitude for science and mathematics, she is a natural.

“I’ve always been interested in the weather,” says the Plano mom of two: Anna-Sophia, 2, and Alexander, 4 months. (Read our first interview with Davies after the birth of her first child.) “I grew up in upstate New York, so we had snow from October through March. I was glued to the weather as a kid.”

In 2004, Davies graduated with her bachelor’s degree in meteorology from the State University of New York College Oneonta. Before joining NBC 5 in 2009, she appeared on national programs including the Today show, NBC Nightly News and CNBC. Now, the 35-year-old has her “dream job” and, with husband Miguel, a picture-perfect family to go with it. But she’s the first to admit it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.

“I’ve had to learn to say no to things,” says Davies. “If I spread myself too thin, I feel terrible. I need to be on it for the kids so I really try to prioritize.”

One-on-One with Samantha Davies

DFWChild: You’re celebrating nine years with NCB 5 this month. What have you learned? 
Samantha Davies: I’ve really fallen in love with the Dallas-Fort Worth area. And the station is fantastic—it’s like a big family. I’ve worked every single shift over the years. There’s a lot of opportunity here.

C: What made you choose meteorology?
SD: We were vacationing in Florida and were part of the evacuation effort from Hurricane Andrew. I remember being a little girl in the hotel room and seeing the Weather Channel [news crew] outside our window. I could see the girl reporting on the weather and realized, “Wow, this is really a big deal.”

C: What do you love most about your work?
SD: I really love forecasting. That’s the science geek in me. I like looking at the numbers and trying to figure out what’s going to happen. I also love warning people when it comes to severe weather because I think about my own family. I want to help people. Having kids definitely changed the way I look at my work.

C: Is there a female reporter you look up to?
SD: I really look up to [NBC News meteorologist] Dylan Dreyer. She does it all, and it seems like she’s always traveling. I think it’s amazing.

C: What would people be most surprised to learn about your job?
SD: There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes. Forecasting takes a couple hours of my day.

RELATED: Emergency Preparedness Tips from NBC 5’s Samantha Davies

C: What time do you wake up?
SD: Around 1am. There’s a lot of prep that goes into getting ready to go on air. Plus, getting out the door is a lot because I try to make sure everything in my house is ready for my kids when they wake up.

C: When do you go to bed?
SD: I take a nap when my kids nap in the afternoon and go to bed around 8 or 8:30pm. I try to get my seven to eight hours of sleep; it’s just split in two.

C: Was it difficult to adjust to these hours?
SD: It’s more difficult now that I have kids. I really have to make sleep a priority.

C: If you had gone a completely different direction in your career, what do you think you’d be doing?
SD: I’ve wanted to be a meteorologist since I was a kid. But I think being a nutritionist would be a lot of fun. I love researching what food does to your body. We eat a lot of fresh food and try not to eat anything processed. I make everything at home.

C: What does your support system look like?
SD: My parents moved out here about two years ago and have been a lifesaver.

C: What do you do to take care of yourself?
SD: I love exercise classes. I try to do yoga or a barre method class.

C: How do you and Miguel stay connected?
SD: We try to do a date night once a month. Our favorite thing to do is to go out and try new restaurants.

C: How did Anna-Sophia react to the new baby?
SD: Everybody kept saying there would be jealousy, but she’s been great. She’s obsessed with the baby. Hopefully, it stays that way.

C: Was it a total game-changer to add number two?
SD: He’s a really good baby, so it’s not bad. Everything just takes twice as long.

C: Is two the magic number?
SD: I really love having a sister so it makes me sad that Anna-Sophia doesn’t have a sister. Three isn’t out of the question, but I know there’s no guarantee I would have a girl. Right now, we’re set with two.

C: What do you love most about being a mom? 
SD: Watching them grow up and experience new things. We went to Hawaii this summer and Anna-Sophia got to see the ocean for the first time. That kind of stuff is really fun.

C: What’s most difficult about motherhood?
SD: Keeping my kids on a schedule is difficult, but it’s totally worth it.

C: How has motherhood changed you as a person?
SD: I’m more caring, gentle and nurturing. I’m extremely happy. I feel very complete right now.

C: Best piece of parenting advice someone has given you? 
SD: Slow down and savor every moment because it goes by so fast.

C: Worst advice?
SD: Never wake a sleeping baby.

C: What’s next for you personally?
SD: Getting out of baby mode. Right now, there’s a lot of coordination, packing and logistics. It’ll be nice when our kids are a little more independent. I’m looking forward to evolving as a family and having a little more time for myself and my husband.

C: And professionally?
SD: This is my dream job so I just want to keep going. I don’t have further aspirations right now. That may change in five or 10 years, but right now I love what I’m doing, and I’m so thankful I get to do it.

Samantha Davies’ Local Hotspots

Want to know where NBC5 traffic and weather reporter hangs out? Well, it depends on the weather (obviously). Here the mom-of-two divulges her local spots to eat and play.

1. Getting a fix of her favorite home town fare …
“I miss New York’s Italian food and bakeries. Jimmy’s is one of my favorite spots in Dallas.”
“Everything is so good. We usually grab a sandwich and bottle of wine and then end up buying a ton of stuff to take home.”
Jimmy’s Food Store // 4901 Bryan St., Dallas; 214/823-6180

2. When the forecast calls for rain…
“If it’s a rainy or cold day, we love going to the Gaylord or NorthPark to see the ducks and turtles.”
Gaylord Texan Resort Hotel & Convention Center // 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine; 817/778-1000
NorthPark Center // 8687 N. Central Expressway, Dallas; 214/363-7441

This interview was originally published in January 2018.

Photography by Carter Rose