Hot weather woman: Sexiest meteorologist?
BY DAVID OVALLE, THE MIAMI HERALD

Weather diva Jackie Johnson is raising temperatures on the Internet.

The WSVN-Fox 7 morning personality is poised to be named sexiest meteorologist by Playboy.com today.

The website has conducted polls for sexiest sportscaster and sexiest women's basketball star over the past five years, but the response to the ''Mercury Rising'' poll has been so great, editors had to double-check to make sure the site wasn't being hacked.

''We've gotten more than half a million votes in 10 days, which is absolutely incredible considering that we only allow each person to vote once,'' said Rob Walton, senior editor at Playboy.com.

Johnson's warm fronts and high-pressure systems have captivated viewers since she began at WSVN in September 2001 as the morning counterpart to chief meteorologist Bill Kamal.

Her popularity has soared in part because she is a favorite of WZTA-FM (94.9) morning show hosts Paul Castronovo and Ron Brewer, who recently composed an ode to the weather woman. Each morning, after her 5 a.m. and noon broadcasts, Johnson fans call in to discuss her snug-fitting wardrobe.

Some mention how whole gyms stop for ''Jackie Time'' when the morning weather report is on.

''It's very flattering. The people in South Florida have been so nice to me,'' Johnson said.

She added her sex symbol status does not bother her.

''I take my job seriously and I know what I'm doing,'' said the 24-year-old, who studied meteorology at the University of South Alabama. ``I know people who truly watch me and listen to what I say.''

In the past two weeks, Castronovo and Brewer have made sure that votes have come in a downpour. Since the poll began Jan. 6, they have urged viewers to click away on Playboy.com. They even posted a link from the radio station's website.

''I'm giving a gift to America. We in South Florida have been selfish with the treasure we have in Jackie Johnson,'' Castronovo said of his show's campaign. ``And she looks so much better than Bill Kamal in a dress.''

By Wednesday afternoon, Johnson had earned about 550,000 votes -- more than 60 percent of the vote. That's about 40 percent more than Rebecca Hower, a meteorologist from the CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh. The nine candidates were nominated by write-in e-mails on the website in November. The poll ended Wednesday night.

''Every male here knows about it and has voted,'' said one fellow WSVN reporter.

Of course, Castronovo and Brewer's motivations are more than skin deep.

The winner is offered a nude celebrity pictorial in the pages of Playboy. The champs of the six previous polls -- like CBS sportscaster Jill Arrington and pro basketball player Lisa Harrison -- chose to not pose nude.

Harrison, who plays for the WNBA's Phoenix franchise, did consider shedding her jersey, but said the pay -- reportedly in the six figures -- wasn't enough.

Johnson is enjoying her place in the sun, but said posing is not a consideration.

''My friends and family have all called from Michigan. Response has been positive, but they know I wouldn't pose,'' she said.