Live! With Regis and Kelly will get a shot of Vancouver charm this summer from CTV British Columbia weathercaster Tamara Taggart, who won a spot as a guest cohost for the popular morning show during the week of August 17 to 21.

The announcement was made this morning (July 29) during the live broadcast of the show in New York City. The contest, which began on June 26, saw thousands of broadcasters across North America vie for a cohost position with Regis Philbin.

Taggart was shortlisted along with CTV Toronto weathercaster Tom Brown. The pair were the only Canadians to make it on the list of top 20 finalists. CTV broadcasts the show in Canada.

“I am absolutely over the moon!” Taggart said in a press release this morning. “I’m excited, nervous, and most importantly honoured to have this incredible opportunity to fill in for Kelly Ripa.”

The lovely ladies of Vancouver have been getting a bevy of airtime on U.S. networks recently. Vancouverite Jillian Harris was the first Canadian woman to star on The Bachelorette.

Taggart’s exposure across North America—even if it is for one morning—could provide even more publicity for Vancouver in the months leading up to the 2010 Olympics, during which Taggart will be doing the national weather forecast for CTV.

Taggart began her television career in 1997 with CTV, doing everything from sports to entertainment. In 2001, she moved to the weather desk on the CTV nightly news and has been there ever since.

She’s been voted the readers’ top choice as Local TV Weatherperson several times in the Georgia Straight’s annual Best of Vancouver issues.

Taggart was also voted Most Annoying TV Personality in 2005, Local TV Personality With the Most in 2004, and Local TV Personality With the Least in 2004.