Why some cities are losing their local meteorologists

You probably remember watching your local meteorologist gesticulate in front of a green screen, revealing the likelihood of a snow day, rained-out game, or perfect beach trip. But will future generations? Allen Media Group, which operates across 21 US markets, is cutting costs via a partnership with The Weather Channel, which it for $300m in 2018 — and which has also reduced staff. Instead of each station using dedicated local meteorologists, viewers will get weather info from a team in Atlanta, which Allen claims will offer improved forecasting and graphic capabilities and 24/7 coverage opportunities.

Some of Allen’s meteorologists will become part of the new plan, but several have announced that they’ve been laid off. Is this better? In local news, bigger isn’t always better. Experts say local meteorologists are crucial for weather reporting, especially natural disasters — which, BTW, are increasing — because: People trust their familiar faces They know how to pronounce local town names and places They understand a region’s unique geography and microclimate And although meteorologists have faced from climate-change skeptics and those who mistrust news, people do still tune in.



A 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that watch local news to get weather info. Recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area saw local news stations garnering 2x-3x their typical audience numbers, per Nielsen data. A to restore the jobs of Mississippi meteorologists affected by Allen’s decision has received 33k+ signatures.

So, what’s a meteorologist to do? There are other in the growing weather forecasting market, especially as new technologies — cloud seeding, EVs, drones, etc. — develop. But as far as presenting the weather, James Spann, a TV meteorologist since 1978, he feels “positive” about the industry, though admits it’s changed as younger generations reject linear TV.

He envisions a new model that includes meteorologists building their own brands on social media platforms, like TikTok...

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which sounds weird — but who doesn’t love who sneaks song lyrics into weather reports? Don’t have TikTok? Here’s one ..