Cindy Fitzgibbon Named WCVB Chief Meteorologist

Hearst Television’s WCVB Boston has promoted Cindy Fitzgibbon to chief meteorologist of the ABC affiliate. The station also upped meteorologist Mike Wankum.

Fitzgibbon will lead WCVB Channel 5’s team of meteorologists and oversee the station’s weather coverage. As chief meteorologist, she will continue as weather anchor for the weekday EyeOpener and Midday newscasts (4:30-7 a.m. and noon, respectively). In addition, she will be the principal meteorologist for WCVB’s Forecasting Our Future special ongoing coverage. The initiative was launched earlier this year by WCVB parent company Hearst Television to address issues Americans face in navigating changing weather patterns and their impact on local communities and economies.

Mike Wankum

Wankum has been named StormTeam 5’s weeknight meteorologist and will anchor weather for all WCVB evening and late newscasts (4, 5, 6, 7 and 11 p.m.) as well as The 10 O’Clock News on WCVB’s MeTV Boston subchannel. Wankum had previously been the weekend evening meteorologist, and an announcement regarding his successor will be made at a later date.

These promotions follow the recent news of Harvey Leonard’s retirement from the helm of StormTeam 5 and transition to an emeritus weather role at WCVB beginning this fall, after 20 years with the station and 50 years forecasting weather in New England.

“Both Cindy and Mike are outstanding meteorologists who have proven track records for excellence in weather reporting,” said Kyle I. Grimes, WCVB president and general manager. “Over the course of their distinguished careers, Cindy and Mike have helped keep viewers safe while forecasting some of the most significant storms in the history of our region. They are dedicated to serving our community by providing the most accurate weather information and both are perfectly suited for their respective new leadership positions.”

Margaret Cronan, WCVB news director, added: “Cindy and Mike could not be more deserving of these promotions. Their commitment to protecting Boston area residents during severe weather is unmatched. Both have deep roots in Boston and share a passion for delivering forecasts that help our on-air and online audience make important decisions in good weather and bad. StormTeam 5 is very fortunate to have these two highly experienced and energetic meteorologists leading the way.”

An expert and award-winning meteorologist with more than 25 years of experience, 20 of them reporting weather in the Boston market, Fitzgibbon has been StormTeam 5’s EyeOpener and Midday meteorologist for nearly a decade. Prior to joining WCVB, Fitzgibbon was delivering her morning forecast at Boston’s WFXT. Before that, Fitzgibbon spent time learning tropical meteorology at WBBH Fort Myers, Fla., and forecasting snowstorms at WPTZ Burlington, Vt. She started her meteorology career at KXMB Bismarck, N.D.

A native New Englander, raised near Portland, Maine, Fitzgibbon earned her Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from Lyndon State College in Vermont. She is a member of both the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the National Weather Association and has been awarded the AMS Seal of Approval for Television.

Wankum joined WCVB in December of 2006 and has been forecasting weather in Boston for nearly three decades. Prior to WCVB, Wankum served 13 years as chief meteorologist at Boston’s WLVI. Before his move to Boston, Wankum was chief meteorologist at WTVR Richmond, Va., as well as chief meteorologist at KTIV Sioux City, Iowa.

Wankum is an award-winning meteorologist with 16 regional Emmy Awards for both weather coverage and technology reporting, as well as numerous Associated Press and Massachusetts Broadcasters Association awards. A graduate of Briar Cliff University in Iowa, Wankum worked on his masters in atmospheric science at Creighton University in the heart of Tornado Alley.