A familiar friendly face on Boston TV news broadcasts is saying goodbye.
Longtime meteorologist Mike Wankum — who has been with WCVB Channel 5 for two decades and forecasting weather in the Hub for more than three decades — announced that he’s retiring.
After a 46-year run on TV, he’s departing at the end of this month.
“It has been an incredible run, for someone who grew up on this farm in Iowa (pictured on the WCVB broadcast),” Wankum said during Wednesday evening’s broadcast.
“I’ve had the privilege to work alongside some of the smartest, most intelligent people you will ever meet, here at one of the truly great TV stations in America,” he added. “But the greatest honor has been the one you give me every night, allowing me into your homes to tell you about the weather, hopefully keeping you safe and informed and maybe we have a little fun, too.”
Meanwhile, WCVB announced that chief meteorologist Cindy Fitzgibbon will transition to weeknights, and meteorologist Kelly Ann Cicalese will move into a weekday role on the EyeOpener and midday newscasts.
Wankum during Wednesday’s broadcast reminisced on the epic storms he has covered over the decades, including record snow storms, nor’easters, blizzards and tornadoes.
“This is home,” he said. “I was not born here, but there is no place on earth that feels more like home than right here, and that is thanks to you.”
WCVB anchor Maria Stephanos called Wankum “a legend in this market.”
“We competed against each other so many years ago, and now we’re family and on the same team, and what a privilege it’s been to be next to you, with you,” Stephanos said.
WCVB anchor Ed Harding called Wankum “Mr. Wizard.”
Before WCVB, Wankum served 13 years as chief meteorologist at Boston’s WLVI. Prior to his move to Boston, Wankum was chief meteorologist at WTVR in Richmond, Virginia, as well as chief meteorologist at KTIV in Sioux City, Iowa.
Wankum in retirement plans to spend time with his four grandchildren, travel with his wife, possibly chase a few storms, and watch the snow fall “without having to worry about forecasting snowfall totals.”
“My goal is someday when my grandchildren are just a little bit older, I take them on a tornado chase in Kansas,” Wankum said.
WCVB viewers are “in good hands” with the station’s weather team, he said.
Fitzgibbon — currently StormTeam 5’s weekday EyeOpener and noon weather anchor — will shift to evenings, delivering forecasts on NewsCenter 5’s weeknight newscasts at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., as well as NewsCenter 5 at 10 p.m. on MeTV Boston.
“Twenty-seven years of my life doing the mornings, so it’s definitely a big change on the way,” Fitzgibbon said.
“I don’t think I’m going to miss that alarm clock,” she added about the 1:45 a.m. wake up.
Cicalese — who currently forecasts on weekend mornings — will transition to weekday duties, joining the EyeOpener and midday newscasts (Monday–Friday from 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. and at noon). A successor for the weekend morning meteorologist position will be announced at a later date.
“WCVB has been incredibly fortunate to have Mike leading our weeknight weathercasts, delivering vital weather coverage that helps inform and protect our community,” said Andrew Vrees, WCVB president and GM. “We’re equally fortunate to have Cindy and Kelly Ann stepping into their new roles. They bring a proven track record of accuracy and trust, along with years of dedication to guiding viewers through some of the most significant storms our region has faced. Their commitment to keeping our community safe – across all platforms – will be instrumental to building on StormTeam 5’s continued leadership position and success.”
“Mike’s been a cherished member of StormTeam 5, and we look forward to celebrating him in the days ahead,” added Margaret Cronan, WCVB news director. “I’m also excited to recognize Cindy and Kelly Ann as they step into their new roles. Cindy is bringing her exceptional leadership as chief meteorologist to weeknights, while Kelly Ann will apply her expert forecasting skills to weekdays. Both are deeply committed to keeping the community safe during severe weather, providing the timely, trusted information our audiences rely on – both on air and online – to make important decisions in any conditions.”
