Faced with sweeping changes, local meteorologists are exiting stations across the country as Allen Media Group shifts to national weather coverage. Prominent among those feeling the impact are longtime anchors Patrece Dayton and Kevin Orpurt from WTHI-TV, who bid farewell to viewers after nearly four decades of on-air service. The media group, which owns roughly two dozen local TV stations, recently announced it would phase out local weather reporting, opting instead for forecasts provided by The Weather Channel's national bureau led by veteran meteorologist Carl Parker, based in Atlanta.
Dayton, with 37 years at WTHI, expressed emotional sentiments during the announcement, saying, "Both of our positions are being eliminated here at WTHI-TV. The television business, in general, is changing nationwide and budget cuts are happening everywhere." Meanwhile, Orpurt added the challenges they face are mirrored across the country as more local weather professionals find themselves out of jobs. Alongside WTHI, stations from Massachusetts to Hawaii will see similar layoffs, amounting to at least 50 meteorologists who will either be reassigned or let go entirely.
Amber Kulick, another meteorologist impacted at WAAY in Huntsville, Alabama, reflected on her uncertain future via Facebook, noting she is actively seeking new employment. The changes have also echoed through other states; Iowa stations KIMT and KWWL confirmed they would eliminate local meteorologist positions, with KWWL’s chief meteorologist, Mark Schnackenberg, announcing he too would be among those affected after 30 years at the station.
The decision to nationalize the weather coverage is justified by Allen Media Group as part of their strategy to leverage expertise from The Weather Channel for 24/7 updates, promising improved forecasting tools and continuous access to weather updates. A representative from the Weather Group emphasized, "We are one hundred percent committed to delivering next-level weather news to our local television stations 24/7." This shift marks the latest concerted effort by Byron Allen's media empire to reduce operational costs amid declining viewership across traditional television.
While Allen Media expresses strong intentions for maintaining weather reporting as a priority, many veteran meteorologists warn of the long-term consequences of removing local weather expertise from communities. Spencer Denton, who works at WVLT, argued, “WEATHER is the number one reason most people watch a local newscast… These folks are more valuable than some companies realize.” He notes the local forecasters' invaluable connection to their communities, providing personalized weather reports and emergency updates based on local conditions.
Research continually supports the city-level preference for local meteorologists as audiences demonstrate high engagement during weather news; according to Pew Research, weather is rated as the most important news topic by 70% of respondents. Indeed, recent extreme weather events serve as stark reminders of this reality. During major disasters, local television viewership spikes as households seek immediate updates from familiar faces.
The shift away from local reporting has affected many meteorologists who are now utilizing social media to share their experiences amid layoffs. Christina Burkhart from WJRT, who departed her role due to the changes, explained the mechanics of the new system dictated by The Weather Channel as remote forecasts are prioritized over local precision: “Weather forecasts will be sent from the Weather Channel in Atlanta… Live severe weather coverage will also come from them.”
For now, many of these meteorologists are left unsure of their futures as layoffs loom close. KIMT meteorologist Hunter Donahoe described his surprise at the announcement on social media, expressing disbelief and concern at the potential loss of localized forecasting. “Local weather IS and REMAINS the most important facet of any newscast,” he declared, noting just how integral these local experts have been to their communities.
Likewise, as Allen Media Group continues its strategic restructuring, observers express concerns about the impacts on localized reporting quality during severe weather events. Meteorologist Sam Kuffel remarked, “Communities will suffer during major, local weather events because of this decision.” Indeed, if history reveals anything, it shows how integral local meteorologists are, particularly when severe storms loom, as they blend expertise with community knowledge to provide timely and life-saving information.
This reorganization marks another chapter for Allen Media Group, which has faced various challenges amid industry pressures, including concerns over viewer trust. Weather has proven to be one of the few anchors of viewer loyalty amid shifting media consumption patterns. Nonetheless, Allen Media insists the technological benefits gained from centralizing meteorological forecasts will bolster local reporting efforts as their operations evolve to meet new demands.
Though the fallout has begun, local meteorologists are gearing up for new adventures as they seek to navigate this shifting industry. With the transition expected to begin before 2025, many are left contemplating not just their futures but the cost of such significant moves toward nationalization of local forecasting.