WXYZ-TV meteorologist Kevin Jeanes leaving Detroit to join Chicago's NBC station
WXYZ-TV (7 Action News) meteorologist Kevin Jeanes is trading the Motor City for the Windy City.
Jeanes announced last week on Facebook that he soon will be joining Chicago’s WMAQ-TV NBC 5 news team.
Describing it as a lifelong dream to forecast for his home TV market, Jeanes — a native of Naperville, Illinois — also posted that it won’t be easy for him and his family to say goodbye to metro Detroit.
“While I’m beyond excited to start this new chapter, it is heartbreaking to leave the place I’ve called home for so many years,” he wrote.
His last day at WXYZ is April 7.
More:Detroit anchor Dave LewAllen announces he's retiring from WXYZ's 7 Action News
More:WDIV-TV meteorologist Paul Gross to retire after more than 40 years
Jeanes joined Detroit's ABC affiliate as a morning meteorologist in 2017. The Eastern Illinois University alum, class of 2010, worked at WWBT-TV in Richmond, Virginia, and KOLD-TV in Tucson, Arizona, where he was chief meteorologist until moving to Detroit.
He told the Free Press via email that he will miss the people of metro Detroit the most. “I met so many great, hardworking people and was happy to be a part of this community. I loved being a part of nonprofits like Gilda’s Club, and visiting schools to talk about science and weather.”Jeanes also shared his thoughts on the most interesting thing about covering the region’s weather.
"I tell everyone southeast Michigan has the best weather in the country. The summers aren’t too hot and the winters aren’t too cold. I have loved witnessing the effects from the Great Lakes on our weather; lake breezes kicking up thunderstorms in the spring, lake effect snow squalls developing in minutes, and even watching a northeast breeze in November keep the clouds locked in for weeks," he said, adding, "I guess I could just keep this short and answer, 'the snow.'"
The departure is one of several recent staff changes at Detroit news stations. In January, WXYZ anchor Dave LewAllen announced his plans to retire from his leading role at the station in April. January also marked the retirement of WDIV-TV veteran meteorologist Paul Gross and the addition of two meteorologists, Ashlee Baracy and Ron Hilliard, to WDIV’s 4Warn Weather team.
Colleagues and competitors wished Jeanes well on Facebook. “HUGE loss for us! Nothing like home though, you’ll enjoy every minute,” wrote fellow WXYZ meteorologist Mike Taylor, who’s originally from Detroit.
Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: WXYZ-TV meteorologist Kevin Jeanes leaving for Chicago station
