So far this year he has hosted a talk to 200 area science teachers in Downers Grove, participated in a climate conference in Naperville, headed out to Palatine to address an Energy Expo sponsored by the Sierra Club, and has worked with the Mayor’s office several times. This year, Tom is speaking at numerous events throughout the Chicagoland area discussing climate change. The Fermilab programs have been attended by thousands over the years and have been streamed to even larger audiences online. As host of the event, Skilling welcomed the ‘who’s who’ in the severe weather research and forecast community, including famed University of Chicago tornado researcher Dr. Over the past 38 years, Tom Skilling hosted a Tornado and Severe Storms Seminar at Fermilab. He has also received an immense response for weather blog. In October 2008, Tom and the Weather Center started providing weather reports to WGN Radio. Another element in the column is “Ask Tom Why,” in which Tom takes viewers’ questions and answers the “why” behind the weather. Since 1997, Skilling has been a driving force behind the Chicago Tribune’s weather page. In early 2004, Tom helped coordinate the Tribune Weather Center, which combines the meteorology resources and expertise of WGN-TV, CLTV and the Chicago Tribune in one location. Mary’s of Minnesota and Aurora University. Tom Skilling has been awarded with three honorary doctorates from Lewis University, St. For over 30 years, Skilling was chief meteorologist on WGN Midday News as well as later newscasts. Since then, he has established himself as a respected meteorologist both locally and nationally, known for his in-depth reports, enthusiasm, and use of state-of-the-art technology. Then on to WKOW-TV (ABC affiliate) and WTSO radio in Madison, WI before going to work for WITI-TV, Milwaukee from 1975-1978, where he was rated the city’s #1 meteorologist. Tom’s first television job was at age 18 in Aurora, IL, at WLXT-Channel 60. In 1970, Tom moved to Madison, WI to study meteorology and journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, while continuing to work in radio and television. He joined WLXT-TV three years later, while going to school during the day. Starting his successful career at the unheard-of age of 14, Tom was hired by WKKD in Aurora, IL, while attending West Aurora High School. He celebrates his 40th anniversary with WGN-TV in August 2018. He showcases his talent for flavor every Friday in his Big Recipe segment.Tom Skilling, WGN-TV chief meteorologist, appears weekdays on WGN Evening News from 5-7pm, WGN News at Nine and WGN News at Ten. In addition to firefighting, Don's public service includes Police, Fire, and EMS dispatching and national certification as a 911 call-taker/dispatcher.ĭon is also ABC11's resident food expert. He is a certified rescue technician & first responder. He was also a volunteer firefighter for 7 years in Pennsylvania. And the name has stuck ever since!ĭon's family comes first in his life. So whenever there was big weather in the forecast, 'Big Weather' was on TV. Second, during big weather events from tornadoes to flood warnings, Don was always on TV.

First, he's 6'5' and one of the taller meteorologists on TV. He began his weather career over 20 years ago as a lead forecaster for KBIM-TV in Roswell, New Mexico.Īs for his moniker, 'Big Weather,' Don was given that nickname by a colleague for two reasons. Prior to that, Don worked for WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh, and WTAJ-TV in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He holds the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal from the American Meteorological Society as well as a Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association.ĭon joined Eyewitness News from Chicago where he served as a meteorologist for WBBM-TV. Don 'Big Weather' Schwenneker is the Chief Meteorologist for ABC11 Eyewitness News.

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