In Tribute to Tom Skilling and his 40 Years on WGN

The world of weather and TV broadcasting takes note of a special anniversary today, as Tom Skilling (#117 on my Illinois 200 list) marks 40 years since he started doing the weather on air on WGN-TV Channel 9 (#118) in Chicago, on August 13, 1978.

Certainly, such a long time of being on air is remarkable in and of itself.  But such longevity speaks to the passion that has continued to drive Tom Skilling in his work.  Indeed, it's hard to say if there are any who match his enthusiasm for telling people about the weather, which has definitely led to his achievement of such a milestone, all the while becoming one of the most esteemed and well-established TV meteorologists in the United States.  The SuperStation allows WGN News to be broadcasted all over the United States, and even into Canada, so, hence, he has become widely known and respected.  I sense that some of that prestige must have rubbed off on Jim Ramsey (#119), who retired at the end of 2017 as a WGN-TV meteorologist, after 42 years on the air, doing a superb job in his work.

The format of the WGN newscasts, which are hour-long, rather than 1/2 hour, give Tom plenty of time to go in-depth with his weather reports, giving a bigger picture of what's happening with the atmosphere, even delving into some of the science behind the current weather situation.  Sometimes he extends that big picture to Alaska, where he goes frequently.  It's really something to watch him go on and on.  In the time I was studying meteorology at Valparaiso University, and even afterward, I could really latch on to his discussion of the current weather.  I remember asking a professor in atmospheric dynamics class a question about something he said on the broadcast, which connected with something we were to learn later on in my junior year at ValpU.

He has done much to support emerging meteorologists, as many of my friends who went on the track into broadcast meteorology interned with him.  I even saw their names appear on the weather page in The Chicago Tribune (#120), where his face has appeared as long as I can remember.  As a boy, I would look at the weather page on a regular basis day by day, and learn much from reading the responses to questions submitted to the "Ask Tom Why" column (#121).

He's also done much for the general public outside weather broadcasting.  He's been involved with the WGN-TV/Fermilab Severe Weather Seminar (#122) that have been held annually at Fermilab (#123).  That was the first opportunity I had to see him in person.  I was pleased that my Dad drove me all the way out to Batavia on a Saturday my freshman year of high school for an entire afternoon all about weather.  And just like on camera, he was in his element hosting this seminar, helping people learn more about the science of severe weather and how to prepare for and respond to it.  He just kept going on and on after each presentation with the speaker.  He showed that same kind of spirit even when I watched the seminar on the Internet livestream in later years.

It was also moving when WGN aired a special report about his efforts to lose weight, which surely offered insights and encouragement to those in a similar struggle with weight.

And then there was his unforgettable storm chasing trip, which gave him a chance to get out of his windowless WGN office--to think of a meteorologist, especially someone as renowned as Tom Skilling, not having a window in his office.  It sure looked like a thrilling experience, and certainly took a frightening turn when a tornado chased his group in close range.

Speaking of being up close, the ValpU meteorology department was privileged to host him as a speaker in December 2012.  I didn't actually get to attend his talk because I was already booked for a field trip.  But when I returned to campus, while he had already finished his talk, he was still in the room of the presentation talking with students.  He was so kind to spend so much extra time with us, and then even pose for photos, as a number of us lined up for our turn.  Being right there in his presence and talking with him, I could truly sense his brilliance and the warmth of his personality.  It was just like in the response to a letter I sent him in 7th grade for a class assignment in which I sought information from him about how to become a meteorologist.

That's what has made it a pleasure to tune in to WGN News to hear him tell about the weather.

And that's reason for me to applaud Tom Skilling on his milestone today.

There I am, with Tom Skilling, the real deal.  My great friend Richard took this photo of me with Tom the day he spoke for the meteorology department at ValpU.  I kindly returned the favor and took a picture of Richard with Tom.