American Television Meteorologist Tom Skilling - Top 5 Facts!

Learn the top facts you need to know about the American television meteorologist Tom Skilling.

Thomas Ethelbert Skilling, III, best known by the name Tom Skilling is one of the renowned American television meteorologists in the country. The WGN-TV weather reporter worked for the television channel in Chicago since 1978, and since then, his widespread reputation as an excellent meteorologist has earned him tremendous respect and fame among the television viewers.

Tom Skilling is currently WGN-TV chief meteorologist and appears weekdays on WGN Evening News from 5-7 pm, WGN News at Nine, and WGN News at Ten. Many people are eager to learn more about his life; therefore, we compiled the top facts about the 68-year-old reporter in the sections below.

Tom Skilling is a Native of Chicago

Tom Skilling was born on February 20, 1952, in the Chicago suburb of Aurora, Illinois. There he attended West Aurora High School. During his high school years, he began his career in broadcasting at the age of 14.

Tom Skilling was born in the Chicago suburb of Aurora, Illinois.
Source: FTVLive

At the age of 14, Tom Skilling began working for WKKD and WKKD-FM. During his time there, he found out that WKKD's forecasts were inaccurate because they were for Chicago and not Aurora. So, he approached WKKD and offered to forecast the weather for several days, with the condition that if his forecasts were accurate, he would be hired to host his own weather program. His forecasts were accurate, and he got hired to forecast Aurora's weather three times a day.

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Tom Skilling Studied at the University of Wisconsin in Madison

After graduating from high school, Tom Skilling went to the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 1970 for his higher education. There, he studied meteorology and journalism while also continuing to work in television and radio. At the age of 18, he got his first television job at WLXT-Channel 60.

Tom Skilling went to the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 1970 for his higher education.
Source: Chicago Tribune

Tom Skilling also worked at WKOW-TV and WTSO radio, both in Madison, during his college years. In 1975, he took his first major-market television position, becoming the lead forecaster at WITI-TV in Milwaukee.

Tom Skilling is One of the Highest-Paid Local Broadcast Meteorologist

After his graduation from university, Tom Skilling joined WGN-TV on August 13, 1978. Since then, he's been a well-known weather reporter and has gained fame both at the local and national level. He is one of the highest-paid local broadcast meteorologists, with a whopping net worth of $14 million as of November 2020.

Tom Skilling is one of the highest-paid local broadcast meteorologist.
Source: Idol Persona

Tom Skilling appears weekdays on WGN Evening News from 5-7 pm, WGN News at Nine, and WGN News at Ten. His weather broadcasts are always aired with cutting-edge technology in computer imagery and animation techniques.

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Tom Skilling is a Member of the American Meteorological Society

Tom Skilling is a member of the American Meteorological Society. He is also a member of the National Weather Association and hosts Annual Tornado and Severe Storm seminars at the Fermi National Accelerator Lab (Fermilab) in Batavia, Illinois. He's been hosting the seminars for the past 40 years.

Tom Skilling is a member of the American Meteorological Society.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times

The Fermilab programs attract thousands of attendees over the years. In recent years, with the popularity of online seminars, even a larger number of audiences are attending those events virtually.

Tom Skilling Recently Underwent Weight Loss

Tom Skilling underwent weight loss early this year after he opted for gastric-bypass surgery. Doing so, he lost 50 pounds of body weight and has been slimming down ever since. That was a significant change in his life regarding his health and well-being, as he previously could not even walk three blocks or climb a flight of stairs without getting out of breath.

Tom Skilling underwent weight loss early this year after he opted for gastric-bypass surgery.
Source: Media Confidential

Tom Skilling's weight-loss operation was performed at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Since the weight loss, he's made changes in his lifestyle in terms of diet and exercise, which he's implementing to maintain his body weight.

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