Chief Meteorologist at the Chicago-based television station WGN-TV

Tom Skilling | Biography

Tom Skilling celebrated 38 years of association with WGN-TV in 2016

• By Yunil Tamrakar
• Original : November 02, 2021

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Tom Skilling is a well-known television meteorologist. He is the chief meteorologist at the Chicago-based television station WGN-TV. 

Who is Tom Skilling?

On-air, Thomas Ethelbert Skilling III, better known as Tom Skilling, is an American meteorologist who began his broadcasting career at 14, working for WKKD-AM & FM while attending West Aurora High School in his hometown Aurora. At 18, he started working at WLXT-TV (Channel 60) in Aurora, Illinois. 

For college, he studied meteorology and journalism at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. While attending the University of Wisconsin- Madison, Skilling worked at WKOW-TV and WTSO AM in Madison, Wisconsin. From 1975 to 1978, he worked as a meteorologist at WITI in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Skilling returned to Chicago in 1978 and began working for WGN-TV Channel 9. He is currently the chief meteorologist for WGN and is the highest-paid local broadcast meteorologist in the United States. He celebrated 38 years of association with the channel in 2016. 

Tom Skilling presently appears on the weekday shows WGN News 5-7 pm, WGN News at Nine, and WGN News at Ten.

He also writes the weather column in the news daily Chicago Tribune, whose corporate parent, the Tribune Company, owns WGN-TV. 

His weather broadcasts are known for innovative computer imagery and animation techniques.

He has long been praised for his in-depth reporting and startling accuracy. One of the most notable forecasts includes the Groundhog Day blizzard, which he accurately forecasted nearly two weeks before the blizzard paralyzed the Chicago area. Skilling's late WGN colleague Bob Collins referred to him as "skilful."

Skilling is a member of the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society. Skilling organizes yearly tornado and severe weather workshops at the Fermi National Accelerator Lab (Fermilab) in Batavia, Illinois. The seminar celebrated its 32nd year in 2013, and it was the first to include lectures on climate change.

How old is Tom Skilling?

Thomas Ethelbert Skilling was born on 20 February 1952 in Aurora, Illinois. He turned 69 as of November 2021.

Weight Loss

Skilling began his weight loss journey at Northwestern Hospital on 4 March 2020, when he underwent gastric bypass surgery.

In February, the meteorologist announced the procedure via Facebook to all his fans and followers.

Tom Skilling Health Problems

Skilling used to be a diabetic and also had high blood pressure. Since he lost 120 pounds, his diabetes has gone into remission and has brought down the cholesterol level to the lowest he had ever been.

Is Tom Skilling gay?

Rumors that Skilling is gay have been on circulation for a long time. A Twitter post by journalist Jeff Coen, in which Skilling is seen attending the Pride Parade, certainly fueled the speculation. However, the rumors lack proof, and Skilling's sexuality remains a mystery.

Is Tom Skilling Married?

It is still unknown whether Skilling is married. Although his professional life is transparent, he maintains his personal life unrevealed.

Net Worth and Salary

Skilling's primary source of income is through his career as a meteorologist. However, his net worth and salary have not been disclosed anywhere.