KIMT, KWWL meteorologists replaced by The Weather Channel

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Iowa news stations KIMT and KWWL are expected to lay off their meteorologists after their parent company announced plans to replace local forecasters with coverage from The Weather Channel.

Allen Media Group, which owns the two stations and The Weather Channel, said in a news release that it will partner with The Weather Channel to provide weather content across all its local TV markets.

How will KIMT, KWWL use The Weather Channel?

“Allen Media Group leverages the full resources and expertise of The Weather Channel to make our local weather news the very best,” said Tom O’Brien, president of The Weather Group/The Weather Channel in the press release. “We are one hundred percent committed to delivering next-level weather news to our local broadcasters 24/7.”

Forecasts are expected to be produced for each station from The Weather Channel’s headquarters in Atlanta by a team led by meteorologist Carl Parker. Some local meteorologists may join the regional team in Atlanta, the press release said.

No Iowa-based meteorologist has announced plans to join The Weather Channel, and several have posted on social media saying they are looking for new career opportunities.

Both stations also air some weekend newscasts from next weekend, according to the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier.

The news comes after TEGNA-owned WOI in Des Moines announced it would share weekend weather coverage with its sister station WQAD in the Quad Cities.

KIMT expects new graphics before the switch to The Weather Channel

The transition is set to begin in 2025. It is not yet known when the layoffs at KIMT will start. The graphics for the station will be changed to fit Allen Media standards starting Jan. 27, according to a post from KIMT meteorologist Hunter Donahoe. KIMT, which is licensed in Mason City but broadcasts primarily from Rochester, Minnesota, has a four-person weather team.

Donahoe, an early-morning meteorologist, had only been at the station for six months before the announcement of impending layoffs. Now he is looking for a new job, according to a Facebook post.

“This is a shock to all local meteorologists as the local weather remains just that … LOCAL,” Donahoe said in the post. “Local weather IS and REMAINS the most important facet of any newscast. Yes, weather will still be part of the newscast, but all forecasts will be recorded from The Weather Channel’s headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.”

KWWL’s Mark Schnackenberg among meteorologists being fired by Allen Media

KWWL posted the news release from Allen Group Media about the changes Tuesday to the station’s Facebook. KWWL currently has four meteorologists, according to website.

Chief meteorologist Mark Schnackenberg, who recently celebrated his 30th anniversary at the Waterloo-based station, announced he was included in the layoffs and is looking for new opportunities, according to his LinkedIn.

KWWL’s newest meteorologist, Joshua Franson, posted on his Facebook and confirmed that the station will be affected by layoffs.

“I am so grateful to KWWL for this opportunity,” Franson said on Facebook. “In the meantime, I’m going to dust off my YouTube channel.”

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.