CLEVELAND, Ohio — Nearly a week after longtime WEWS Channel 5 meteorologist Mark Johnson was abruptly fired, viewers are left with more questions than answers — especially as Johnson continues to deliver regular weather updates on his personal Facebook page.
The sudden dismissal of the veteran broadcaster, who had been with the Cleveland ABC affiliate for over 30 years, was announced by the station on May 9 in a brief and carefully worded statement. The message offered no specific reason for Johnson’s termination, simply stating that he “was no longer employed by WEWS.”
Station leadership offered a broad explanation. “News 5 and its parent company, Scripps, take protecting our audiences’ trust very seriously by requiring our employees to adhere to the highest ethical standards,” said Steve Weinstein, vice president and general manager of WEWS. “We cannot provide further details, as this is a personnel matter.”
The vague language sparked speculation across social media and local forums. Despite the station’s silence, Johnson’s attorney, Daniel Levin of Prominent Brand + Talent, quickly came to his client’s defense.
“Mark is a model professional. Of conduct that would be deemed inappropriate, there’s none of that,” Levin said in a statement. He called the termination “unfounded and disappointing,” and emphasized Johnson’s long-standing reputation as a “trusted and respected meteorologist” with exemplary performance evaluations.
Levin also hinted that Johnson would address the public directly in the near future.
But while many wait for that explanation, Johnson hasn’t stayed silent. Instead, he’s taken to Facebook — the platform where he’s cultivated thousands of followers — to continue what he’s always done: deliver the weather.
Just days after his dismissal, Johnson posted about a small earthquake in Ashtabula County, followed by more familiar forecasts and commentary on Northeast Ohio’s spring weather patterns. He hasn’t acknowledged the firing directly, but the posts have been met with an outpouring of support, with commenters urging him to keep going and expressing frustration over his removal from WEWS.
Johnson, a 1988 graduate of Kent State University, began his Cleveland television career in 1993 after working at WAKC Channel 23 in Akron. Over the years, he became one of the most recognized faces in Ohio weather broadcasting. He holds Seals of Approval from both the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association — credentials that speak to his professionalism and expertise.
What remains unclear is the reason behind the firing, and whether Johnson plans to return to television — or chart a new path independently through social media and other platforms.
For now, his continued presence online is both a comfort and a curiosity. Viewers still get their familiar forecasts, but with a growing sense that something’s been left unsaid.
As speculation continues and the station remains silent, one thing is certain: Mark Johnson may be off the air, but he’s far from gone.
You can find Mark Johnson’s latest weather updates on his official Facebook page: MarkJweather.