CLEVELAND, Ohio — Mark Johnson, the longtime face of weather at WEWS Channel 5, is stepping back into the spotlight with a new role at TEGNA, the media company that owns WKYC Channel 3. While he won’t be appearing on Cleveland’s airwaves just yet, he’s now contributing weather forecasts across TEGNA’s national network of stations.
Johnson’s new position comes a few months after his abrupt exit from WEWS in early May, which ended his three-decade career at the Cleveland ABC affiliate. At the time, the station offered little information about the departure, framing it as a personnel matter and citing internal standards. No specific reason was given publicly.
In the days following his removal, Johnson stayed active online, delivering weather updates on his personal Facebook page to thousands of loyal followers. From earthquake alerts to seasonal forecasts, his posts quickly drew attention — not only for the weather content, but for what they didn’t say. Johnson never directly addressed why he was let go, but his return to forecasting didn’t go unnoticed.
Prior to his dismissal, Johnson built a reputation as one of Northeast Ohio’s most recognizable broadcasters. A Kent State graduate with national accreditation in meteorology, he was a nightly fixture for viewers across the region since the early 1990s.
The circumstances surrounding his departure remain unresolved. Johnson’s legal team previously defended his record, suggesting the firing was unwarranted. The station, for its part, has stayed silent on the details.
Now with TEGNA, Johnson is back behind the scenes — helping support meteorologists at stations across the country. His new role keeps him in the field, though not yet in front of local cameras. Still, with his experience and visibility, many are wondering if it’s only a matter of time before he returns to Cleveland screens.
Until then, Johnson continues to share updates online, where his presence remains strong and his forecasts continue — even without the studio lights.