California TV Station Hires New Chief Meteorologist Back to Her Hometown

By Paul Greeley

Jennifer Stanonis has been named chief meteorologist at KOVR, the CBS-owned station in Sacramento, returning to her hometown to lead weather coverage for the region.

Stanonis will officially join the station on July 27.

She will spearhead CBS Sacramento’s weather strategy, delivering critical, accurate forecasts for one of the nation’s most dynamic and diverse microclimates.

“Joining the CBS Sacramento team and coming back home to serve the community I grew up in is a tremendous honor,” Stanonis said. “Growing up in Northern California, I learned and experienced the complex local microclimates and extreme weather, including flooding rain events, historic mountain snowstorms, wildfires and severe heatwaves. I look forward to keeping our community informed and prepared.”

Stanonis’ career spans multiple markets, including on-air meteorology roles at: WGRZ-TV (Buffalo, N.Y.), where she served two tenures, most recently as the main weekday evening meteorologist; WKBW-TV (Buffalo, N.Y.); and KCWY-TV (Casper, Wyo.). She has earned numerous honors for her weather coverage, including a New York Emmy Award.

“Jennifer is one of the most respected meteorologists in the industry, with a proven track record of helping communities navigate severe and rapidly changing weather conditions,” said Scott Warren, regional president and general manager of CBS Bay Area and CBS Sacramento. “For Northern California viewers, weather coverage isn’t just about forecasting – it’s about providing timely, accurate information that helps people make decisions and stay safe. Jennifer’s experience, deep connection to this region and passion for public service make her the ideal leader for our weather team, and we’re eager to welcome her back home to Sacramento.”

Beyond broadcasting, Stanonis is a passionate advocate for science education. She is the author of the award-winning children’s book Willy and Lilly’s Adventures with Weather, which introduces young readers to complex meteorological concepts in an engaging, accessible way.

A Northern California native, Stanonis began her broadcasting journey in the Sacramento region and San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a meteorology degree from SUNY College at Brockport and a broadcasting degree from San Francisco State University, and has earned the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) designation from the American Meteorological Society, the highest certification in the field.

Paul Greeley is the manager and a writer for News Blues.

He can be reached at Paul@NewsBlues.com or 817-578-6324.