A fan-favorite Cleveland weatherman was abruptly cut from his network of more than 30 years – leaving viewers baffled about what went wrong.
ABC affiliate WEWS News 5 Cleveland issued a cryptic statement on Friday, announcing long-time meteorologist Mark Johnson is no longer a part of the station’s team.
A vague message from his former boss, WEWS Vice President and General Manager Steve Weinstein, implies he was axed.
‘We want our audiences to know that 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,’ Weinstein said.
‘We cannot provide further details, as this is a personnel matter.’
The specific circumstances surrounding the veteran meteorologist’s shocking exit remain unclear, and the network said it is promptly looking for his on-air replacement.
Johnson has not publicly addressed the situation. DailyMail.com has reached out to him for comment.
About an hour-and-a-half before WEWS published its notice about Johnson’s enigmatic removal, the TV personality changed his Facebook cover photo to a bare tree in front of purple sky as lightning strikes.
Meteorologist Mark Johnson (pictured) no longer works for ABC affiliate WEWS News 5 Cleveland, according to a statement to his loyal audience, shared on Friday
The cryptic message from his former boss, WEWS Vice President and General Manager Steve Weinstein, implies Johnson (pictured) was axed
The specific circumstances surrounding Johnson’s (right) shocking exit remain unclear, and the network said it is promptly looking for his on-air replacement
After News 5 made the announcement that stunned the community, more than 900 social media users flocked over to Johnson’s page to share their confusion and outrage underneath that photo.
‘This is a bad dream, right? I was just watching you Monday night and thinking how good you are and how lucky we are to have you,’ one man wrote.
Another woman chimed in, threatening to boycott the network: ‘I am so disheartened by the announcement of your departure!
‘I don’t appreciate WEWS’ statement as they should keep their comments to themselves if it’s a “personnel matter”! I think I’m done with channel 5. I wish you the very best in the future Mark!’
Johnson’s loyal fans have been searching for answers and speculating about what led up to his departure – with many vowing to ditch the network completely.
One X user wrote: ‘Not to be dramatic, but I kind of need to know why my lifelong meteorologist idol, Mark Johnson, was let go from after 30 years. He is the only reason I watch Channel 5.’
Another person was similarly disappointed, but was was curious about what Johnson may have done to lose his job
‘Mark Johnson being ousted really bums me out as he helped us provide incredible severe weather coverage. Based on the article, there must be some tea, and that is unfortunate,’ they wrote.
Johnson’s (pictured) loyal fans have been searching for answers and speculating about what happened online
Johnson (pictured) graduated Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and media studied in 1988
Johnson joined News 5 in 1993 and had been delivering weather forecasts to the Northeastern Ohio area for more than three decades
The award-winning journalist graduated Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and media studied in 1988, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Johnson was the first Cleveland forecaster to have both the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the National Weather Association accreditations, Cleveland.com reported.
He joined News 5 in 1993 and had been delivering weather forecasts to the Northeastern Ohio area for more than three decades.
On November 29, 2023, News 5 shared an Instagram post celebrating Johnson’s 30 years on-air for the network.
‘He’s as iconic in Cleveland as the leg lamp or the West Side Market,’ the channel wrote.
‘Join us in congratulating meteorologist Mark Johnson on celebrating 30 years here at WEWS. Time (and snow) flies when you’re having fun! Thank you Mark, for keeping us safe and informed!’
His employee bio has been taken down from the station’s website.