Cheryl Scott ‘truly thankful’ for ABC 7 weather role

Cheryl Scott

Cheryl Scott

As expected, meteorologist Cheryl Scott has officially joined the weather team at WLS-Channel 7, where she’ll initially be filling in during various newscasts.

Her hiring, effective immediately, was announced Monday by Jennifer Graves, vice president and news director of the ABC-owned station. Terms of her three-year deal were not disclosed.

Scott steps in as ABC 7’s fifth full-time weather personality along with chief meteorologist Jerry Taft and Tracy Butler, Mike Caplan and Phil Schwarz.

“I’m excited to join ABC 7 Eyewitness News and their respected and dedicated weather team,” Scott said in a statement. “I am truly thankful for the opportunity to continue my career in Chicago, a city I have come to know and love, and now call home!”

Until she signed off last September, Scott, 29, had spent the last three years as Saturday and Sunday morning and evening meteorologist at NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5. She chose not to renew her contract to pursue other opportunities.

“Cheryl is an experienced and knowledgeable meteorologist who has a long-held passion for studying and understanding weather,” Graves said in a statement. “She knows this market well and enjoys the challenge of forecasting Chicago’s unpredictable weather. We have no doubts that Cheryl will be a terrific addition to our weather team.”

Here is the text of Graves’ memo to the staff:

I’m pleased to announce a new addition to our ABC 7 Weather Team. 

Cheryl Scott is joining ABC 7 immediately.  Cheryl, as you know, most recently was the weekend meteorologist at NBC 5.  She started there in September 2011.  In her time here in Chicago, she’s proven herself as a knowledgeable meteorologist and effective communicator, who knows how to connect with the audience.   She’s thrilled to join ABC 7 and contribute to our efforts.  Her first role will be to fill in on various newscasts.

Before moving to Chicago, Cheryl was the weekend meteorologist for WBIR-TV, the NBC affiliate in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Her first stop out of college was at WSEE-TV in Erie, Pennsylvania, where she worked at weekend weathercaster.  While there, she also provided forecasts for a 24-hour Caribbean Weather Channel.  Cheryl is a graduate of Brown University.  She’s active in the Chicago community, serving on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross.

You’ll see Cheryl in the building tomorrow.  Her first goal is to learn our weather system!  Let’s all give her a warm welcome to ABC 7!