Jennifer Stanonis has been named chief meteorologist at CBS Sacramento, KOVR/KMAX, returning to her hometown to lead weather coverage for the region.
Stanonis officially joins the station on July 27, 2026.
With more than 20 years of experience, Stanonis has reported on major weather events ranging from tornado outbreaks and blizzards to wildfires, floods and extreme heat. She will spearhead CBS Sacramento’s weather strategy.
“Joining the CBS Sacramento team and coming back home to serve the community I grew up in is a tremendous honor,” said Stanonis. “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, the Emmy Award-winning meteorologist began her broadcasting journey in the Sacramento region and the San Francisco Bay Area. She holds a degree in meteorology from SUNY College at Brockport and a degree in broadcasting 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.
