Mike Wankum was born in 1960 in Iowa, United States. He is one of Boston’s most trusted meteorologists, best known for his long-running role at WCVB-TV Channel 5.
With more than four decades of experience in broadcast meteorology, he has earned a place as one of the longest-serving weather anchors in the Boston market.
Who is Mike Wankum?
Mike Wankum is an American meteorologist and broadcast journalist. He currently serves as the weeknight meteorologist for StormTeam 5 at WCVB NewsCenter 5 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Mike anchors weather for all WCVB Channel 5 evening and late newscasts from Monday to Friday, covering the 4, 5, 6, 7, and 11 p.m. broadcasts. He also anchors The 10 O’Clock News on MeTV Boston.
His career spans more than four decades and includes stops in Iowa, Virginia, and Boston. Along the way, he has built a reputation for clear, calm communication during severe weather events.
Wankum is also a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist, a designation awarded by the American Meteorological Society.
He is widely recognized for his accuracy, his community outreach work, and his popular technology segment, “Cutting Edge.”
Few broadcast meteorologists in New England have served their market as long or as consistently as Wankum has.
Early Life of Mike Wankum
Mike Wankum grew up on a farm in Iowa. Watching the Midwest’s unpredictable weather from a young age gave him a deep respect for the power of weather. That early experience set him on the path toward a career in meteorology.
His farm upbringing meant that weather was not just a topic of conversation. It directly affected the land, the crops, and the people around him.
This gave him a practical understanding of weather that would later inform his on-air work.
Wankum has not publicly shared details about his parents or siblings. He has largely kept his family background private throughout his career.
Mike Wankum Age
Mike Wankum is 66 years old as of 2026. He was born in 1960 in Iowa, United States. His exact birth date has not been publicly confirmed.
He continues to work full-time as a meteorologist at WCVB Channel 5 in Boston. His decades of experience make him one of the most senior broadcast meteorologists in the New England market.
Mike Wankum Ethnicity and Nationality
Mike Wankum is White American. He was born and raised in the United States and holds American nationality. His roots trace back to the farming communities of Iowa.
Mike Wankum Height and Weight
Mike Wankum stands at approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall, which is about 1.88 meters. He has a lean, average build that fits well for his role as a television anchor.
His weight has not been officially confirmed, but he is described as being in good physical condition.
He leads an active lifestyle outside of work, including motorcycle racing and participation in charity events.
That active lifestyle has clearly kept him in strong physical shape well into his sixties.
Mike Wankum Education
After high school, Wankum enrolled at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa, where he earned his undergraduate degree in journalism. It was at Briar Cliff where he also met his future wife.
He then went on to earn his Master’s degree in Atmospheric Science at Creighton University, located in the heart of Tornado Alley in Omaha, Nebraska.
Studying in that region gave him direct exposure to severe weather systems, including tornadoes.
During his time at Creighton, Wankum participated in multiple tornado chases. Those experiences helped sharpen the practical skills he would use throughout his career as a weather broadcaster.
Mike Wankum Career
Mike Wankum launched his television career around 1980. His journey took him through several markets before he settled in Boston, where he became one of the city’s most recognized faces in weather broadcasting.
Early Career
Wankum began his career at KTIV-TV in Sioux City, Iowa. He started as a staff meteorologist and later became chief meteorologist at the station, spending roughly a decade there.
The region exposed him to tornadoes, blizzards, and fast-changing storm systems that sharpened his forecasting skills.
In 1990, he moved to WTVR-TV in Richmond, Virginia, where he served as chief meteorologist until 1993.
His work in Richmond helped him grow as a broadcaster and opened doors to larger markets.
Boston and WLVI-TV
Wankum arrived in Boston in 1993, joining WLVI-TV as chief meteorologist. He held that position for 13 years, building a loyal viewer base across the city.
During that time, he also reported weather for KISS 108, WBUR-FM, WZLX-FM, and The Boston Herald.
That stretch at WLVI was a defining period in his career. He became a familiar face to Boston audiences and established himself as a trusted voice in New England weather.
WCVB Channel 5 and StormTeam 5
In December 2006, Wankum made the move to WCVB-TV Channel 5, joining the station’s StormTeam 5.
He has been with the station ever since, covering evening and late newscasts across the week. One of his most popular contributions at WCVB is his weekly segment “Cutting Edge.”
The series highlights new technologies and innovative Massachusetts businesses, blending meteorology with technology reporting.
In 2018, the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association awarded the segment First Place for a recurring segment.
Beyond the broadcast desk, Wankum is a regular guest science lecturer at local schools and universities.
He has spoken on topics including climate change, severe weather, nuclear disasters, and children’s issues. He also served as a past Chairman of the Chornobyl Children Project USA.
Mike Wankum Awards and Recognition
Wankum has received more than 17 regional Emmy Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Boston/New England chapter. His honors cover both weather reporting and technology coverage.
He has also received multiple awards from the Associated Press and the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association. In 2018, he earned a First Place MBA Sound Bites award for his “Cutting Edge” series.
In 2017, the Washington Post named Wankum one of the seven coolest meteorologists in the country.
That recognition reflected not only his forecasting skill but also his ability to connect with audiences in a meaningful way.
It is a rare honor that placed him alongside the best weather communicators in American broadcasting.
Mike Wankum Wife
Yes, Mike Wankum is married. He is married to Clair Geissler, whom he met while they were both students at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. Their college connection laid the foundation for a lifelong partnership.
The couple married in 1982 and have been together for over four decades. Wankum has referenced their anniversary on social media, celebrating 39 years of marriage with Clair.
Clair Geissler Wankum keeps a low profile and prefers to stay away from the spotlight. She is known within the local Massachusetts community and reportedly leads an active lifestyle.
In October 2025, she gained local recognition for participating in the Head of the Charles Regatta, a demanding rowing event held annually in Cambridge. The couple lives on the South Shore of Massachusetts.
Mike Wankum Children
Mike Wankum and his wife Clair are the parents of three children. Their son is named Benjamin, and their two daughters are named Anna and Tess.
Wankum has spoken about how important fatherhood has been throughout his career. Balancing a demanding television schedule with family life was not always easy, but he has said that raising his children remained one of his greatest priorities.
The family has since grown to include grandchildren. As of 2026, Wankum’s X (Twitter) profile describes him as a grandfather to four grandchildren.
He and Clair made a deliberate decision to keep their children largely out of the public eye, allowing them to grow up with privacy.
Mike Wankum Net Worth and Salary
Mike Wankum’s estimated net worth is $1.5 million as of 2026. His wealth has built steadily over more than four decades of broadcast journalism, including long tenures at major Boston stations.
Salary
Wankum earns an estimated annual salary in the range of $100,000 to $180,000 from his role at WCVB Channel 5.
That range is consistent with senior broadcast meteorologists at major-market television stations in the United States.
Other Income Sources
Beyond his station salary, Wankum earns additional income from guest speaking engagements at schools and universities across New England.
He also generates income through technology reporting and consulting work related to digital media. His “Cutting Edge” segment at WCVB has further raised his profile as a multimedia broadcaster.
Overall, Wankum’s income reflects decades of steady career growth, professional recognition, and community engagement rather than short-term celebrity earnings.
Mike Wankum Social Media
Wankum is active on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @MetMikeWCVB, where he shares weather updates, severe storm alerts, and commentary on local conditions. He posts regularly, especially during active weather patterns across New England.
He also maintains a presence on Facebook, where he has shared personal updates with his followers, including announcements about his 2021 rotator cuff surgery.
His tone on social media mirrors his on-air style: clear, calm, and community-focused.
Wankum’s social media accounts serve as an extension of his broadcast work, helping viewers stay informed between newscasts.
The Bottom Line
Mike Wankum has spent more than four decades earning the trust of Boston viewers one forecast at a time.
His journey from an Iowa farm to the anchor desk at WCVB Channel 5 is a story of genuine passion for the science of weather.
