Cheryl Scott is a fixture on Chicago television screens, delivering forecasts as a prominent meteorologist for ABC 7 Eyewitness News. Viewers tuning in for daily updates often look beyond the radar to understand her background, education, and path through the broadcasting industry. Born on January 29, 1985, she built a specialized career bridging geological sciences and on-air meteorology across multiple regional markets before settling in the Midwest.
Her journey from a science-minded kid in New Jersey to a major-market television forecaster involves rigorous academic training and early market reporting. Understanding her background requires looking at the milestones that shaped her professional trajectory, the stations where she honed her craft, and how she established herself in competitive media markets.
Early Life and Academic Foundations
Growing up in Waterford Township, New Jersey, Scott developed an early fascination with weather patterns and physical sciences. She attended Paul VI High School, where she balanced rigorous academics with competitive athletics, running track and playing soccer. Her athletic speed and academic standing caught the attention of university recruiters, leading her to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
At Brown, she focused on Earth sciences, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Sciences in 2007. Recognizing that television meteorology required specialized broadcast credentials alongside geological knowledge, she later completed the broadcast meteorology certificate program at Mississippi State University in 2010.
- High School: Paul VI High School (Haddonfield, New Jersey)
- Undergraduate Degree: B.S. in Geological Sciences, Brown University (2007)
- Meteorology Training: Certification, Mississippi State University (2010)
Career Progression in Regional Markets
Scott didn't land a major-market job straight out of college. Her career began through local reporting and smaller stations where she built practical broadcasting experience.
Early Internships and WSEE-TV
While finishing her undergraduate studies, she secured an internship at WCAU-NBC 10 in Philadelphia in 2006. This initial exposure to a major newsroom gave her hands-on experience with production routines and weather graphics. Her first official on-air role came in 2007 at WSEE-TV in Erie, Pennsylvania, where she worked as a weekend weather reporter. During this period, she also provided forecasts for a 24-hour Caribbean Weather Channel, expanding her live broadcasting hours and technical confidence.
Moving to Tennessee
Following her stint in Pennsylvania, Scott relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee, joining WBIR-TV. Her time in Knoxville coincided with severe regional storm outbreaks, which tested her ability to deliver high-stakes, life-saving severe weather coverage under intense pressure. Beyond standard daily forecasting, her community engagement during regional natural disasters cemented her reputation as a reliable local journalist.
Transition to Chicago Media
Scott’s career entered a larger market when she moved to Chicago to join NBC 5 as a morning and weekend meteorologist. After spending three years building an audience in the Chicago market, she transitioned to ABC 7 Eyewitness News in December 2014. At ABC 7, she quickly integrated into the station's primary weather team, providing weekday and weekend reports across various broadcast slots.
Community Involvement and Professional Recognition
Beyond her daily work in the newsroom, Scott maintains an active role in civic and charitable organizations. She serves on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross, participating in disaster relief awareness and community outreach programs inspired by her firsthand reporting experiences during severe weather events in the South.
Her public profile extends to digital platforms, where she shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of newsroom life, updates on local atmospheric conditions, and moments featuring her rescue dog, Lola.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Cheryl Scott?
Cheryl Scott was born on January 29, 1985.
Where did Cheryl Scott go to college?
She earned her undergraduate degree in Geological Sciences from Brown University in 2007 and completed her meteorology certification at Mississippi State University in 2010.
What was her first television job?
Her professional television career began at WSEE-TV in Erie, Pennsylvania, where she worked as a weekend weather reporter starting in 2007.
Which news station does she currently work for?
She works as a meteorologist for ABC 7 Eyewitness News in Chicago, a position she has held since late 2014.
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