Lonnie Quinn is a familiar face to millions of television viewers, serving as the chief weathercaster for CBS News New York and a national anchor. Yet long before he began tracking severe storms and breaking down complex atmospheric patterns on weekday broadcasts, his career path took a very different trajectory. From early days growing up in Connecticut to a brief stint in daytime soap operas, Quinn built an unconventional road to the anchor desk.
Understanding his professional evolution requires looking beyond the standard broadcast bio. His journey involves transitions between distinct industries, rigorous meteorological certification, and decades of delivering high-stakes weather coverage to the New York market and beyond.
Early Life and Roots in Connecticut
Born on August 9, 1963, in Cheshire, Connecticut, Lonnie William Quinn grew up as one of seven children in a large, active family. Sports played a major role in his youth. He developed a strong competitive streak early on, which later translated into swimming competitively at the college level.
He attended Boston College, where he pursued his undergraduate education with a clear focus on communication. Graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in speech communications, he laid the foundational public speaking and presentation skills that would eventually anchor his broadcasting career. However, his initial post-college ambitions didn't immediately point toward local newsrooms or weather maps.
The Acting Years: Soap Operas Before the Newsroom
Before stepping behind a weather graphics wall, Quinn tried his hand at professional acting. During his twenties and early thirties, he relocated to Los Angeles and New York to pursue television acting roles.
He secured notable parts in major daytime television dramas:
- All My Children: He created and played the role of Will Cooney on the ABC soap opera between 1988 and 1990.
- Santa Barbara: He portrayed the character Rich Landers on the NBC daytime drama from 1992 to 1993.
While his acting career gave him valuable comfort in front of studio cameras and live audiences, Quinn eventually decided to pivot toward broadcast journalism and journalism's more unpredictable cousin—meteorology.
Transitioning to Broadcast Journalism and Meteorology
Leaving acting behind, Quinn broke into local news in Virginia. His early media footprint included working at stations in Charlottesville, such as serving as an on-air personality, morning show co-host, and news director, followed by a role as an evening news anchor and weekend weather anchor at WVIR.
Transitioning into weather full-time required specialized scientific training. Quinn earned a meteorology certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and continued his education to master atmospheric science, proving that his interest in weather extended far beyond reading scripts on a teleprompter.
The Miami Market and Hurricane Coverage
A pivotal turning point arrived when Quinn moved to Florida to join WTVJ, the NBC owned-and-operated station in Miami. As the weather anchor for Today in South Florida, he faced one of the most demanding weather environments in the country.
Working in South Florida immersed him in tropical meteorology. During the historic 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, he collaborated closely with Max Mayfield, then-director of the National Hurricane Center. He also flew directly into the eye of Hurricane Isabel as part of data-gathering missions with the Hurricane Hunters, giving him firsthand operational experience with severe meteorological events that few studio forecasters ever witness.
Joining CBS and Building an Award-Winning Tenure
In April 2007, Quinn moved to New York City to join WCBS-TV (CBS 2), where he has remained a fixture of local and national broadcasting. He currently serves as the chief weathercaster for WCBS-TV's weekday evening broadcasts at 5, 6, and 11 p.m., while also anchoring national weather segments for CBS Saturday Morning.
Over his decades at CBS, his dynamic presentation style and accurate forecasting have earned widespread peer recognition. He has accumulated over a dozen Emmy Awards, including multiple wins for Best Weather Anchor from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences New York Chapter.
You can read more about his ongoing broadcast schedule on the official CBS New York Team Page.
Personal Life and Community Involvement
Outside of his demanding broadcast schedule, Quinn maintains a private life rooted in Connecticut with his wife, Sharon, and their children. He remains an avid sports fan, a private pilot, and an active advocate for various community causes, including foster care awareness. His transition from daytime drama actor to FAA-certified meteorologist demonstrates an uncommon career trajectory that defines his longevity in modern television news.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lonnie Quinn's educational background?
He graduated magna cum laude from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in speech communications. He also holds an FAA certificate in meteorology and has pursued ongoing advanced training in atmospheric science.
Did Lonnie Quinn act in soap operas?
Yes. Before his career in broadcast meteorology, he played Will Cooney on ABC's All My Children and Rich Landers on NBC's Santa Barbara.
What shows does Lonnie Quinn currently anchor?
He is the chief weathercaster for WCBS-TV weekday newscasts in New York and serves as the national weather anchor for CBS Saturday Morning.
How many Emmy Awards has he won?
He has received more than a dozen Emmy Awards for his work in television broadcasting and weather anchoring in the New York market.
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