Mark Strehl
Mark Strehl was a bit different as a kid. In third grade, after finding some fossils behind his grandmother's house, his mind was made up. He wanted to be an Archeologist! That was, until his fourth grade science teacher pointed out that it is geologists who study fossils!
But all that changed the very next winter when Chicago weather legend Harry Volkman came to Mark's church to be the keynote speaker. By fifth-grade, that was it. Mark thought Harry was the coolest guy and had the most excellent job. He was hooked.
Mark had the privilege of taking over for Harry when he left FOX 32 News.
"Taking over for Harry was a true honor...I felt like my life interest in weather had truly come full-circle, and I was helping carry on the tradition," Mark said.
Mark grew up in Ottawa, where his very first job came at age 16 working at the local radio station. He attended both Northern and Southern Illinois University and holds the AMS Seal of Approval.
He has worked on both coasts, from Eugene, Oregon to Albany, New York. He has also been a Meteorologist at WCCO-TV in Minneapolis and in Milwaukee at WISN-TV, but can think of no better place to be than back here, at home, in Chicago.
The latest from Mark Strehl
Chicago weather: Cold start gives way to milder temperatures
Temperatures across the Chicago area plunged into the teens Friday night, with wind chills dipping to near zero in some locations.
Chicago Weather: Massive drop in temps continues thru week
The abrupt change in temperatures continues tonight with overnight lows in the teens.
Chicago Weather: Showers, thunderstorms spread through southern Illinois, Indiana
Storms are developing along the cold front in downstate Peoria
Chicago weather: High winds and heavy rain give way to snow, colder temps
Strong winds, heavy rain and a sharp temperature drop are expected to impact the Chicago area over the next several days.
Chicago weather: Mild, rainy weekend gives way to colder temperatures next week
A mild but mostly gray weekend is expected, with temperatures remaining above average through Sunday before colder air moves in early next week.
Chicago weather: Mild temperatures give way to rain, then sharp return to winter cold
Northern Illinois is in a period of weather whiplash, with mild temperatures giving way to rain this weekend before winterlike cold returns early next week.
Chicago weather: Sunshine, cool temps before holiday warm-up, light rain
There’s a little sunshine coming our way for your Sunday with cooler temperatures.
Chicago weather: Great travel weather ahead of warm Christmas
Compared to much of the last month, we have a fairly benign weekend in terms of weather in the Chicago area.
Chicago weather: Windy Saturday, then unseasonably warm Christmas ahead
Temperatures will start in the teens Friday night but rise overnight as warmer air moves in, with the low of 28 degrees occurring just after midnight.