
Mike Thomas
Mike Thomas’ fascination with weather started at a young age. Growing up in the small Prince George's County town of Beltsville, MD Mike vividly remembers the EF3 tornado that tore through the city of College Park, damaging his elementary school at the time. His drive to understand the disaster took him on the meteorology path.
After graduating from DeMatha Catholic High School, Mike attended University of Maryland, Baltimore County where he double majored in mathematics and physics before wrapping up his degree in Atmospheric Sciences, Meteorology at Penn State University in 2012. His first experience with FOX 5 came in the summer of 2011 when he took a weather internship under the guidance of Tucker Barnes and Tony Perkins.
After graduation, he took a job with Commodity Weather Group in Bethesda, MD where he focused on learning forecast techniques, weather model analysis, extended range, and seasonal forecasting. Forecasting and advising commodity traders and other meteorologists on the New York Stock Exchange, Mike's forecasts were featured in various articles from USA Today, MSNBC, CNBC, Bloomberg, and Reuters.
Mike got his start in television when he joined the FOX 5 Weather Team in the summer of 2014 as a part-time weekend morning meteorologist. In the fall, he joined the team full time, reuniting with his old mentor Tucker Barnes.
Mike applies his weather knowledge each morning by writing the morning forecast and builds the vast majority of weather graphics you see on the show each day. Keeping often complicated weather patterns viral and fun, he went viral in 2015 when he fashioned song lyrics from Taylor Swift and Madonna into weather forecasts. He regularly does "weather talks" on his Facebook page, particularly during snow season.
A part of the FOX 5 Morning Team for the first eight years of his career, Mike covered anything from hurricanes to tornado outbreaks to blizzards with the great Blizzard of 2016 a favorite highlight of his career. He also filled in with occasional field reporting, traffic, and "Good Day DC" appearances.
Mike was promoted to evening meteorologist in the spring of 2022 to fill the void left by longtime FOX 5 Chief Meteorologist Sue Palka. He writes regularly on fox5dc.com as well, and is the Mid-Atlantic’s "Weather Champion" for the FOX Weather Network.
When not at the station, Mike spends most of his time at his home in Columbia, MD with his golden retriever Sid. In 2016, he was voted as one of the "Top Eligible Bachelors" in Baltimore Magazine. An avid sports fan, he regularly attends local sporting events and continues to play lacrosse, hockey, and volleyball. His passions include learning about technology, history, skiing, hiking, and traveling. A nerd at heart, he loves to learn anything about absolutely everything and is passionate about sharing that knowledge with others.
The latest from Mike Thomas
Winter wraps up with severe weather threats, temps in the 70s
The final weekend of winter is here, before the Spring Equinox arrives next Thursday, though in many parts of the country it will feel much more like spring than winter to close out the season.
Strong thunderstorms could bring risk for tornadoes to DMV this week
Winter has officially come to an end as far as meteorologists are concerned. Despite spring not – officially – starting until March 20, meteorological winter ended on March 1.
Bulk of midweek snowstorm likely to miss DC: timing, impact, and what to expect
You may have seen the buzz on social media, and yes, it’s true—there’s a strong chance of another significant snowstorm in the D.C. region next week.
DC snow forecast: Could DMV see more winter weather next week?
Whether we could see snow later next week actually begins with what happens this weekend. A powerful storm system will traverse the eastern half of the country Saturday through Sunday.
Snow totals in DC, Maryland, Virginia
A fast-moving winter storm swept through the D.C. region on Tuesday, blanketing the nation’s capital with several inches of snow. The snowfall created hazardous travel conditions, leading many schools in the area to dismiss early. Additionally, some school districts opted to delay opening times or cancel classes altogether on Wednesday. Here's a look at snow totals for D.C., Maryland, Virginia & West Virginia for February 11 and 12.
Multiple snow, ice threats for DC through mid-February
While temperatures certainly are not forecast to be as cold as they were in January, there are still a number of opportunities for winter weather in the D.C. region over the next couple of weeks.
Commanders Championship weather: What to expect in DC and Philly
If you are traveling up on Saturday afternoon or evening, expect partly cloudy skies with just a few passing clouds. Temperatures should be in the 30s for just about all of your journey, but nothing falling from the sky should slow you down! About as good as travel weather can get in late January.
Snow, bitter cold set stage for Inauguration Day
It is a big holiday weekend here in the nation's capital. For the first time since the second inauguration of President Bill Clinton back in 1997, both Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day fall on the same day. The weather story of the day though will be the bitter cold.
Light snow to dust DC Friday night, Winter Weather Warnings issued in Virginia
After a pretty cloudy and once again cold Friday afternoon, light snow is expected to start overspreading the region into the later evening hours.
Could a blizzard hit the DC area this weekend? Here’s what we know
Is a potential blizzard on its way to the D.C. area? This storm could dump not just several inches but possibly feet of snow in the region.