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
DC Weather: Northeast winter storm may impact Thanksgiving travel plans
Before it's time to defrost the turkey, a frosty low-pressure system could stifle Thanksgiving travel plans in the region with freezing temperatures, strong winds -- and even snow.
Here's how much snow to expect this winter in DC
Old Man Winter is knocking on the door - so we're asking the question: How much snow can we expect this winter in the D.C. region?
DC forecast: Chilly Wednesday with rain expected Thursday
Bundle up! A dry and chilly Wednesday is expected across the Washington, D.C. region with morning temperatures in the 30s to low 40s and highs reaching only the 50s by the afternoon.
DMV Winter 2023-2024 Outlook: Why we're expecting more snow, chance for blizzards in DC this winter
With a potentially strong El Niño in play for the 2023-2024 winter season, we're forecasting more snow than an average winter for the Washington D.C. metro, Northern Virginia and Maryland.
DMV Winter 2024-2025 Outlook: What we can expect from La Niña
Winter is on its way! Here's a look at our DMV Winter 2024-2025 Outlook for what Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia can expect this winter from the season's La Niña weather pattern.
Fall Foliage: When is peak color expected in the DC region?
When will fall foliage colors in the D.C. region be at their peak? Here’s what we know.
Hurricane Helene Tracker: After landfall in Florida, could storm remnants impact DC region?
Fast-moving Hurricane Helene is expected to slam into Florida on Thursday. But will the powerful storm impact the Washington, D.C. region later this week?
Debby brings flooding, tornado risk to DC region
Will Tropical Storm Debby bring tornadoes to the DC region?
Tropical Storm Debby to bring heavy, but needed rain to DC region
The D.C. region needs rain, and with Tropical Storm Debby forecast to track northward in the days ahead, we just might have our best shot of the summer so far at putting a major dent in the current drought situation.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings issued for parts of DC, Maryland, Virginia
The D.C. area is under severe thunderstorm warnings Monday night as a strong storm with a history of damaging winds is heading to the area.