Alyssa Donovan: Emmy-Nominated WGN-TV Meteorologist Leading Chicago’s Midday Weather Coverage
Alyssa Donovan is a respected meteorologist and reporter currently serving as the Midday and 5 PM weekday meteorologist at WGN-TV in Chicago. Known for her energy, newsroom leadership, and versatility, she has built a strong reputation in both field reporting and in-studio forecasting. Over more than a decade in broadcast journalism, she has successfully balanced investigative reporting, breaking news coverage, and severe weather forecasting—earning recognition as one of the most adaptable professionals in local television news.
Her career reflects persistence, adaptability, and a deep passion for storytelling. Whether covering tornado outbreaks, political developments, or major snowstorms, she brings clarity and confidence to viewers across the Chicago area.
Early Life and Educational Background of Alyssa Donovan
High School Years
Alyssa Donovan attended Cary-Grove Community High School from 2004 to 2008. Growing up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, she developed an early interest in journalism and communication. Her upbringing in Illinois helped shape her familiarity with Midwest weather patterns, something that would later become central to her professional expertise.
College Education
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism from Illinois State University between 2008 and 2012. During her time there, she gained hands-on experience at TV10 News, where she worked as a producer, reporter, anchor, and weather anchor. This period helped her build the foundation for her on-air confidence and newsroom skills.
Later, she expanded her credentials by studying Geological and Earth Sciences at Mississippi State University from 2017 to 2020. This formal meteorology training strengthened her technical forecasting ability and enhanced her credibility as a professional meteorologist.
Career Journey: From Local Markets to WGN-TV
Early Career and Market Experience
Alyssa Donovan began her professional career shortly after graduating from Illinois State University. Her first industry experience included an internship at WMBD-TV Channel 31 in Peoria, Illinois. She then advanced into reporting and weather roles at WEEK TV in the Peoria Metropolitan Area from 2012 to 2014.
From there, she moved to KXLY-TV in Spokane, Washington, where she served as a weekend weather anchor and reporter between 2014 and 2017. This role provided valuable experience forecasting in diverse weather conditions, including snowstorms and wildfire seasons common in the Pacific Northwest.
In 2017, she joined KSHB/KMCI in Kansas City as a reporter, further strengthening her investigative and breaking news background.
Expanding Roles at WRTV
Between 2018 and 2021, she worked at WRTV in Indianapolis as a reporter, meteorologist, and fill-in anchor. This hybrid role allowed her to refine her ability to shift seamlessly between reporting in the field and forecasting in the studio. Her work covered extreme weather events, political stories, and community-focused investigations.
Return to Chicago and Growth at WGN-TV
In November 2021, she began freelance reporting and meteorology work in Chicago before officially advancing within WGN-TV. In May 2024, she became the Midday and Evening Meteorologist for WGN News.
Now serving as the weekday Midday and 5 PM meteorologist, she leads coverage during severe weather events and plays a key role in daily forecasting for one of Chicago’s most recognized television stations.
Emmy-Nominated Talent and Newsroom Leadership
Alyssa Donovan is Emmy-nominated, reflecting her dedication to excellence in journalism and broadcasting. Her colleagues often describe her as a “utility player” in the newsroom—someone capable of handling multiple roles with professionalism and enthusiasm.
Reporting Strengths
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Breaking news coverage
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Investigative journalism
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Political reporting
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Severe weather field reporting
Meteorology Expertise
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Tornado tracking
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Wildfire coverage
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Snowstorm forecasting
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Flood monitoring
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Thunderstorm and windstorm coverage
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Wall-to-wall severe weather broadcasting
Her ability to transition from serious investigative content to lighter community stories showcases versatility that few broadcasters master.
Alyssa Donovan’s On-Air Presence and Professional Style
One of the defining traits of Alyssa Donovan is her confident yet approachable on-air style. She delivers forecasts clearly and concisely while maintaining warmth and personality. During high-pressure severe weather events, she remains calm and authoritative, guiding viewers through complex meteorological situations.
Her “bulldog reporter” reputation comes from her determination to uncover full stories and build trusted community contacts. That dedication extends to weather coverage, where accuracy and preparedness are critical.
She is also widely regarded as easy to work with—a trait that fosters strong team collaboration in a fast-paced newsroom environment.
Social Media Presence and Audience Engagement
Alyssa Donovan maintains an active presence on social media platforms. On Instagram under the handle “alyssadonotv,” she shares professional updates, behind-the-scenes newsroom moments, and weather-related content. She has built a growing audience of thousands of followers.
On X (formerly Twitter), she uses the handle “AlyssaDonovanTV,” identifying herself as a meteorologist and reporter at WGN News. Her account highlights live weather updates, community events, and broadcast segments.
Her social platforms help bridge the gap between newsroom reporting and direct audience engagement, strengthening her connection with Chicago viewers.
Personal Life and Public Information
While Alyssa Donovan is open about her professional journey, she keeps much of her personal life private. Publicly available information does not confirm her age, marital status, or whether she has children. She appears focused primarily on her career and community involvement.
Maintaining privacy in the public eye is common among journalists, especially those in prominent markets like Chicago. Her online presence emphasizes professional achievements rather than personal details.
Community Impact and Professional Reputation
Beyond forecasting and reporting, Alyssa Donovan contributes to her community through storytelling that highlights local issues and events. Her experience covering extreme weather ensures viewers stay informed and safe during critical situations.
Her background in multiple U.S. markets—including Illinois, Washington, Missouri, and Indiana—gives her a broad perspective that enhances her reporting depth.
Colleagues describe her as enthusiastic, collaborative, and committed to helping newsroom teams succeed. These qualities contribute significantly to her leadership presence at WGN-TV.
Why Alyssa Donovan Continues to Stand Out in Chicago Media
Chicago is a competitive television market, requiring credibility, strong communication skills, and meteorological precision. Alyssa Donovan meets those standards through:
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Formal meteorology education
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Extensive field reporting experience
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Severe weather forecasting expertise
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Investigative journalism background
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Emmy-nominated recognition
Her career path demonstrates steady growth and adaptability. From small-market stations to one of Chicago’s most recognized news outlets, she has consistently expanded her skills and responsibilities.
The Future Outlook for Alyssa Donovan
With her established position at WGN-TV and continued audience growth on social media, Alyssa Donovan is poised for long-term success in broadcast meteorology and journalism. Her combination of technical forecasting knowledge and investigative reporting ability makes her uniquely valuable in modern television news.
As weather patterns grow more unpredictable and news cycles accelerate, professionals who can seamlessly transition between reporting and forecasting are increasingly important. Her hybrid skill set positions her well for continued advancement.
Final Thoughts
Alyssa Donovan represents the modern television journalist—multifaceted, technically trained, and deeply committed to serving viewers. From her early days at Illinois State University to leading Midday and 5 PM weather coverage at WGN-TV, her journey reflects dedication and adaptability.
Her Emmy-nominated work, newsroom leadership, and severe weather expertise solidify her standing as a respected meteorologist in Chicago. As she continues delivering accurate forecasts and impactful reporting, her influence in local broadcasting remains strong and growing.
