Aug 21, 2008 8:25 am US/Central
Mike Augustyniak New WCCO Morning Meteorologist
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
Mike Augustyniak is joining the WCCO-TV weather staff as the new meteorologist for WCCO This Morning and WCCO 4 News at Noon, it was announced Wednesday by Scott Libin, WCCO-TV News Director. Augustyniak completes the weather team of Mike Fairbourne, Chris Shaffer and Ron Trenda, and will start Monday, Sept. 15.
"Mike is an energetic, engaging guy with an authentic enthusiasm you can't miss," Libin said. "One of his many attributes is that he talks about weather in ways that are meaningful and memorable to those of us who aren't scientists. He's also a bonafide weather geek –- and I mean that in the most flattering sense of the word."
"It was going to take a very special offer to uproot me from the place I was born, raised and went to school," said Augustyniak. "The WCCO-TV call letters are legendary, but it came down to the people I met while visiting that sealed the deal. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with the morning team and join them in making mornings something to look forward to for our viewers."
Most recently Augustyniak was a meteorologist for WRGB-TV in Albany, N.Y., another long-time leading CBS affiliate. On air and online, he has covered a climate that has much in common with Minnesota and western Wisconsin, from severe summer storms to serious snow and deep freezes.
Augustyniak has both a Bachelor of Science and master's degree in atmospheric science from the State University of New York. He holds the American Meteorological Society's Television Seal of Approval. His forecasting has been certified as most accurate by an independent forecast-tracking service. He is also been a member of the Phi Beta Kappa at State University of New York at Albany since 2000.
Augustyniak has won an Emmy and an award from the New York State Broadcasters Association for writing, directing and hosting a 30-minute educational weather special.
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