Greg Fishel's Weather Comeback: A Home Studio Journey

0:00Local headlines in two minutes or less, you're tuned in to Durham News today. Greg Fischel is a familiar face in North Carolina weather forecasting after nearly four decades at WRAL in Raleigh. He started as a kid terrified of tornadoes but got hooked on meteorology in sixth grade watching a college weather show. By his early 20s, he landed his first TV gig straight out of Penn State. He kicked off at a small station in Maryland before a colleague pulled him to WRAL in 1981. With no prior big market experience, he jumped right into three daily forecasts and quickly rose to chief meteorologist by 1989, bringing his unique style and love for weather science. Viewers embraced Fischel despite his introverted start and differences from his predecessor. He ignored some consultant advice to skip the science explanations and instead built custom graphics with a coworker, making forecasts more engaging. Over the years, he became a local staple, even jumping into a fountain after losing an on-air bet. In February 2019, WRAL

1:05parted ways with him over personal challenges that affected his work. Fischel bounced around, taking an energy job that fizzled during the pandemic, then moving to Florida and South Carolina for gigs like spokesperson, work and driving for ride shares. These days, he's back in the triangle area in Fuqua, Verena, closer to family and friends. From his home studio, he produces regular weather updates for Patreon subscribers, picking up right where he left off on his own terms. This episode is supported by our sponsor, CDetails in the description. A pillow that plays your sound quietly, comfortably, effortlessly, built for nighttime listening, S-O-L-I, soleypellow.com.