
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 snow drought may end overnight, but snow lovers will be far from satisfied
The magic number is 0.1, that is all we need to end the 325-day snowless streak here in Washington, D.C.
A timeline of the snowiest blizzards in DC, Maryland and Virginia history
We take a look at the most impactful and snowy blizzard to hit DC, Maryland and Virginia, complete with an interactive timeline, video from our archives, photos and much more!
2022 ends on a mild, wet note but when will winter return?
A split in the Polar Vortex led to one of the strongest cold air outbreaks in years, coinciding with one of the biggest storms of the year with winds across the Midwest and Great Lakes that grounded flights and continue to impact travel to this day.
Winter storm 'bomb cyclone' expected to cause travel nightmare across DC region ahead of Christmas weekend
A powerful, winter ‘bomb cyclone' that could create blizzard conditions for parts of the upper Midwest and Great Lakes is expected to bring freezing temperatures and damaging winds to the D.C. region creating a travel nightmare ahead of the Christmas holiday weekend.
Dreaming of a White Christmas? A potential DC winter storm threat could make it happen.
A potential winter storm threat could impact DC, Maryland and Virginia heading into Christmas weekend. Here's what we know so far.
Freezing rain, ice, sleet could make for a treacherous storm across DC area early Thursday
The first big weather event of meteorological winter for DC, Maryland and Virginia is likely to cause a messy commute come Thursday morning for the DMV.
Winter Outlook: No Major Blizzards, But Above Normal Snowfall Is Possible This Winter across the DMV
As holiday commercials begin to play on TV; Mariah makes it clear that Halloween is over; and Starbucks trots out its red cups - thoughts quickly are turning to snow. But, how much snow? Let's explore.
Tropical Storm Nicole remnants to bring waves of rain, wind to DC region
The first impacts from Hurricane Nicole could hit the D.C. region in the pre-dawn hours of Veterans Day as the rainfall starts to come across.
Ian returns to hurricane strength; South Carolina braces for landfall
As of Thursday evening, the National Hurricane Center stated that Ian has regained enough strength to be considered a hurricane once again, with peak sustained winds of 75 mph.
Florida evacuations underway as major hurricane Ian approaches; Rain may impact DC this weekend
The worst of the weather is expected to occur Wednesday into Thursday as the storm slowly pushes into central Florida.