WBTV names new chief meteorologist as Eric Thomas retires. He might look familiar.

Joe Marusak
·2 min read

WBTV named a new chief meteorologist on Wednesday to replace Eric Thomas, who is set to retire at month’s end.

Al Conklin is a familiar face, if you’ve watched the station anytime over the past 28-some years. He and Thomas have always worked side-by-side.

Eric Thomas, right, hands off the “clicker” Al Conklin, who will succeed Thomas as WBTV chief meteorologist after he retires this month. The pair have worked side-by-side for decades.
Eric Thomas, right, hands off the “clicker” Al Conklin, who will succeed Thomas as WBTV chief meteorologist after he retires this month. The pair have worked side-by-side for decades.

“I’ve always thought of Al as a co-chief anyways, or at least the ‘morning chief,’ ” Thomas said in a statement released by WBTV on Wednesday to announce Conklin’s new role.

Thomas covered the biggest weather stories in Charlotte’s history during a 33-year career. So, too, has Conklin.

“I can say, unequivocally, the WBTV region is in great hands with Al leading this team of professionals,” said Thomas, whose last show will be the 11 p.m. newscast on Christmas Eve. “They work tirelessly to keep everyone informed and safe from every kind of weather mother nature throws at us here across the Carolinas.”

TV meteorologist who covered biggest weather events in Charlotte history set to retire

WBTV news director Kim Saxon echoed Thomas.

“There is no one more qualified to lead WBTV’s First Alert Weather team,” Saxon said. “This will be a seamless transition as we promote a meteorologist who has spent the last 28-plus years earning the trust of generations of Charlotte news viewers with his precision and accuracy.”

Conklin joined WBTV in 1993. He previously worked at stations in Wilmington, Ft. Myers, Florida, and Miami.

“As soon as I got here, I knew I never wanted to leave,” Conklin said in the statement. “The city, the people, the station —this is my home.”

Conklin will remain on the morning broadcast shift, where’s he’s spent 15 years.

“In the old days, we used to think the chief had to be on the evening shows,” Conklin said. “But that was back when we only had news at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. We’re a 24/7 business now.”