NOAA’S NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SELECTS NEW LEADER OF
CHICAGO WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE

The NOAA National Weather Service has named Edward C. Fenelon to head the Chicago Weather Forecast Office located at Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill. Fenelon began his new duties as meteorologist-in-charge on August 2, 2005. NOAA is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“A meteorologist-in-charge is the front line officer carrying out the National Weather Service mission of serving the American public by helping protect lives and property,” said Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), director of the NOAA National Weather Service. “We are honored to have Ed Fenelon serving in this important role.”

An 18-year National Weather Service veteran, Fenelon has held a variety of forecast and management positions at forecast offices in Kansas City, Mo., and Detroit and Marquette, Mich. From his beginning as a meteorologist intern at the National Weather Service in Williston, N.D., Fenelon worked his way through various positions with increasing responsibility. Cutting his teeth on forecasting innovation and tracking severe weather in the Midwest, Fenelon served as meteorologist intern in Kansas City during the late 1980s. He ascended to the ranks of general forecaster and later lead forecaster at the Detroit forecast office from 1990-1995. Fenelon was then the science and operations officer at the Marquette office for five and a half years. His most recent position was as meteorologist-in-charge at Marquette since January 2001.

“Ed Fenelon brings to Chicago a wealth of experience in meteorology that will well serve the people of northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana,” said Gary S. Foltz, acting director of the National Weather Service Central Region. “I know Ed’s leadership and experience with the volatile weather of the Midwest will be an asset to the staff and the community. He will continue to promote the excellent coordination with local governments and the business community, as well as supporting public outreach that has been a strong point of the Chicago forecast office. His experience, enthusiasm and innovative spirit will be definite assets to residents of Chicago and surrounding areas.”

Fenelon earned his bachelor’s degree in meteorology from the University of Wisconsin in 1986. He’s taken additional courses in management at Northern Michigan University.

“I am honored to be selected as the new Chicago meteorologist-in-charge,” Fenelon said. “The people of Chicago and all of northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana depend on timely, accurate weather forecasts and warnings for their businesses and their livelihoods. Whether providing weather information for those taking to the highway, the skies, Lake Michigan, or simply spending time at one of our many beautiful parks or forest preserves, I am excited about being part of the weather information process, keeping the people of the Chicago area informed of the latest weather trends. I look forward to building on a proud tradition of providing excellent service to our customers and the community.”

NOAA’s National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA's National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.

NOAA, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with our federal partners and nearly 60 countries to develop a global Earth observation network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.

Note: Media interested in scheduling interviews with Ed Fenelon may contact the Chicago weather forecast office by calling (815) 834-0651, Ext. 642.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA’s National Weather Service: http://www.weather.gov

National Weather Service in Chicago: http://www.weather.gov/chicago