Popular Weatherman Taken Off Air As Station Gives Vague Statement

Mark Johnson, a popular local Cleveland weatherman is "no longer employed" by WEWS after the station gave a vague statement about his apparent departure on its website Friday (May 9).

“We want our audiences to know that News 5 and its parent company, Scripps, take protecting our audiences’ trust very seriously by requiring our employees to adhere to the highest ethical standards. We cannot provide further details, as this is a personnel matter,” said WEWS vice president and general manager Steve Weinstein.

WEWS added that its weather team remained committed to "safety and accuracy" though not elaborating on the reason for Johnson's departure. WEWS news director Jodie Heisner told Cleveland.com that the station wouldn't “comment beyond what was posted on our website" in relation to Johnson.

Johnson's biography was wiped from the news station's website and all online searches carry the message "Page Not Found" when clicked. The meteorologist spent more than three decades working at WEWS and left fans stunned when he announced his departure.

“You are the one who made me watch weather news. ABC is nothing without you,” a fan wrote on his Facebook page.

“I’m completely in shock!!!! I’m so sorry Mark. You were the best thing at channel 5," another user wrote.

Johnson had contributed to WEWS since November 1993 and was the first Cleveland forecaster to win both the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association Seals of Approval, according to Cleveland.com.