ORLANDO, Fla. – WESH-TV announced Thursday that WESH 2 Weather Plus Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi will assume the role of chief meteorologist effective immediately.

"Tony is a skilled meteorologist and a natural leader,” said Barbara Maushard, WESH 2 News Director. “"He has proven in every recent severe weather event that he knows how to accurately forecast and aggressively cover Central Florida weather. Tony will effectively lead the WESH 2 Weather Plus team of meteorologists in our commitment to providing accurate daily forecasts and the best severe weather coverage - anytime, day or night.”

Prior to joining WESH 2 two years ago, Mainolfi was the Chief Meteorologist at WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.V., for nine years. He also worked for several years at The Weather Channel in Atlanta, Ga.

“I look forward to stepping into this new role at a television station that places such a high priority on weather,” said Mainolfi. “Our No. 1 priority is to prepare and protect our viewers. And when big weather events happen, WESH makes a stationwide commitment to inform and safeguard everyone in Central Florida.”

Over the period of his career, Mainolfi has been nominated for four Emmys. He holds seals of approval from the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association.

According to WESH 2 President and General Manager Bill Bauman, “We’ve acquired the best forecasting technology; we’ve created a 24-hour local weather network, and we deliver the top weather Web site in the market. We have the people in place to interpret the information and keep people safe. We really believe that Tony is the right person to lead the WESH 2 Weather Plus team. He is truly a student of forecasting and not afraid to step out on a limb when it comes to providing critical advance warnings of severe weather.”