Weather
Mary Kay Kleist
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Mary Kay Kleist is the meteorologist for CBS 2 Chicago's weekend morning and evening newscasts. She began work at the station in November 2002.
In June 2007, Kleist became a "Certified Broadcast Meteorologist," the highest distinction in the industry. She earned this title after passing a rigorous exam which focused on atmospheric science. Kleist is also certified with an AMS Seal of Approval, as well as an NWA Broadcasting Seal of Approval.
Kleist joined CBS 2 Chicago from WXYZ-TV in Detroit, Mich., where she had worked as a meteorologist since 1999, reporting the weather for the station's weekend newscasts. Before that, she worked on the weekday morning and noon newscasts.
Kleist worked in Tampa, Fla. (1995-99), as the meteorologist for WFLA-TV. While in Tampa, she also reported the weather for The Tampa Tribune and the local edition of CNN Headline News. Kleist also served as weather anchor at WFLA-AM Radio. Kleist first worked in Chicago from 1994-1995 as a weather anchor for WGN-AM Radio and CLTV.
She began her career at WJCL-TV in Savannah, Ga. (1992-94), where she worked as the weekend weather anchor, as well as a health and general assignment reporter, news anchor, photographer, editor and also anchored the local edition of CNN Headline News.
Kleist has won four local Emmy Awards for her work on CBS 2's broadcasts of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.
Kleist graduated, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Central Florida in 1992 with a B.A. in Radio and Television. She later graduated from the Broadcast Meteorology Program at Mississippi State University.
Kleist lives in Naperville, IL with her husband and two children. She is a weekly guest on 95.9 FM The River, based in Naperville.