Jennifer Stanonis Wikipedia | Biography
Jennifer Stanonis is a talented American meteorologist who is now serving as the Chief Meteorologist for CBS Sacramento, which includes KOVR-TV and KMAX-TV. A native of the Sacramento area, she grew up in Granite Bay, California, and has made her way back home after an impressive career in broadcast meteorology that spanned several television markets across the U.S.
KOVR recently announced her return as chief meteorologist, welcoming her back to Northern California after her previous roles in the Bay Area, Wyoming, and New York.
Jennifer Stanonis Age
Jennifer Stanonis was born on April 12, 1982, which means she’ll be turning 44 in 2026. She hails from the San Francisco Bay Area but spent her formative years in the Sacramento region, particularly in Fair Oaks and Granite Bay.
Jennifer Stanonis Education
Jennifer has a solid educational foundation in both meteorology and broadcasting. She earned her degree in Meteorology, which involved calculus, from SUNY College at Brockport in New York. Additionally, she holds a degree in Broadcasting from San Francisco State University.
While in college, Jennifer got her start behind the scenes at KRON 4 News in the San Francisco Bay Area. Interestingly, her passion for broadcasting ignited even earlier during her high school days in Granite Bay.
Moreover, she has achieved the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) designation from the American Meteorological Society, a notable professional certification for those in the broadcast meteorology field.
Jennifer Stanonis Family
Born in Northern California and raised in the Sacramento area, Jennifer tends to keep details about her family life private, so not much is known about her parents or siblings.
What is clear, however, is that she proudly considers the Sacramento region her hometown. CBS Sacramento refers to her as a Northern California native who grew up in Fair Oaks and Granite Bay.
Jennifer Stanonis Nationality
Jennifer Stanonis is American. She was born in the San Francisco Bay Area and grew up in the Sacramento region, firmly establishing her roots in California.
Jennifer Stanonis Height
As for her height, there hasn’t been an official announcement from CBS Sacramento or the American Meteorological Society. However, based on various biographical estimates, she stands around 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm). It’s worth noting that this figure is an approximation and not an officially verified measurement.
Jennifer Stanonis Husband
Jennifer Stanonis is happily married, but her husband tends to keep a low profile away from the public eye. CBS Sacramento reported that Stanonis moved back to Sacramento with her husband and their three kids after taking on the role of chief meteorologist.
Children
Jennifer Stanonis is a proud mom of three, sharing her life with her husband.
Recently, the family made a move to the Sacramento area as part of her new role at CBS Sacramento. The station mentioned that they were excited to return to the region to take advantage of its diverse microclimates and beautiful outdoor spaces.
Stanonis tends to keep her children’s lives under wraps, so details like their names and ages aren’t readily available from trustworthy public sources.
Jennifer Stanonis Meteorologist Career
Jennifer Stanonis has built an impressive career in broadcast meteorology, boasting over 20 years of experience across various television markets.
Her journey in television began at KCWY-TV NBC in Casper, Wyoming, and continued at WKBW-TV ABC in Buffalo, New York. She later joined WGRZ-TV NBC in Buffalo, where she spent significant time and most recently held the position of the main weekday evening meteorologist.
Throughout her career, Jennifer has covered a wide range of weather events, including tornadoes, major blizzards, lake-effect snow, flooding, damaging winds, wildfires, droughts, heat waves, tropical systems, and extreme cold.
Her expertise hasn’t gone unnoticed; she has received several accolades, including a prestigious New York Emmy Award.
Why Is Jennifer Stanonis Leaving WGRZ?
So, why did Jennifer Stanonis leave WGRZ? She decided to embrace the next phase of her career, taking on the role of Chief Meteorologist at CBS Sacramento.
When she announced her move, she expressed excitement about this new chapter in her life and career, though she initially kept the details of her next destination a secret. CBS Sacramento later confirmed her appointment, marking a return to her hometown region. This transition was a professional advancement rather than a departure from the field of meteorology.
Where Is Jennifer Stanonis Now?
Jennifer Stanonis is now calling Sacramento, California, her home, where she serves as the Chief Meteorologist for CBS Sacramento’s KOVR/KMAX.
You can find her as part of the First Alert Weather Team at CBS Sacramento.
Her move back to Sacramento is like a homecoming for her after spending several years in various television markets outside of Northern California. She has expressed that returning to her roots and contributing to the community she grew up in is a truly special honor.
Jennifer Stanonis Leaving Channel 2
As for her recent departure from Channel 2, yes, Jennifer Stanonis left WGRZ in Buffalo in 2026.
In May 2026, she shared the news of her exit from Western New York, announcing that her last day on air would be the following Friday. At that time, she kept her next career move under wraps.
Her departure marked the end of a significant chapter in Buffalo television, as she had been part of the local scene since 2005, starting at WKBW before transitioning to WGRZ in 2012.
Jennifer Stanonis Returns to Sacramento
Jennifer Stanonis is back in Sacramento, and it feels like a homecoming! Having grown up in this vibrant area, she’s returning with her husband and their three kids in tow.
In her new role as Chief Meteorologist, she’ll be at the helm of weather coverage for CBS Sacramento, which includes KOVR Channel 13 and KMAX Channel 31.
Stanonis steps into this position after Nic Merianos moved on to CBS-owned WFOR in Miami back in May.
With her deep roots in Sacramento, a wealth of broadcasting experience, and a solid background in severe weather reporting, Stanonis is all set to lead the weather team at CBS Sacramento.
Author
Beyond her meteorological expertise, Stanonis is also an accomplished author. She penned the children’s weather book “Willy and Lilly’s Adventures with Weather,” which has been recognized for its educational value and engaging weather content.
This book showcases Stanonis’ commitment to making meteorology fun and accessible for younger audiences.
Jennifer Stanonis Salary
Jennifer Stanonis’ precise salary at CBS Sacramento hasn’t been made public.
As a seasoned chief meteorologist at a prominent CBS-owned station, boasting over twenty years in the broadcasting field, it’s reasonable to estimate her annual salary falls somewhere between $100,000 and $200,000.
Net Worth
Jennifer Stanonis’ precise salary at CBS Sacramento hasn’t been made public.
As a seasoned chief meteorologist at a prominent CBS-owned station, boasting over twenty years in the broadcasting field, it’s reasonable to estimate her annual salary falls somewhere between $100,000 and $200,000.
