Meteorologist Mark Johnson who has worked for WEWS News 5 in Cleveland, Ohio for over three decades has been abruptly axed from the channel with viewers threatening to "boycott" over his departure. The station announced on Friday May 9 that the long standing staff member was no longer employed by the organisation. "News 5 wants to share with our viewers a change to our on-air staffing. Meteorologist Mark Johnson is no longer employed at WEWS," the outlet said in a . "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." They added they would "begin an immediate search for Johnson's replacement".

The specific circumstances surrounding the veteran meteorologist's shocking exit remain unclear, and the network said it is promptly looking for his on-air replacement. Devastated fans took to his Facebook page to express their upset at the news after one viewer shared the statement captioning it: "Time to change the channel."

"I'm not watching anymore," another commented. "I am not watching Channel 5 now. I only watched because I liked Mark," a third chimed in.

"Mark is a very kind and caring person. I will not watch channel 5 I will put all on attention on 8," a fourth wrote.

"Boycott channel 5 spread the word!!!!" a fifth demanded. Meanwhile a sixth added: "Praying for Mark and his family! We've been watching him for our weather for years."

As of yet Johnson has not issued an official statement about his employment status although he has been actively posting on social media including sharing details about a small earthquake in the area on Sunday May 11.

Having joined News 5 in 1993 he had been delivering the weather forecasts for more than three decades. In November 2023 the channel shared an Instagram post celebrating his 30 years on-air for the network.

"He's as iconic in Cleveland as the leg lamp or the West Side Market. Join us in congratulating meteorologist Mark Johnson on celebrating 30 years here at WEWS. Time (and snow) flies when you're having fun! Thank you Mark, for keeping us safe and informed!" they wrote.

Now, just shy of six months later, his employee bio has been removed from the station's website.