Cecily Tynan Salary: Philadelphia Meteorologist’s Success

Cecily Joan Tynan was born on March 19, 1969, in Newtown, Connecticut. Growing up in this quiet New England town, Cecily displayed strong academic promise from an early age. Her path to meteorology, however, wasn’t initially clear—she first aspired to become a professional ballet dancer before discovering her true calling.

The Challenger Moment: On January 28, 1986, 17-year-old Cecily sat in her cafeteria watching news coverage of the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. She rushed home and watched Dan Rather deliver the news, hanging on his every word. “I remember thinking, Man, what an important service he’s doing right now, letting the people know what’s going on. That’s when I decided I wanted to be in TV,” she recalled.

When Cecily told her father about her dream, he warned her that television reporting was really competitive and very few people could make it. Her response? “Well, I’m just gonna be one of those people.”

Fun Fact: Before focusing on weather, Cecily initially wanted to pursue political reporting—a twist of fate during an internship led her to discover weather reporting, and she soon found her passion.

Quick Bio: Cecily Tynan Overview

Washington and Lee University: Academic Excellence

After graduating from high school, Cecily enrolled at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia—a prestigious liberal arts institution. She graduated magna cum laude in 1991 with a double major in Journalism and Politics, demonstrating exceptional academic achievement.

Phi Beta Kappa: Cecily’s academic excellence earned her membership in Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest academic honor society, which recognizes outstanding achievement in liberal arts and sciences.

After graduation, she completed meteorology courses and received her seal of approval from the American Meteorological Society (Seal #1099), officially qualifying her as a certified broadcast meteorologist. This certification represents rigorous training and examination in atmospheric sciences and weather forecasting.

Read More: Roberta Gonzales: Emmy-Winning Meteorologist’s Journey

Building a Career: From Roanoke to Las Vegas

WDBJ Roanoke, Virginia (Early 1990s): Cecily began her broadcasting career at WDBJ in Roanoke as a weekend weather anchor and general assignment reporter. This first position provided essential on-air experience in a smaller market where she could develop her skills.

KTNV Las Vegas, Nevada (Mid-1990s): Cecily moved to Las Vegas, working as a weather and news anchor for “Good Morning Las Vegas.” The Nevada market exposed her to different weather patterns and a larger viewing audience, preparing her for major market success.

Awards in Las Vegas:

• “Best On-Air Talent” – Las Vegas Electronic Media Awards
• “Best Weathercaster” – Las Vegas Review Journal

These early recognitions validated Cecily’s talent and predicted her future success in Philadelphia.

Joining WPVI: Nearly Three Decades in Philadelphia

In October 1995, Cecily Tynan joined WPVI-TV (6abc) in Philadelphia as a weekend weather anchor and general assignment reporter. This move would define her career for the next three decades.

Career Progression at WPVI:

• 1995-2003: Weekend weathercaster and general reporter
• Early 2000s: Weekday morning weathercaster
• 2003: Became weeknight weathercaster at 5:30 pm and 11 pm when Dave Roberts cut back duties
• 2009: After Dave Roberts retired, took over 5 pm and 6 pm weathercasts while maintaining 11 pm role
• Present: Chief Meteorologist anchoring 5 pm, 6 pm, and 11 pm newscasts, plus 6:30 pm streaming-exclusive edition

Special Programming: After Lisa Thomas-Laury went on medical leave, Cecily became co-host of locally produced specials, including:

• 6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade
• 4th of July Parade
• Philly on Wheels
• Philadelphia Flower Show coverage
• Former host of Saturday evening public affairs program “Primetime Weekend.”

Cecily Tynan Age: Fifty-Five and Phenomenal

Born on March 19, 1969, Cecily Tynan is 55 years old as of 2025 (some sources incorrectly state 56). She celebrates her birthday every March 19th, making her a Pisces.

At 55, Cecily remains one of Philadelphia’s most trusted and beloved meteorologists. Her longevity—nearly 30 years at the same station—is exceptional in an industry where anchors frequently move between markets. Philadelphia viewers have literally watched her for three decades, creating deep trust and familiarity.

Her age brings wisdom and perspective that younger meteorologists lack. She’s forecasted thousands of weather events, from blizzards to hurricanes, building an encyclopedic knowledge of regional weather patterns that serves viewers well.

Despite being in her mid-fifties, Cecily maintains remarkable energy and vitality, balancing demanding work schedules with family life and fitness pursuits.

Cecily Tynan Salary: Valuing Three Decades of Expertise

Cecily Tynan’s estimated annual salary ranges from $80,000 to $120,000 at WPVI, according to multiple industry sources. Some estimates suggest her earnings could reach $500,000 annually when accounting for additional income streams, though this appears less substantiated.

Salary Context:

• Entry-level meteorologists in Philadelphia: $40,000-$60,000
• Mid-level weathercasters: $65,000-$90,000
• Cecily Tynan (Chief Meteorologist, 29+ years): $80,000-$120,000
• Top national meteorologists: $150,000-$500,000+

Additional Income Sources:

• Public speaking engagements
• Endorsements and collaborations
• Community event hosting
• Philadelphia Zoo’s “Zoo Adventures” series hosting
• Awards ceremony appearances

Her consistent presence for nearly three decades at Philadelphia’s top-rated news station justifies premium compensation, especially given her multiple Emmy Awards and role as Chief Meteorologist.

Cecily Tynan Net Worth: Building Financial Success

As of 2025, Cecily Tynan’s net worth is estimated between $2 million and $5 million, according to various sources, including Celebrity Net Worth and industry estimates. The wide range reflects different methodologies and a lack of public financial disclosure.

How She Built Her Wealth:

• WPVI Salary (1995-present): 29+ years earning mid-six-figures annually
• Awards and Recognition: Emmy-winning meteorologists command premium rates
• Real Estate: Residence in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania (upscale area)
• Smart Financial Management: Nearly three decades of steady income allow significant wealth accumulation
• Additional Revenue: Speaking fees, endorsements, special event hosting

Cecily’s financial success demonstrates that long-term commitment to one market can be as lucrative as constantly chasing larger markets—particularly when you become the face of weather in a major city like Philadelphia.

Cecily Tynan Hair: Signature Style

While not a typical biographical topic, Cecily Tynan’s hair has been part of her on-air identity for decades. She maintains thick, professionally styled hair that she blow-dries herself—a process she’s mentioned takes more than half an hour because she “never truly gets dried all the way.”

Her hairstyle has evolved over her 30-year career, adapting to changing trends while maintaining professional polish appropriate for news broadcasting. Viewers have occasionally commented on social media about her hair changes, demonstrating the close attention loyal audiences pay to beloved local personalities.

In interviews, Cecily has noted that despite the time investment, she handles her own hair styling rather than relying on station hair and makeup services—a personal choice that speaks to her hands-on approach to her on-air presentation.

Marriage to Greg Watson: Two Decades Together

Cecily Tynan married Greg Watson in April 2005. Greg is a businessman (specific industry not widely publicized), and the couple has built a strong marriage spanning 20 years as of 2025.

Their April 2005 wedding came after Cecily’s first marriage to Michael Badger, a school teacher, ended in divorce. Details of her first marriage remain private, with Cecily choosing to focus public attention on her current happy family life rather than past relationships.

20th Anniversary (April 2025): The couple recently celebrated two decades of marriage, a significant milestone that reflects their strong partnership despite demanding careers and parenting responsibilities.

Greg provides crucial support for Cecily’s unusual work schedule. Morning meteorologists typically arrive at the station around 3:00-4:00 AM, and Cecily also anchors evening newscasts—creating split-shift schedules that require family flexibility and understanding.

Raising Two Teenagers: Luke and Emma Grace

Cecily and Greg have two children whom they’ve raised while both pursuing demanding careers:

Luke Watson (born 2006) – As of 2025, Luke is 19 years old, likely in college. Cecily has described him as one of her “two fantastic teenagers.”

Emma Grace Watson (born 2007) – As of 2025, Emma is 18 years old, recently graduated from high school, and is starting college. Like her brother, Emma has largely been kept out of the public spotlight despite her mother’s celebrity.

Balancing Career and Motherhood: Cecily has successfully navigated the challenges of raising children while maintaining a high-profile television career requiring early mornings and evening shifts. Her social media occasionally features family moments, though she protects her children’s privacy by limiting their exposure.

Family Pets: The Watson household also includes “two sweet pups” that Cecily mentions on social media, reflecting the family’s love of animals—something viewers see regularly on her Philadelphia Zoo segments.

Cecily Tynan Weight Loss: The Ironman Athlete

While Cecily Tynan hasn’t undergone a dramatic publicized weight loss transformation, her extraordinary athletic achievements demonstrate exceptional fitness and discipline that have kept her in peak physical condition throughout her career.

Athletic Accomplishments:

• Four-time sub-3-hour marathoner (finishing marathons in under 3 hours—an elite-level accomplishment)
• Former world-class professional duathlete (duathlon combines running and cycling)
• Top ten age group finisher at the 2003 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii (one of the most prestigious endurance events in the world)
• Featured on the February 2001 cover of Runner’s World magazine
• Competed in the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon
• Ran the Boston Marathon multiple times
• Tournament slalom water skier (competitive water skiing)

What is an Ironman? The Ironman distance consists of:

• 2.4-mile swim
• 112-mile bike ride
• 26.2-mile marathon run All completed consecutively in one day—arguably the most grueling athletic challenge in existence.

Current Fitness: At 55, Cecily has “scaled back her competitions to local charity races to raise money for worthy charities in the Delaware Valley,” according to her WPVI bio. While no longer competing at elite levels, she maintains active fitness through regular training.

Her weight of approximately 55 kg (121 pounds) at 5’5″-5’6″ tall represents a healthy, athletic physique maintained through decades of endurance training and disciplined lifestyle choices.

Philadelphia Zoo’s “Zoo Adventures” Series

One of Cecily’s most popular recurring segments is “Zoo Adventures” at the Philadelphia Zoo, where she visits different animals and educates viewers about wildlife conservation and animal care.

Recent Zoo Adventures episodes:

• Learning about birds
• Feeding the giraffes
• Learning about flamingos
• Learning about lemurs
• Feeding the hippos
• Learning about the Philadelphia Zoo’s Amur tiger, Dimitri
• Learning about caring for big cats
• Learning about African bullfrogs

These lighthearted segments showcase Cecily’s warm personality beyond serious weather forecasting and have become beloved features that viewers look forward to regularly.

Major Weather Events Covered

Over three decades, Cecily Tynan has covered virtually every significant weather event affecting the Philadelphia region:

Superstorm Sandy (October 2012): Cecily provided crucial coverage of this devastating hybrid storm that caused massive destruction across the Mid-Atlantic. She later reflected on the storm’s unpredictability and the tragedy of lives lost because some didn’t take it seriously enough due to semantic debates about whether it was technically a “hurricane.”

Blizzards and Snowstorms: Philadelphia’s frequent winter storms have been Cecily’s bread and butter, with viewers trusting her forecasts to plan their lives around snow events.

Heat Waves and Droughts: Summer weather extremes require careful communication about health risks to vulnerable populations.

Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes: While less common in Philadelphia than in some regions, these events require rapid response and clear communication.

Recent Snow Drought: Philadelphia experienced four straight winters of below-average snowfall, a trend Cecily has tracked and explained to disappointed snow lovers.

Awards and Professional Recognition

Emmy Awards: Cecily has won multiple Emmy Awards for excellence in weather broadcasting (specific years not publicly detailed).

“Best Weathercaster” Awards:

• Philadelphia Weekly
• Philadelphia Magazine (“Best Weathervane”)
• Las Vegas Review-Journal
• Las Vegas Electronic Media Awards (“Best On-Air Talent”)

Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame (2012): Inducted for her contributions to Philadelphia broadcasting, recognizing her impact and longevity.

American Meteorological Society Certification: Seal #1099 represents a rigorous professional qualification.

Community Involvement and Memberships

Brandywine River Conservancy: Cecily serves as a member of this environmental organization dedicated to protecting the Brandywine River watershed through land preservation and education.

Phi Beta Kappa: Lifetime membership in America’s most prestigious academic honor society.

Charity Race Participation: Cecily regularly participates in local charity races to raise money for worthy causes in the Delaware Valley, using her athletic abilities and public profile to support community organizations.

Social Media Presence: Connecting With Viewers

Cecily Tynan maintains active social media accounts where she extends her connection with viewers beyond television broadcasts.

Official Social Media Accounts:

• Facebook: Cecily Tynan — Approximately 248,000-254,000 followers (largest following). Shares weather updates, personal highlights, and engages extensively with viewers. She describes this as a great way to interact with the loyal 6abc Action News audience.
• Twitter/X: @CecilyTynan — Approximately 87,300-92,200 followers. Active engagement sharing weather updates, fitness insights, and responding to viewer questions. Her bio describes her as “Action News chief meteorologist, tournament slalom water skier, wife and mother of two fantastic teenagers and two sweet pups.”
• Instagram: @cecilytynan — Approximately 52,600-56,000 followers with over 2,072 posts. Shares behind-the-scenes content, weather forecasts, Zoo Adventures clips, and family moments (while protecting children’s privacy).

Engagement Philosophy: Cecily makes viewer interaction a priority. In interviews, she’s emphasized, “I try my best to answer as many questions; it is a great way to interact with the 6abc Action News audience. We have wonderful, loyal viewers. I feel as though social media interaction can only strengthen our bond.”

She answers questions ranging from serious weather inquiries to lighthearted questions like “Do you wish you could wear green to work?” Her accessibility and responsiveness have built strong connections with Philadelphia viewers.

Personal Interests Beyond Broadcasting

Ballet: Cecily originally dreamed of becoming a professional ballet dancer before discovering broadcasting—a fact that might surprise viewers given her later athletic focus on running, cycling, and swimming.

Water Skiing: She is a tournament slalom water skier with “incredible skills,” according to fans who’ve learned about this talent through social media.

Outdoor Activities: Cecily enjoys spending time in nature, reflected in her Brandywine River Conservancy membership and regular outdoor athletic training.

Reading and Learning: Her journalism and politics background suggests ongoing interest in current events and continuous learning beyond meteorology.

FAQs About Cecily Tynan

What is Cecily Tynan’s salary?
Cecily Tynan’s estimated annual salary ranges from $80,000 to $120,000 at WPVI-TV. Some sources suggest higher earnings when including speaking fees and endorsements. Her nearly 30 years as Chief Meteorologist at Philadelphia’s top-rated news station justify premium compensation.

What is Cecily Tynan’s net worth?
As of 2025, Cecily Tynan’s net worth is estimated between $2 million and $5 million. She accumulated this wealth through 30+ years in broadcast journalism, primarily her long tenure at WPVI, plus additional income from speaking engagements, endorsements, and smart financial management.

How old is Cecily Tynan?
Cecily Tynan was born on March 19, 1969, making her 55 years old as of 2025. She celebrates her birthday every March 19th, and her zodiac sign is Pisces.

Is Cecily Tynan married?
Yes, Cecily is married to Greg Watson, a businessman. They married in April 2005 and celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2025. She has two children: son Luke (born 2006) and daughter Emma Grace (born 2007). She was previously married to school teacher Michael Badger.

How tall is Cecily Tynan?
Cecily stands at approximately 5 feet 5 to 6 inches tall (165-168 cm, sources vary slightly) and weighs approximately 55 kilograms (121 pounds). She maintains her fitness through regular training despite scaling back from elite-level competition.

What athletic accomplishments does Cecily Tynan have?
Cecily is a former world-class professional duathlete, four-time sub-3-hour marathoner, and top ten age group finisher at the 2003 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. She was featured on the February 2001 cover of Runner’s World magazine and continues participating in local charity races.

How long has Cecily Tynan worked at WPVI?
Cecily joined WPVI-TV (6abc) in October 1995, making 2025 her 30th year at the station. This exceptional longevity is rare in television news and demonstrates her deep connection to the Philadelphia community.

What is Cecily Tynan’s education?
Cecily graduated magna cum laude from Washington and Lee University in 1991 with a double major in Journalism and Politics. She is a Phi Beta Kappa member and holds the American Meteorological Society television seal #1099 after completing meteorology courses.