The career of award-winning NBC 5 Meteorologist Andy Avalos spans more than 35 years in radio and television. With more than 3 decades on the air forecasting weather extremes here in Chicago, he's seen it all, from devastating floods, tornado outbreaks, heat waves, severe droughts, blizzards and ice storms. 
 
"I love tracking the weather, few things in life are more fascinating and exciting," Avalos said.  He is a member of the American Meteorological Society and holds the AMS Seal and is a member of the National Weather Association. He is also a Weather Ready Ambassador reaching out to educate the public about the weather and the importance of being weather ready in severe weather situations.

Andy has received multiple Emmy nominations and won a regional Chicago Emmy on three different occasions. One for his work on "The Storm Trackers," a special on severe weather in 1997. And on two other occasions as part of breaking news coverage during morning newscasts.
 
He started weather forecasting career in Colorado Springs, CO. at the NBC affiliate in 1978. He moved to the CBS affiliate in Denver in 1982, then to WLS here in Chicago in April of 1984 until December of 1993. He also appeared on FM-100 for 3 three years between 1987 and 1989. He started at NBC in January of 1994 and worked through December of 1998 before leaving to start his own local business. He returned to NBC in June of 2003 and has been on the air ever since. 

Andy has been the host of the NBC 5 Clear the Shelter segments for the past 15 years and is a big supporter of animal rights. He has received numerous awards for his community involvement including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award from Loyola University Medical Center. He was inducted into his high school Hall of Honor in 2016.

The former pilot misses flying, but hopes to return to the skies once he retires.  For now he enjoys spending time with his family and all of their furry friends.

You can see Andy weekday mornings on the NBC5 News Today between 4:00 and 7:00 a.m. and catch his updates on the Today Show. 

His forecasts can also be seen on Facebook, Twitter and NBCChicago.com.

Drop Andy a line: andy.avalos@nbcuni.com.