Bob Ryan

Who is Bob Ryan?

Bob Ryan is a retired meteorologist who most recently forecasted for WJLA, the ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C.. From 1980–2010, he served as the chief meteorologist at Washington NBC affiliate WRC-TV. Before serving as the station's chief meteorologist for 30 years, he was previously the Today Show's first on-air meteorologist, which was also the first network television meteorologist position. When Willard Scott replaced Ryan on Today, he and Scott effectively exchanged jobs, with Ryan taking over the meteorologist position vacated by Scott on WRC.

The Washington Post announced on February 5, 2010 that he was in discussions with rival station WJLA, and that he could switch stations because his contract had expired. As NBC continued to cut positions in its newsroom, Ryan's workload increased and he had to cover the forecasts at 4, 5, 6, and 11 o'clock, making Ryan think about switching stations. Together with Doug Hill, chief meteorologist at WJLA and Ryan's longtime friend, he could make up a weather team that could take over WRC's dominant position in the ratings. He officially left the station in the early morning of February 26, 2010 after his last forecast after the Olympics. In May 2010, it was announced that Ryan will be joining WJLA. Ryan made his debut during WJLA's 5 p.m. newscast on May 17, 2010. Ryan was the 11 p.m. newscast's meteorologist.