Phil Schwarz
Previously, Schwarz was the primary meteorologist at WNYW-TV in New York, New York, where he reported the weather for their 10 p.m. newscast. Before that, he served as weekend meteorologist at KSTP-TV, the ABC affiliate in the Twin Cities.
Schwarz began his on-air career in his hometown of Flint, Michigan, where he was the weekend meteorologist for WJRT-TV, the local ABC affiliate. During this time, he also owned and operated a private weather forecasting service with several clients throughout the Midwest.
Schwarz earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from Pennsylvania State University in 1983. He holds the American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval and earned the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal as well.
A participant in numerous volunteer activities, he is a board member of the Les Turner ALS Foundation, a charity that helps raise funds for those afflicted with ALS and the research being conducted at Northwestern University. All of the money raised by this charity stays in the Chicago area. Each year Schwarz emcees the ALS Walk for Life, which is held in late September.
Schwarz resides in the suburbs of Chicago with his wife, and has two grown children.
Phil's Stories
Chicago Weather: Waves up to 18 feet forecast in Lake Michigan
People need to be very careful near the lakefront Wednesday.
8 common tornado myths debunked
Does Lake Michigan protect Chicago from tornadoes? Our ABC7 meteorologists debunk the most common tornado myths.
Allergy season 2021 lasting longer than usual due to warm, dry conditions, experts say
The worst isn't over for those of us with allergies.
Illinois drought: McHenry County farmers say dry spring won't harm crops - yet
"Hopefully Mother Nature brings up some rain in a timely fashion."
Lake Michigan water level below normal for spring
Lake Michigan water levels have fallen by over a foot in the last year.
Climate change threatening Illinois' wildlife, forests, grasslands
Some plants and animals might actually benefit from climate change but many of these are invasive and that could be a threat to the native ecosystem.
Tornado safety: How to prepare for more dangerous seasons
We've seen the images: Fairdal and Coal City in 2015, Naplate and Ottawa in 2017, and Utica back in 2004. These are just a few of the deadly tornadoes that have struck our area in the last two decades.
Slushy snow falls in Rockford; Chicago typically sees 1st snowfall in late October
As temperatures get chilly, Rockford saw sticking snow. Chicago generally sees accumulating snow as early as Oct. 30.
Milky, hazy skies over Chicago from Oregon wildfire smoke
While the thickest smoke will arrive Monday evening, we will likely see our sky remain a milky white through Friday as more smoke arrives in the Chicago area.
Chicago Heat Advisory: Temperatures expected to rise to dangerous levels throughout weekend
Temperatures are expected to reach dangerous levels in the Chicago area this weekend.