WCVB Channel 5 Chief Meteorologist Harvey Leonard has not only weathered every New England storm for the past four decades, he's served as a beacon of information and trusted resource for up-to-the-minute, accurate weather updates to viewers throughout the region.
WCVB Channel 5 Chief Meteorologist Harvey Leonard has not only weathered every New England storm for the past four decades, he's served as a beacon of information and trusted resource for up-to-the-minute, accurate weather updates to viewers throughout the region.
Harvey forecasts for NewsCenter 5’s early and late evening newscasts, as well as the station’s website, www.WCVB.com.
Leonard joined WCVB in 2002 as StormTeam 5’s co-chief meteorologist with his longtime friend Dick Albert, who retired in 2009. He was honored last year with the prestigious Governor's Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 2016 Boston/New England Emmys, one of his many honors.
Widely regarded as Boston’s top meteorologist and honorary “dean” of weather, Leonard is credited as the first meteorologist to correctly predict the impact and intensity of the Blizzard of ’78 and has led his teams in forecasting some of the biggest hurricanes, nor'easters, ice storms and floods during his tenure including Boston’s record-breaking winter of 2015, the Blizzard of 2013, Hurricane Sandy (2012), notable ice storms in both 2008 and 1998, Hurricane Bob (1991), the "Perfect Storm" in October 1991 and Hurricane Gloria (1985).
Leonard was voted "Best Weatherperson" for 2015 by Boston Magazine in the People's Choice category, making it the fifth time in his career the magazine's readership bestowed him this honor. He was also previously voted the Hub's "favorite forecaster" by the Improper Bostonian. In addition, Leonard earned four New England Emmy Awards for outstanding achievement in television weathercasting. In 2003, Leonard was recognized with the Silver Circle Award from NATSNE (National Academy of Arts and Sciences New England Chapter) for more than twenty-five years of broadcast excellence. Leonard is a Fellow of the American Meteorologist Society and was awarded their prestigious Outstanding Service Award by a Broadcast Meteorologist, which recognized and lauded his work on a national level.
An active member of the community, Leonard is involved in numerous local organizations including the Huntington's Disease Society of America, for which he participates in annual fundraisers to help find a cure while providing support and services for those living with the disease and their families. For several years, he lent his time and talent to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s event as co-master of ceremonies, and he has served as master of ceremonies for Boston Prostate Cancer Walk. Leonard has also lent his support to Boston Medical Center, the primary teaching affiliate for the Boston University School of Medicine. Additionally, he has been a speaker at educational seminars held by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Association and an avid supporter of the Blue Hill Weather Observatory. Leonard has also served as an honored guest speaker at Harvard Business School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Over the years, Leonard has visited and spoken to hundreds of school and adult groups. He has been a mentor to numerous aspiring meteorologists and today well over a dozen of his protégé serve as on-air meteorologists in markets across the country.
Prior to joining WCVB in 2002, Leonard served as chief meteorologist for WHDH-TV from May 1977 to April 2002. He also served as chief meteorologist at WPRI-TV in Providence, Rhode Island. Leonard began his forecasting career as a meteorologist for Universal Weather Services, Inc, preparing forecasts for aviation and industry.
Leonard received a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from City College of New York and earned a Master of Science degree in meteorology from New York University, where he also served as an instructor in meteorology.
Leonard is an avid tennis player and enjoys hiking trails, particularly around Walden Pond and Woods Hole. He currently resides in Natick, with his wife. They are the proud parents of two daughters and are grandparents to four beautiful grandchildren.
