Meteorologist Joe Astolfi joined the WREX news team in November 2011 as the weekend meteorologist.
He was born and raised in Sandusky, Ohio, home to the world famous Cedar Point Amusement Park. As a child, Joe would always flip through the television stations to catch all the different weather forecasts; his favorite meteorologist is Dick Goddard, Cleveland's Tom Skilling.
Joe moved to Illinois to attend Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology and Geographic Information Systems certificate from NIU in 2009. Ever since, he has lived in the Rockford area and is thrilled to be able to forecast the weather for northern Illinois.
In his free time, Joe enjoys outdoor photography, walking along one of the Rockford region's many nature trails, anything geography or weather related, and of course visiting friends and family. His favorite places to relax and take in the area's natural scenery include Sinnissippi Park and Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve.
Little known facts about Joe:
- The findings from my climatology research project at NIU on corn earworm crop infestation was published in a scientific journal, Meteorological Applications, in 2010.
- I used to work at an NHRA drag racing park; and I've been on ESPN because of it!
- I will always be a Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns, and Cleveland Cavaliers fan (even if they don't win a single game)!
- My grandfather emigrated to the United States from the tiny country of San Marino, which is completely surrounded by Italy. Because of that country's laws, I am technically a citizen of the United States and San Marino!
- I love museums! The Field Museum in Chicago and the Burpee Museum of Natural History in Rockford are my favorites.
