Last Updated on: 10th May 2025, 11:50 am
Johnny Mountain is a retired American weathercaster renowned for his extensive career in L.A. TV News. A meteorologist for both KABC-TV and KCBS-TV, becoming one of the most recognizable figures in Southern California’s broadcast news.
He began his television career in the 1960s at WTVK (now WVLT-TV) in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he not only delivered weather forecasts but also portrayed the station’s local Bozo the Clown. In 1977, he moved to WLS-TV in Chicago, Illinois. During his time there, he met Dr. George Fischbeck of KABC-TV in Los Angeles, who encouraged him to join KABC-TV. Subsequently, in 1978, Mountain relocated to Los Angeles to become a weekend meteorologist at KABC-TV. He later transitioned to weekday afternoons and eventually took on weeknight broadcasts following Dr. Fischbeck’s retirement. In the early 1990s, Mountain shifted to weekday mornings from 5:00–7:00 a.m. and the 5:00 p.m. slot, while his colleague Dallas Raines assumed the 6:00 and 11:00 p.m. positions.
Mountain was known for his engaging and humorous approach to weathercasting. One notable instance involved a viewer’s question about grunion fish, to which he responded by holding up a specimen during his weathercast, explaining, “This is a front view of a grunion; this is a side view; and this…” (placing a small paper bag with “eye holes” over the fish) “…is the Unknown Grunion.” (People.ai)
After nearly three decades at KABC-TV, Mountain departed in January 2005, delivering an on-air farewell. In May 2005, he joined KCBS-TV, reuniting with former KABC colleagues Ann Martin, Harold Greene, Laura Diaz, and sportscaster Jim Hill. He remained at KCBS-TV until his retirement in March 2010, which was part of a broader restructuring of the station’s news operations. (Biographies)
Legacy
Johnny Mountain’s career spanned over three decades, during which he became a beloved figure in Los Angeles television. His unique blend of professionalism and humor left a lasting impression on viewers and set a standard for engaging weather reporting.
Started at KABC in 1978.
KCBS
Weather
Retired from KCBS in 2010.
Wife Martha