Hamernik, 60, died peacefully in his home Wednesday morning from lung cancer. The announcement of his death was made by his sister, Kathleen, on Hamernik’s Twitter account.
I am Mike’s sister, Kathleen; I am here with the heart-breaking news that our dear meteorologist died this morning from lung cancer. He was home, surrounded by love and at peace. Please know he cherished all of you, his Twitter followers & weather enthusiasts. ♥️⛈❄️☔️☀️
— Mike Hamernik (@MikeHamernik) March 10, 2021
Hamernik was the WGN Weekend Morning News meteorologist. He had been a member of the WGN WeatherCenter team since 2005 and began his Chicago broadcast career in 2002 with CLTV.
A Chicago native, Hamernik’s passion for weather can be traced back to the age of six when a microburst felled many of the large elm trees on his family’s north side block in Rogers Park. By the time Hamernik was 8 years old, he began collecting and studying weather maps provided to him by Chicago weather legend Harry Volkman.
Volkman, who was WGN’s chief meteorologist at the time, became aware of the youngster’s keen interest through Hamernik’s father, Donald Hamernik, who worked at WGN as a staff musician for Bozo’s Circus and Artists Showcase.
On behalf of his WGN family, our deepest condolences go out to Hamernik’s loved ones.
