If you have been searching for Alyssa Donovan’s age, career story, or what she earns as one of Chicago’s most recognizable weather anchors, you are in the right place. Alyssa Donovan is a meteorologist and broadcast journalist best known for her work at WGN-TV in Chicago. In this complete 2026 biography, you will find everything about her background, education, career journey at WGN, estimated net worth, and her personal life including her engagement and Tuscany wedding.
Who Is Alyssa Donovan?
Alyssa Donovan is an American meteorologist, reporter, and weather anchor who currently delivers forecasts on WGN Midday News and WGN Evening News in Chicago, Illinois. Born and raised in Fox River Grove, a northwest suburb of Chicago, she has described her WGN role as a dream fulfilled — forecasting weather for the community she grew up in. She is an Emmy-nominated on-air personality known for her sharp reporting, warm delivery, and dedication to storm coverage and community engagement.
She joined WGN-TV in December 2021 as a reporter and fill-in meteorologist and earned a full promotion to weather anchor in April 2024. Beyond the broadcast booth, Alyssa is actively involved in community events, hosting galas and public appearances across Chicago, and supports the Lung Cancer Research Foundation in memory of her late father.
Alyssa Donovan Age, Birthday and Early Life
Alyssa Donovan is 32 years old as of 2026, born on March 30, most likely in 1993 or 1994 — making her an Aries. She grew up in Fox River Grove, Illinois, a tight-knit suburb in the northwest Chicago metro area. From a young age she had two clear passions: dance and storytelling. She spent much of her childhood in dance classes, a discipline she carried into adulthood, later participating in Dancing With Chicago Celebrities with training at Arthur Murray dance studio.
Her upbringing in the Chicago suburbs gave her a personal connection to Midwest weather patterns that now shapes her on-air forecasting. Her father’s passing from lung cancer in 2020 was a defining personal moment that deepened her commitment to community advocacy, particularly through the Lung Cancer Research Foundation.
Quick Facts — Alyssa Donovan at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alyssa Donovan |
| Date of Birth | March 30 (1993 or 1994) |
| Age in 2026 | 32 years old |
| Birthplace | Fox River Grove, Illinois |
| Height | Approx. 5 ft 5 in – 5 ft 7 in |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Education | Illinois State University; Mississippi State University |
| Profession | Meteorologist, Weather Anchor, Reporter |
| Employer | WGN-TV Chicago |
| Net Worth | ~$900,000 |
| Partner | Luke Thompson (fiancé) |
Education — From Broadcast Journalism to Certified Meteorologist
Alyssa’s path to becoming a certified meteorologist required two distinct academic chapters. She first attended Illinois State University, graduating in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism. That foundation gave her the on-camera skills, storytelling instincts, and newsroom discipline she would rely on throughout her career.Recognizing that credibility in weather forecasting requires deep technical knowledge, she returned to school and completed the Broadcast Meteorology program at Mississippi State University between 2017 and 2020 — one of the most respected meteorology certification programs in the country, specializing in geological and earth sciences. This dual qualification in journalism and meteorology is what sets her apart from many on-air weather presenters and helped her rise steadily through competitive television markets.
Career Journey — From Peoria to Chicago’s WGN-TV
First Steps: Peoria and Kansas City
Alyssa launched her broadcasting career at WEEK-TV in Peoria, Illinois, the ABC/NBC duopoly, where she worked as a reporter and weather forecaster. Her time in Peoria included coverage of significant regional weather events, including historic flooding. She then moved to KSHB in Kansas City, Missouri, where she served as a weekend weather anchor and field reporter, sharpening her skills in a larger television market. Her Kansas City stint also included covering events tied to the 2013 tornado outbreak, giving her high-stakes storm coverage experience early in her career.
She also spent time at KXLY in Spokane, Washington, gaining cross-country market experience before making her way back toward the Midwest.
WRTV Indianapolis (2018–2021)
From June 2018 to November 2021, Alyssa served as a meteorologist, reporter, and fill-in anchor at WRTV in Indianapolis — a Scripps-owned ABC affiliate. Her three years in Indianapolis marked her longest tenure before WGN and represented her first time living close to her Illinois hometown in nearly a decade. She covered wildfires, snowstorms, and other extreme weather events, and built a loyal viewership in the Indiana market.
WGN-TV Chicago (December 2021 – Present)
In December 2021, Alyssa returned home when she joined WGN-TV in Chicago as a reporter and fill-in meteorologist. Her performance in the role spoke for itself: in April 2024, WGN promoted her to full-time weather anchor for WGN Midday News and WGN Evening News, a position she holds today. Her weekday forecasts now reach one of the largest broadcast audiences in the Midwest. The Emmy-nominated anchor has become one of the most recognized weather personalities in the Chicago media market.
Alyssa Donovan Net Worth and Salary in 2026
As of 2026, Alyssa Donovan’s net worth is estimated at approximately $900,000. This figure reflects her decade-plus career across multiple television markets and her current senior on-air role at WGN-TV.
Meteorologists and weather anchors at WGN-TV in Chicago typically earn between $99,787 and $182,083 per year, with an average salary of around $133,000 annually. Given her promotion to a dual-newscast weekday anchor role in April 2024, Alyssa is likely earning toward the upper end of that range or beyond it. Additional income sources include:
- Hosting and emceeing — Alyssa frequently hosts galas and fundraising events in the Chicago area.
- Public appearances — Her profile as a WGN anchor attracts paid community and corporate engagements.
- Community advocacy work — Her involvement with the Lung Cancer Research Foundation also elevates her brand value in the Chicago market.
Her salary growth from entry-level television roles to a prime-time Chicago anchor position reflects a steady and well-earned financial trajectory.
Personal Life — Engagement, Wedding, and Family
Engaged to Luke Thompson
Alyssa Donovan is engaged to Luke Thompson. The couple announced their engagement in 2024, and the relationship has been a quiet but visible thread through Alyssa’s social media presence. Details about Luke Thompson’s professional background are not widely publicized, as the couple prefers to keep their personal life relatively private.
Tuscany Wedding — June 4, 2025
Alyssa and Luke planned a destination wedding in Tuscany, Italy, at the stunning Castello di Ristonchi estate on June 4, 2025. The multi-day celebration was designed to include experiences such as breakfast on the terrace, farm tours, and beer tastings on the historic castle grounds. The Tuscany setting reflected the couple’s appreciation for travel and meaningful experiences over large public spectacles. As of the time of publication, the couple does not have any children.
Father’s Legacy
One of the most personal aspects of Alyssa’s life is the loss of her father, who passed away from lung cancer in 2020. This loss has motivated her to advocate for the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, and she has used her platform at WGN to raise awareness about the cause. It is a cause close to her heart that she has carried into her public identity as a broadcaster.
Social Media Presence
Alyssa Donovan maintains an active and engaged presence across three major platforms:
- Instagram — @alyssadonotv | 6,600+ followers. She shares a blend of weather updates, WGN behind-the-scenes moments, outdoor adventures (hiking, kayaking), and personal milestones.
- Facebook — Alyssa Donovan TV page | 11,000+ followers. Her primary platform for connecting directly with Chicago-area viewers and sharing broadcast content.
- Twitter/X — @AlyssaDonovanTV | Used primarily for real-time weather alerts and community interaction.
Her social media content prioritizes authenticity — followers see the real Alyssa, from storm coverage to personal travel to community event appearances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How old is Alyssa Donovan in 2026? Alyssa Donovan is 32 years old in 2026. She was born on March 30, making her an Aries, most likely in 1993 or 1994.
Q2: What is Alyssa Donovan’s net worth in 2026? Alyssa Donovan’s net worth is estimated at approximately $900,000 as of 2026, built through her career at WGN-TV and several other television markets, along with hosting and public appearance income.
Q3: Where does Alyssa Donovan work? She is currently the weekday weather anchor at WGN-TV in Chicago, delivering forecasts for WGN Midday News and WGN Evening News. She has been with WGN since December 2021 and was promoted to her current anchor role in April 2024.
Q4: Is Alyssa Donovan married? Alyssa Donovan is engaged, not yet married (as of 2026). She is engaged to Luke Thompson. The couple planned a destination wedding at Castello di Ristonchi in Tuscany, Italy, on June 4, 2025.
Q5: Where is Alyssa Donovan from? Alyssa Donovan is originally from Fox River Grove, Illinois — a northwest suburb of Chicago. She attended Illinois State University and later completed her meteorology certification at Mississippi State University.
Q6: What is Alyssa Donovan’s birthday? Her birthday is March 30. Her birth year is estimated to be either 1993 or 1994, making her an Aries.
Conclusion
Alyssa Donovan’s story is one of deliberate, hard-earned success. From her childhood in Fox River Grove to her current position as a prime-time weather anchor at WGN-TV, she has combined broadcast journalism talent with certified meteorological expertise to carve out a standout career in Chicago media. At 32 years old in 2026, Alyssa Donovan is at the peak of her professional life — Emmy-nominated, newly promoted, engaged, and deeply connected to the community she serves. Her net worth of around $900,000 reflects not just her salary, but a decade of consistent effort across multiple markets. She remains one of the most compelling figures in Midwest broadcast journalism today.
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