Longtime WCJB Chief Meteorologist Bill Quinlan Dies at 64
Known to North Central Florida for his Meteorology Knowledge
Longtime WCJB Chief Meteorologist Bill Quinlan Dies at 64
GAINESVILLE - The North Central Florida community is mourning the loss of a beloved weather authority and mentor as former WCJB TV20 Chief Meteorologist Bill Quinlan passed away suddenly over the weekend at age 64.
Quinlan, who served as the station’s chief meteorologist for 27 years before retiring in early 2024, died from a heart attack, according to family members. His death has sent shockwaves through both the local community and the meteorological profession nationwide.
A Career Built on Trust and Dedication
Joining WCJB in 1996, Quinlan became a fixture in North Central Florida households, providing weather forecasts for the station’s 5 Live, 6 p.m., First Look at 10 p.m., and 11 p.m. newscasts. His steady presence guided viewers through 27 hurricane seasons and countless severe weather events.
“During storm situations, you’re dealing with coverage 24 hours, 36 hours or so, and you want to make sure you have a consistent message,” recalled former TV20 chief meteorologist Mike Potter. “It’s very important.”
Quinlan’s impact extended far beyond his daily forecasts. The New England native became deeply integrated into the fabric of North Central Florida life, from fishing in the Gulf to golfing at Ironwood and attending Gator baseball games. He was known for his signature bow ties worn every Friday and his genuine passion for weather that colleagues say was evident in everything he did.
Mentor to Hundreds
Perhaps Quinlan’s greatest legacy lies in the meteorologists he trained and mentored throughout his career. Former colleagues estimate that he influenced hundreds of weather professionals who now work across the country, from Connecticut to Hawaii.
“It’s going to live on through every single one of the meteorologists that he trained, who are all across the country. I would say hundreds of them,” said former TV20 meteorologist Scott Gagliardi.
Alex Carter, a former member of Quinlan’s weather team, emphasized that Quinlan’s care extended beyond professional development. “He also cared for us outside of work, his weather team. He always cared for us, and anything he could do to help he would. He wanted us to have a friendship and he developed that and built that with us.”
Remembering ‘Our Lighthouse’
When Quinlan retired in February 2024, WCJB staff referred to him as “our lighthouse” - a testament to his role as a steady guide through both calm and stormy weather. His colleagues remember him for requiring complete trust during high-pressure weather events and for making that trust come naturally through his expertise and demeanor.
“I learned everything from when Bill would do a weather hit,” Carter recalled. “Some people just have a passion for something; you can just tell, they don’t have to tell you, it’s just in their body language. That’s just Bill.”
A Community Mourns
Quinlan leaves behind his wife and son, as well as a large extended family. But his family extends far beyond blood relations to include the countless viewers who welcomed him into their homes each evening and the meteorological community he helped shape.
As North Central Florida continues to process this loss, Quinlan’s impact remains visible in every weather forecast delivered by those he mentored and in the weather preparedness of a community he served faithfully for nearly three decades.
The station where he spent the majority of his career continues to feel the void left by his passing. “It’s not just a normal Monday; it’s different for so many people,” Gagliardi noted, capturing the sentiment shared by colleagues, viewers, and the broader meteorological community.
352News.com will continue to follow this story as the community remembers and celebrates the life of Bill Quinlan.