Emmy-winning meteorologist disappears off air — here’s where he’s gone

KPIX-TV chief meteorologist Paul Heggen has left the Bay Area station after six years on the air, delivering his final broadcast Friday as colleagues paid tribute to his career with a highlight reel of memorable on-air moments.

Heggen, an Emmy Award-winning forecaster who joined the CBS affiliate in 2020, announced the departure in a social media post over the weekend, saying he and his family plan to relocate back east.

“Today is my last day at KPIX. After six great years in the Bay Area, it’s time for us to move back east,” Heggen wrote on LinkedIn, adding that further details about his next role would be revealed soon. He said the move will allow him to be closer to family and that he is “excited about the chance to track thunderstorms again.”

The Minnesota native has more than two decades of experience in atmospheric science and broadcasting, holding a master’s degree in meteorology from Texas A&M University. Before arriving in San Francisco, Heggen worked in television markets including Raleigh, North Carolina; Huntington, West Virginia; Tusla, Oklahoma; Nashville, Tennessee; Duluth, Minnesota; and Beaumont, Texas.

During his tenure at KPIX, Heggen helped launched the station’s virtual reality weather set and earned four Northern California Emmy Awards for weathercasting.

The station marked his final broadcast with a segment celebrating his work, including clips of his dry humor, playful dog-walking segments and other lighthearted on-air moments that became a hallmark of his presentation style.

Colleagues praised Heggen’s personality as well as his professionalism, with KPIX anchor Sara Donchey describing him as “endlessly funny” in the farewell tribute package.

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Heggen confirmed he has another job lined up but did not disclose specifics, promising to share more details — as well as photos from hus cross-country move — in the coming weeks.